In one short week, baby #3 will be in our arms.
It is so hard to believe that this pregnancy is almost over. I am grateful that these months have come and gone quickly and easily....but, I can't believe it is actually here. The idea of 3 kids has always been our plan. I have adjusted well to the fact that 3 kids is going to equal 3 boys. I understand that the baby will be born soon....but, the million dollar question, that every one asks every pregnant woman, "Are you ready?"
Will I ever be ready?
I wasn't ready when Payton was born but he arrived and once he hit my arms, it was as if he was always meant to be there. We easily adjusted to a family of three.
I'm not sure if I was ready when Owen arrived. I was prepared. More prepared than I am right now for baby #3. There was less clutter in our house and a lot fewer "things" taking up space on our calender. Same thing happened....I had my scheduled c-section, they placed that little guy in my arms, and ready or not, I knew immediately that he was always meant to join our family. We quickly adjusted to life as a family of four and at times, we even thought, why did we think this newborn thing was so bad the first time....piece of cake! Eventually he started moving and talking....while his brother was running full speed and having temper tantrums...and, that is when it got interesting. No matter how loud or crazy it gets, I have never considered giving them away (although, we do use that as a threat sometimes...that we will have to send one of them to live in NC if they can't learn to behave, and they always cry and quickly calm down). Our life as a family of four works pretty well....if you are okay with loud, wild, constantly on the go, busy, and a life that just moves from day to day. That is our life and we love it, so it works for us. We have adjusted to a family of four.
Now, next week, baby #3 will arrive. Are we ready? The short answer is probably "yes, of course!" The long answer is....no, not at all. I still have lingering items on my to-do list that I hope will be finished by 5:30 am on Tuesday....but, after having two previous babies, I have learned that even if I do not get any of these additional things finished, my baby boy will still arrive, he will be well taken care of and he will be loved, loved, loved! I don't think he really cares if the downstairs bedroom is clean or if my emails have been sent out to bible study, women's retreat planning committee and a few of my friends. The baby does not care...and, in the grand scheme of things, I am learning not to care either. I am ready for this new bundle of joy to enter our family. I am ready to slow down and enjoy him and enjoy watching our family adjust to a family of five. I am ready to soak up all those little moments, even the late night feeds and sleep deprived days because I know most likely, this will be he last time I experience these wonderful little moments.
I honestly have no idea what to expect. Life is going to be busy to say the least. We have two active boys who are involved in sports and school. We are fortunate to have a wonderful church home and church family and find ourselves involved in many activities at church throughout the week. We have lots of friends and birthday parties and weekend trips and family out of town that we will travel to see. All of these things will go on....the little guy will just go with us. This will be a challenge for sure. As many people have said, we are moving from man-to-man to zone...and some days, I am sure our defense will break down!
I am excited to see how it all unfolds. I can't wait to see what this little guy looks like...does he have hair? Does he favor Payton or Owen or Mommy or Daddy? Will he be loud and active (probably) or will he end up being quiet and reserved (all things are possible). Will he like sports or will he think we are all crazy....while he reads quietly in the corner or plays an instrument. Maybe he will be an artist. Will he play with balls...non-stop like his brothers, or will he choose to play with plane, trains and automobiles? Will he be left handed? Payton and Owen have clearly defined personalities. How will we shape his personality? How will he fit into our family. Will he be the calm, go with the flow 3rd child that so many seem to be....or not?
On those first few days, I can't wait to see how Payton and Owen interact with their baby brother. They are both so excited. Payton is very mature about it and has asked a lot of questions. He remembers Owen being born and seeing him in the hospital, but it will be different this time. Owen has been practicing how he will hold the baby, rock the baby, play with the baby, etc for months. I can't wait to see how he responds to the tiny little guy that he has been waiting on for so long!
Sweet baby boy, we are ready for you....in so many ways! It is great to know that in just one short week you will be in my arms, snuggled up, well on your way to becoming a mama's boy!
In this last week, as we prepare for you what else is going on......
Let's start with Mommy -
Mommy went to see Dr. E for the last time today - everything was great. My blood pressure was awesome. I had lost a few pounds. I will quit weighing now and say that thanks to you, I have gained 25 pounds....I just hope I loose about twice that by breast feeding (that's how it works, right?). My feet and hands are swollen. I tucked my ring away and won't be putting it back on until after you arrive...because it was nearly stuck on my finger after church on Sunday. I have still been having contractions though less consistent than before...more painful though. You are moving ALL around...also painful. I have been to the bathroom 100 times today....that takes up most of my time. I am dilated 1 cm...which is really nothing...and, Dr. E still thinks we will meet you next week....not before....she did tell me the days she is on-call this week just in case....but really, since we have made it this long, lets just go ahead and wait til Sept 3rd...or at least the 1st...I have a few people who would be happy to have you born on their special day! Not to be picky about this either, but the August birthstone is Peridot (lime green). The September birthstone is blue sapphire. I can picture a beautiful piece of jewelry sometime in my life with my babies birthstones.....peridot just won't look all that great. Mommy hasn't been at work since last Tuesday and won't be going back. Mommy has been so thankful to be home with Payton and Owen for this final week before you arrive...so, thanks for giving me just enough grief to make that happen!
Moving on to Owen...
Payton started school last Wednesday...which means, that I have been home with Owen all day, without Payton, for almost a week. I have loved every second of it (minus the meltdown and chase though the restaurant on our fun lunch date today). Owen, without Payton, is a precious little angel. He is smart and funny. He is sweet and cuddly. It is awesome. So awesome in fact that it makes me sad that my work schedule last year didn't really give me time to see that....I didn't get much one-on-one time with him. Although just for a 10 day period, this is something I will always cherish. Pretty sure God had his hand in this! Owen does crack us up these days. His expressions...both things he says and the faces he makes are priceless. My favorite is that when he does have a meltdown, he usually pulls it back together..and he will always say, "I'm sorry Mommy. I didn't mean to cry." Or, I didn't mean to hit Payton. Or, I didn't mean to spill the drink. Sometimes, "I didn't mean" is all he says...hilarious. He is mostly excited about the fact that he is getting to play soccer this fall and he tells nearly every person we see about his new soccer cleats and new soccer team. He hasn't even had his first practice yet, but he is ready. He has also taken up a new love for cars, puzzles and play doh. He will play for hours with his cars. He loves watching Payton do puzzles and he begs to play with play doh. Sweet little guy!
Payton, the big kindergartner...
Payton has been loving kindergarten. Every day is a new and exciting day. It is still so much fun. He is still riding the bus home, which he loves, and he tells us a lot about his day....I hope he keeps this up! He has started flag football. His practice field just so happens to be right outside his classroom at his school. He loves having his daddy coach and he loves that Holman is on his team. His biggest problem is his mouth piece...he hates it! Over the past few months, he has grown up so much and it is easy to see now that he is at school. Don't think that he is too grown up....he still switches back to toddler mode many times each day with meltdowns and with instigating trouble between him and his brother. He can't sit still...ever...well, unless watching a Scooby Doo marathon. His greatest "wants" in life are a jump rope, golf lessons and tennis lessons, and a trip to the bowling alley....please!?!? He is an active, active boy.
Chad...
Well, thankfully, I have a wonderful husband who is very hands on and is a tremendous help with the kids and around the house. I can't even explain in words how much better my life is because he is living it with me. He has listened to me complain for a few weeks now and hasn't once told me to stop. He has let me eat ice cream without commenting on how I might be eating just a little too much! He has had more than his fair share of time helping with the kids. He is the best dad...in the world...and it is no wonder that our boys are daddy's boys. He has been wonderful getting Payton to school and getting home early to help me survive the rest of the day. Chad is hoping to get to the UNC vs USC game...so, once again little guy, Friday at the earliest.
I think that about wraps it up....just hanging out around the house, hoping to finish up my to-do list, but realizing life will go on even if I don't. We had a busy day today and another busy day on Thursday so, hoping that tomorrow, we can just play around the house and catch up on laundry, dishes, etc.
In just one week, little guy, you will meet all these crazy boys in your life...and your sweet, sweet Mommy. One week!
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