The Final Weeks

In these final weeks of my pregnancy...

In these final weeks,  I am taking time to enjoy Peter as my "baby."  There is a little ache in my heart as I snuggle and cuddle him, realizing that within a matter of weeks, he won't be the youngest any more.  I always have a hard time saying good-bye to one of my babies, even though I am so excited to welcome a new little love to the family.  Granted, there isn't any part of Peter that thinks he is a baby.  As far as he is concerned, from the day he started walking, he has been one of the big kids and demands his place among them.  

In these final weeks, I am still waiting for the nesting instinct to kick in and for that burst of energy that will give me the motivation to get everything ready for this new baby.  I have done NOTHING to prepare for her arrival but have big plans for getting organized next week.  We'll see how that works out.

In these final weeks, I keep hoping we'll come up with a name.  We have a list of about five names - however the names on that list seem to keep changing.  So far, nothing seems quite right.  I am still waiting for that bit of insight or inspiration that will help us know the right name for this girl.  Maybe once we meet this little lady...

In these final weeks, I keep wondering if the ultrasound was right and if we really are having a girl.  An ultrasound tech and a perinatologist couldn't both be wrong, could they?  

In these final weeks, I am resisting the urge to get take-out for dinner every night.  I am forcing myself to occasionally bend down and pick up a toy or two.  I am celebrating every two hour stretch of sleep I get without waking up to roll-over or to get up to go to the bathroom.  I am loving watching my entire tummy shift as this baby tries to get comfortable in her tight quarters.  I am grateful to the person who invented heartburn medicine and to the person who invented flip-flops.

In these final weeks I am loving this baby more than seems possible considering I haven't met her yet.  I am trying to imagine what she'll look like.  I am craving that newborn baby smell.  I am excited for Abby, Isaac, Henry and Peter to welcome her into our family and to see how much they'll love her.  I am appreciating Andrew for all the ways he picks up the slack when I am out of energy.  

In these final weeks of what will probably be my last pregnancy, I am reminding myself that these aches and pains and painful pokes are all a part of the greatest miracle I will be part of.  I am trying to treasure each moment and celebrate the wonder growing inside me.  

The countdown is on...