38 weeks

So, my sweet girl, we are still hanging in there. I went to the doctor today and we are holding steady at 2cm. But, I got to hear your heart beating and that always brings a smile to my face.

Mommy is trying to stay busy while I wait for you. I'm cleaning and straightening, throwing things away and planning. I'm getting in some "last minute" shopping, trying to think of anything else I may have forgotten. I'm going to your oldest brother's baseball practices and games. His season just started last week and so I know I'll miss much of it when you come. I'm trying to tend to this season.

People are starting to wonder when you'll come. Daddy's cousin and his wife just had a baby boy; our eye doctor went into labor so our upcoming appointment was rescheduled. A friend of mine from high-school is scheduled to deliver her baby girl tomorrow. There are babies all around!

Guess what!? Your Abuela is here now!! She'll be here with us for the next 4 weeks! Everyone is glad because she really helps us a lot. Good moms do great things and I am blessed that she is here with us. Daddy scheduled his paternity leave to coordinate with Abuela's visit. And, how generous your Grand Pa is for sharing Abuela with us for so long. They love you already, sweet girl, and they love me, too.

We are blessed.

Mommy's sleepy; it's time for bed.

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.

29 Weeks

Hey, sweetie pie!

We are busy these days, with soccer, flag football, music lessons, swimming, along with every thing else that goes on around here. Mommy is learning how to balance big kids with little kids and the wide range of interests that go on in between.

Today is your oldest sister's 11th birthday!!!!!!!!!!! And let me tell you something about her that you will soon come to know: she loves her family tenderly and deeply, including you. And, she is probably the sweetest person I've ever known in my life. She gives of herself each day to every one of us. I can't believe that I've been her mama for 11 years. . . amazing grace.

Here are some fun pics:

Baby J held still long enough to take a pic. He's crawling these days.

The men-folk of the house.

You'll learn what fun it is to play in a box, too.

Your sister saying hello to a terrapin.

Your oldest brother testing out his wingspan.

All your siblings on a nature center field trip.

Happy 11th, SJ!!!

I love you, sweet baby girl. I think of you each day and the ways you will bring joy to our lives. . . you already have.

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.

Up Late

We had a busy day: twisting hair, cooking, cleaning, homeschool mothers meeting, planning for the week, a sprinkling of snow. . .

Mommy is getting ready for bed now.

I was just craving a bowl of cornflakes with cold milk.

I settled for a macadamia nut/white chocolate cookie with water instead.

Everyone else is sleeping right now.

I think your toes are in my ribs and OWIE!! does it hurt! LOL It's okay though, because I know you're there and that is one of the greatest things in the world. :)

I love you, sweet girl. . . hope to write more after I've had some rest.

24 weeks

Wow, little girl!!! I can't believe we're at the top of 6 months already! It seems like yesterday that we were at 6 weeks . . .

Well, we went to the doctor this morning and things are going well . . . praise God. You are growing nicely and Mommy thinks of you all the time.

Look at this:

So, you are about the size of a cantaloupe according to this ticker. :) Your siblings get a real kick out of this and often ask me "what fruit you are this week." I think these fruit comparisons are fun way to get an idea of how you're growing.

We had a pretty busy weekend: grocery shopping, hair washing/styling (your sisters), your oldest brother was baptized, Super Bowl fun at home. . . mommy is sleepy!

I love you, sweet baby.

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.

19 Weeks

It’s been many weeks since I last posted. I’ve been through a lot of wonder over you. Mainly I wonder how to navigate in this world of naysayers. . . those who tell me quite frequently that I shouldn’t have had more than 2 children. . .3 at most. And here I am nice and round with my 6th child on the way. It pains me, angers me, that people tell me you and some of your siblings should not be here. What a twisted, crooked, evil, perverted, sad, sad point of view. . .because I love you and I know the treasure that you are.

I am happy, your father is in complete bliss, your siblings are bubbling over with excitement. We love you already and are awaiting your arrival. And some how, the world doesn’t understand–that you are a gift, a miracle, a reward from God. Not that we deserve it, but our God is gracious, sweet one, and He is full of blessings, and that includes you.

19 Weeks

your 8 year old sister is my photographer.
her idea to pose in front of our snowman door.

 

We found out this morning that you are a girl. . .people get excited over these kinds of things. But, boy or girl, you’ve forever been loved. But, I like to know so I can envision you in my mind and whisper words like, “Hey, baby girl” when I talk to you throughout my day.

Time for a bit of pink, bows and ruffles. . .

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.