35 3/7th Prenatal Appointment

Good news, good news. No protein in my urine, and blood pressure has not gone up. I guess my 'rest' is working. He told me to keep it up! I only put on 1.5 pounds in the last 2 weeks bringing my total weight gain to 31.5 pounds. I had my swab done, and a check to see how my body is progressing. I am at a good 2-3 cms, and starting to efface. Nothing crazy, but I knew that is where I would be at (I guess I have had a bit of experience here lol)

Baby's little heartbeat was beating away at a quick 152 bpm. I had a great laugh today with my doctor when the baby booted the doppler so hard that it practically bounced off of my belly! Oh, do we have another live wire in here lol! This one will be SURE to be noticed!

Claire came to my appointment today. She got to hear the baby, and was a good helper in my appointment. She still says the baby is a boy. My doc says girl...me too.

I am back there in one week. I am down to the one week program. Next week I will be right in the middle of my 36th week and heading towards full term! Yippee!

I am so excited to meet this little one!

Threw up and slipped...but not at the same time

This morning, I thought I'd better try a prenatal vitamin because I haven't had one for quite some time. This pregnancy, they seem to really upset my stomach and I immediately feel queasy and then sick. So, after eating, and having water and later being a lot in the morning, I decided to pop my vitamins. I felt almost instantly sick. I started gagging into my hand and ran and threw up so hard that I was seeing stars and my muscles hurt especially too because the baby was moving during all of this. This has got to be a girl! This is the 6th time I have thrown up during this pregnancy. I then had to sanitize the toilet seat and the floor because Catie had to go pee!! Isn't that the way it always go. Caroline watched as I threw up...

And, this evening around dinner. I go to step into the washroom to go PEE for the 20th time today (well maybe not that many times), and I slip on water or maybe pee from my daughter Catie (I am not sure) and my left foot goes flying forward and I throw out my back causing my sciatica to kick in REALLY bad in my left side. Thankfully Cliff was home so he could push and massage my back and clean up the bathroom floor. It still hurts this evening and I feel sick again. Nice.

How many days and weeks left? Oh, that would be 4 weeks and 5 days! But, I am not counting or anything.

Getting ready for baby number six!

Boy or Girl?

Here are the two going home outfits I chose for baby number six. The kids like both of them! We heard a lot of ohhhhhs, and ahhhhs. So cute!

And, below the little going home outfits, are my best finds for a "gender neutral" look. Very hard to buy I found. I found two onesies, 2 bath towels, a pack of new washcloths and 4 gender neutral receiving blankets. I have been looking and looking. Sears was my best bet for those today. I was very drawn to all of the pink, but I refrained. I couldn't keep my hands off of them.

Here is the sweet little gender neutral rabbit I found at Chapters for baby. We usually buy SOMETHING for each of our babies before it is born. This is what I chose. I think it is so cute! If this baby is a girl (like us suspect) I have a pretty pink ribbon I saved off of a prize I received at a wedding shower and I will tie that pretty pink ribbon around the neck.

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Today, I dug through my small newborn box of stuff. I found my favourite nursing pillow, and many, many pink and white receiving blankets. And, tiny little baby booties. It all very girly stuff. Does that surprise you lol? I did find also the soft white blanket that my Grannie had made for Cameron, and he came home in it, as did the 4 other gals. So, this baby will too come home with this blanket. And, I have my eyes out on a second hand bouncy seat. Or, to borrow one.

I have almost everything now. Just need a couple of nice nursing bras, and I might even buy those after baby is here. I am also looking for a sling, but might wait until baby is born to get fit for that too.

I have mostly everything I need for my bag too. Cliff just needs to put the bassinet together, but that can wait. I am afraid some little monkeys may try to climb into it, so I will wait.

I also bought my Ivory Snow, so I can take all of the tags off and wash the items I just bought for baby. And, I need to dig out a small suitcase for my 24 hour stay (or HOPEFULLY LESS!)

We are almost ready!

Week 35 - 35 Days Left!

Week 35 of 40

See how my belly has dropped, and sweaters and shirts no longer cover the panel! I am WAAAY out there now! Today a Mom of 4 said looks by the way you are carrying that it is a boy...she had 1 boy and 3 girls lol.

Oh, look at how round I am!

And, a look down sitting in the van today!

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35 Weeks Pregnant

By this stage, your baby doesn't have much room to roam. Your little one is so snug in your uterus that you may notice he doesn't seem to be moving around as much anymore. But don't be surprised if you see an arm, elbow or knee poking against the skin of your belly as he stretches and squirms. His head may drop down into your pelvis ready for birth — this is known as "engagement" — although some babies, especially second or later ones, don't engage before labour begins.

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Well, 5 weeks left until December 1st. I cannot believe that a baby will be here soon. We are making our final preparations. I am borrowing back a few newborn pink sleepers from my sis, and I am borrowing a few newborn boy sleepers from my cousin. Still need to put the bassinet up, but that won't take much for Cliff to do. I have my little pile of things that will go into a suitcase for the delivery day.

I am experiencing shooting pains down my legs in the front, and the sides and I am feeling a lot of pelvic pressure on the pelvic floor. I feel really heavy, and yet at times I feel so good that I cannot believe that I am 8 months pregnant, and heading into my 9th month! Time is sure flying by.

All of my maternity clothes are getting too small, and next week I have a wedding/reception to attend. I have bought a new dress, and some heels. (and a pair of fancy dancy slippers for when my feet begin to hurt)

I have a doctors appointment on Tuesday, and hopefully I will see if I am making any progress. I believe that I am.

Would I want to go backwards?

If I had the chance to go backwards, and have my first baby all over again, would I want to go backwards, and start fresh? Would I want to go back to when I was 27 and expecting my first baby? Would I want to go back to just the dating stage, and the newly wed stage? When I thought my life was really busy and complicated?

No, I would not. When I hear of others getting pregnant now, I am so glad that I am almost done! Don't get me wrong, I am excited for all of the people expecting! But, I don't miss the tired stage, the I feel dead to the world stage and the throw up and nausea stage. I am so glad that I am over that part.

I am glad that I do not have to become a parent for the first time again either. Or even the second time. When I experienced postpartum depression. Going from one to two for me was really difficult. But, I know I learned a lot about myself during those years. I had to ask for help. Sometimes you just need help, and it is OK to ask for help. That is a big lesson I learned.

Those were very hard years, and years I am glad I experienced, but I am happy now that when number six arrives, I will be confident in my abilities to mother this child. I am confident that we will survive the newborn period, the breastfeeding and the sleepless nights that come with the territory of a brand new life in the family. I am happy that I have acquired so much wisdom over the past decade and know we can do this, this one last time. I am confident in all that we will have to do, to raise this baby into a wonderful human being who will be our son or daughter! Cliff and I have sort of equated to adding a new baby like riding a bike. It is very familiar. Yes, there will be little differences, but on the whole. We can manage. That is a good feeling!

Still, even though I have done this having a baby thing five times before, does not mean that I am not as excited as each and every time...I think I am most excited because I DO know the challenges we will face, all of the firsts of the first year, the first day of school and beyond. It is so exciting to me. I am also so excited to see the other kids first reactions to the new baby in the family. To see what kind of personality this baby will have. Will it be a boy or a girl? Will the baby have hair? Will the baby be a good sleeper? Will baby feed easily? How much will you weigh? Will baby get dimples like Caroline and Daddy? Will baby have light hair, or dark hair or no hair at all? It is exciting just to see how the baby will fit perfectly into our lives! That is so exciting to me! It is such a neat thing to bring a baby into the world, and just marvel in the new life. And, when we look at the baby we will know that baby was meant to be in our lives. And, the moment the baby is born, we not even recall what life was like or even imagine our lives without having the baby in it. That is the miracle of life. When this sixth baby is born, we will finally be able to start to answer all of the unknowns that we wonder about every day! Some of these unknowns will be answered in five weeks or less. Some will take longer, but we cannot wait!

No, I definitely would not go backwards, but I do know I look forward to moving on! I look forward to seeing how our lives will be as a family of eight! I do know that EIGHT is ENOUGH!

38 Days LEFT?

Well, that is a bit freaky now isn't it? I cannot believe that we are getting so close to the end. My body is sure showing those signs.

I am tired, my hips ache, sciatica kicks in and out, and I am a bit moody (well maybe A LOT more moody! Poor family!) I am getting a lot of braxton hicks. But hey! The end is in sight. I am averaging between 1 get up to go pee and 3 get up to go pee in the night. Once I am back in bed though, it is easy to sleep!

I bumped up my maternity photos to next weekend...I thought. You know, this baby COULD come early, and I do not want to miss this. So, I emailed the photographer and asked her if I could reschedule. And, she was totally cool with that. So, that is good.

This coming weekend, we finish up our Christmas shopping and, Cliff needs to put the bassinet together. We are ready with our Halloween costumes for next Wednesday. And, then, a wedding next weekend. Then, some photography. The following week/weekend, we will start freezing extra meals for when baby is here. Nothing worse than having a newborn in the house, and then trying to worry about feedings, recovery, resting, breastfeeding, housework, school, lunches and on top of that, trying to make dinner with a newborn in your arms. I still need to think about finding some sort of sling/carrier. I will do that after the baby is here I think, to make sure I have the right fit. I still have my Bjorn that I like, so that is good. One more use...so far we have used it for Claire, Carly, Catie, Caroline and most likely another little girl. ;D

I haven't had any more dreams about the baby, just the three girl dreams in the last little while. I always seem to have boy dreams/twin dreams in the beginning. Usually the dream closest to the birth is the right sex. I guess I still have five more weeks to dream right!

Baby has dropped...34 weeks and 1 day...

I felt like something was different today. And, noticed also last night in bed that I could breathe a lot better. But, I got up more to pee in the middle of the night.

So, when I was getting dressed this morning, I took a glance at my big ol' belly in the mirror and saw that baby really has dropped low into my pelvis. I noticed my shelf or ledge is gone, and I also have noticed that it feels like my hips are totally hurting and stretching. My maternity t-shirts suddenly do not cover the lovely panel in my pants. Oh, that is a lovely look! I feel like I have a big ball or watermelon between my legs now. So, in a good way I can breathe, but the downside to that is...I have to pee more. And, I REALLY have the pregnant waddle. Oh yes. The waddle. It is back. Cliff could also tell that baby has moved in lower...

Today, the kids all (well minus the current 'baby' Caroline) had their hands on my belly feeling the baby move and move and move. I know this baby responds to the sounds and touch of the siblings. It is very neat to see the kids do that! I never imagined that I would have all of those little hands all over my belly of a sixth baby. It was really nice. I will have to keep a mental picture of that image, that is for sure.

I also have been getting many, many braxton hicks today! Gotta love those practice contractions. We are getting ready!

Today, I found a brand new ELFE white bassinet for our room on sale at LD for $69.00. I bought my breast pads, my Aveeno baby hair and body wash and I also bought a cute little stuffed bunny rabbit (a tiny one) from Chapters because we usually buy SOMETHING for the baby before it is born. So, a white rabbit it was. It is so cute.

Our list is almost done...just a couple of nursing bras in my future, and when we find out what we are having I will have to have somebody do a mad dash to get pink or blue outfits etc. So far I have the sweet little Carters roses sleeper for a newborn, and I have felt no urge to go and buy a blue sleeper. But I will. I will also buy 3 new gender neutral receiving blankets...for the hospital. And pull out the white blanket that has come home with all of the kids from the hospital. I also need to get to my sisters to borrow a couple of goodies!

I know, the rest of the items on my list are gender specific, so I will go and get those on my 2 hour time limit of breastfeeding...well maybe somebody will do the shopping for me?! So exciting!

And, almost all of the Christmas shopping is done! Just one more afternoon should do it next week!

Week 34 ALREADY?!

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which she'll need to regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

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Week 34

6 Weeks LEFT to my due date!

Yesterday, was not such a great day, I was starting to make dinner and I slipped on some water on the floor and fell backwards onto my back. That hurt on those darn white tiles!! Today I am alright. I am a bit sore, but nothing major.

Well, today was much better. Today, I had a great day with my Mom in Law and we went shopping for lots of stuff. We started our morning at the Bread Garden for a quick breakfast, and we ran a whole bunch of errands. Some for the pregnancy/baby/birth and the rest for Halloween, a wedding, and for Boxing Day! Must plan ahead. We also had lunch together. It was nice to catch up!

I got myself 3 nursing tanks, my granny pants for after the birth (not my most fave look!! yuck) and I got 2 nursing shirts. I am always amazed at what the stores come out with. When I was first pregnant, it was those round maternity panels, and yuck styles. Now, the choices are endless. I found a nice knitted black dress for the wedding, and some fancy undergarments (also to do double duty for the wedding I will attend when I am 36 weeks, and for the maternity photos I am going to have done the following week) and I bought a pair of heels in size 10 lol, and a pair of slippers in size 11!! And, a pair of maternity tights. I have an upcoming pedicure and waxing, and I also have a hair appointment. These are my last appointments, besides doctors appointments before baby arrives. When I am done with my mat clothes I will pass them onto my friend Cynthia. I think she will like them!

We *think* we have 2 names picked now. In all of the history of our name picking, we have NEVER had such a hard time doing so! But, we are good WE THINK lol. Well, for today anyways.

Baby talk, well this baby moves so much, that our bed shakes underneath me when I am trying to sleep. This baby responds to my touch, and we *play* with the baby. Yesterday, Carly got to feel the hiccups. She thought that the feeling was very neat! And, this baby does get a lot of hiccups. Sometimes hiccups and movement all at the same time. I have also been getting A LOT of Braxton Hicks. And boy oh boy, are they ever tight. Sometimes I get about 4-5 of them every 2 minutes and they go away. Wow, they almost take my breath away. I also have been getting a bit of sciatica down my back and legs. And, I am going pee now about 3-4 times a night. So, we are getting ready for a baby sooner rather than later I think! But, one never knows! That makes it all the more exciting.

We got a cute white highchair off Craigslist. It is a wooden highchair that is older and it is painted white. The best part is that it was only $30.00. We thought was a fabulous deal. I am also eyeing a white wooden cradle for our bedroom that is only $60.00. That will buy us some time in the 'decorating' department, and sorting out a game plan after the rush of a newborn and Christmas/Christmas break and New Years. Once we know what we are having, it will be SO much easier to prepare the room and get more settled. At that point we will buy ONE MORE CRIB. I am so excited to see where the baby will sleep!! It is so fun to guess. Every day we do guesses!

Perfect

My doctor called me today at 12 noon. He said we forgot to talk about the sugar test yesterday. We were busy with other issues. But, the good news is that my GTT test came back perfect! No Gestational Diabetes for me! Ahhhh. YAY!

I am glad I will not be taking that test ever again! That would make 3 times x 3 hours = 9 hours in 8 years + I don't want to forget that I took the 1 hour screening x 6 pregnancies = 6 hours. So, yes. I have spent 15 hours just in those tests lol! That is a lot of reading and iPod music. When I first had the 1 hour and then the 3 hour test way back in May of 99 during my pregnancy there, there was no such thing as an iPod! Thank goodness for iPods is all I can say!

How many needles would that be? 4 needles for each 3 hour test = 12 vials, and then 1 for each of the 1 hour screenings so + 6 = 21 vials of blood to find out I have never had Gestational Diabetes! Oh well. That is a good thing! I am happy today! Now, I will just continue to rest as much as humanly possible with 5 kids who need me a whole lot!

I asked again, and my doc said that I am just too busy, and I need to rest more. That should help! So, I will try that for the next two weeks. At that point I will be closer to full term at 37 weeks. When I go to the docs next, I will be 35 weeks and 3 days. So, getting there!

Wow! We better get ready for baby eh!!

So how did my appointment go? 33 weeks 2 days...

Well, it started with a bit of protein in my urine, and a bit of a raised blood pressure. He asked if I had a busy day, and responded with Dr. D all of my days are busy! He totally understands. He gets it!

And, a weight gain/swelling of 9 pounds in the past 4 weeks. That brings my total to 3o pounds even. Still on the low side for me, considering I have under 7 weeks to go. I have a lot of swelling in my feet/ankles and legs. Baby had a heart rate of 148 bpm, and is growing nicely. Baby has head down.

My doctor told me I have to SLOOOOOOWWWWW down, and do less. He is not worried YET about my exam today. And, I go back in 2 weeks for my regular prenatal appointment. I cannot believe I am on the two week circuit, and then after that I have all my weekly appointments booked from here to delivery! At that appointment I get an internal check, and a group B swab. Yup. I get to get naked lol. Well, from the waist down anyways. He said he will be doing weekly checks to make sure that I labour/deliver in the hospital, and not at home because of my history of fast deliveries! Yikes.

I asked about my walking, and he said keep it up. He just said I don't want you to end up on bed rest, but obviously he is not THAT worried because he would have had me in earlier I would think. So, for the next two weeks I will try my best to be a bit more 'rested' and do less. Ha Ha. And, he totally gets that I have five kids at home that need me at all times. So, that is that.

Play it by ear, and drink lots of water and keep rested as much as I can. Doc's orders.

Week 33 and 1 day

Week 33 and 1 day

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

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Well, here I am. Week 33. And hey, I am swollen...yup. Really swollen legs/ankles and feet. Oh the joys of the last trimester. I am getting up about 2-3 times a night to pee now. And, when I get back into bed, I grunt and maneuver around my 'Curtis' body pillow. I have to get up on all fours, and then kinda flop down with grunting sound effects. Cliff doesn't move or flinch when I get up.

I got to sleep in this morning, until almost 9 am. That was really nice, and I felt well rested. Cliff told me my eyes were sparkling blue this morning. I thanked him for the sleep in! I said I needed it after yesterday. I have also had heartburn all day today which isn't so much fun.

I bought a newborn baby girl Carters sleeper today and it is just adorable. I looked for a boy one, and well. I just wasn't interested lol. So, I will look another time. I will get a white or something gender neutral. I am starting to get the nest prepared.

Yesterday, I took my three hour Glucose Tolerance Test at the local blood clinic. It wasn't so bad. I am getting used to it. I brought a couple of books, my ipod and a magazine. I made it in by 7, waited for about 20 mins, had my first blood draw at 7:20 or so. Then, the 100g drink. It was very sweet, but tolerable.

The first hour, I felt jittery and felt the dextrose hit my system. I drank some water. At 8:30 I had my second blood draw. This time in my right arm.

The second hour, I felt really warm and tired. It was hard to read, so I sat and people watched. Looked around. Then, at 9:30 I had my third blood draw, back in my left arm.

The third hour, I was starting to feel more energetic and feel really hungry. I flipped through my magazine. Had some water.

At 10:30 a.m. I had my fourth and final blood draw in my right arm. I went pee, and got the heck out of there. I ate a banana in the vehicle. I got the sweats and the shakes and felt light-headed on my way home.

So, that is over. Hopefully the results I am looking for this week. Tomorrow I have my appointment.

I just have to say, this baby is a big time mover and shaker! Wow! Cliff is amazed at just how much my stomach moves around when baby is active!

You must be having that baby soon!?

Those are the comments I hear the most these days. I have also heard, wow you have popped out so much! You cannot get any bigger can you? And, I tell them: Just watch! I can get A LOT bigger! And, that is the truth. I keep getting asked if there are 'two of them' in there. I keep saying nope. Just one healthy baby in there. I have been asked that with EVERY pregnancy. So funny! As for...you must be having this baby soon comment...I keep telling them, nope. I have just under eight weeks to go until my due date. The crazy thing is that in reality, in the past I have had a baby in just over three weeks from now! So, yes. Time is growing closer! I have had all five kids early! So...

The good thing is that we have kept the names we chose for quite some time, and I would say we have two names we LOVE. I am just excited to see who is in here! I have so much to do, and I will get some more stuff done this weekend.

The fact is, that probably the next calendar month of November is when this baby will most likely be born! I cannot believe that! So close, yet so far! I am just glad I am in the home stretch.

I do not wish to start at the beginning ever again. I am ready for this chapter of my life to end. We are ready to move on!

32 Weeks Down, and 8 Weeks to Go!

By now, your baby is just shy of 4 pounds and is nearly 17 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb.

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I have been feeling a lot of baby action these days, as has Cliff. He got to feel big huge moves from our baby last night as we lay in bed! Anticipating this baby. We did a lot of walking yesterday, and I had THE BIGGEST braxton hicks I have ever remembered feeling. They were crazy! Ever few minutes, I had to stop and breathe through them. But, then I got back to the hotel and they stopped. I love how my body is already preparing my uterus for the big journey ahead! I love how my body just knows what to do.

I have also figured out I go pee WAY too much lol. I am up 1 time per night, and sometimes 2 times. And, during the day. Well, let me say I waw WAY too many bathroom stalls in Victoria! WAY TOO MANY! It is funny, I feel like I have to go SOOOO bad. But I sit down, and dribble. That is all. That baby is sure growing, and putting a lot of pressure on my already too small bladder.

I feel that I am getting bigger every day. And, things get a little more difficult to do. That would be, bending down to put on socks and boots, and pulling up jeans. Very difficult right now. I need help with my socks and shoes! Cliff puts them on me like he would the kids. Yup. I am just thankful I could find boots that fit my swollen feet and ankles! Especially with all of the rain we are having these days! Summer pregnancies are way better just for that reason alone! Flip flops and easy to pull on skirts. I remember feeling like this when I was pregnant with my second, Claire! Oh well, not much left to go!

I am still feeling ill when I take my prenatal! I cannot believe that the nausea still hits me at this stage of the game!

Week 32 and 1 day and my birthday!

This was taken this morning, just after I turned well...1 year closer to 40 lol. It was a beautiful day filled with sunshine (and lots of rain too!) In the background are runners who completed the Royal Victoria marathon/half marathon and 8k. It was very inspiring to watch, and I decided this morning, that next year I will go back and run the 1/2. Cliff and a few of the kids will cheer me on! It is going to be great to get back to running!! The only running I do right now is to the bathroom and back.

This was taken today also, on a coastal drive back to the ferry. It was a beautiful beach, and don't I look rather small ;D

I got away with Cliff for a 2 night 'Baby moon'/birthday get-away to Victoria, BC. We went there to catch the Titanic exhibition at the Royal BC Museum.

I heard this song on my way home tonight!

I've got you under my skin.
I've got you deep in the heart of me.
So deep in my heart that you're really a part of me.
I've got you under my skin.
(Frank Sinatra - I've got you under my skin)

They just work for me! And, well. I just think that was really cool!

I had a dream...

about a baby girl again last night. And, it was definately a girl. I knew we were having a girl in my dream. And I was with little girl, with 'the' name we have picked.

This is my third baby girl dream. The first was with a pink baby shower, and lots of pink everywhere. The second was my nursing a little girl wearing a white dress, and now this one. Usually my dreams are right on with the sex. Usually the dream closest to the delivery is usually correct.

In the beginning I had a baby boy dream, and before that I had dreams I was having twin boys. Yup.

I have visions about my life with 5 girls and 1 boy. We will have an even number, but an odd number of girl/boy! That is cool with me! I was thinking for Cameron (if we do end up with a boy, but I highly doubt), he would be sharing a room with a little brother. Cool right now I suppose, but in 5 years when Cameron turns into a teenager (YIKES!!!) and age 13, I don't think he will want a kindergarten boy in his room. Nope. Something about privacy, and stinky boy rooms...lol.

Anyways, I can clearly picture my 3 littlest girls in their bedroom. All pink and cheerful. Where the crib will go, how I will organize, what she would need right away. I even see bedding that I want to buy, but I refrain. UNTIL baby is here. I am catching myself saying the baby girl too mid sentence.

I have that extra chair at the little white table too. Waiting for a little sis. Three little gals, two big gals and a big brother. That is my prediction!

31 Weeks and 3 Days

Look at that belly! My goodness!

Here is a photo! And, wow. I am wearing maternity jeans that haven't fallen down! Amazing.

2 months to the date today!

Until the due date? December 1st is two months away? How does that happen? I have not wished to speed through this pregnancy, and yet. It feels like the time is looming nearer. We are in the final stages, yet I am not ready to let this go.

I am not ready to give this part up!

I am really enjoying this baby inside of me. Feeling your strong movements, the way my belly momentarily shakes around, and then stops. The way I can rub my belly and have the baby respond, the way my husband wraps his arm around my belly at night and feels its movements. The ackward hugs, between Cliff and I! But sometimes baby will move at that point, and we love that!

I am not ready to give this part up!

I love how full my figure has become. Even with the veins, the swollen ankles, and the braxton hicks that come on so strong. To me, this is me, in all of my glory. In this swollen, pregnant state. The way my belly is rounded, and my curves are soft. My body is being used in a wonderful way!

I am not ready to give this part up!

I am enjoying our nightly conversations with my husband about how our life is about to change (again) how the kids will feel with either a brother or a sister. I enjoy laughing over funny name choices. And also trying to decide on a name that will carry this child, who will eventually become an adult, and how that name would impact their life. We hope that life will be good for you, and that you will be loved by us all.

I am not ready to give this part up!

I am enjoying the belly rubs, kisses, talks, and crosses formed on my belly by my kids. I enjoy them talking about who the baby might be? Be it a boy or a girl. Enjoying how much they are going to love their sibling. I love how excited they are to meet you. They always ask when you will be here! We are waiting for an early Christmas present! And, at Christmas time...we will have a family photo with all 8 of us! And, a photo of the 6 kids in front of the tree.

I am not ready to give this part up.

I am enjoying just experiencing this pregnancy for what it is. For the true joy that this (and every) pregnancy has brought to our family, and the joy a baby belly brings to our family. This bump, with a baby growing. Who will it be? Will it be a boy or a girl? What will you look like? How you affect my very being. How you will bring love into the family. Into the open arms that are all waiting to meet you. I love how our love multiplies with each baby born into our family.

I am not ready to give this part up.

Wondering how my labour will go, will you be early, will you be late? Will you be induced, will you be big? Will you be small? Will you have blue eyes? Will you have hair? Will you be peaceful? Will you cry a lot? Will you sleep? Will you not? Just wanting to make sure you will be healthy! Just to count your small fingers and toes. And to breathe in that wonderful newborn smell. To change your little diaper. And those little sleepers. To see you stretch and grow into your baggy knees and fill our your froggy body. Will you wear pink? Will you wear blue? Which room will you sleep in? Will you sleep with your two big sisters Catie and Caroline? Or, will you be the brother Cameron has always wanted. Will he share his room with you? So many questions. Yet, these answers will unfold when the time is right! The day you shall be born!

All of these unanswered questions, that will unfold in the next 2 months. It is amazing that we are in the last stages. I want it to never end, yet I feel ready on some accounts. Just the mystery of you. You our little precious bundle who is filling out inside of me. Taking everything you need to get ready for life on the outside of me.

You my baby, we await for with open arms. You will amaze us, make us laugh, make us cry, make us smile. You will be loved! You will be loved. Oh yes, you will be loved.

I am indeed ready to love you. I am ready to hold you. I am ready to be your Mom, and guide you on your way! We cannot wait to meet you. But, we wait. We wait until the day is here. It is going to be a beautiful day!

Our sixth child, we are so excited to have you join our family!