Ten Weeks To Go Time!

I really thought I would be blogging more.  I think of blogs all day long, and even begin great introductory sentences, even entire paragraphs in my head while driving or giving a bath. Optimistically, I think... I'll write that down as soon as... and well that moment never quite happens.  The nap I expected Owen to take so I would have a little "me" time while Elijah quietly worked on a project, well again that would be the optimist in me assuming these things.  So I haven't written a thing in weeks, yet so much has happened that I feel I could write twenty-five blogs in the next hour.

Noteable Newness:

Another pregnancy milestone has been reached... the 30 week mark! Which means the 10 week countdown! I can't believe it. Part of me feels that I've been so busy this little guy has grown inside me faster than ever.  I mean, there's no getting away from actually being pregnant, but when you have so many other things to do other than sit around and admire your expanding belly... it kind of sneaks up on you in a way.  It seems just days ago I was looking in the mirror at a nearly flat belly in wonder that there was a new little life in there... small as a jellybean.  Now he's the size of a watermelon, or maybe an oversized cantelope.
I've been thanking God for the cool weather.  I know most of you are sick of all the rain over here in North Idaho, but to me it's a good sign of a very mild summer- how perfect for my summer son to be born in. I don't do well with the heat, so I am entirely gracious!

Getting out of bed has become one of my days greatest challenges. It really is quite the event.  And the fact that I have to do it numerous times throughout the night now... is just plain taxing. I have this huge body pillow, great for supporting, not so great for maneuvering over and re-situating in the middle of the night. The whole process takes a few minutes. Martin gives up waiting for me to get comfortable and pretty much stays on his side (what's left of it) out of my way.

I had my first five massages included in my pre-natal package at the clinic today. Awesome! I think this should be required for all pregnant women.  There are so many aches and pains that we have to go through, massages should definitely be mandatory! I've had hip pain for at least a month now (sciatic nerve) and the therapist knew just the right pressure point to work on! The massages are just one of the many things I love about the care at the Midwife clinic.

The baby room is painted (thanks to everyone who did all of the hard work)! It looks so lovely! I need to do a post just on it's completion.  And of course I keep meaning to... but other things come up like making dinner, silly annoying things like that! It is the most wonderful room in the house right now... I go in there just to look at it and smile.  I can't wait to have it all ready for baby William.  I still can't decide where to put things.  The crib is in place, but I decided to wait to put the bedding on, I don't want it to get dusty.  I also washed and put the few baby clothes I have saved from the other two boys in a bin under the crib. It was fun looking through them again.  I gave a lot away, but kept some of my favorites thinking I would make a memory quilt with them... hah.. I don't sew, but that's a different story.

It's a phenomenal thing to watch your own body grow at such a rapid rate.  Even though I've been through this two other times, it still amazes me in so many ways.  You expect to fit something you wore last week... nope already too small.  Or you buy a "medium" maternity top sizing it up without trying it on because who are you kidding with two kids it just isn't worth it... and nope doesn't fit. (at least it was only $1) yep, I refuse to spend much more on maternity clothes!  I love the idea of sharing because they don't get much wear, you get variety by sharing, and of course it is way cost effective!

My two sweet boys are growing more exciting for baby to come just as Martin and I are.  They keep thinking it's going to be any moment like I'll just be sitting on the couch one moment and holding the baby the next.  "Isn't the baby going to be here now?" they'll ask.  The time frame doesn't exactly make sense to them.  I tell them things like,  "right before school starts," or, "right after daddy's birthday, then the baby will be here.  Elijah is very excited about holding the baby and giving him gentle kisses which he demonstrated to me today.  Owen is excited to be bigger than someone else in the family. When we talk about him being "big" brother he is very happy and pleased with himself.

On the hard days, I doubt myself.  Let me rephrase that... during the hard moments I hear that little voice in my head, "how are you going to do this?"  "three?"   "AHHHHHH!" They really are only moments and not days, for all days have both and good and tough stuff in them.  Sometimes it feels hopeless because I'm getting bigger and more tired and less... "me-ish." Who knew it would take so much of me to do what I need to do each day, and many days I want to do more than I need to do... I want to have fun, and do more than "enough." I remember the doubts from before... the crying... the fears, but I also remember that God chose me for this.  It is a special honor to get chosen for such a challenging task- the mother of three boys. He must believe I can do it, and most of me is completely excited. 

I know these next two months are going to be the hardest.  My kids may watch more t.v. than usual, and I may lay on the couch when it's perfectly brilliant outside, but that's okay.  I may want to kill a few people for their responses when I tell them my due date.... "August, really...wow you've still got a LONG way to go!"  obviously, I know that already thank you very much! But it's okay... people sometimes don't think things through. But if you see me, or some other pregnant lady... be kind, please.  We even accept lies at this point- tell us we look pretty, cute, or something like that. Words are important... use them carefully.  And,  thanks for your support.

The countdown begins... 10, 9, 8...... here we go!