Full Term Update

I am now officially full term, and if the baby should decide to come today, my midwives would not try to stop labor and the baby would not be considered early. Praise the Lord!!

Technically, my due date is not until the 20th of March...and... both Adah and Elijah were 10 days late. So I am struggling to be realistic about how much longer we have until we meet this baby. It could be any day, could be 4 weeks from now!

But, you know what? I feel pretty good. I struggle with keeping worry and fear at bay, due to the recent loss in our family. I am uncomfortable. Its to be expected. But overall, I am just so grateful for this baby and for a very healthy pregnancy. I guess I will wait and try to enjoy the wait, too. What other choice do I have?!

Meanwhile, here are few pictures from the last few days.

The first set is from my laundry room midway through becoming, not just a laundry room, but a laundry room/ art studio. Its done now; complete with a desk, sewing table, shelves and organization. I am happy to say that today I did some "therapeutic painting" surrounding my hopes and fears concerning labor and delivery. It was a great feeling to sit down at my very own art desk, with all of my supplies easily at hand, and let something hidden come out. I would share what I created, but it is a bit too personal for this venue at this time:). With any good luck, I will be sharing some art in the coming months as I continue to explore my new space.

 Yes, that's my belly in the foreground.

^

We have one of Elijah ruling the roost in the fabulous backyard playhouse:

Next, a picture requested by Elijah, complete with Adah examining her hair beads mid-shot:

Yesterday, Gabe and Elijah built a little bird house. This morning, Adah and Elijah had a lot fun painting it:

Just to show you how modest I can pretend to be, and not at all vain... Hah! I am going to post a picture taken by Elijah while I was hanging the bird house. Its shot from a vvveeeerrry flattering upward angle, accentuating my rotund figure. And, I have a super- charming look on my face. The look, to me, says: "I've eaten 4 blueberry muffins today and I am exhausted from waddling out to the front yard." Which, by the way, was true. I post it as evidence of my full-term-ness.

 

Okay, to erase that image from your mind, I now present you with the proud birders posing with their creation: 

 

And now a close up...

Finally, Gabe found a great used woodstove insert on Craigslist and installed it himself, saving us $2500, the cost difference of buying a new stove and having it professionally installed. We bought this hoping to offset our $500/ month heating oil bill. I post these pictures as proof to naysayers (you know who you are:) that we made a good choice going the 'used-self install-money saving' route and that we aren't going to burn the house down. The house is nice and warm, just in time for spring:)!

You probably won't hear from me here until after the baby is born. But, I will post pictures and details when the time comes! Pray for us!

Love,

Liz

Ultrasound today and its a....

BABY! Yay!

That's right! For all of you out there who keep asking what we're having... it's official.... we're having a real human baby. No more wondering if its a giraffe or porcupine or whatnot. Rest assured, I saw the critter squirming around in there today and its a little baby person of some kind!

All joking aside, baby looks good and we did not find out the gender. I initially decided against having an ultrasound for this pregnancy.  However, over the course of the last week I wasn't feeling a lot of movement from babe and a spirit of fear crept in. I made the appointment, just for peace of mind, I reasoned. Of course, since the scan this morning the baby has been more active than ever before. Kicking and punching, rolling around, going bananas! Tonight, for the first time, I could feel movement from the outside of my belly. So, I don't know... It's like the babe is telling me that the nosy old ultrasound wasn't needed, "if you want movement, well, here ya go!"

We are really so excited and thankful to meet this new little member of our family in March. Strangely, I feel more sentimental, emotional and excited about this baby than during either of my last two pregnancies. I can only imagine its because I know and understand the joy that lies ahead (unlike my pregnancy with Elijah, my first) and I am not scared about how I will handle another (unlike my pregnancy with Adah, my second). I am just, plain and simple, happy to be pregnant and grateful for this gift! So, please keep praying our little baby in the belly, there are still 20 weeks to go.

Here's a pic of how we're growing.
(I am working on scanning an ultrasound pic. I've yet to figure out my scanner.)

Sorry for not posting in a month. I've been debating about shutting the blog down. The day may be coming soon. Despite having a lot on my plate right now, I just don't feel like I have much to say.

We are still sorting through the details of buying the house that I told you about last time. So many details! If all goes well, we will be in the house before our lease runs out here at the end of the month. It looks to be about a 50-50 chance that it will work out that way. We appreciate all prayers on this matter, too. :)

I'll try to post more, thanks for hanging in here with me.
And thank you all for your friendship, love and support. Love you all!