Soaking It In

So, I am literally in the last few days of my pregnancy. I never made it this far with Tyler, but with both Megan and Morgan's pregnancies, I couldn't WAIT to be done!  The end always seemed so far away and I felt like I would be doomed to pregnancy forever.  This pregnancy's last days are so much different. I truly don't want it to end. I am physically miserable, don't get me wrong.  I ache all day long and rolling over in bed at night is near impossible. Holding the kids, scrubbing the toilets, even just making dinner and cleaning up the kitchen is a real challenge and so of course, I do long for the ease of those things to return.  However, as of right now, Tim and I really feel like the Lord is completing our family by this new addition coming and so that means that I am currently, for the last time, pregnant.  Being pregnant, even though I've experienced it 5 times, is always exciting.  One of the most exciting times of my life in fact. Every appointment is exciting.  Every time you hear the heart beats, even though they all sound the exact same, is exciting.  Every punch, kick, flop and roll is priceless and new and something that can truly never be forgotten. These months that I've been pregnant, all 36 months plus 2 months with our first baby, have been truly a blessed experience, one that I do not take for granted. One that will be sorely missed.  This afternoon I was having contractions. Bad enough to make me think we should go to the hospital. I was literally crying tears of sadness because I didn't want it to be over.  I know that once I see my sweet boys face, I won't care that I'm not pregnant anymore and I'll just be so glad to meet him face to face! But all I could think about this afternoon was that it was soon going to be over. I will never forget these times.  Wish I could wrap all the feelings up in a box so that I could visit it from time to time when I long for it again. That's what this blog is for though.  I love that I can look back on posts from years ago and remember things that I felt and experienced. Things that otherwise probably would have been buried in my pool of memories. So as I sit here listening to the calming noises outside with our windows and doors open (its in the 60's out there in almost August!!), I am just soaking up these last few moments of pregnancy, willing to "endure" whatever time I have left. God knows just what I need and just what is perfect and I will rest in that perfect timing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures by Simply Sweet Photography

Megan ~Age 3~

After being told that I was 3cm at the doctor's office this week, I decided that I couldn't wait anymore to get Megan's 3 year pictures done. Though the sky was completely overcast and she had some scratches on her nose from a fall a week or so ago, I couldn't be more pleased with the results we got!  Tim went with me and was SOOO helpful.  He pretty much posed her and I took the pictures...easiest kind of session! She loved it and basically just interacted with her Daddy the whole time...like they were on a date!  Her smiles are genuine, her hair and dress perfect...sigh.  I just love them and even more so love my big girl!  We took pictures for less than 35-40 minutes but I managed to take 180 pictures! I narrowed it down to 60 to edit and will TRY to only post my absolute favorites here so as not to overwhelm. :)  I always anticipate that Megan will be our most difficult to get pictures of but in reality, she is the easiest!  So full of life that girl is!  And it shows all over her face!  I'm just going to post the pics and try not to comment all over them...I know my opinion is bias!!! :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love how the last pictures of just her boots and legs shows all her scrapes and bug bites...you can tell where she spends her time!  Outside!! :)

Megan was 37 inches (47th percentile) and 30lb (42nd percentile) at her well check appointment a couple weeks ago. So, very proportioned. She definitely fell a bit on the growth chart, especially in the height department. Not at all concerning, she just doesn't seem like she is going to be as tall as she was going to be initially. I have never thought she would be taller than me though. :)

Just like we started with Tyler when he turned 3, we thought we would attempt an interview with Megan to see what her favorites are at this age. She completely did not get it but we pressed on anyway.  I took a video which is long and really not all that exciting but figured we should do it anyway. :)  It will be fun to see what she understands and answers next year!

What is your favorite color? Pink
What is your favorite toy? Pink bear and cards
What is your favorite fruit? Strawberries
What is your favorite thing to watch on TV? Yo Ho Mates (Jake and the Neverland Pirates)
What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Green beans and noodles (what we had eaten for dinner)
What is your favorite outfit? jammies
What is your favorite game? (no answer...didn't understand the question I don't think)
What is your favorite snack? cereal
What is your favorite animal? rabbits
What is your favorite song? I am a Promise
What is your favorite book? Bright and Beautiful
Who is your best friend? Tyler
What is your favorite cereal? Lucky Charms
What is your favorite thing to do outside? play on the slide
What is your favorite drink? apple juice
What is your favorite holiday? (She has no idea...Tyler didn't get this one this year either)
What do you like to take to bed with you at night? froggie and pink bear
What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? pancakes
What do you want for dinner on your birthday? cereal
What do you want to be when you grow up? "2 more old"

No Need For Pity

Even though I have moments where I feel like I'll be pregnant forever, reality is, my time of being pregnant is rapidly coming to an end and before I know it, my arms will be blessed once again with a new baby in our house. This past Sunday marked my 38th week.  I've never made it to 40 weeks but we'll see what this baby decides.  I am actually not wanting to deliver before next Saturday or Sunday (39 weeks) so even though I am very uncomfortable and physically done, I need him to stay put for one more week! I have TONS to do this week!  Including packing my hospital bags...haven't done that yet! And wash the baby's clothes...

Anyway, as I am about to finish this pregnancy, which Tim and I believe will be my last, I wanted to jot down some thoughts I've had this week. 

I walked through the doors at church Sunday hearing tons of "how much longer do you have?" "just a couple weeks left right?" and "are you sure its not twins?" I have heard all of those comments for weeks  months from people at work, church, Walmart, etc and those don't surprise me anymore.  But this week, someone looked at me in complete pity, sighed and said "I'm just so worried about you, you are so big!" "Do they know how big that baby is going to be?" Though I know she meant no harm in what she said, the words have been ringing in my ears ever since. Whats more though was her complete look of pity and sigh of a "you poor thing" mentality.  You know, I am big...I was big to start this pregnancy.  But I sure don't want people to look at me in pity!  I am carrying LIFE! What a privilege and blessing I have been given!  I will carry this baby as long as the Lord see's fit, even if that means going past my due date for the first time.  This is the last time I'll be able to experience this.  Even though I am in near constant pain from the weight my body is carrying, I wouldn't trade it for the world. This baby has been my most active baby yet and feeling the little punches, kicks, and flutters will forever be etched in my heart and mind and for that I am just so thankful. God has truly blessed me with 4 healthy pregnancies and 3 healthy deliveries so far. I know I will deeply miss the moments where I was able to just sit and watch my belly move as the little life inside me made himself comfortable. Yes, I will even miss the heartburn that was just another indication of a growing baby taking up more room inside.  There are many who have babies that never make it to that size and many who never have gotten the chance to experience it, even all the aches and pains of pregnancy that so many, including myself, have complained about. Tonight though, I can't complain.  I feel so blessed. So, please don't look at me in pity. I am proud to be carrying this life.  I have scars, stretch marks, and permanent imperfections from him and the other 3 children I have been blessed with and I wouldn't take away a single one to be small, more comfortable, or scar free.  So bring on the swelling, the heat, the pain, and the super big tummy...I'm growing a precious baby...one that has never been created before or will ever be created again and that ain't nothin' to be pitied. 

VBS 2013

This past week was Vacation Bible School at our church.  Megan's first time! I was definitely nervous with how well she would do.  I knew it was going to be a good indication with how well she is going to do starting preschool this fall.  Overall, she did great!  She was definitely not shy and started participating right away with the singing and dancing.  Her teacher did say that she struggled with listening and always staying where she was supposed to be but even toward the end of the week, that was getting better.  Our kids thrive on routine and once they learn what the routine is, they tend to do a lot better.

This was day one, opening songs. Tyler and Megan were in the same class, though I kind of wished that they would have been separated. I love that they are close in age but want them to have their own set of friends and identity too.

This video was taken at a calmer part of Megan's usual dance routine during the songs.  She would jump all around...she didn't care who was watching! I LOVE that about Megan and hope she keeps that quality forever! Never worrying about what other people think.

Walking to class for the first time

Craft

Tyler working on his craft...he is in the brown and white striped shirt.

The theme for VBS was Colossal Coaster World, facing fear, trusting God. The entrance to the sanctuary was so good!

Megan and her friend Grace riding the coaster :)

Crazy hat day...Megan just had a sparkly pink fedora and Tyler had a homemade (super last minute!!) Hershey kiss hat. :)

Game time

All throughout the week, the kids work on verses, are told to bring their Bibles, bring a friend, and participate in the ministry opportunity (canned food drive) and everything they do earns points that they are able to use at the end of the week at the carnival.  The kids racked up quite a few tickets and had a blast at the carnival!

Megan got her face painted...she always looks so serious and like she isn't enjoying it.  I think she just is afraid to move because she LOVED it and was sad when it washed off in the shower.

modeling with her butterfly and artist, our friend Hope :)

I promise, she loved it... ;)

Tyler, over the pirate face, sports themed, and superheros options picked a bumble bee for his cheek :)

He loved that it took up his whole face. :)

The kids walked around and really enjoyed doing the different carnival activities. I for one thought that they had WAY too many tickets to use up! :P

Once they used all their tickets though, it was outside to the SUPER fun and HUGE jumpy house things!  These were "free" and didn't require any tickets so they did them again and again.  Much easier for me too because I could somewhat let Tyler and Megan go free.  You can see they had a blast!

Tyler's friend Sophie

Tyler's creativity to make it more interesting :)

Megan flew!

jump house

This one was a racing one.  Two people go against each other to make it to the end.  I was surprised how well Megan did it!  She went right up and over the wall and through the obstacles without a problem!

Tyler was in heaven...a true monkey!

I know these things can be expensive to rent but I am pretty sure we will be investing in one or more of them for future birthday parties for the kids.  They were seriously so fun and adults could join in too! Not that I did, 9 months pregnant...I'm just saying in general. :P

So, VBS 2013 was another successful year at Community Bible Church.  We had over 90 kids participate, most of which aren't from our church which is great! I love seeing the kids being able to have something fun to do.  They will truly miss it this upcoming week I'm sure!