Halloween Night in Tiger Town

Zachary and I Trick-or-Treated in Downtown Clemson this evening instead of the long walks house to house. We both had a lot of fun. Everyone thought the police man outfit was so cute. After gathering our candy, we walked to Clemson First Baptist for a free hotdog dinner. They had numerous indoor games set-up and even an indoor bouncer. I was tired and ready to go which forced Zachary to throw a tantrum. I think he would have stayed all night!

Trinity Fall Festival

Zachary had a blast at school today with their annual Fall Festival....


He tried Cotton Candy, but did not like it very much...

He loved bouncing in the Bouncers...


And would even try to give "mommy" a kiss through the ropes...


He played in the Corn Boxes (who knew corn could be so much fun!)...


He tried to drive away on the tractor...


Zachary's favorite activity was the Hay Ride that lasted about 15 minutes!!

36 WEEKS!

At 36 weeks, here is what is going on with our baby boy...Our baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. At the end of this week, our baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely he is in a head-down position. He will be arriving any day now!

What Will Zachary Be For Halloween...

You guessed it...a policeman, just like his daddy!


He insisted on having his picture made with Dad's car...



And begged to get in the driver's seat to drive Dad's police car!





Zachary is so excited to finally wear his police man uniform in public...we are going to a Halloween Carnival tonight!!

Weekly OB Appt

I had my weekly OB appt this morning and everything is moving forward. The baby boy's heart rate was 140's and strong. My abdomen measured perfect for 36 weeks. The only new thing is that I have protein showing up in my urine... Nothing really to worry about because I do not have signs of an infection and my blood pressure was normal today. We will follow-up weekly to see if I continue to have protein in my urine. I can not believe that tomorrow I will be 36 weeks!!! The doctor today said your first child is always the most difficult...so, since Zachary's delivery was simple and fast, this ought to be even better! (Zachary is also ready).

Halloween Treat Bags

Today, Zachary and I made treat bags for his classmates for their Fall Festival & Halloween Party on Friday. He did a great job putting the correct things in each bag. It was hard to decide what to put in a 2-yr olds treat bag but we came up with Halloween...pencils, spiders, frogs, stickers, play dough, teddy grahams, mini oreos, smarties, etc. He is so proud of the treat bags! On Friday, another mom and myself will be running the cotton candy machine! I am sure all the children will be on a sugar high!

Today's OB Appointment

Well, today's appointment was not different than any other...baby boy's heart rate was 130's and all of my vitals looked good. Our next appointment is next Thursday!

Weekly Progress Report

Zachary is really enjoying school and is growing everyday. This week at school he made lots of crafts and went to chapel for worship and music. I am so happy that we found this excellent pre-school for him to attend!

35 WEEKS!

Our life is about to change...we are quickly reaching our due date. Every chance we have we are preparing the house! Here is an update about the little boy...Our baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because he's so snug in my womb, he isn't doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks is about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight (I guess my back, hips and legs will continue to ache & sleeping will be difficult). I have my OB appointment this AM and will post an update afterwards!

Clemson Ice Cream

This afternoon, Zachary and I visited the Clemson campus for some yummy ice cream. Once we got our ice cream, we went and sat in the sun on the green grass. Zachary was more interested in running around on the hills, watching the dozens of buses and mimicking a yoga class going on outside. We had a lot of fun and Zachary even posed for some pictures.

School Pictures

Zachary got his school pictures back today and they are great! He is enjoying school so much and we can tell a difference in his speech and social skills!

Nesting!

David, Zachary and I have been getting some last minute things done around the house before the little one arrives. We were so busy, we did not even think to put Zachary down for a nap...it is such a big help cleaning and stuff. Around 3pm, he CRASHED on the couch (which he has never done). I guess he was so tired he could not resist the comfortable couch. And he could not rest without his TWO rabbits! I had to take pictures!

Weekly Progress Report

Zachary had a wonderful week at school. He brought home many crafts today as well as a good progress report!

34 WEEKS!

Today marks 34 weeks! The day is getting closer and closer! Here are a few things that are going on...Our baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. You'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies. Hopefully, he will hold on for a least another few weeks! Still no name but I will let everyone know when a decision is made...may be the day he is born!

Pumpkin Carving

Tonight, Zachary carved his first pumpkin with dad. They had a lot of fun and Zachary enjoyed watching the pumpkin glow outside.


In addition, we had a busy morning in Greenville. Zachary had a doctor's appointment where he got his flu shot. He weighed 32 lbs (75th percentile) and was a little over 3 ft tall (65th percentile). He screamed the entire time. Later, we went shopping at Babies R Us and Toys R Us. Zachary had a lot of fun!

A Few Things About My Daddy...

Seven years ago today, my father passed away suddenly leaving my mom and four children. I miss him so much. It is hard to believe that my children will not be able to grow up with their granddad "Pettit", but I know he is watching us from heaven each and every day. Today, I keep all of our family in my thoughts and prayers as we remember all the great things about our dad, son, brother, uncle and friend! I just wanted to share a few pictures of my daddy...





A few years after my daddy passed, my mom remarried Mark who has been a blessing to our family, a great step-dad and a wonderful "Poppi" to Zachary. I could not imagine my mother living the rest of her life alone and feel truly blessed that her and Mark found one another. I will never forget the day Mark told us that he proposed to my mother...he promised us that he was not here to take the place of our daddy but to make a life with our mother. That meant so much to each of us! We love you and miss you dad!

The Search For The Perfect Pumpkin!

Zachary absolutely adores Haley...




And, the boy moves in for the kiss...

Denver Downs Corn Maize

Today, Zachary and I went to Denver Downs Farm in Anderson with our friends Mariko, Haley and Hunter. We had a great time. The farm had so many activities for the kids...cow train, hay rides, corn boxes, pumpkining picking, corn maizes, donkeys, pigs, billy goats, duckie races and so much more. The kids had so much fun!