The Waiting Game...

I will say that this third pregnancy has definately flown by quicker than my other two, but now that we're in the home stretch, time is SLOWLY passing, even with keeping up with two children, six puppies and mama, normal household chores and homeschooling. Every day draws closer and closer to the time of delivery. Neither Avonlea or Lincoln were early, so I don't have high hopes with this one. Avonlea went full term. I was induced (they anticipated a big baby and she was 9 pounds), in labor for 12 hours, pushed for nearly 2 hours and wound up with an emergency c-section. Lincoln was estimated to be an even bigger baby and although my OB gave me the option of how I wanted to deliver, I chose the c-section (to be on the safe side...didn't want another baby to get stuck!). With this baby, we have no option. It will be a c-section also. To be honest, I don't mind them. It does take longer to recover, but as long as I'm healthy and our baby is healthy, that's what matters.

This week does put us at "full term" officially, so that puts my mind at ease knowing that if the baby comes early, he/she will be healthy enough not to endure days/weeks in a NICU. I've heard that this can be hard on the family as well as the baby. Praise the Lord for this healthy pregnancy! We have so much to be thankful for in not having any complications so far. Thank you Jesus. According to BabyCenter.com, our baby supposively weighs 6 and 1/3 pounds and measuring around 19 inches long right now, but I know better than to belive that! We're having a Bates baby and that means nothing under 9 pounds! =) I will say that my back has definately endured the bulk of this pregnancy. I've never experienced such back pain in either of my pregnancies, but this "little" one has put me through the ringer! Rob is always willing to give me back messages which has really helped, especially at the end of a long day. I have mentioned that I do have the world's greatest husband, right? He's been such and help and it'll be nice having him home for a few weeks after the baby is here.

The nursery if officially ready, car seat and suitcases by the door and hospital paperwork completed. It's so funny how ahead of the game I was with our first birth. I had things done and ready by 7 months or so (you know, just in case). Well, then with our second, it was around 8 months. Now, we're 1 3/4 weeks away and I'm still putting things together. I do have a list though (of coarse, you know me and my lists!!!). The list is on top of the hospital pile by the door and I've been slowly adding things here and there. It's also funny because the first and even second time around, I packed everything under the sun in this huge suitcase. This time around, I have a small shoulder bag, pillow and that's it. It's funny how a woman goes from being a first-time mom to having multiple children. Many things change. I do remember once buying a pacifier cleaner. Yep, a pacifier cleaner! What a waste. With Lincoln, I would just lick my fingers and wipe it off. Ahh, the little gadgets that first-timers think they need and I'm just as guilty as the next mom. =) Our third, sweet baby will be thrown into this loud, crazy household, but with even more love.

Bags packed and ready...my bag, baby's diaper bag, overnight bags for Avy and Lincoln for Gram and Pa-pa's, camera bag, pillow, baby's carseat and "Big Brother"/"Big Sister" present for the kids when they come to the hospital (just some fun trinkets to keep them busy as they visit).

Baby toys...all from when Avonlea and Lincoln were babies. Brings back memories!


The curtains in the nursery.

Love this print on them. We got the set at IKEA (of coarse).

On the changing table, we have a boys' shelf and a girls' shelf of clothing. We have a spare bed in the room, so there isn't room for a dresser, but when the baby is older and moves into sharing a room with Avy or Lincoln, we'll get him/her a dresser. Not really a need for one now. The changing table is also stocked with diapers, wipes and all that jazz. We received so many diapers from family and friends that we actually have too many! (What a blessing.) We'll be giving what we don't use to a mission team headed to the Dominican Republic this summer. They will be giving out the diapers to orphaned children with special needs.

So that's the nursery. Now we just need the baby to go in it. All in God's timing is what I keep telling myself. All in God's timing.