Baby - Last days

I originally estimated my due date a week later than the traditional estimate - I was pretty sure when conception took place. Looks like I may have been right, because by the traditional reckoning the baby was due last Tuesday and it is now the Monday after, the baby is still perfectly comfortable inside. I on the other hand am not so comfortable and have had pre labor for over a week now but nothing has progressed into the real thing. Baby's head is low and engaged, I have strong but irregular and not painful contractions, but little to no cervical changes have taken place. Sleep has gone from 1 wake up per night to every 1-2 hours. I know it's for the best and when it happens I have confidence in my body's abilities and God's timing for the delivery I am supposed to have and the reward at the end of the labor!.

Meanwhile I have been grateful and delighted to take a break from work and spend this time with my kids and my sister. 

How many kids are you going to have?

I have come to the conclusion that people have no right to ask a woman this question, especially in the context of when you're expecting your third.

Really though, who except God knows the number of children you will have? I certainly don't know, just as I don't know what my situation in life might be in 2, 5, 10 years. Some intend to have many kids and are given none or one.  Some say they never want kids, and that, also is personal to them.

No one should have to justify why they have or will have, a certain quantity of children. Most people just take children as they come with love - whether they "intended" or "planned" them or not.  To my mom, having babies was the natural and joyful thing to do with her life.

My children are integral to my life and I am both stressed and blessed by them.  Regardless of quantity, each child is precious, with incredible capacity to learn and become and teach. I am truly amazed at the miracle of pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood!

36 Weeks

Good morning!
Last night we had another homebirth meeting and checkup.  I weighed in at 143 lbs and my belly measured right on at 35.5 centimeters. I brought Elinor and the look of excitement on her face was priceless as she heard your heartbeat. Sherri felt your position - you're head down but in the sunny side up position, which might explain why I feel your legs and arms pressing out on my belly all the time!  We went through an extensive overview to prepare for the birth, I couldn't help but feel emotional and happy as I listened and talked about these preparations.
We're planning to decline vaccinations and antibiotics but request the Vitamin K shot. I don't think we can fit a birthing pool in our little home so we're not planning a water birth. My kids will be home, Mike will be around, I'll have a close friend assisting and hopefully my sister will be able to make it in time. I'm really looking forward to having a low key, intervention-free natural birth in the setting I'm most comfortable in!

Baby - Week 35

Everyone in the office is predicting you're a boy, but still only God knows your form.  Your space is getting tighter every day - you move all the time and my belly gets bigger all the time.  I'm counting down the weeks and days until your arrival! You love listening to and moving around to music.  We spend time just feeling you move around every night while you and I settle into a comfy position to sleep.  Amazingly I have been able to get enough sleep most nights. I feel blessed to have a healthy pregnancy but I do look forward to getting my strength and range of motion back, be able to run again, most of all to be able to hold you and look into your eyes.  You'll be here sooner than I know it!

My garden is finally planted - I don't know if the wild animals and soil will allow it to flourish though, time will tell. Squash, lots of onions, garlic, broccoli, herbs, peas, beans, spinach, mint, parsnips.