the MOVE and stuff

My life has been turned upside down during this move and so I've struggled to keep this blog current. I managed to lose my card reader so I haven't been motivated to take pictures without a way to share them. But, I have managed to write down a few of the funny things my kids have been saying lately.

Benjamin: "I want you to open it!" Referring to my belly while we were all sitting around talking to the baby. He is fascinated with looking at my belly and when he's had enough he is not afraid to say, "All done looking at the baby, Mommy." Needless to say, my belly is not as pretty as it was while pregnant with Savannah. Yet, I am proud to wear these battle scars and stretch marks. They are proof that I got to experience something more miraculous and profound than I can comprehend.

A few days ago while waiting for the Direct TV to come, I told Savannah that a man was coming so that we could watch TV and she said,

"Is that so you can watch American Idol, Mom?"

"Yes," I said while laughing.

"Well, don't tell Dad or he'll think that's silly."

And the most recent. I was watching Grey's Anatomy the other night and Savannah walked into the room. She noticed Patrick Dempsey and said,

"Hey! That's the guy from Enchanted! Does he know that he's in Enchanted, Mom?"

Anyway, for the past week or so my kids have taken turns being sick with this nasty cold, cough, fever, ear infection thing. I have been thanking my lucky stars all winter because we have somehow managed to avoid illness altogether. We really have been blessed that way. So, I guess it's our turn to be sick for awhile. At least we are getting some practice at losing sleep before the baby arrives.

Speaking of baby. At my last ultrasound a couple of weeks ago, the baby was measuring 2 pounds 6 ounces and looking healthy. I am now 30 weeks and have just six weeks to go. I start my weekly appointments and non-stress tests in two weeks. I am still struggling to find a balance between savoring these final weeks of pregnancy and not losing my mind with anxiety and impatience. I know that once the baby is here, I am going to have moments/days of sadness knowing that I will never experience the miracle of pregnancy again, but with how hard this pregnancy has been I hope and pray that I can feel peace.

It's funny that I feel like I know exactly what to expect this time around. Everything from the highs and lows that the first few days postpartum can bring. From the night sweats to the mood swings, to the sleepless nights, to the overwhelming feeling of gratitude, to the intense love I will feel as I hold my new child, to adjusting for the next year to having three children, to working through the many stages of getting my mind and body back to "normal". The funny thing is that I only think I know what to expect. But as with the other two, I just have to expect the unexpected and be okay with that. In the end, if all goes well, I should just be grateful to have this child. This miracle. And if I can just remember that, I think I'll be just fine.