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.

37 Weeks




photo credit

Hey, sweet girl,

Mama is starting to feel slightly "antsy," wondering when you will come. I've got all these thoughts running through my mind, and I go back and forth between feeling prepared and unprepared. Then I came across the quote above and it gave me a bit of perspective. . .

Take a breath, and enjoy "right now." I've got to enjoy and embrace: the beautiful feeling of a baby moving inside, getting some sleep at night, your siblings, your Daddy, one or two more trips to the library, grocery shopping, crossing off a few more "to-do's", crocheting. . . just life right now.

Lord willing, the next season will come: your time to be a part of the family on the outside will come, as soon as God allows. In the meantime, I am trying to be patient on purpose. You'd think I'd know this by now, but the truth is, I'm bad about patiently waiting at the end of the pregnancy. But, it's never too late to turn over a new leaf!

I love you and I'll see you soon. Smooches!

35 Weeks

Hey sweetie-peetie!

This past weekend was the celebration of our Savior's death, burial, and resurrection. Oh, how I pray that you will come to know Him for yourself, that you will learn to depend on Him, that you would never be swayed by the things of this world, but that you put your faith wholeheartedly in Him and Him alone. Dear girl, what a blessing it is to know a Savior, to know that He loves you, to know that you are on His mind, to know that He gave His life for you, and that no matter what, you can ask Him for forgiveness and He'll give it to you. . . what a sweet blessing, the ultimate blessing. Jesus loves you, sweetie, and it is Mommy's prayer that you love Him back.

The past few days have me reflecting--35 weeks! Eeek! It seems this pregnancy has been full, from day one, there's always been something going on in our home life: the surprise news that you were coming, the government shut-down (where Daddy works), home improvements, morning sickness, homeschooling, Thanksgiving and Christmas, bunches of doctor's appointments, the passing of family members, your siblings in swimming, soccer, football and baseball, lots of birthdays, an unexpected family trip . . . on and on.

Yours has been an "active" pregnancy, sweet girl and God has shown me His hand through it all. He has shown me that each part is just a part of His plan, His will--even when Mommy doesn't understand. I rest in the Truth of what He's always known from the beginning of time. . .He knew this season of life would be a part of our story and that He'd never let go of my hand. Keeping my hand in His is where true peace and joy are found. So even though the pregnancy has been full, it has been rich from having the Presence of God with us every step of the way.

Some days, I feel like I just found out that you were on your way. Other days, I think that I can't possibly wait any longer to see you. Back and forth in my mind it goes. I love you, precious baby, and because God gave you to us, I am blessed.

33 weeks

There's a lot to do and a lot going on. . .BUSY is the word these days. . .both physically and mentally, there's lots to keep up with. . .

But with each day, I look forward to your arrival, how you will look, how you will smell, how you will feel in my arms, what your cries will sound like, how you will want to be comforted. . .

Already in love with you, sweet girl; just waiting. . .

Your siblings talk to you all the time, literally walking up to my belly and saying things to you throughout the day. Even the 1 year old (Baby J) is fascinated by the size of mommy's belly, laying his head on it and babbling away. . .

They get a kick out of your kicks! LOL (Nope, Mommy never said she was the best at telling jokes.)
*************************************

I actually fell asleep writing this post, me and Daddy both, knocked out on the couch.
Well, good morning baby girl!!

We are gathered 'round the table finishing breakfast, getting ready to do our Bible study. We love you dearly. Talk to you soon.

They shall not labor in vain,

Nor bring forth children for trouble;

For they shall be the descendants of the

blessed of the LORD,

And their offspring with them.

-Isaiah 66:23

32 Weeks

Hey little one!

So we had the 3rd birthday in our family in the month of March--mine!! God has graced me with another year and I praise Him for it.

We had a family road trip during my birthday and it was LOTS of fun. . .we'll have to fill you in on all the details later. Your Abuela even came, which was great!! You and I did well with all of the traveling and busyness of the trip. Now, we're resting up for the next few days before resuming our regular schedule.

Your oldest brother asks me almost everyday, "How is K--- feeling?" He knows that it won't be long. We're getting excited!!! We love you, sweetheart!

Birthday/Road Trip Pics

 

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.

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.

26 Weeks

Baby girl, we had lots of fun the past few days!

Your oldest brother talks about seeing you soon. He's excited to have a little sister. Did I tell you that already? After having 2 older sisters, he's ready to have a little sister.

He said, "Mommy, I can't wait to see K--- in May. I don't like the pictures you get of her from the doctor's office. They are always black and white and I can't really see what she looks like. I like seeing her at the hospital because then I'll know what she looks like!"

Well, this is what he looks like!

To tell you the truth, baby girl, I know exactly what he means. While I love EVERY ultrasound picture I have of you, it just doesn't compare to seeing you face to face. But, for now, we'll be patient and we'll just dream of what we all think you'll look like.

This is what Mommy's looking like these days:

Valentine's Day 2014

I love you to pieces, sweetie!

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.

23 Weeks

Hey, Sugar!

Guess what? I was digging around in my yarn stash--looking for scraps for your oldest brother's art project--and guess what I found?

A baby sweater I'd crocheted about 5 or 6 years ago! Along with that, I also found some crocheted squares that I intended to sew together to make a baby blanket! You may be wondering, "What's the big deal about that, Mommy?" Well, they are for a baby girl!!!!! 

Lavender sweater. . .just needs a cute button.

A few of the squares for the blanket.

My intent was to sell these items in an Etsy shop I had back then. Anyway, I never sold them (or anything for that matter!) so I just kept them. As time went on, I tried to think of friends and family that I could give these pieces to, but every one I knew was having baby boys. . .including me, sweet girl. Mommy had three baby boys in a row!

I hope you like them because now they belong to you! Actually, they always belonged to you. See sweetheart, we can always see God's hand in our lives if we just take the time to look close enough. I had no idea you were coming when I made these, but God did!

I love you sweet baby.

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.

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.