The Waiting Game and Thankful for Everyday Life

I've made it to that point where I'm so ready to have this baby, yet apprehensive because I am fully aware of what it entails to actually birth a baby!  We're just passed the 38 week mark.  I have had some issues with high blood pressure and swelling which has put me on modified bed rest the past week and a half.  I had another check-up today and the bed rest is helping with blood pressure and swelling, but spending so much time in a reclined position isn't allowing gravity to do it's thing in progressing labor!  But, the baby is healthy and doctor isn't so worried about me.  That is good news!  I am not making any progress, so there is no possibility of induction until I start to look more "favorable".  The induction is a peace of mind thing as my labors move quickly and we are about 30 minutes from the hospital.  Because we moved during this pregnancy, it is all new to me again.  I am really liking my doctor and trust that he is taking excellent care of both me and baby.  I have heard great things about the hospital we're delivering at.  We toured it a couple months back and at least know how to get there!  That's about all the news I have on the baby front.

Now, to thankfulness in picture form!

Thankful for baby boy and making it to 38 weeks!

 

Thankful for this little guy who is about to become a big brother!  He really has no idea of what is about to happen, which is probably for the best!  He is enjoying having me laid up, though.  We've watched LOTS of Curious George and Blues Clues these past few days!

Yes, that is my belly - it's THAT big!

Thankful for a jumbo bag of pinto beans, plastic bin, miscellaneous kitchen utensils, and a bucket of dinosaurs...indoor sandbox!

 

It was really just a matter of time before he climbed in, don't you think?

Thankful for an extremely strong willed 6 year old who decided it was time to take off the training wheels...now!.  After 2 "lessons", she's got it down and doing fabulously!

Thankful for the 4 year old who lets the 2 year old push her around - literally!

Thankful for big sisters who spend hours and hours building train tracks.

Thankful for kitchen helpers who chop up veggies for soup - I just call it "home-ec" class! :-)

Thankful for teenaged artists who create works of art on the driveway!

Thankful for brotherly love!

Thankful for a family full of readers.  This little guy sees his big siblings with their noses in books all day long, so that's what he wants to do to!

See, I can read books just like the big kids!

And this is what Mom looks like when she reads her book!

So incredibly thankful for my amazing husband.  Can you tell that these little gals absolutely adore him?

And, while I don't have a picture to really capture it, thankful for my husband and older children who have really pitched in this past week to keep things running while I'm on bed rest.

Hoping that my next post will have pictures of a beautiful baby boy!

God Bless!

Heather :-)

So many things....

The  past 6 weeks have flown by in a whirlwind of busyness, sickness, and celebration.  We packed the house, moved everything 55 miles, and settled into our rental home.  We battled stomach flu, coughs and colds, and influenza.  We celebrated the Advent and Christmas seasons as best we could and sent those well enough to Mass when we could make it.  Ahhhhh....it really has been nuts around here!

We have went almost a week without a doctor's visit or anyone vomiting and I think that I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!  I am really eager to start having friends over and venturing out of the house again.

I am recovering from influenza slowly and am more tired than I can remember being in a long time.  Not sure how much of it is pregnancy related and how much is the sickness taking a toll on me.  I had my 20 week appointment today and the doctor is running some tests to make sure there isn't anything lingering that needs to be addressed. 

Back to the 20 week appointment.  All you moms out there know what happens at the 20 week appointment, right?  The ultrasound!  Todd, all seven of the children, and I went into the ultrasound room all eager to meet our baby Cheeto.  Yes, that is the "baby in the belly" name for this pregnancy.  We were happy to see that all is developing as it should and my due date matched up with baby's growth.  How about a picture?

Beautiful, yes!?!  I laid there with a stupid grin on my face for the entire 45 minute ultrasound.  Todd took the children home after the technician told us the gender.  What's that?  You want to know the gender of the baby?  Oh, I don't know....should I tell you?  Okay...Baby Cheeto is a...BOY!!!  I wouldn't have guessed it in a million years. I just assumed, with the 5 girl to 2 boy ratio in our family, that Cheeto was another girl.  I'm sure you can imagine that there were some cheers and a few tears.  I am so happy that we have the next 4 months to prepare our home and hearts for another little blue bundle of joy!

That's all I have the energy for now. I'm off to read a bit and go to sleep.  Please keep Cheeto and I in your prayers that all continues to go well and I get some energy back to give to those other little people who need me!

God Bless!

Heather :-)

Wordless Wednesday - Belly Shot 17 Weeks

Everything is progressing nicely!

God Bless!

Heather :-)