Well.....
The house is completely up in the air.
My Grandmother is on her deathbed, and there may be a funeral any day.
And I am GREAT with child.
It's too much to wrap my pee brain around right now.
Soooooooo, my little loves and I took a break from life today and we kicked it to the great outdoors. We took a picnic to the local apple orchard, got some pumpkins and gourds to decorate the apartment with, cooked a pumpkin to make a pie, and got a boatload of winterberries on our way home to put in all of my sap buckets.
It was a MUCH needed and super fun break.
And tonight, Grampy & Grammy are going to come over, and Kevy and I are going to have ourselves a wee little date where we can just focus on each other for awhile, try and forget about the stresses of life, and maybe - just maybe - solidify our little boy's name!
Aaaaaahhhh. A needed and much appreciated day.
A Cup of Sanity
Daddy & Kaden are out to breakfast together, Jesse is looking at books in his crib because he seems to have taken large doses of impy pills this morning and needs to just chill out, and I am having a cup of coffee to start my day.
A few moments of sanity before I feel that chaos may rule supreme on this rainy day....
My church gave me a bee-you-ti-ful baby shower on Saturday! I was so blown away that I was even getting a shower - for my 3rd child - and him being my 3rd boy, no less! But, the awesome lady who was the brains behind the operation told me that every baby deserves a party! So sweet! There were no silly games or things like that, and really no agenda. It was just a lovely - quite elegant - brunch in a very relaxed atmosphere, and she had me go from table to table to unwrap each woman's gift that she had brought with her. It was kind of a neat idea; I was able to personally visit for a few minutes with each woman there. It was a really fun, special morning. And wee one now has some brand new things of his very own that will not have been loved on and used by his two older brothers. :0)
I had my 38 week appointment yesterday, and amazingly, my health is still right on! I am just so thankful and pleased. The only downside is that my labor this time around potentially may be of "normal" length as my body isn't sick. Hmmmmm, I'm kind of fond of the under 4 hours from start to finish variety. But, I'd much rather be healthy, I guess. I'm going into it with no expectations.
We're finally hearing more details about the house. It looks like possibly/potentially/maybe/but who really and truly knows - we might/but might not be able to close on our house at the tail end of this week......maybe.........
Neither of us are holding our breath - at all - but at least things look like they are moving. I like movement. This puts me even closer to my due date, but we're just rolling with it. Whatever will be will be. We're taking things one day at a time.
I think I just need ONE more pot - I mean cup - of coffee before the day takes off....
A few moments of sanity before I feel that chaos may rule supreme on this rainy day....
My church gave me a bee-you-ti-ful baby shower on Saturday! I was so blown away that I was even getting a shower - for my 3rd child - and him being my 3rd boy, no less! But, the awesome lady who was the brains behind the operation told me that every baby deserves a party! So sweet! There were no silly games or things like that, and really no agenda. It was just a lovely - quite elegant - brunch in a very relaxed atmosphere, and she had me go from table to table to unwrap each woman's gift that she had brought with her. It was kind of a neat idea; I was able to personally visit for a few minutes with each woman there. It was a really fun, special morning. And wee one now has some brand new things of his very own that will not have been loved on and used by his two older brothers. :0)
I had my 38 week appointment yesterday, and amazingly, my health is still right on! I am just so thankful and pleased. The only downside is that my labor this time around potentially may be of "normal" length as my body isn't sick. Hmmmmm, I'm kind of fond of the under 4 hours from start to finish variety. But, I'd much rather be healthy, I guess. I'm going into it with no expectations.
We're finally hearing more details about the house. It looks like possibly/potentially/maybe/but who really and truly knows - we might/but might not be able to close on our house at the tail end of this week......maybe.........
Neither of us are holding our breath - at all - but at least things look like they are moving. I like movement. This puts me even closer to my due date, but we're just rolling with it. Whatever will be will be. We're taking things one day at a time.
I think I just need ONE more pot - I mean cup - of coffee before the day takes off....
Trusting...
It's Midnight.
Kaden just came into our bathroom to go pee and COMPLETELY overshot the toilet in his delirium. So, after cleaning up a small pond on the floor, settling him back into bed, and tripping over the kitten who's telling me that her food bowl is empty.....I'm finding myself wide awake!
Tomorrow I'll be 38 weeks.....Kaden was born at this stage of the game the first time. I'm feeling ready. In fact, just last night I thought I was in labor. I've been having some pretty good practice contractions for quite some time now, but I was thinking that last night might be "it." An overactive imagination, I guess.
Over the week-end, we have found out that we will not be closing on the house on Wednesday. Kind of a bummer, but it's something so big and so out of our hands - all we can do is trust and wait. I don't even really understand all of the details of all of the "why's," but I'm just trying to trust and wait. For now, packing is on hold - I'm not going to unpack what I've already done - but I'm just going to rearrange my whole thought process and kind of plan that I might be bringing the baby back here as opposed to our house.....maybe....I don't know...depending on our new closing date....if there is one...:0)
Our perspective is pretty good for the most part. We know the Lord is in control. We know that life doesn't end when a new baby comes. And we know that if and when we move, the chaos will quickly become organized and order will resume. So, for right now, until we hear anything new about the house, we're just focusing on our family and getting ready for our new little addition. In some ways, it's actually simplifying life for me a bit as there is no point in packing and such at least for the moment.
This extra time will allow me to focus on my more imminent needs, like solidifying a name for our poor little one. That's a bigger stress for me right now....
Any suggestions?
Kaden just came into our bathroom to go pee and COMPLETELY overshot the toilet in his delirium. So, after cleaning up a small pond on the floor, settling him back into bed, and tripping over the kitten who's telling me that her food bowl is empty.....I'm finding myself wide awake!
Tomorrow I'll be 38 weeks.....Kaden was born at this stage of the game the first time. I'm feeling ready. In fact, just last night I thought I was in labor. I've been having some pretty good practice contractions for quite some time now, but I was thinking that last night might be "it." An overactive imagination, I guess.
Over the week-end, we have found out that we will not be closing on the house on Wednesday. Kind of a bummer, but it's something so big and so out of our hands - all we can do is trust and wait. I don't even really understand all of the details of all of the "why's," but I'm just trying to trust and wait. For now, packing is on hold - I'm not going to unpack what I've already done - but I'm just going to rearrange my whole thought process and kind of plan that I might be bringing the baby back here as opposed to our house.....maybe....I don't know...depending on our new closing date....if there is one...:0)
Our perspective is pretty good for the most part. We know the Lord is in control. We know that life doesn't end when a new baby comes. And we know that if and when we move, the chaos will quickly become organized and order will resume. So, for right now, until we hear anything new about the house, we're just focusing on our family and getting ready for our new little addition. In some ways, it's actually simplifying life for me a bit as there is no point in packing and such at least for the moment.
This extra time will allow me to focus on my more imminent needs, like solidifying a name for our poor little one. That's a bigger stress for me right now....
Any suggestions?
Winding Down.....
As the days creep ever closer to my due date, I am trying to be in the moment, trying to savor, desperate to remember all of the movements, the thoughts, the mini conversations between myself and this little one....
I don't want to forget, because what if this is my last? What if our family is complete after this third birth? You never know. We've always said that we'll take one baby at a time, we'll wait on the Lord, we'll do nothing permanent until we're sure.
But, if this is it - I don't want my last days to be looked back on remembering that I was running right on screech right up until he arrived. I don't want to "fit" my labor and delivery into the "perfect schedule" of what would work best with this whole house and the chaos of moving.
I just want to be in the moment - and savor everything.
This post is an awesome reminder to me to do just that. I love this woman. I love the way she writes, the way she mothers, and the way she walks with Jesus.
I don't want to forget, because what if this is my last? What if our family is complete after this third birth? You never know. We've always said that we'll take one baby at a time, we'll wait on the Lord, we'll do nothing permanent until we're sure.
But, if this is it - I don't want my last days to be looked back on remembering that I was running right on screech right up until he arrived. I don't want to "fit" my labor and delivery into the "perfect schedule" of what would work best with this whole house and the chaos of moving.
I just want to be in the moment - and savor everything.
This post is an awesome reminder to me to do just that. I love this woman. I love the way she writes, the way she mothers, and the way she walks with Jesus.
Homeward Stretch!
We are back home from a wonderful week of seeing family and friends, some really encouraging support raising, and lots of 4-wheeling, being outside, and chilling with people that we love.
I've entered the stage of lots of "lasts." That was my last time up home before the baby comes, tomorrow will be my last day of work, I'm through the last week where my midwife would like to keep baby inside - now he is free and clear to come whenever!; and I'm trying to do lots of last minute packing, cleaning, and little special things with my boys.
Just this past week we finally purchased a car seat - now we'll be allowed to bring him home from the hospital! Just a couple of nights ago, I also finally packed my overnight bag and a diaper bag for the baby. And, I picked up a couple of gifts for the boys from their baby brother. Sooooo - we're golden. Major stuff taken care of.
And now for the rest of our life......
The plan right now is for us to close on our house next Wednesday - one week away. The bank is confused with our unique situation and the fact that we are support raising, so many things are still up in the air. However, we are just moving forward - trusting AND packing - as though all will go through. There's really nothing else we can do until we know for sure.
I had my midwife appointment yesterday, and all is still great with my health. By now, during my pregnancy with Kaden, my body was breaking down big time; and by now with Jesse - little signs were starting to show. I'm still not totally in the clear, but I only need to be on my left side for an hour a day, so I can still clean and organize like a wild woman for a good amount of my days!
So, that's the update on our life for now. I'm really not feeling overly stressed - just kind of taking one day at a time. Whenever baby comes, he comes - and what doesn't get done, doesn't get done. It's as simple as that!
A daily prayer for me:
"Lord, help me to slow and see the sacred in the chaos."
I've entered the stage of lots of "lasts." That was my last time up home before the baby comes, tomorrow will be my last day of work, I'm through the last week where my midwife would like to keep baby inside - now he is free and clear to come whenever!; and I'm trying to do lots of last minute packing, cleaning, and little special things with my boys.
Just this past week we finally purchased a car seat - now we'll be allowed to bring him home from the hospital! Just a couple of nights ago, I also finally packed my overnight bag and a diaper bag for the baby. And, I picked up a couple of gifts for the boys from their baby brother. Sooooo - we're golden. Major stuff taken care of.
And now for the rest of our life......
The plan right now is for us to close on our house next Wednesday - one week away. The bank is confused with our unique situation and the fact that we are support raising, so many things are still up in the air. However, we are just moving forward - trusting AND packing - as though all will go through. There's really nothing else we can do until we know for sure.
I had my midwife appointment yesterday, and all is still great with my health. By now, during my pregnancy with Kaden, my body was breaking down big time; and by now with Jesse - little signs were starting to show. I'm still not totally in the clear, but I only need to be on my left side for an hour a day, so I can still clean and organize like a wild woman for a good amount of my days!
So, that's the update on our life for now. I'm really not feeling overly stressed - just kind of taking one day at a time. Whenever baby comes, he comes - and what doesn't get done, doesn't get done. It's as simple as that!
A daily prayer for me:
"Lord, help me to slow and see the sacred in the chaos."
And We're OFF!!!
After a night of:
*Packing for a week in the County
*Cleaning cat poop & pee out of the kid's tent b/c she couldn't get to her litter box
*Scrubbing two huge stains that I found on our 2 carpets
*Finding an exploded jar of applesauce in my freezer
*Cleaning under my kitchen sink & scrubbing my kitchen floor b/c our faucet had a massive leak that went EVERYWHERE
*AND hubby buying us Chinese food after the kid's went to bed.....Ahem, we earned it!
We are off - like a herd of turtles - for a week in the County!
I am packing nothing babywise - I've never had a baby before week 38, and we're only in week 37, so I'm crossing my fingers.
I do have a plan, however. My childhood best friend's mom is a labor and delivery nurse and she lives at the end of our dirt road, and my Dad is an EMT. So, should any labor take place, I'm moseying myself right up to her little house and promptly demanding that she & Dad take over!
That could send Kev to an early grave......
The countdown begins!
*Packing for a week in the County
*Cleaning cat poop & pee out of the kid's tent b/c she couldn't get to her litter box
*Scrubbing two huge stains that I found on our 2 carpets
*Finding an exploded jar of applesauce in my freezer
*Cleaning under my kitchen sink & scrubbing my kitchen floor b/c our faucet had a massive leak that went EVERYWHERE
*AND hubby buying us Chinese food after the kid's went to bed.....Ahem, we earned it!
We are off - like a herd of turtles - for a week in the County!
I am packing nothing babywise - I've never had a baby before week 38, and we're only in week 37, so I'm crossing my fingers.
I do have a plan, however. My childhood best friend's mom is a labor and delivery nurse and she lives at the end of our dirt road, and my Dad is an EMT. So, should any labor take place, I'm moseying myself right up to her little house and promptly demanding that she & Dad take over!
That could send Kev to an early grave......
The countdown begins!
Nesting Weirdness
I'm always slightly psycho when it comes time for my babies to be born.
I'm an organizer/culler/chucker fanatic anyway - I really really love things organized, and I really really hate clutter, and I get a weird satisfaction out of throwing things away, and I love getting junk out of my house, so this whole moving thing is fairly conducive to what I tend to do around this time, anyway.
I wish I had a few more weeks of cushion before the baby comes, and I wish I wasn't quite so huge because I lose my breathe and get light headed quite often from all of the bending and lifting and getting up and down all the time, and I'm already placed on one hour a day of bed rest which will only increase with each appointment - but it's all good. We're rolling with it......sometimes, quite literally.
ANYWAY - where was I going with this whole post, in the first place?.......Oh yes, my weirdness.....
Usually, along with all of my organizing, I'm stocking up on meals and foody items for my little family as well - cooking chickens, making bread dough, mixing up casseroles etc. - all to freeze and have for easy meals when chaos abounds.
This time, however, my mind is so not even there!
I think it's the time of year. Or maybe it's my 3rd child, and I'm just more relaxed about it. But, instead of filling my freezer with substantial meals etc., I have been filling it with all sorts of jams, applesauce, and just this past week-end I tried my hand at apple butter. I'll post the recipe soon. It's delish. There is now no room for meals - there are only jars!
I do totally think it's the time of year. There is so much goodness to be had and to not miss out on. So, although my men will have nothing to fill their bellies with during supper hours of nuttyness - I am super excited that I have not missed out on any of the summer and fall bounty of the fruit and apples that we've had.
Meals are so overrated, anyway. What's wrong with a good bowl of popcorn?
I'm an organizer/culler/chucker fanatic anyway - I really really love things organized, and I really really hate clutter, and I get a weird satisfaction out of throwing things away, and I love getting junk out of my house, so this whole moving thing is fairly conducive to what I tend to do around this time, anyway.
I wish I had a few more weeks of cushion before the baby comes, and I wish I wasn't quite so huge because I lose my breathe and get light headed quite often from all of the bending and lifting and getting up and down all the time, and I'm already placed on one hour a day of bed rest which will only increase with each appointment - but it's all good. We're rolling with it......sometimes, quite literally.
ANYWAY - where was I going with this whole post, in the first place?.......Oh yes, my weirdness.....
Usually, along with all of my organizing, I'm stocking up on meals and foody items for my little family as well - cooking chickens, making bread dough, mixing up casseroles etc. - all to freeze and have for easy meals when chaos abounds.
This time, however, my mind is so not even there!
I think it's the time of year. Or maybe it's my 3rd child, and I'm just more relaxed about it. But, instead of filling my freezer with substantial meals etc., I have been filling it with all sorts of jams, applesauce, and just this past week-end I tried my hand at apple butter. I'll post the recipe soon. It's delish. There is now no room for meals - there are only jars!
I do totally think it's the time of year. There is so much goodness to be had and to not miss out on. So, although my men will have nothing to fill their bellies with during supper hours of nuttyness - I am super excited that I have not missed out on any of the summer and fall bounty of the fruit and apples that we've had.
Meals are so overrated, anyway. What's wrong with a good bowl of popcorn?
Jehovah Jireh...(or is it Jirah?)
We have probably only been yard saling about three times this summer, and each time, the Lord has led us to specific sales where I have been able to clothe my wee ones for this next year. It is SO hard to find little boy clothing, let alone little boy clothing that isn't half destroyed with holes and stains! Knowing that baby #3 is also a manchild, I can't afford to purchase clothing that is already worn down when I have three boys that need to wear it, as well.
Today, we totally and completely hit the jackpot!
For about $25.oo, BEHOLD:
This is what this stash contains:
for Kaden:
4 pair of jeans
1 pair of dress pants
2 dress shirts
1 tank top
7 long sleeved shirts
1 hoody sweatshirt
ski pants
an L.L. Bean winter jacket with matching hat
2 pair of winter gloves
for Jesse:
1 t-shirt
2 dress shirts
1 hoody sweatshirt
1 pair of jeans
3 pair of dress pants
1 fall jacket still with the tags on it
ski pants
winter jacket
AND - We also scored these fun treasures:
a really nice backpack (Kev kinda has a thing for bags & backpacks)
tons of really fun books for the kids
a few kidlet movies
and 2 Nalgene bottles
I am just so so thrilled and excited about all of these new treasures! Between these buys and my previous purchases, my boys really are just about set for this whole next year barring just a few hodge podge items.
And finally:
Here I am in all of my glory at 36 weeks. The comments I am hearing lately all sound about like this: "WOW! Could your stomach get ANY bigger?"
Just wait and see, my friends. Just wait and see.
Bless your little hearts..........
Today, we totally and completely hit the jackpot!
For about $25.oo, BEHOLD:
This is what this stash contains:
for Kaden:
4 pair of jeans
1 pair of dress pants
2 dress shirts
1 tank top
7 long sleeved shirts
1 hoody sweatshirt
ski pants
an L.L. Bean winter jacket with matching hat
2 pair of winter gloves
for Jesse:
1 t-shirt
2 dress shirts
1 hoody sweatshirt
1 pair of jeans
3 pair of dress pants
1 fall jacket still with the tags on it
ski pants
winter jacket
AND - We also scored these fun treasures:
a really nice backpack (Kev kinda has a thing for bags & backpacks)
tons of really fun books for the kids
a few kidlet movies
and 2 Nalgene bottles
I am just so so thrilled and excited about all of these new treasures! Between these buys and my previous purchases, my boys really are just about set for this whole next year barring just a few hodge podge items.
And finally:
Here I am in all of my glory at 36 weeks. The comments I am hearing lately all sound about like this: "WOW! Could your stomach get ANY bigger?"
Just wait and see, my friends. Just wait and see.
Bless your little hearts..........
35 Weeks & Counting.....
We're on the homeward stretch now. I may be totally wrong, but I feel in my bones that I'm not going to last until October 11. My body feels ready. We shall see.
I'd like baby to stay inside at least until a week before due date because of the whole house situation. I would really love to be moved in, painted, and settled - but we'll roll with whatever happens.
I'm planning what I can with full knowledge that all may need to be thrown to the wind! But pretending that I really can plan my whole life out, here goes:
* Putter and organize for the rest of this week.
* Go up to the County all next week to see family & do a little support raising.
* The following week do some hard core packing, culling, & organizing.
* Saturday the 26th, my church is giving me a baby shower!
* Mom will take the kids back with her for a few days after that.
* The final week of September - Pack up everything on Sun., Mon., & Tues.
* Close on our house Wednesday the 30th.
* Move everything over there that day. Start painting.
* Paint on October 1st & 2nd (Thurs. & Fri.)
* Unpack and settle in on the 3rd & 4th (Sat. & Sun.)
* My boys will come back to me sometime on the week-end.
And then - baby is free and clear to come anytime after that!
How's that for a plan?
Kinda' like trying to nail jello to a tree.........
I'd like baby to stay inside at least until a week before due date because of the whole house situation. I would really love to be moved in, painted, and settled - but we'll roll with whatever happens.
I'm planning what I can with full knowledge that all may need to be thrown to the wind! But pretending that I really can plan my whole life out, here goes:
* Putter and organize for the rest of this week.
* Go up to the County all next week to see family & do a little support raising.
* The following week do some hard core packing, culling, & organizing.
* Saturday the 26th, my church is giving me a baby shower!
* Mom will take the kids back with her for a few days after that.
* The final week of September - Pack up everything on Sun., Mon., & Tues.
* Close on our house Wednesday the 30th.
* Move everything over there that day. Start painting.
* Paint on October 1st & 2nd (Thurs. & Fri.)
* Unpack and settle in on the 3rd & 4th (Sat. & Sun.)
* My boys will come back to me sometime on the week-end.
And then - baby is free and clear to come anytime after that!
How's that for a plan?
Kinda' like trying to nail jello to a tree.........
Summer's Last Hurrah
We wanted to do one last big thing this summer with the boys before baby #3 comes and before the crazyness of our house gets underway, so this week-end we kicked it for three nights and three days to Rangeley. We've hardly done a thing with Kev's mom and Bruce all summer, so we all went together to Bruce's little island camp where we spent half of our Honeymoon 10 years ago. I think that the last time we went there was when Kaden was only six weeks old, so it was so SO nice to get back!
We decided last minute to leave when I got out of work on Wednesday, instead of losing about three hours on Thursday to driving, so we didn't arrive until around 9:30 Wednesday night. The moon was full and gorgeous, and the boys were absolutely mesmerized as we boated over to the island.
Where we are at this stage in our lives, this really is the most perfect little vacation getaway. It's far enough away that we feel like we really have taken a break from life, there is no electricity, it's quiet and beautiful, it's cheap - just gas and groceries, and it's really a little kid's paradise.
For three days, all we did was chill; eat; visit; and play and swim in the water and catch crayfish, minnows, and chubs - which the boys put in buckets and held to their heart's content...with many a pinch from the crayfish, but it didn't seem to hinder them any!
We also had fires and made pudgy pies, went for boat rides, and just really vegged together as a family in the beauty of God's creation all around us.
Here's a pic of this little room that we all shared together:
It was super cute and cozy, and we would all go to bed together at the same time and talk and tell stories. Really, the only things that the island contains are the little A-frame camp where Pat & Bruce slept, an A-frame boathouse where we slept in the upper loft, and an A-frame outhouse! It's pretty tiny, but oh - what a haven it is!
It was lovely.
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