The Countdown to BABY

So, we haven't been keeping exact track of the days until my due date, but here it is! I have 8 weeks to go! We are totally excited. We didn't confirm the gender of the baby with the ultrasound but, look forward to having Christmas in February. We think it's a boy, though we're not much prepared for one.

It has been a rougher pregnancy but, overall, it has been pretty good. I am thankful for answered prayers and peaceful assurances.

I am carrying lower, Rob and I had a good laugh last night at how much my belly looks like a big ball. With all of the girls I carried up near my rib cage, with this one I am really low. This has been nice for the breathing aspect, although the regular tightenings and heart flutters with this fourth pregnancy get my body going too.

This baby is a mover and a kicker! In December I had my first experience with being "sea sick", he is really mobile and one day caught me at a moment when I was nauseous and it was no fun. Donna, one of my faithful Visiting Teachers, noted that the moving talent of this one is likely a blessing, he moves pretty faithfully for me. I can be thankful for that.

Angela's stillbirth at the native hospital was surrounded by great, sensitive people, making it a precious memory. I didn't want anything with this pregnancy to change that. Our previous doctor had a baby 9 months after Angela and was no longer doing the OB portion of practice. So, I decided to change. Our plan is to deliver at the base hospital across town.

Susanna and Lucy love the baby and I realized as my belly grew, that not only was my belly no longer my own on the inside but, on the outside as well. They hug and talk to the baby during the day and at bedtime. Tonight, Lucy said, "Baby, you are an egg, and soon you are going to hatch!" Susanna always asks what the baby is doing, sleeping or awake. Both of them enjoy feeling the baby move and giving zerberts.

I've been holding other babies lately and I know I am totally out of the baby season as a mother. We have been out of the diaper phase for over a year, little pieces and toys abound in the toy room thanks to a love for Polly Pockets, and no one takes naps except for mom these days. It is going to be an interesting adjustment, although one I welcome willingly. Seeing Rob hold a baby last weekend made me even more excited. He is excited too. I think we have been more apt to visualize this one, for me, it was staring at them laying on my bed flopping their arms and legs around and for Rob it was picking them out of the crib to bring to me at night.