progress!

well, caroline and i are beginning to make progress... i had my dr's appointment today, and he was "very encouraged by my exam". so glad i could encourage him. :) ha! i was dilated 1 cm and not effaced the last time i was checked (4 weeks ago), and now i am dilated 1.5 cm (still not much), 70% effaced, and her head is at station -2. SO that is progress, my friends. i looked in ethan's baby book, and that is exactly where i was with him 4 days before his due date. (actually, i was only dilated to a 1 with him...) and here we have over 4 weeks to go. i'm not getting my hopes up that i'll go much earlier than my due date (nov. 14), but at least my body is starting to work toward labor. i realize i could walk around just like this and not dilate anymore for the next month... so yet another lesson in God being in control of everything in my life! even dilation and effacement. :) please continue to pray for a safe delivery and healthy caroline.

ethan is starting to notice babies more and more (have i mentioned that already lately? sorry if i'm repeating myself). it's so funny b/c when cousin karina was born 2 months ago, he was more interested in the buttons on auntie kristie's hospital bed than the cute bundle wrapped in pink! today, kristie and karina were visiting, and he just couldn't keep his hands off her. he was so excited and kept exclaiming, "bay!" (for "baby")... he didn't really appear jealous when i was holding her, but i will say that it was quite a challenge to ward off his quick little hands from attacking delicate karina! i think i just had an elbow free, and i'm not sure how i managed to keep that baby safe. :) ha. so i got a little taste of what it will be like around our house very soon. but at least i won't have this big belly in the way!! :) we are so looking forward to the growth of our family and to watching ethan love his baby sister.

here's a picture of karina today on her personal ottoman-- my belly! (looks like she's gonna be a thumb-sucker like her cousin!)