My Newest Treasure

Look what's under our Christmas tree!

Judah Lee Hoffmann

Born December 22 at 2:58 p.m.

8 lbs. and 21 inches long

Still Waiting...

No baby yet. What a trickster. He's already like his Daddy.

I'm 38 weeks as of yesterday. I went to the doctor Wednesday and I'm around 4 cm. and 90% effaced, so I am making progress. She said, "If I broke your water you would have a baby in a couple of hours." I assured her I had nowhere to be, but she said she wanted to give him another week to mature before she did that. I took that to mean that if I make it to my next appointment on Tuesday she would go ahead. I hope she knows not to tease a very pregnant woman. She also said she didn't think I was going to have time for an epidural once I really started labor because, according to her, my cervix is "like butter". I hope she's very wrong about the no epidural part...

The night before both Luke and Eli were born I drank raspberry tea, so I have always had suspicions it might have had something to do with my labor coming on. I've had rasberry tea twice in the past week and a half with no success. Does anybody else have any suggestions?

Luke's First Day of School

Luke started school last Wednesday. He has been dropped off every day without tears (excluding my own) and only minimal lip pooching. He's happy every day when he gets picked up, so that makes me not worry about the sad face when he gets dropped off.

The first day I picked him up a little girl in his class came out the door after him to give him a picture she had drawn. He just looked at her and said, "That's not mine." After I explained that she had drawn it for him and was giving it to him, she said, "It's me and you." He has his Daddy's innate charm, I guess. The ladies already love him.

He came home this week talking about the Christmas story and singing Christmas songs. He told me about Mary and Joseph, Baby Jesus, the donkey and he's been singing Jingle Bells with random words. It's been fun to hear the things he's learning.

There was one day when I had doubts about our decision to put him in school. Not that anything in particular made me worry, but I guess it's just letting go of control. Then I thought about all the wonderful people aside from my parents who have had an impact on my life and helped me become who I am. I'm grateful my parents let go enough to give those people an opportunity to help me grow, and I know this is a wonderful school and a wonderful chance for him to grow in ways that I can't provide. It's a gift. To me, to him, to Eli (he likes being an only child in the mornings, he has decided).

The face I see every day at the end of the school day

How Low Can He Go?

I'm officially 36 weeks and officially ready for the baby to make his debut. I went to the doctor Wednesday, and she was way too encouraging that I would make it another week. She was not on the same page as me. She did say that he is as low as I thought. That was confirmed yesterday when I went to the bank and a guy about my age stopped me to ask if I was having a boy. To be honest, he was a little bit thuggish, even though he had a sweet face and smile, and I was surprised he would be interested. When I said "yes" with a question in my voice, he made a motion with his hands below his belly and said, "Well, they say boys hang lower."


Mom has been making me take all kinds of pictures so she can show everyone how huge my belly is. As with the comments from the fella yesterday, I have been a good sport. You can't really tell in this picture, but my belly no longer will rest on my lap, but rather between my legs.


I'm hoping these will be the last of the belly pictures. I appreciate all prayers that have been made for baby to stay put until it's time. Would you mind revising those prayers, please? It's time. Thanks. Much appreciated.

Thanksgiving Staycation

The thing I was most disappointed about after my doctor's appointment last week was that the boys wouldn't be able to spend Thanksgiving in Camilla. We had been talking about it and excited about it for weeks, so I wasn't sure how we were going to let them down gently. Plus, when Luke talked about going to school, he always made sure to say that he was not going to go until "after Georgia". My parents solved the dilemma and gave me, Kris and the boys an incredible Thanksgiving gift. They met us halfway Wednesday night so the boys could go spend Thanksgiving with them since I needed to stay home.

I didn't know if Luke would be willing to go without us, and I felt positive that Eli wouldn't go. Apparently I don't know my children all that well. Luke wasn't sure what he wanted to do until Eli declared without hesitation that he was going to Georgia to see Grandaddy and ride tractors. Done and done. According to my mother, neither of my children ever asked about me or Kris. And they were perfect. Hmmm...Perhaps this should become an every six months tradition. What do you say, Mom?

Kris and I both really enjoyed the quiet and slow pace. We were able to get completely ready for baby, mostly ready for Christmas and enjoy a few meals out. And I laid around a lot and just tried not to do anything that would send me into labor. They are coming home today, and I am glad. I miss being "Mama".

The Latest...

It's been a little while since the last update, but I've been waiting for things to settle.

Last week Kris and I decided that it would be a good thing for Luke to go to school. I've had him on a waiting list for a three day a week pre-school, but no luck yet. There has always been a spot available for the five day class, but I just couldn't get happy about him being away five days. Then I had a reality check about the fact that once this baby is born I won't even be able to go on a walk without help. Going to the grocery store for more than one item would be impossible. Getting out of the house in general would be difficult for a while. On top of that, Luke is bored with home by about 3:30 in the afternoon. Mornings are fine, but afternoons are no fun for anybody because he's practically coming out of his skin. So, we signed him up, and he starts on the 30th. He is very excited, and if I keep the right thought process, so am I. Eli has no idea that "Lukey" will be gone, but I don't think he's going to like it very much. All he knows right now is that HE doesn't want to go to school. When we went to visit the school, he held both my hand and my leg the entire time and kept saying, "Mama, I wanna go home. Let's go to the car. Take me home."

I am 34 weeks now. I went to the doctor last Thursday for a regular appointment. I had the midwife check me "just to be sure" since we were planning on going to Camilla for Thanksgiving. To both of our surprise, I am already dilated 2 cm. and 70% effaced. Which would be exciting except that it is really too early for this little boy to come. I'm supposed to be resting as much as possible, which means no Camilla. I went to the doctor again today, and she said I haven't changed, but he's dropped more, and I needed to stay home. I'm bummed but know it's the best thing to stay here. And, um, we really don't want to be five hours away, out of the insurance network, and have a premature baby born. Of course, since we're staying here, he won't come for another three weeks, but if we went...you know.

I'm hoping I won't have anything to tell on the baby front for a little while, but I will share a picture. When mom came a few weeks ago we tried to get some pictures. This was one of my favorites. It definitely doesn't do the big belly justice, but it's pretty.

Yummy Calzones

I made this recipe for dinner tonight and it was met with rave reviews from all three boys. In my house, that's hard to accomplish.

Luke not only commented multiple times about how good it smelled while it cooked but ate his whole piece, spinach and all, and raved about it. Eli gobbled his up, too. Kris came in, and the first thing he said was, "Oh man, that looks good!" He commented at least five times about how good it was and that it was better than the Italian restaurant downtown.

And. It was easy. I love it.

I used less cheese, onion and spinach than it called for and ground sausage from the breakfast food section. You could get creative about what you put in it and even see if you could trick your kids into eating something they normally wouldn't. That's my plan anyway. We will definitely be having this again soon!

Enjoy!