Signs That The Birth Of A Baby Boy Is Imminent . . .

1. I am officially "Full Term," at 37 weeks today!


2.  My super cute new diaper bag (courtesy of Grammy) is packed, Mommy's "take to the hospital" duffle bag is packed (and being added to daily), and the infant carrier car seat is in the car (bringing the car seat total to four!).

3.  I cannot stop crocheting cute little hats and booties for Baby Boy.  I am having a blast and can't wait to see him don my creations!

4. Gifts have started to arrive . . . and they are NOT pink!

5.  Baby Boy is so ridiculously low that none of my shirts cover my belly in its entirety and I LIVE on the potty!!!!


6.  I got the "courtesy 1-2 cm" at my 36 week appointment.  I laughed and reminded them that they say that to all the girls.  They agreed!


One way or another there is an end in sight and a Baby Boy to meet very soon! We continue to praise God for this precious gift of a fourth child, a first boy, and a healthy pregnancy.  Please continue to pray for my labor, delivery, and doctors.  Pray for our family as we prepare to become a family of six, for Jonathan's mom as she prepares to travel at a moment's notice, and for sweet Emerson as she becomes a big sister!

Baby Update: Six Weeks or Less!

I guess you could argue "six weeks or more," but I have never gone past my due date.  At 34 weeks, however, this is the first time I am surprised that the time is drawing near.  By this point I am usually miserable, seriously overweight, and praying the baby will come early.  This time around I feel great (other than some heartburn and occasional back aches), have kept my weight down (gained just over 25 pounds so far-- normally gain about 60 pounds); and, I am just plain old busy raising three kiddos under the age of seven and spending my days homeschooling.  It has been a wonderful pregnancy!

Today Madeline served as my photography assistant (posing while I messed with my camera settings and served as a "stand in" focus point).  Then she joined me for this special picture (above).

The girls also accompanied me to my 34 week check up today.  To her delight, Emerson helped measure my ever growing tummy and search for Baby Brother's heartbeat.  Baby Boy and Mommy are both healthy and doing well.  We all celebrated with some Starbucks for the ride home.


Please pray that we will have wisdom over the coming weeks.  I typically have somewhat quick labor/deliveries and we're about 45 minutes from the hospital where I deliver.  Pray for my midwives and doctor, and please continue to pray for mommy and baby!

Life In The New Year: Promises . . .

1.  More frequent and regular blog posts . . . honest!

2.  More homemade soups, sauces, individual smoothies, and guacamole--thanks to one of my handy dandy Christmas gifts from hubby . . . a Cuisinart Smart Stick Chopper/Immersion Blender.

This batch of homemade (all natural/partly organic) spaghetti sauce yielded the equivalent of 5 jars of spaghetti sauce.  At the very least, I saved about $12 (normally spent on organic jars of spaghetti sauce).  Plus I felt like an iron chef sticking my immersion blender straight into the pot of simmering whole tomatoes--very exciting! 

3.  That I will (eventually) finish this book:

I have an undergrad degree in English Lit., but somehow feel jilted that I was never required to read Tolstoy.  So, I casually picked up Anna Karenina this summer and toted it with me to Florida for our annual week long summer vacation --foolishly thinking I would finish it.


It's January 9th.  I'm on this page:

I have to read to page 940.  But, I am 30 something, pregnant, and tired.  I wake up many mornings to my book flopped open on the floor and my LED reading light shining up at me from its hiding place beneath my book.  It doesn't help that I am a multi-book reader.  I can't just read one thing or one genre at a time.  I am currently also reading:

So, naturally, reading multiple books slows my Anna Karenina progress down a bit.  But, I am thoroughly enjoying my Tolstoy experience and look forward to a conclusion in the near future.  


I especially want to finish Anna Karenina; because, I am quite anxious to begin reading this little treat my husband picked up for me over a month ago (and I waited months for it to be finished and released):

Yes, I am a dork; and, proudly so!  I was devastated when I found out that Brisingr was not the last book of the Inheritance Cycle.  I am quite anxious to travel back to Alagaesia.

Life In The New Year: Potty Training Emerson

And so it begins . . . potty training.  At 33 weeks pregnant I feel an overwhelming pressure to get a certain 2 year old out of diapers and Pull -Ups.  I have never had two kiddos in diapers at the same time and I refuse to let this be the first time.  Though we have been slowly acclimating Emerson to the potty, experimenting with panties, and even letting her run around in the nude, we have yet to enjoy success.  She is . . . how shall we say it? . . . UNINTERESTED!  So we are currently engaged in an all out, no holding back, do or die 7 week (if God allows baby boy to stay put) potty training boot camp.  

What does this look like you ask?  It looks like Emerson goofing off on the little potty while Mommy conducts school from the bathroom.  It looks like Madeline taking a spelling test while sitting cross-legged on the big potty.  It looks like Hannah studying math facts in the hallway.  It looks like a basket full of wet socks, panties, and pants on the washer and Emerson running around in some interesting ensembles as I run out of matching pants.  Bottom line-- when Mommy's iPhone timer goes off (somewhere between every 15-30 minutes) life moves to the bathroom where we are all entertained by Emerson who remains uninterested.

Today's successes (or lack there of) include Emerson stripping baby Zoe (her most beloved doll) down to her birthday suit and rushing her to the little dolly potty and then heading back to the living room where she proceeded to pee in an empty clothes basket.  Thankfully it was empty!

What can I say?  She's a stinker . . . literally!!!

Unicorns, Tigers, & Tsunami's . . . Oh My!!!

Amazingly, Fall Soccer began last Saturday for our family.  With the addition of one Madeline Grace Brooks to the Four Year Old roster, we have to be fed, dressed, and on the soccer field by 9:00 a.m.-- woo hoo!

Hannah has enjoyed two weeks of practice with her new team, the Unicorns, and Coach Wayne.  He seems to be an awesome coach with tons of enthusiasm; and, Hannah has really learned a lot in three short practices.  The Unicorns played the Tigers in their first game on Saturday.  Hannah is back on the field (out of the goal), and Coach Wayne is even using her as a forward (in addition to playing defense). But, our Hannah is a defender and team player through and through.  She loves to boot the ball; and, she loves to find a good pass in order to set another team member up for a goal.

The Four Year Old Soccer Program began with an orientation/meet your coach and practice this past Saturday.  Madeline was delighted to meet her coach (Coach Joey) and the rest of her teammates (boys and girls)--officially called the Tsunami.  She was also beside herself to find that her jersey was blue!  She immediately donned her jersey and dove right into practice.  Boo Bear's first game (30 minute scrimmage) will be this coming Saturday (the four year olds practice for 30 minutes and play for 30 minutes each Saturday).

It's A . . . .?

---

Shocked though we may be . . . we are all, of course, very excited.  We were especially happy to see and hear that baby and mommy are very healthy and doing well.  I am measuring right at 17 weeks, so February 22nd is still the "guess date" for Baby Boy's approximate arrival.

As they say . . . a picture is worth a thousand words.  And, I would have to say that this ultrasound pic looks quite different than what we are accustomed to!

 


Thanking God for a healthy baby and praying that He continues to bless this pregnancy!


Be sure to check out my post from earlier today below -- I am trying desperately to recap the summer so we can move forward.