Thoughts at 38 weeks

Well, I was 38 weeks along with this pregnancy last Friday, and we are almost there!! I had Paul take some belly shots of me tonight and as I was looking through the pictures on the camera I found these few as well and it made me pause and reflect on these past few weeks.

These days have been simple and sweet, challenging and rewarding, physically uncomfortable (for me) and relaxing ALL at the same time.

The kids are going along with the flow, despite my constant nesting. I'm usually always either running errands or doing some sort of project. My theory is this baby is waiting until everything is done, and I honestly relax, to make her appearance. We'll see. Starting this week we have nothing extra on the calendar except for my regular mom's groups and Ilana's speech therapy - nothing else.

I think the kids are understanding that big changes are coming, especially Ilana. We talk often about her baby sister. I know that when she actually arrives it will be a much bigger deal than it is now, but her sweet heart already shines through in our conversations. The thing she seems to be most excited to do is simply smile at her sister.

And boy, I hope she gets Ilana's smile! Maybe not the silly one above, although I love that one as well. ha! I wonder how many things I will actually be teaching this baby when she will have constant teachers in her older sister and brother. I can't wait to watch it all happen - the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, I'm positive it will all be there.

I miss the days of patience and playing with my kids, and though it may be a while before they come back, at the same time, we do our best and trust God's grace for the rest.

Paul was given strict orders to not include my face in the belly shots - nobody needs or wants to see my swollen face these days. My rings no longer fit my fingers either. But heck, neither does the size large maternity top I'm wearing! This is my reality at 38 weeks, folks.

So, as I sit here and have mild contractions here and there I am thankful. Thankful for the time I've had with my kids and Paul, just a family of 4. Thankful for the incredible amount of support we have here, in our home away from family. Thankful for the healthy, moving, growing babe inside. Thankful that this season is coming to a close soon and a new "normal" is about to begin. Thankful for the spurts of energy that help me feel more ready to take on the day-to-day challenges of another little one. Thankful that I have done nothing to make my kids amazing, but they are. Thankful that the flu/cold Paul had last week seems to be gone, and that he's feeling much better now, and ready to go through labor and delivery with me (and then come home and take care of our other 2 kids). Thankful for the friends and family I've been able to catch up with when they call "just to see how I'm doing." Just thankful.