Our son was born at 10:27pm.  Unfortunately, because he was born so late, his brother and sisters didn’t get to meet him until the next morning.  We loved the first night with him but it felt like the birthing process was somehow incomplete until we were all together. 

When the moment finally came Scott brought them up and they eagerly ran to the bed to meet him. 

When I told them his name, my son’s face light up as it registered that he got the baby brother he was longing for.  He said to me “Mom, I am so excited that he is a boy!”  Me too, I replied.  “But Mom, you said you would be excited about a boy or a girl.”  “Right,” I said, “and I would have been… you said the same thing.”  “Yea,” he answered, “But I REEAALLLLY wanted a boy!” Doesn’t that look on his face say it all? 

He wasn’t the only one instantly smitten though.  The girls were truly taken by their baby brother.  They wanted to touch his toes, and count his fingers.   

She truly adores her brother and is pretty much by his side every single moment of the day. 

And the baby of the family, is no longer the baby… she cherishes her role as big sister.  Her face lights up with joy every time she gets to hold him. 

As the kids left the hospital a few hours later, I couldn’t help but smile as my heart was very full.  Our family is now complete.  And I couldn’t be happier.  Funny how things changed in a mere matter of hours.

Here we are as we dropped the kids off on our way to the hospital.  Doesn’t this picture already strike you as so incomplete?

Our first complete family picture, one I will forever cherish and treasure, wasn’t taken until the next morning.

  – MEET THE CIRCUS -

This week we welcomed a new member to our family. 

Our sweet baby boy was born this week…

weighing in at 8 lbs 14 oz and measuring 20” long. 

It was love at first sight for all of us.  We really can’t get enough of him, so it seems.  I can’t wait to fill you in on the labor story and share the pictures from his fist visit with his big brother and sisters.  Nor can I wait to share all the gazillions of photos we’ve been snapping as we strive to bottle up and savor each precious moment this past week.  

I will leave you with these snapshots of his first few hours.  Check back often this week as we’ll have many more pictures and details to share.    For now, please join us in celebrating his healthy and safe arrival into our family.

Check out the size of these diapers!! Have you seen anything so little?  It’s been a long time since we’ve had diapers that small around here… I think I forgot how tiny they were. 

Seriously, my hand is bigger than the diaper!!

Granted my swollen hands are bigger than a lot of things these days so maybe that wasn’t the best bench mark, but still….what a tiny little bottom we’re going to be wiping soon!!

I had a dream last night that I accidentally opened the envelope and found out we were having a girl.

If your wondering how one can accidentally open the envelope, it’s actually not to hard to do b/c yesterday I was cleaning out some papers to be filed and saw a sealed blank envelope and thought, “What is that?”  Thankfully, before opening it, I saw the name of the sonogram office in the corner and realized what it was.

Back to the dream….I felt so sick to my stomach as I had to tell Scott we made it till 2 weeks are left and now I knew.  It was awful.

I was so glad to wake up and realize I am still clueless!!  I can’t imagine making it this long without knowing and then having found out like that.

Now for the game…here are some preggo shots of me in each pregnancy.  See if I carried similarly or differently.    Place your bets as to what the newest circus member will be.  You can even place bets on the size if your feeling so inclined.  We’ll find out who is correct whenever this little circus member decides to make his or her debut!

Baby 1: Boy:  9 lbs 5 oz 21 inches long  born 2 days after his due date

Baby 2: Girl:  7lbz 5 oz 19 inches long  induced 5 days before her due date

Baby 3: Girl: 8lbs 7 oz  20 inches long  born 2 days after her due date (photo taken at 3am)

Baby 4: ??   ????    ?????? 

Leave your predictions in the comments below. 

In an attempt to make oral reading more fun, I gave my son the option of picking any location in our house to do his reading time. 

He chose my closet.

Would not have been my first choice, but no worries, to the closet we went… I brought a pillow for me to sit on as the floor isn’t so comfy for this 9 mth pregnant momma.  My son looked at me and said, “Hey, how come you aren’t sharing that pillow with me?”  I informed him his toosh could handle the floor and we then stuck a few pillows in front of us to make it more fort like.   He was a bit put out by the fact that he didn’t have a pillow to sit on but accepted it none the less.  

I am reaching the end of my pregnancy and my body seems to be reminding me of that fact more and more each day.  Bending over, sitting, standing, sleeping, all of it comes with increased discomfort.  I often feel like a ginormous whale as I attempt to heave my belly out of bed or off of the couch.  And I’ll admit it, I am not exactly quick or light on my feet these days. 

A few days ago, I got out of the shower and heard my cell phone ringing.  I raced (or waddled) to the other side of the house in an attempt to catch whoever was calling.  Of course, they had hung up.  I saw it was my husband so I quickly called him back.  But, he wasn’t at his desk.  I left him a message and told him I was at home, he could call me there. 

A short while later my son and I were in the closet again for reading.  I made sure to bring the phone with me to the closet so that I didn’t have to race for the phone should it ring.

Wouldn’t you know my cell phone rang again?  (and of course I didn’t bring my cell phone to the closet with us).  So, I heaved myself up and hauled it across the house to try and catch my hubby on the phone. 

But, this pregnant momma is not fast enough.  

Not 10 seconds later, I then hear the land line ringing in the closet on the other side of the house and off to the races this pregnant momma goes.

Finally, out of breath, I connect with my husband and with a sigh of frustration ask what in the world he is trying to do to his poor pregnant wife?  I explain the scenario and we both get a good laugh out of it. 

Truth be told, if it has been anyone else on the phone, I would have just ignored it, but I hate missing out on the opportunity to connect with my hubby, even if for a few quick minutes.   Ah, the things we do for love…

Visit here or here for more picture fun!

In the past week I’ve had some humorous discussions about my ever growing belly.  I had forgotten the funny things kids will do and say to a women with a big belly.  I was teaching 3 rd grade when I was pregnant with my son and my students were a never ending source of comical observations on my pregnant belly.

But, my own children are quite used to pregnancy.  They get it more than most.  I realized the other day that for my son I have been pregnant 27 months of his life… that means that for over 2 of his 6 yrs he’s lived with a pregnant momma.  (poor guy I know)!

Last week I was one of the parent volunteers at my son’s tutorial.  An adorable 4 yr old girl asked me why by belly was so big.  I told her it was because I had a baby in there.  She then asked, “Did you eat the baby?”

The girls in the kindergarten class seemed unable to keep their hands off of my belly.  Every time they saw me, they’d come over and rub it and say, “Your baby must be SO BIG!” 

My own daughter was commenting on the baby this week.  She is convinced the only way to talk to the baby is through my belly button (so she always lifts my shirt when she wants to talk to or sing to the baby).  When looking at my belly button the other day my 2 yr old said, “I hope the baby doesn’t get lost in the hole!”

On Saturday when Scott and I were delivering lunches with our church to the homeless in Baltimore,  my belly provided an ice breaker of sorts for starting conversations.  Sometimes I have a hard time knowing how to strike up a conversation when we’re there but many asked about my baby, what we were having, what names we were thinking of, it was a wonderful conversation piece.   When I told a few of them we were going to be surprised as to what we were having, one man replied, “Yea, I wouldn’t get one of those sonograms…the babies don’t like it.”  I told him we had a sonogram just didn’t find out what the sex of the baby was.  He commented on how the babies are always screwing their faces in weird positions probably b/c they don’t like the sonogram waves going through them.  I am never one to argue so I just kinda smiled and nodded.  He then said, “How would you like to have those waves go through you?”  I started to say something like, I guess I wouldn’t, when both of us realized the humor in his statement.  He laughed and said, "I guess you would know since it would have gone through you too.”  We then laughed and the conversation was over.

I’ve got approximately 5 weeks left to go in my pregnancy.  And  I seem to have reached that stage where people feel I am so big, I must be ready to pop any second, and thus the comments begin.  People start assuming that the time is “any day now” and when I reply that I have 5 weeks to go, they kinda stop short.  I then say something like, “yup, just gonna get bigger from here.”  The comments truly don’t bother me.  In fact, I think it is quite comical to watch people put their feet in their mouths and then try to get em out. 

When I was pregnant with my daughter I had someone tell me she was sure I was having a girl.  When I asked why she said “because people always have big butts when they are carrying girls.”

Hmmm…. thanks….

When I was carrying my son, I was often asked if I was having twins. 

Again I really don’t mind the comments, I just think it is so funny that people feel so comfortable walking up to a stranger and telling her she looks big.  I am a “keep to yourself kinda girl.”  Not one for small talk and never one to initiate conversations with strangers if I don’t have to.    So I find it so baffling when strangers feel comfortable coming up and sharing their thoughts with me. 

Am I alone in this or have any of you had some funny comments come your way when preggo?

Dear Sweet Baby of Mine,

Every time I sit down or lay down I can feel you move around inside of me.  You are more active than any of your sisters or brother were in the womb.  Perhaps you are trying to tell us already that you are eager to jump in and join in the chaos and fun that is our family.    The feeling of you turning over or kicking and punching my sides…it’s almost as if you are saying, “Hey Mom!  I’m here!”  Since I am fairly certain you are the last baby I will carry in my womb, I treasure each of these movements.  I wonder if I will miss feeling you inside of me, once you are here.

I want you to know dear one that while none of us have yet laid eyes on you, nor held you in our arms, you are already deeply and profoundly loved and cherished and a very real part of our family.

Your oldest sister is always quick to point out that we have 4 kids in our family and if ever I have to leave your brother or sisters behind to go somewhere, she will chime in, “But not the baby… you take the baby with you!”  She loves to put her hand on my belly and feel you move inside of me.  Her whole face lights up when you wiggle or kick and she tells me she felt it.  Just the other day she laid beside me in bed and felt you punch 5 times.  Perhaps you were slapping her five!

Your next sister loves to lift up my shirt and talk to you through my belly button.   Sometimes she will serenade you with her repertoire of songs.

Your brother too is very eager to meet you.  He is so curious to know if you will be his first brother or another sister for him to care for.  He has already told me that either way he will love you and help take care of you.  He is always brainstorming potential names for you as well.  And he prays for you and thanks God for you, the baby in Momma’s belly.  He’s been wanting you for a long time…long before God had even knit you together inside me, he was asking for a new baby to join our family.

We have about 2 months to go before you will be ready to enter the world.   I look forward to meeting you, to holding you in my arms and smelling your sweet newborn scent.  I also can’t wait to introduce you to your adoring sisters and protective big brother, to watch them take care of you and smother you with their love and affection.  I am eager to see how you fall into place with them.  I can’t wait to see you sitting around the dinner table, chasing after them in the back yard and to hear your sweet voice call my name.

Until the time is right, I will savor this precious time while I have you to myself.  The time when we are connected in such a profound and mysterious way.  The only time when you truly never leave my side and I know your every coming and going.   I will marvel at God’s goodness to us in blessing our lives, our family with you.  And I pray, dear sweet one, that as you grow you will always know how deeply loved you are, by Daddy and myself, by your brother and sisters, and most importantly by our heavenly Father.    May you seek Him with all your heart and mind, all the days of your life.

Love, Mommy

More Wednesday pics can be found here or here.

I typically schedule my OB appointments for first thing in the morning so that the kids can stay home with Scott.  This time however, his work schedule didn’t cooperate, so I brought the circus crew with me for my check up.   I knew at 28 weeks they wouldn’t be doing an exam, so I felt comfortable having them tag along.  I did come prepared with coloring books, crayons, snacks, and even lollipops which I saved for the very end if they were “super stars.” 

First stop was of course the bathroom so I could “leave a sample.”  So, in the 4 of us went.  I thought peeing in a public bathroom with my crew was an invasion of privacy, but that holds nothing to peeing in a cup with 6 eyes staring at you.  Thankfully the older two obeyed and faced the wall and just my youngest stared questioningly at me. 

Of course I was bombarded with questions as I did my business.

“What are they going to do with your pee?”  “How do they test it Mom?”  “Why did you only pee a little?”  and my favorite, “Hey, can I see the stick you peed on to find out you were having a baby?”  (that would be my oldest, of course)

We filed out of the bathroom and then went to the nurses station where they checked my blood pressure and then I got to step on the scale.  As I stepped up my son said, “I bet it’s going to say a lot, because your heavy!”    (I knew there was a reason why I typically leave them home for these visits).  All I could do was chuckle as the nurse told them you, “never, ever tell your Mommy she’s big!”  They couldn’t figure out why in the world not. 

Having been the source of numerous smirks at this point, we headed back to the room to wait for the Dr.  I knew I’d be having my glucose test done as well, so I also prepped them for the fact that they’d be taking some of Mommy’s blood to check and make sure Mommy and the baby were healthy.  When the woman came in to take my blood, she had a captive audience.  Crayons instantly fell to the floor as they gathered around with wide eyes and watched.  I assured them that “it doesn’t hurt, and she won’t take much, but Mommy typically doesn’t like to watch while they do it, so I usually look away.”  They of course didn’t want to miss a thing.  And thus I got to receive the play by play of the blood draw process.  “Why do they tie that thing on your arm?”  “Will she give you a band aid?”  “Will she put the blood back in when she’s done?”  and “Look, Mom it’s coming out, she’s getting lots.”  I reminded them of when Daddy gave blood at church, how he gave lots more and this was just a tiny bit and my body would make more, just like Daddy’s did.  They then told the lady how Daddy gave a whole bag of blood when he gave blood.   Suddenly my two little vials seemed unimpressive.

Finally, we saw the doctor.  The kids could now eat their beloved snacks (Trader Joes letter cookies) and we got to listen to the heart beat (my absolute favorite part).  When I lifted my shirt there was a line on my skin from my pants.  Of course, my son pointed this out and asked the Dr what it was.  She told him my pants were probably a little tight and left a mark.  Thanks son for drawing attention, yet again to my size.

Thankfully, everything looked good and we were on our way.  As we checked out (“Like at a store?”, “What are you buying mom?”) I was able to make my appointments for just about the remainder of my pregnancy.  I scheduled all of them up until the week before my due date (they weren’t scheduling into that final week yet).  I couldn’t believe it!  We’re really rounding the mark and coming in for the final stretch!  In fact, tomorrow is the first day of my third trimester!

This post is being linked up to Tiny Talk Tuesday at Not Before 7.