I can see the light!

Time really does pass, as slowly as it feels in the final weeks of pregnancy. All the sudden we’re in March, and although another whole month of this feels like a long time, I know it will go by quickly as it always does. I feel like the waddle is in full swing and for the past few weeks everyone I come in contact with asks me when the big day is sort of frantically like it’s tomorrow or something. I don’t mind, because I feel the same way when I look at this belly in the mirror and wish it WAS tomorrow. But still, I’m so happy to be at this point in the pregnancy, over a month and a half longer in the womb than the triplets. I think getting to week 34 put me more at ease mentally than I have been the entire pregnancy (physically is another story). Probably the most at peace I’ve been as I’ve let worries cloud my thoughts. I’ve prayed a lot to trust my body despite what’s happened before, and to enjoy this sweet time with my baby girl. A cashier at Sprouts advised me to not wish this time away because this is the best babysitter she’ll have yet. It’s true. She’s safe from sickness, pain, worldly influences, and everything else right now. I wish I could always give her this kind of protection, and get to hold and kiss her at the same time. I’ll try to keep those thoughts in mind as I am tempted to wish for these uncomfortable, exhausting days to go by faster.  It also helps to keep perspective that I’ll probably not even get as large as I was when I delivered the triplets. Of course I was on bedrest, and not taking care of three kids at that time, so this pregnancy hasn’t been THAT much easier in comparison, but still enough to remind me that that it could be worse.

Here’s a 34 week shot when I started this post. 

February was an eventful month with Valentine’s Day/Week, as well as the other events. I’ll let the pictures do most of the talking as we take a walk down February lane:

The kids were so excited about crazy hair day. Ruby said she wanted a lot of curls, so we ripped up an old t-shirt and made rags for her to sleep in. It brought back girls camp days for sure. He was so excited to wake up and see the result.

And she was not disappointed!

The boys were easy to please, with a few ponytails here and a few spikes there. They had the best day. It’s amazing what switching up the routine a little will do for kids.

Oh, and Bennett did not leave Blue Bird out of the fun. Crazy!

The next week was Valentine’s. I have dreaded the box decorating for a long time. Last year they just decorated paper bags in their class and it was perfect. This year we had to do it ourselves. I gave everyone a cereal box, wrapped them up, set the table up with decorating supplies, and let them loose. It was a mess, but they loved how their boxes turned out. It was enough to exhaust me.

They had a great time at school passing out and receiving notes from all their friends. I was pleased that there were quite a few non-candy prizes. Alex was very responsible with his treats, only eating a few, brushing his teeth, and saving the rest for later, or giving them away. I wish all three were so dental conscientious.

My prize to them was their own bottle of mouthwash. Ha.

It took a couple weeks for the kids to let go of the Valentine’s spirit. Alex was making cards for class friends  for a while, and even brought cards to give to random people he met at the park.

Both the boys came into my room one morning all dressed in snow clothes ready to deliver personalized heart notes they’d made to all the neighbors. It was still early, so I told them to just tape them on the doors. Funny kids.

We had a nice visit from Grandma Robinson and Aunt Nicole that same weekend. They brought dinner, and several more for the freezer! This tired mom was so grateful. Ruby loved being big sister to her cousin Piper. She fed her, cheered her up with Fuzzy bear, and just loved playing with her. Ruby is more than ready for a little sister of her own. 

Nicole brought over a box of baby clothes for us to look through. Piper was trying some on for fun. Love that happy girl.

We have tried to take advantage of every warm day the winter has given us. The park is such a nice change from what we’ve been doing inside while it’s cold. We can’t get enough of the sunshine!

Alex wrote about playing at the park in his journal when we got there.

It doesn’t take long for the kids to make friends if we don’t meet anyone there. They had a rousing snowball fight with these new friends one day when it was warm enough for short sleeves.

One Saturday it was so lovely out that KC took them on a little hike. They were so excited to use the Camlebaks they got for their birthday, and their cameras they got for Christmas. I was excited for a quiet couple of hours at home.

We enjoyed a campfire on the driveway one Sunday and invited the neighbors over for roasted marshmallows and cookies. I love our little street.

And now we have some random happenings.

Alex getting  “cozy” on the stairs. I’m sure that didn’t last long.

Bennett made this pretty sweet captain America costume for Blue Bird one day. It never ceases to amaze me what these kids will come up with when left to their own devices. Which is often.

The boys had to get some dental work done. Ugh. They were brave and so sweet the whole time. The worst part was recovering from where they had bitten their cheeks while they were numb. Bennett was swollen and raw for days!

Later that day I pulled out some play dough I had stashed away for an occasion such as this. It cheered them right up after a long day.

I was pleased to see that Bennett had also made a pond with lily pads, a frog and some ducks along with the inevitable Angry Birds. Glad to see he isn’t always so one-track minded!

Sometimes they just get in the mood for yoga. They laid out the blankets and had a great relaxing time doing all the poses. I can’t get enough of watching them. Their own pose?

The kids were playing house and Ruby was the pregnant mommy named Emily. So perfect laying there with her water bottle. If I squint I would almost think it was me! He was asking the boys to get her things because she was resting. Oh, that made me laugh! Someday soon the kids will remember that I wasn’t always like this!  Bennett was playing KC and Alex was their son named Mexico (!?). Overhearing them play was hilarious.

Soon the baby “popped out” as they like to put it, and they took such good care of that little Blue Bird.

I never, ever take for granted that they have each other to play with. It makes me so happy.

That’s all the randomness I have for now, but I’m sure I could find plenty more if I had the time.

I’ve felt a little boost of energy lately. Sometimes I even feel better than I have in past recent months. Now when I feel the contractions and pains, I have more of a bring-it-on attitude, so I’ve been doing more errands, chores, and cooking as my body permits. Of course sometimes I am exhausted beyond all reason, and most of the time I can hardly walk by the end of the day, but I try to take full advantage of it when I’m feeling alright. I have been down with a bad cold or sinus infection for over a week, not to mention the boys had some bug that included a fever and Alex throwing up. They both slept a crazy amount of hours while sick so that was good. I haven’t slept well at all for a while and it’s staring to get to me. And I thought I was tired before! The boys are great now, and I can feel myself coming out of this fog, so hopefully I get at least a a few more full nights of sleep before I have something more pleasant that terrible congestion and a sore throat waking me up at all hours of the night.

I have a pile of things on my dresser ready to be packed, and all of the baby’s things set up and ready for her. Fuzzy Bear (now named Fuzzy Baby Bear) has tried out just about everything including the diapers, crib, and clothes etc. to make sure everything is just right. Such a nice Fuzzy Baby Bear. I was surprised at how well Ruby put the diaper on without any assistance! But Ruby said I am more than welcome to do all of the wiping of bums. The kids often talk about the baby and ask over and over how many more days until her arrival. Bennett commented one day how it takes FOREVER for a baby to come. Couldn’t have said it better myself. They are so helpful when I need it,whether they have been asked for not. I just love those sweethearts more than words can express. I’m so excited for them to have this little sister. That is a paper pacifier taped to her mouth.

So, Saturday was exactly 4 weeks  from my due date, April 4th. But just maybe, hopefully, we’ll have a march birthday to celebrate. Let the waiting game begin!

And here’s a 36 week shot when I finished this post.

Second Wind

As of last Saturday at 3:01 am, I am officially pregnant longer than I was with the triplets. I may have had a little residual PTSD from that whole ordeal 5 1/2 years ago that I wasn’t aware of until I was approaching that day in this pregnancy and had a lot of anxiety wondering if it was going to happen again! Of course I know that I only have one baby in there this time, but it was still stressing me out a little. Hormones! It was a relief when I was safely at 30 weeks with no baby in sight, and hopefully that’s how things stay until at least mid-March.

It really helped to get past that point to have a visit from Mom and Dad! My mom had been toying with the idea of visiting before the baby came, and we decided this was a good time. She hopped a flight last Monday, and since the kids were out of school that day, they came with me to pick her up from the airport. It was such a nice change of pace from the moment she arrived.

I loved having a shopping buddy to do the heavier lifting and pushing, and someone to help with the kid corralling and entertaining (not that they need much, but it still wears me out at times). I felt like my body that was feeling a little stressed and worn out  was getting more calm and relaxed as the days went on. She helped with get the house ready for the baby to point where I don’t have to think much about that until she’s here which is so nice. I feel a little wimpy feeling the need for a little help at this point in my pregnancy when I see others doing just fine at this stage. But I know everybody's different, and why not take the help if it’s offered, right? It made life more fun in general to have someone to go through the daily motions with, instead of thinking about every ache and pain, and trying not to count down what still feels like long way to go.

Then Dad drove in on Thursday to join the fun! he brought a Car full of baby gear some being returned to me, and others on loan from dear sisters. Seeing everything makes me so excited to bring this baby girl home. Having the company, and setting up for the baby was just what I needed to push through what felt like a difficult couple weeks, and into the home stretch.

They left Sunday morning after joining us for the first hour of Church, and I definitely didn’t want to say goodbye. But thanks to this little babe, they’ll be coming to visit again soon!

So I have a couple months left to keep myself distracted until the big event. I’m so excited I can hardly stand it. The kids comment on how big my belly is daily, and I’m starting to get looks and questions from strangers as I’m out and about. While I’m measuring right on schedule, I must look huge because the comments usually imply that I look like I’m about ready.  It’s definitely funny being pregnant again. The world just looks at you a little differently.

I’ll leave you with these pictures of our fun week with the parents. 31 weeks and counting!

The kids didn’t waste time taking all of Nana’s attention the moment she arrived.

We took the kids birthday shopping for KC at the dollar store, and they even wrapped the presents on their own.

Thank you Costco for the amazing mousse cake when I have zero energy to make one myself. That filled our sweet craving for many nights. Happy 38th to KC!!

I was so grateful to have my parents there the next day to watch the boys, because I had to take Ruby to a last minute dentist appointment. She ended up needing four crowns! I hate seeing them on my little girl, but her teeth were not doing well back there and we couldn’t wait any longer. She was the bravest girl ever as they poked, drilled, and kept that  mask on her for a good hour. Not one complaint, or wiggle besides her legs changing position. I was nursing a terrible burn on my hand the whole time, but kept my focus on her and how great she was doing. As soon as they were done (great dentist and assistant, btw—so sweet) she relaxed her little stretched lips, and it was only then that she let the tears well up in her eyes. She was concerned that she couldn’t feel her face, and probably just letting out relief that it was over. Sweet, sweet girl. The moment kind of made my heart burst a little. She loves the dentist and was so excited to go, but had NO idea that’s what she’d be doing. She was all smiles and a little loopy after that. There was a lot of excitement over the little prizes. Soft food and ibuprofen for a few days and she’s good as new, except now she has “princess teeth”. Again, I’m so glad we had reinforcements that day.

Dad came up from the guestroom at about 7:00 am the morning after he arrived, and Bennett immediately handed him a paper and a pen announced that he would be giving Papa a drawing lesson. Dad was so nice to oblige.

I found this 500 piece puzzle at the dollar store, and it was surprisingly challenging and fun. We sat around the table a lot working on it whenever we felt like it. Mom put her hands in the pic to see the size of the pieces. Tiny!

I was in desperate need of a toenail painting, cause I am not in a position to do them myself, and my wonderful mother did them for me. That’s love. Such a selfless person. I loved having her by my side for a few days.