Ultrasound Day!!!

This is our last baby for sure, which means two things. 1) I want to cherish everything even more... Every little movement I am thinking- I will never experience this exact moment over. I'll never be pregnant again after this. This is it, no more mornings alone with Owen, or afternoons with just Elijah while Owen is sleeping. No more wondering how this cute little outfit will look on my tiny little baby. There are so many things I will miss... things I'm glad I get to experience again for the third time around. What I am most grateful for is how God shows himself to me in a special way during this part of my life. Everyday I am reminded at how He has planned everything out perfectly... and from the very beginning, which just gives me goosebumps. I am in awe... a very good place to be. I am more emotional (duh) but somehow that fact makes me more open, more sensitive and aware of things I might normally miss. This entire journey from conception to birth is a miracle that I get to play a leading role in. It has changed me. Especially this time around... I feel more gratitude, more faith... I asked, and He answered. We thought we were done with babies, but last summer I prayed hard. And then I waited. I knew how Martin felt about it- he was done. So I waited. Then out of the blue, one night he tells me, "I want to talk about babies!" And that was it. He was ready, God had shown him the need of my heart to love another child, and to add to our family.

This being our last baby also means- 2) I'LL NEVER HAVE TO BE PREGNANT AGAIN!!! I know that sounds like a complete contradiction of what I just said, but let's be honest... it's tough! It is beautiful and I am so thankful, but I will be glad in a way when it is all over and somewhere along the way, some how, I will get my body back! I think there will be a complete sort of feeling after we bring the baby home, too. That I am so looking forward to.

So, moving on... Tuesday was Ultrasound day... we were defintely finding out the sex of the baby. Mostly that was my desire, Martin wanted it to be a surprise, but I just couldn't handle dealing with those kinds of extra emotions on delivery day. The appointment was set for noon with my pre-natal visit following, so Martin took half the day off from work so we could go together. I also dropped both boys off at Elijah's school for the day (big day for Owen... he loved bring his own little back-pack and staying with the 3yr. old class like a big boy)! So I had the morning to myself, which felt really odd at first, but all I could think about was the baby. I wanted to do something special. I thought about buying something for the baby to wear, but that wasn't great because obviously I didn't know the gender yet, and clothes only last a short time. When I got the the store, I knew exactly what I wanted to do because right in front were rows of beautiful flowers. How perfect, I thought, I will plant flowers in honor of the baby... to symbolize the growth that is happening and the life that is changing. So I filled my front corner with flowers that morning, and dedicated them to little twiddle-bug!

In the meantime, I was drinking lots and lots of water because of course, the day before I was instructed to come with a "full" bladder. Martin met me at home and we jumped in the car, full of excitement. About five minutes into the drive... I could barely hold it... I had to pee NOW! yep, I arrived with an empty bladder, and had to guzzle an entire new bottle of water so that we could all see baby clearly and mostly so that my pelvis could be measured, that's what the technician said any ways.

First of all we were a little disapointed that it was not going to be a 3-D ultrasound like we had last time with Owen. Apparently those are pricey to replace when they break. So it was just the old regular kind... but it works, we saw what we needed to see. The one improvement was I didn't have to keep turning me head to the side to see what was going on, there was a large screen right in front of me that the ultrasound was being projected on.

First, we went through all of baby's anatomy. It was amazing to see every part so developed for such a little thing. Of course baby still has a long way to go, but everything is there... just growing and beccoming stronger... the spine, the heart, bones, fingers, toes, the brain, eyelashes, lips, ears, and nose... what a miracle! I was feeling a lot during all of this. Of course, the joy of seeing my baby, and then there was the discomfort of having a now full bladder being pushed and prodded so that every part could be seen, and lastly, my heart couldn't decide what would bring me more joy... a girl or a boy. I didn't feel weighted either way, I was only anxious for this little baby to move it's legs the right way so that simple question could be answered. Boy or girl, boy, or girl boy or girl? I felt like I was holding my breath... and then... the technician froze the frame at just the right moment before little twiddle bug could hide those nether parts again. And I knew before anyone said another word. I would always be the mom of boys, there was no mistaking it... baby boy number three is on the way!!! Then the technician typed in those three little letters -BOY, with an arrow. So I will be the only girl in the house...(Martin says I get to be Queen-spoiled and taken care of by all my little men).

After the appointment we had a great afternoon and evening celebrating in lots of ways. Martin and I had sort of a lunch date since both boys were taken care of. We ate sandwiches at a local deli, talked about names and just how happy we are. Then we went to buy blue balloons, which we put in a giant box for the boys to open. I think they had more fun playing in the box than actually opening it, go figure. After school we all went to the park, flew kites, and had a great time. Then my family that lives close by met us for dinner so we could share the news with them. It was a wonderful day, and I can't wait to meet my third little guy!!!

p.s. still haven't decided on the name. I thought I would know as soon as I knew the gender and saw the baby on the ultrasound, but there are still several names up in the air.

Gotta Have a PICKLE!!!

I'm actually now 16 weeks, but wanted to update anyways. I am growing so much faster with this third baby! I can't believe I already have this round tummy popping out!!!

Sunday I definitely felt the baby move a few times. It wasn't "hmmm... that could have been something," it was, "whoa... yeah that was a little human inside me making it's presence known." For me that is one of the most joyful parts of pregnancy, especially in this early stage when the movements aren't yet kicks or rolls or acrobat moves. We were in the car when it first happened and I looked over to tell Martin with the biggest smile. He told me I was glowing and it was good to see me so happy.

And I am so happy. Even though so far everyday is a challenge trying to be mom of two of the busiest little guys around, and take care of myself, and well forget the house. I did vacuum today though and got some laundry put away, so that should count for something right? Martin has been my hero all along. He is just great that way. He keeps up on the dishes mostly. Last night I actually watched him fold two baskets of laundry and put everything away while I had a snack. Amazing, right!

Pickles really are awesome. I'm not really a pickle fanatic, but now I finally get the craze of a pregnant woman needing some pickles. Yesterday I stopped at Jimmy Johns and they sell huge pickles... you can actually go through the drive through and order just a pickle! I got a veggie sandwich too, but how awesomely amazing and convenient is that?! Now I kinda want one...

Part of me wishes pregnancy didn't take so long. I am already so anxious to meet this little person growing inside me and introduce him/her to the rest of the fam. I love hearing the boy's add the baby into our life when we are going about our day and talking about things. Today Owen mentioned that we would bring the new baby to the beach to have a picnic with us. (They are both anxious for the beach and picnics... Elijah said he wants his Great Grandma to come and make a pie, because she makes the best pies). They also will periodically kiss my belly or Owen will give me a kiss (he likes to hand out his kisses rather than actually kiss your cheek) and say this one you can save for baby. They will both be such great big brothers to this new little one!

Backseat Chatter

One of my favorite times to talk is in the car. I’m not sure exactly the reason, maybe it’s that my listener has no escape route, or that conversation just seems to develop because there is little else to do. (of course, my husband would much rather sing along with the radio and sees talking as a complete interruption, whereas to me, it is the exact opposite- the singing being the interruption). However, when you have kids, car rides move on to a whole new level.

Most of the time I still rather enjoy our many car trips. I like listening to my kids’ creativity, their questions, and wonderings, and most of all their giggles. At two and four, they have entered a whole new world of “brotherhood.” Part of it I saw coming long before now- Elijah conniving ideas for Owen to join in on. I see it everyday more and more how they fight with each other, compete, share, love, support, and stand up for one another. It’s a natural and beautiful thing. Sometimes it’s hard for me to just let them be. But I know the days are coming when they need to figure things out for themselves, fight their own fights and not have mom step in and decide the winner.

Most of the time their behavior is very laughable. I feel like the camera crews are going to jump out of the pantry any minute now- my life- the true reality show. Tonight on our way home, it was just the boys and I, I was telling Elijah that he had no school tomorrow because it’s spring break, so it’s going to be a “stay at home with mommy day.” Then Owen added, “and daddy” (he’s really been missing daddy lately).
“Well actually we are going to meet daddy at the tire store in the morning, so you will see him for a little bit,” I said.
“Why is daddy at the tire store?” Elijah asked.
“Well he’s not there right now, but he will be there in the morning.”
“Why?”
“He needs to get the snow tires off his car, and have the tire guys put regular tires on.”
“oh… are they going to keep the tires on the rims?”
At this question I paused for a millesecond… are you old enough to ask that? How do you know about rims? And then I remembered who I was married to, and obviously this would have come up in casual four year conversation between daddy and son.
“Yeah, I think they are going to keep the tires on the rims because both sets have their own rims.”
From there we talked about why we didn’t need snow tires anymore, and why mommy’s car didn’t need them either, and that daddy’s car was better… for some reason. I guess because daddy would be in it. And then the silliness started. Owen took off his shoe and threw it at Elijah who then threw it on the floor. “Owen threw his shoe at me!!!” “Don’t do that Wijah!” “That’s a time out Owen!” Elijah said in a silly voice. Then they started giving everyone and everything a “time out.” “Time out to the window!” Owen exclaimed. “Time out to the floor!” “Say time out to the road Owen, to the road!” Elijah was hysterical, for some reason this was their funniest game yet, and my backseat was full of rumbling giggles all the way home.

So, even though some of the time all I want to do is get out of the car and away from the screaming and crying and chaos, most of our car trips leave me feeling glad we were together. It’s a little piece of who we are packed into a little bitty space (although I must say it looks a whole lot bigger after cleaning out the half a foot of junk that used to be on the floor)! It’s one of the few places the kids are buckled down, forced to be still, giving us the opportunity to show them the world.