Almost There - 37 weeks

We are getting so close to Susanna Clair's birth, and every single one of us is completely ready.  I'm 37 weeks, and at my appointment last week I had dilated 2 cm.  Sooooooo, come on, Baby Girl!

33 Weeks!

With Eli as my photographer, I got a shot of where we are in the baby cooking process.  I currently have about four pictures of this entire pregnancy.

I feel like I look much smaller in this picture than in reality.  Which is why I posted it.  That and I felt cute in my outfit. :)

 This is far more accurate.  This is also right before I went to my doctor's appointment, which lasted three minutes.  Not kidding.

I'm having a lot of ligament pain in my lower belly, but wearing the belly belt around the house is helping with that.  My hips have shifted, so that has created some discomfort too.  I do a lot of directing and correcting and loving from the couch these days, but all in all, we're doing just fine.  We are just ready to have Susanna in our family.  The boys are constantly hugging, kissing and snuggling her, which makes me smile.  I did ask Luke and Eli if they would love on her as much when she was out of my belly, and they gave me some undecipherable answers.  We'll see.  I'll just enjoy all the extra snuggling "she's" getting for now.

Third Trimester, What?!

In some ways, I cannot believe I'm this far along.  Twenty-eight weeks, seven months, third trimester.  Crazy.  In other ways, I can't believe this is as far along as I am.  I mean, surely I should be near the end, right?  This pregnancy has been much like raising children in general: the days fly by, but the moment to moment can feel like an eternity.  And, as with the challenges of raising children, it's all totally worth it.

As the fourth of five children, born less than five years after the first, there are about three pictures of me in my baby book.  I always instinctively understood that my mom was doing the best she could.  I'm hoping Susanna Clair will have as much grace for me, just trusting that we absolutely adore her already and truly can't wait for her to help our family be complete, even though I have had little to nothing to say on here lately.  Darling, you are our never ending topic of conversation around here.  I promise.

I really would like to have a picture of me where I don't look A. Huge and B. Exhausted.

However, I am huge and exhausted, so what's a gal to do?

So, It's Past Time, Right?

I think everyone who keeps up with us on here is already aware of the fact that we are expecting baby number four.  To say it was a surprise is an understatement.  We had decided that we love our boys are were completely satisfied with three of them and weren't sure we wanted mess with what was working just fine for us.  And then...well, surprise!

I'm not sure why I've waited so long to put it on here.  Probably a combination of the shock having to wear off, then the nausea and exhaustion having to wear off so I actually felt like putting anything on here, then we just decided to wait until we could say:

IT'S A GIRL!!!

While another boy would have been a happy thing too, we are thrilled to be getting the chance to love a little girl.  I know Kris will be an amazing girl daddy, and the boys could definitely use a little softening around the edges.  I really don't even know what to expect this little girl to do to me, but I'm sure it will be wonderful.  I have to confess that at this point, I'm just super excited about pretty, long hair and hair bows!

If you didn't catch it on the video of Eli's birthday party, go back and look and see that my belly is already well on its way to large.  This fourth pregnancy has been no joke so far, and I have discovered that the belief that pregnancies with boys are all out front and pregnancies with girls are all over to be  quite accurate.  My "big girl" panties are already snug.  And September is far, far away.  

Judah's Birth and First Three Weeks - The Details

I can't believe I'm starting off with this picture, but you want the full story, right? And I'm sure I'll be glad to have this picture on here years down the road. Anyway, this is me shortly before Judah's birthday.

I went to my 38 week appointment on Tuesday, the 22nd, with hopes that my midwife would send me on to the hospital. When I got to the office, I found out she was stuck in traffic and I might have to see another doctor. I asked to wait on her, and after about an hour, a different midwife came in. When I mentioned about the other midwife's promise to induce, she looked at me like, "Yeah, right." Until she checked me, and I was already completely effaced and 5 cm. dilated. Finally, my midwife got there, the two of them conferred and then checked with the hospital. I could hear them outside my door saying, "There's only one bed left? Hmm..." I was trying not to be too disappointed when they came in and said, "Go straight to the hospital before the last bed gets taken." Hallelujah!

So, here I am, IV in, pitocin at work, awaiting an epidural. My friend from church, Heidi, was my nurse, which was wonderful and fun. She took great care of me and made sure everything went perfectly. After the epidural was in, I passed out (not literally) because I was so relaxed. It was lovely.

Three hours after my midwife broke my water, I pushed three times, and Judah was born. Grandma Clair, Grandma Bonnie and Daddy were there for the excitement.

Kris was grateful it was over.

After a night and a day in the hospital (all by myself - ahhhh, wonderful solitude), I came home to two happy little boys with bronchitis. Kris had a rotten cold as well. The first day home had me a little stressed, but they all got well quickly, and Judah and I were spared sickness.

Luke and Eli were eager to share right away.

Sweet brother love.

The boys always want to hold Judah...

And feel a little disappointed when they have to wait their turn.

And now, Judah is doing his job well.

Entertaining us.

Eating.

Sleeping.

And, well, you know. No pictures of the other.

How Low Can He Go?

I'm officially 36 weeks and officially ready for the baby to make his debut. I went to the doctor Wednesday, and she was way too encouraging that I would make it another week. She was not on the same page as me. She did say that he is as low as I thought. That was confirmed yesterday when I went to the bank and a guy about my age stopped me to ask if I was having a boy. To be honest, he was a little bit thuggish, even though he had a sweet face and smile, and I was surprised he would be interested. When I said "yes" with a question in my voice, he made a motion with his hands below his belly and said, "Well, they say boys hang lower."


Mom has been making me take all kinds of pictures so she can show everyone how huge my belly is. As with the comments from the fella yesterday, I have been a good sport. You can't really tell in this picture, but my belly no longer will rest on my lap, but rather between my legs.


I'm hoping these will be the last of the belly pictures. I appreciate all prayers that have been made for baby to stay put until it's time. Would you mind revising those prayers, please? It's time. Thanks. Much appreciated.

The Latest...

It's been a little while since the last update, but I've been waiting for things to settle.

Last week Kris and I decided that it would be a good thing for Luke to go to school. I've had him on a waiting list for a three day a week pre-school, but no luck yet. There has always been a spot available for the five day class, but I just couldn't get happy about him being away five days. Then I had a reality check about the fact that once this baby is born I won't even be able to go on a walk without help. Going to the grocery store for more than one item would be impossible. Getting out of the house in general would be difficult for a while. On top of that, Luke is bored with home by about 3:30 in the afternoon. Mornings are fine, but afternoons are no fun for anybody because he's practically coming out of his skin. So, we signed him up, and he starts on the 30th. He is very excited, and if I keep the right thought process, so am I. Eli has no idea that "Lukey" will be gone, but I don't think he's going to like it very much. All he knows right now is that HE doesn't want to go to school. When we went to visit the school, he held both my hand and my leg the entire time and kept saying, "Mama, I wanna go home. Let's go to the car. Take me home."

I am 34 weeks now. I went to the doctor last Thursday for a regular appointment. I had the midwife check me "just to be sure" since we were planning on going to Camilla for Thanksgiving. To both of our surprise, I am already dilated 2 cm. and 70% effaced. Which would be exciting except that it is really too early for this little boy to come. I'm supposed to be resting as much as possible, which means no Camilla. I went to the doctor again today, and she said I haven't changed, but he's dropped more, and I needed to stay home. I'm bummed but know it's the best thing to stay here. And, um, we really don't want to be five hours away, out of the insurance network, and have a premature baby born. Of course, since we're staying here, he won't come for another three weeks, but if we went...you know.

I'm hoping I won't have anything to tell on the baby front for a little while, but I will share a picture. When mom came a few weeks ago we tried to get some pictures. This was one of my favorites. It definitely doesn't do the big belly justice, but it's pretty.

(More Than) A Few Pictures of My Boys

Didn't want to leave anybody out...