Ethan Dennis Brandley

Birth story coming soon!

Almost There

I'll be 36 weeks this Friday, that means I can have a baby any day now!  It is such an exciting time!

At my appointment today I was barely dilated to a 1, but baby boy is head down and really low.

I have been measuring two weeks behind for my last two appointments now so as a precaution my doctor had me get an ultrasound to make sure everything is looking okay.  

Luckily they had an appointment open for an ultrasound right after my regular appointment.  

I went in for the ultrasound and everything ended up looking great!  Baby boy is actually measuring a few days ahead.  

It was fun to be able to get an extra look at him before he arrives!  

Here's the one picture we got today, He wouldn't move his hands out of his face.

I'm feeling very ready to have this baby boy!  I've been nesting A LOT in the last few weeks.  Uncontrollable urge to organize, clean, and get rid of things.  I think it has to do with the fact that our apartment is about to get much smaller with 5 people in it.  I have done a lot around the house.  I have reorganized the downstairs closet, the filing cabinet, the craft dresser, gone through all of our clothes and gotten rid of lots, and more.  I've also packed my hospital bag and set up a corner of our room for the baby (pack n' play, blankets, binkies, burp cloths, diapers and wipes).  

I'm all ready for this baby and can't wait to meet him!  

Especially because I hope once we see him we'll be able to finally agree on a name for him.
Louis has a name he likes most and I have a name I love.
I'm hoping once Louis sees our son he'll know my name is the right name ;)

Brandley Pictures

Over Christmas when the whole Joel Brandley family was together we took the opportunity to get some pictures taken.  We got the pictures back last week and they all turned out so wonderful!  They were taken by Heather Neilson, she did our wedding pictures as well.  Click here to see her Facebook page.

Here are a few of my favorites from the photo shoot

Isn't that last one the best!  What do you expect to get with 7 kids 6 years and under??

D.I. Scavenger Hunt

If you remember, I gifted Louis with a year of planned dates last Valentine's Day.  Yesterday Louis and I did our last date from the year of dates!  Originally for this date we had $20 to take to the D.I. and each pick out some things for our date.  Whether it was something for the other to wear, or a puzzle/game to play, whatever!  We changed this date though and I think it ended up being more fun!
In the middle of the night about a week ago I woke up and had the idea of doing a scavenger hunt at the D.I.  The idea kept waking me up that night because I was thinking of things we could hunt for.  In the morning I told Louis about my idea and he liked it so we started planning together some ideas of things to find.  Here is the list we came up with:

Ugly sweater/shirt

Green shoes

(Apparently I was moving while Louis was trying to get a picture of the green shoes)

Funky salt and pepper shakers

This was originally going to be our Santa as well, but we found a better one!

Something Disney

Ferb?  Is that right Matthew?

Chicken Soup for anybodies soul

Ugly tie

We had plenty to choose from.  That one on top felt like a couch.

Mug with funny saying

They didn't have many with sayings on them,

Workout video

Bonus points for it still being in the packaging!

Ugly baby outfit

Something that could be an artifact

For those who don't understand this one, it's from the TV show Warehouse 13.  

A very good show!  Louis and I both highly suggest it!

We decided this was Mother Goose's goose.  It will make you act out nursery rhymes.

Trophy

Santa Claus

Much better than the salt and pepper shaker Santa right?

Valentine's mug

A puzzle over 1000 pieces

Something that makes you think of the other person

The little maze thing made me think of Louis because he likes doing these kind of games.

The bear made Louis think of me because he loves me.  Awww!

I wanted to each get a cart and race each other for the scavenger hunt, but Louis thought we should do it together so we wouldn't have to return everything to the shelves after we were done.  Since these dates were a gift for Louis we went with his idea.  It ended up being more fun doing it together than if we were separated I think!

Here's the link to the post about the year of dates:  A Year of Dates

Avery and Hammer

Avery has been wonderful during this pregnancy!  She has been so excited about the baby the entire time.  From the beginning she has known she was getting a brother.  Shortly after we officially found out it was a boy she let us know that she was going to be calling him Hammer.  We don't know where the name came from, but the nickname has stuck.  Since we don't have an official name for baby boy yet, the name Hammer has stuck!
Wherever we go Avery tells everyone that her baby brother is in mommy's tummy.  This is said while rubbing my stomach.  Twice today she came up to me not to hug me, but to hug and kiss her baby brother.
I am so excited to see her with her baby brother.  I'm sure he is going to be smothered with love from his two sisters.
5 weeks and counting!