A Week of Doctors Appointments

     The sweet Lord above gave us another 7 days of answered prayers, both big and small, this week.  Tyson and Hunter are slowly but surely gaining weight and Mark got in with the arthritis specialists as well!  His appointment was supposed to have been June 5th, but he was able to go on Thursday.  We spent Tuesday at the OB, checking on baby and seeing how he/she was progressing, Thursday at the arthritis specialist, and Friday at the oral surgeon.  Let me give you some details.  May I?
     Tuesday, we saw Dr. Pestoff at our practice, Grace OB-GYN.  She's the only woman in the rotation, but equally as wonderful as Dr. Cobb, Dr. Councell, and Dr. Jackson.  Ok, let's get honest.  Dr. Cobb is incredible and no one competes with his greatness, but still, the other three doctors are super good.  Anyhow, I measured right at 36cm (since I was 36 weeks and 2 days), so that means that baby isn't TOO big thus far.  I am 2cm dilated, 50% effaced (thinned), and the baby is in a -2 location, in relation to vertical location.  That just means the baby hasn't totally, "dropped" yet. 
     Wednesday was a good day where the three of us spent it together.  We worked out at the gym, put in a few orders at the salon, and took family naps in the afternoon.  It was LOVELY. That's also the day that Asheville Arthritis called to say they had an opening and could Mark make it the next day.  I didn't even ask the time before I told them yes he could. 
     Thursday, Mark got an early start and had Will Rennard help him so he'd finish on time.  His appointment was at 12 noon.  He said it was very thorough and they did many tests, but just like before, it was still inconclusive.  They still say things like, "it's pseudo-gout" and "are you SURE your other wrist doesn't hurt?" (hinting around to rheumatoid arthritis.  The long and short of it is this: Mark has to stop taking his current medicines and let his wrist flare up again.  When it does, he'll have to go in and let the doctor extract fluid from his wrist and then test that.  Needless to say, he's not too thrilled about the needle-in-the-wrist part, but hopefully it can give us some answers.  While he was there, Marcus and I were with the two youngest Rennard girls, playing at the park.  They mother-henned him to death, but he seemed to enjoy every second of it.  When it comes to looks, Marcus could definitely pass as the youngest of the Rennard clan. 
     Finally, Friday was a BUSY, but wonderful day.  Mrs. Cobb (yes, Dr. Cobb's wife) offered to keep Marcus last week for us, and Friday was the day that worked out best.  The three youngest Cobb boys were SO PRECIOUS with him.  I'm not sure who had more fun, Marcus or them.  Hudson, Holden, and Asa played with, fed, and read to Marcus most of the day.  I went to the salon for lunch and was surprised to see a baby shower luncheon instead!  They each made meals from my Pinterest boards and blessed us with a TON of diapers, wipes, and baby bath needs.  Even though we haven't even known these ladies a full year yet, they already treat us like family, and we sure see them in the same light. 
     After the shower, I had to run home and pick-up Mark.  He had a 1pm appointment to get 3 of his wisdom teeth removed.  He seemed a little nervous, but they were done before we knew it.  When I went back to get him, his mouth was full of gauze, and he said, "That was awesome!"  Not what I expected him to say at all, yet a good response. :) Over the rest of the day and all day yesterday (Saturday) he had little to no pain and swelling.  Today, however, a small amount of swelling has come in and the pain has definitely increased.  Thank goodness it's a Sunday and he can REST!
     So here we are, Sunday night, three weeks from my due date.  The weather is absolutely gorgeous, the house is a wreck (trust me, it is), and Marcus is outside playing with our neighbor, JoJo for the 100th time this week.  He loves that little girl and she's SO GREAT with him.  Mark's back in bed for his 2nd nap of the day because the pain seems to be increasing.  Hopefully another round of pain-killers will nip it so he'll be able to sleep peacefully tonight.  What am I going to do?  Go outside and play with Marcus and JoJo of course.  The housework can take a number.  This weather is too good and that little boy is growing up too fast. 

This big bowl of water makes him SO HAPPY!

Seriously, he plays in it for a LONG time.

Schuurmans work hard & the silverware is his job.

Running to the playground with Catherine & Mary Grace.

Swinging

This tire swing was too cool in Marcus' eyes.

Now all 3 of them had a turn on it.

A cute picture on the fence.  See how they look alike?

Marcus & JoJo, playing in the yard.

37 Weeks!
-2cm dilated & 50% effaced at last week's doctor's appointment!
-Lots of lower groin pressure & pain this week
-Got pampered with a pre-baby haircut & pedicure Thursday
-I was told I look, "enormous," & then a separate person asked if I was sure there weren't twins in there. (true story)