34 Weeks

Baby, baby, baby,

We are 34 weeks along now and physically, it's getting a bit harder. But in my heart, I am cherishing each day that you're in my womb because believe it or not, once you're born, there's a part of me that will miss you moving inside. Your movements are bigger and more defined. We can feel bones and see sharp points protruding. Sometimes, depending on how you're lying, my tummy looks lopsided. LOL The doctor said that you are head-down now, which explains all the pressure I've been feeling. This is exciting because it lets me know that you are preparing yourself to meet me on the outside!!!

Nesting is in full swing. . .at least in my head! LOL I have a mental to-do list that I will write down in the coming days, because Mommy is ready to gets things "just-so" for you!! Your sister (TM) and I did a little shopping over the weekend and that was fun. She picked 2 of the cutest bows for your hair!

I have pulled all of the white onesies and yellow outfits from your older brother's stash that he no longer wears and have put them aside for you. I also did a bit of thrifting online and got a couple of things for you to wear. I think you're good for about the first 4 months or so. Your Auntie gave me a baby swing, and since it's been stored in the garage, I'll need to wash and wipe that down (thanks, sis--I'm sure it'll come in handy!!).

Even Daddy is "nesting" too (LOL), but in his own way. There are things that he's taking care of and doing because when you come, he'll devote much of his time to getting to know you at night and helping Mommy get some rest (thanks in advance, Husband). He's a super Daddy. Your siblings continue to echo the same words, "Mommy, I can't wait for K-- to come!!" TM even has a guess on what day you'll be born. . .we'll see if she's right.

Well, sweet girl, I love you, love you, love you. I pray for you and I'll be glad to see you soon.
Love,
Mommy

31 Weeks

I'm grateful...

You are moving well

God has graced my womb with life 7 times

I have delivered 5 babies so far

I get to be called Mommy

I am in love with your Daddy

Daddy loves me and you and your sisters and brothers

Jesus love us deeply, purely and wholly

I am blessed and sleepy.

Good night, baby girl.

30 Weeks

Well, sweetheart, we're officially in the 30's!!! The 30's are always exciting to me because I know that in 10 weeks (give or take a couple of days) I get to see you, Lord willing!!!!!

Well, I had planned to write to you on Monday, so we are now actually nearing the end of the 30th week. Here are some happenings from our week:

Monday was St. Patrick's Day and guess what?? It snowed! We had about 6 inches of snow. No pictures of Daddy this time shoveling the snow. He said he's had enough of the snow for this year! :)

Tuesday was library day and we had a ton of fines to pay!! I forgot to renew the books (again) and then with the snow storm, we had to wait an extra day. Your siblings and I picked up more books to enjoy. You'll learn that we are at the library lots and lots. I hope you'll enjoy reading, too! Daddy took us out to dinner and that's always a help to Mommy!!!

On Wednesday, Mommy went to the doctor's so she could see how you're doing. And, praise God, so far, so good. You are moving and twisting and turning, especially at night. It is such a great feeling. Here's what Mommy looks like at 30 weeks pregnant with you:





My, how we're growing!

On Thursday, we went to the store to get your brother some gifts because today is his 1st birthday!! That means that you two will be 14 months apart. He's a lot of fun!


Baby J is 1 now!!

In our family, sweet girl, we have a little tradition: on each child's first birthday, he or she is presented with a honey graham cracker by the next oldest sibling. :) Since babies don't eat honey the first year of life, this has been "our thing"!! As you can see, Baby J is loving the graham cracker.

More exciting things are coming up in the next few days and I can't wait to share them with you. I feel like I'm in my own little advent season. . . waiting for you with great expectation. I love you, baby girl.

28 Weeks

Hey, honey!

Well, today marks the beginning of our 7th month, and the beginning of our 3rd trimester! You are moving right along. Today we were supposed to see the doctor so she see how you're growing and hear your little heart beating. Instead, she called to check on us and to reschedule our appointment. Why? Because today also brought something else: SNOW! Yep, on this 3rd day of March, we are in the middle of a snow storm. Daddy is out shoveling snow right now.

This is a pic of Daddy shoveling snow from a storm back in Feb.,
but he looks the same today. :)

Your brothers and sisters want to take a snow day, but Mommy said schooling must continue! We are preparing for your arrival and that means our school days are numbered. When you come, we will take time off to welcome you and love on you. As a compromise though, we are having a pajama day.

I love you, sweet baby girl, as you move, rattle, quiver, shake, roll, push, and kick inside of me. Smooches!

Fruit of the Womb

Baby girl,

Do you remember how I told you before that Mommy has to work on not caring so much about what other people say (when they are trying to be mean or rude)? So often, Mommy and Daddy are questioned, criticized, looked down upon, teased, misunderstood, stared at--all because you have 5 siblings. This comes from complete strangers, and even some of our family and friends. And, many of them are Christians.

Why does that matter--being a Christian?

Well,  sweet girl, it matters because of what God says about children. And, as God's children, we are to align our thinking with His.

In Bible study today, God just reassured Mommy and opened my eyes anew to a passage of Scripture that has been pretty familiar to me. I was reading Psalm 127:3-5 and I decided to read it from The Message translation and this is what is says:

Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift?
the fruit of the womb His generous legacy?
Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows
are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents,
with your quivers full of children!
Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you;
you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep.

-Psalm 127:3-5

 

Prayerfully, you will come to learn that the Word of the Lord is a balm to the soul. And little one, this was so refreshing and so soothing to me on so many levels. I keep reading it again and again. I said to Daddy, "Babe, look at this translation!" The part that stuck out to him was the end, about enemies. Why? Because a family that is rooted in God's Word, that understands that children are such a great blessing, will be able to stand strong together.

 

So, when people question us, when they stare, when they start counting how many kids call one person, "Mommy", when they tell me that I should not have had you all, when they're shocked that Daddy has fun with you guys, when they call me crazy or shake their heads in disgust, when they say that they feel sorry for me, when they don't understand, we will stand firm as a family, knowing that God's Word is true and it cannot lie.

 

You and your siblings are God's best gift to Daddy and me. I pray sweetheart, that moms and dads view their children as God's best gifts, His generous legacy, a blessing--not a burden, no matter how many children they have.

 

You are wanted and you are loved.

-Mommy

Your sisters and brothers. . .we're waiting for you!

 

27 Weeks

Well, sweetie, this is our last week of the 6 month. Things are just moving so quickly it seems.

I feel like I was just sitting across from Daddy in a restaurant, your brothers and sisters all around us, and he said, "Lu, I've been so tired; why am I so tired? I think the baby is making me tired. . . I think you're pregnant!"

**Background information for you: whatever pregnancy symptoms I have, Daddy says he experiences some of them, too. So, if I'm sleepy, Daddy says he is, too. If I say I have an upset tummy, Daddy says he feels queasy, too! Funny Daddy, huh?!**

Anyway, he looked me right in the eyes, smile on his face and said, "Yeah, I think you're pregnant." Why that made me nervous, I don't know. Every single time God has graced my womb with life, it makes me nervous and this time wasn't any different. I told Daddy, "I'm not sure; I don't know if I'm pregnant." But way, deep, deep, down, I knew it, too. We went home to take a pregnancy test, and there it was plain as day: TWO PINK LINES!!!

Daddy said, "See, Lu! I told you! I knew it!!" And he's been bubbly about you ever since!
Today, he sat down on the couch next to me and said, "K--- is on her way; she's coming!" In other words, sweet girl, he's ready to hold you in his arms. And, so am I.

You are big enough now that I can just look down at my tummy and see your movements. You're making mama's belly jump! :) I love you more than you know.

You Made Daddy's Day

Guess what, little one???

Daddy felt you moving around this morning!
He put his hand on my belly; I was lying on my side.
And baby girl, you were going to town.
I said, "She's showing out for you, Daddy."
Daddy would pat my tummy each time he felt you move, saying that he felt you here or there.
I'm sure he felt something like this. . .



21 Weeks

Time is slowly ticking by little one, and Mommy is right around the half-way mark before we get to see you!

We were pretty busy last week, and Mommy is looking forward to a change in pace. Daddy took the family to Ikea on Saturday--we were looking for some new pantry shelves. Daddy and I both agree that Ikea just isn't the store for us! LOL We don't get it and then we just end up confused and exhausted. . . maybe we'll try again another time.

Daddy said to me a couple days ago, "Lu, your stomach's getting bigger," with a certain nod of his head. Just his way of confirming what Mommy already knows: he's right; you're growing!! You let me know you're there more and more each day. Feels like lots of tumbling and rolling. I'm always thankful to feel you. Early one morning, you were just kicking and kicking, so Daddy put his hand on my tummy to see if he could feel you, too, but it's too soon.

One of your sisters keeps telling me that she can't wait until you get here. I told her she'll just have to wait because you've got more growing to do. She understands, but you have to know she's thrilled because you will be her first little sister.

You know, there will be 11 years between you and one sister, and 9 years between you and the other sister. And, guess what? Mommy didn't save all of those pretty little outfits they used to wear when they were babies. I only saved a couple of things to give to them when they grow up and become wives and mothers. In other words, darling, you and I have some shopping to do!

I think of you each day and you are in my prayers. . . love you.

Awake

Your Daddy is lying next to me, snoring away. That sound is one you may come to know as comfort; that’s the way your sisters and I feel. Or, maybe that sound is one you’ll think is just plain funny and amusing; that’s the way your brothers feel. Maybe you hear Daddy snoring now.

Your sisters are sleeping, your brothers are sleeping, even your 2 little dogs are sleeping.

But I am awake, and girl baby, you are making me hungry! So I’m munching on some pineapple chunks while searching the meanings of the names we’re thinking of giving you.

So many people have their opinions of what we should call you: some think the names we’re considering are outrageous; others think their own name should be included in some way; some are offended that some one else’s name may be. . .drama, sweet girl!

Here’s the deal, honey: no matter what name you are called, know that the most important name you can ever bear is “Child of the King.” That is by far the best way to be known–as one of His own.

Good night, sweetheart. Mama should try to get some rest.

Six Weeks

I am six weeks pregnant. It sounds strange to hear that for some reason! I found out I was pregnant on a Thursday night; we just got home from dinner. It was an unexpected feeling, unexpected news, new life again. . .just trusting in God.

Daddy had a good feeling that you were in my tummy, but Mommy was surprised.

Your older brothers are 6 yrs, 21 months and 6 months old. . .new baby on the way. Your older sisters are 8 yrs and 10 yrs. . . new baby on the way.

Mama is sleepy right now. I’m thankful that God has graced my womb with life again.