Almost There!

I have officially made it to the final trimester.  In fact, I am about 30 1/2 weeks along.  I can count the remaining weeks on my hands!  So far, this little guy seems to be following in the footsteps of his older brothers.  Healthy, strong, and BIG!!  Darren was born at 39 weeks, and weighed 9 lbs.  Joseph was also born at 39 weeks, but weighed in at 11 lbs. 9 oz.  Talk about HUGE!!

Just shy of 29 weeks, I had an ultrasound with this one.  At that point (nearly 2 weeks ago), he was estimated to already weigh 4 lbs. 4 oz., which is about 3 weeks ahead of schedule.  His abdomen was in the 98th percentile.  My belly was measuring 4.5 weeks ahead (there's excess amniotic fluid, too).  On the surface, I joke about how big this kid is going to be, make predictions, etc.  It helps to keep my spirits up amid other complications/issues that are beginning to rear their ugly heads.  The good new is, baby appears to be very healthy and strong.  It's always a comfort to hear that!  Here's a belly picture taken today... Just a little over 9 weeks to go! 

 

For comparison's sake, here's me at approximately 32/33 weeks pregnant with Joseph.  Keep in mind I started my current pregnancy about 30 lbs. lighter than what I weighed for my other two. 

On a little different note, I think we have finally settled on a name for our little guy.  We had a name picked out awhile ago, but it just wasn't feeling quite right to me.  So, a few days ago we made a new list, researched meanings, and decided on a different name.  I'm not going to spill the beans yet, because we are still trying it out.  I think this new name will stick though.  When Matt and I are both confident this new name will stick, then I will tell.  Until then, just use your imagination.  :)

There's Someone I Want You to Meet...

It is one of the newest Technical Sergeants of the US Air Force!  Matt sewed on Tech. about a week ago (I know, I'm a bit slow to post it), which means a rank advancement for him!   He has worked really hard for this, and I am very proud of him and his accomplishment.  Matt recently had one of his supervisors tell him that Matt was one of the very few guys he knew that could become the "full package deal," and mentioned that he's a hard worker with a positive attitude (positive attitude being a HUGE, HUGE deal), is very professional in his conduct, has natural leadership skills, uses his head and has common sense, takes responsibility for his actions, acts with integrity and upholds high moral values.  I'm sure I'm leaving some things out that he said, but I'd say his boss summed him up fairly well! 

The Air Force has a tradition that when someone has a rank advancement, supervisors, co-workers, family members, etc. all have the opportunity to help "tack on" the additional stripe.  This basically translates to punching him in the arm really hard as a way of telling him to not mess up and lose it (not worried about that with Matt at ALL).  I really wish I would have had the camera out when I was preparing the boys for what to expect at the ceremony.  When I told them they would get to hit Daddy in the arm, they suddenly stopped all movement, and looked at me with shock and confusion all at the same time.  It was actually kind of funny!  When the time came, neither boy would actually punch him - until they saw me do it.  Then Darren finally gave him a pretty good punch! 

This first pic is of the punching - Matt, his supervisors, and I trying to persuade the kids that it was actually okay just this once!   

Our first family picture with TSgt. Matthew C. Coleman!

 Mid-motion for a hand shake with the commander!

I'm proud of you, Matt!  Keep up the good work!