Charlie Period

Ah, John was finally home and in time for Valentine's Day. I thought that was cute... Mathew and I decorated by putting little red and colored cut-out hearts on the walls. There was a special one for Daddy as a welcome home present. We were both excited to see him. Mathew took to him right away as a playmate and would constantly grab his hand rather than mine to go play. I didn't mind as he would have to lean on Daddy alot once the new baby comes as I recovered. 

I was able to get things done while John was home and he was able to work out his leave so that he would be home before and after baby. His sister, Amber, and his mom planned to come and help as well. 

I started to get excited for baby and John started to attend Baby appointments. One Sunday afternoon, John and I were 'celebrating' him being home and it started some major contraction pains for the rest of the evening. Nothing was consistent with timing but it was painful. I was able to sleep it off, however, I was checked at my appointment - already 2cm...at 36 weeks! Guess they were real contractions. No sex was our perscription for the next two weeks... 

Work ended during the week of Feb. 17th. They threw a lovely mini baby shower for me and I was able to choose the food selection. I ended up ordering from the Polish Kitchen in Petoskey - so authentic and all... Really good. I am so lucky to find awesome co-workers everywhere I've worked so far. 

I also had two other showers - or sprinkles as one church friend described it - from church and from the Coastie wifes. We received some awesome stuff and then gift cards for the rest. Mostly diapers and wipes and a few odds and ends is all we needed. So much stuff that I am still working on thank you notes! 

This is from the Coastie ladies party! Such good ladies to hang around. This was a co-shower as another wife was prego too - John's EM Chief's wife.

Church threw a sweet shower too with some really fun games. I saved most of the papers for if I ever have to throw one.

The last week of February to boat had a moral event at Boyne Mountain. They have a Spa there so Mathew went to the day-care center, Daddy got to snowboard, and I got my toe-nails done!

It was a longer day than I expected hanging with Mathew after as Daddy wanted to explore one last route but I got my pre-pampering done. 

I really was ready for the new Baby to come, huge and tired - oh and we settled on a name. A first name that is: Ethan. John wanted to name him after his grandpa's Don and Scott, but we could never find a good combination. I randomly thought about Ethan and John agreed. It was John's job to figure the middle name out... 

So pampering done, clothes ready, packnplay downstairs, bassinet upstairs, Amber coming... John's leave starting March 1st... We were ready for baby but still nervous, of course. I was so worried about the hospital and it being so far away and not equipped if anything went wrong. I felt better as John was finally home.