38 Weeks // The Last 3 Months

Holy cow, I can't believe that the last time that we were on here was to give an update on being 27 weeks along!  That now feels like a really, really long time ago.  I figured we'd aim for one more catch up post before the baby makes his big debut and this space turns into a photo log of him sleeping. :)

Now that February is approaching, this is a great time to reflect on these past holidays, right? :)  Michael and I stayed here this year and took advantage of the extra time to relax and be together.  I had visited my family in early December and his parents visited us part way through the month, so we were fortunate to have our family-love-tanks full as we celebrated here for the first time.  Michael was working a lot the days before and after Christmas so we took the day to relax, go for a drive, and do dinner with some friends.  Since this was the first Christmas that we were really independent as a family, I found myself thinking a lot more about what I want Christmas to mean for us and our children - what traditions do we want to keep and what purpose will they serve?  How can we celebrate in a way that makes the day Jesus-centered instead of presents or even family-centered?  (Which we hope will be a part of every Christmas.)  One thing that I did this year, that I would like to keep as a tradition for our kids, was bake Christmas cookies and mail them to parents and grandparents that we could not celebrate with.  Not only was it an adventure to be cooking all day, but it caused me to stop and think about each family member, pray for them and praise God for them.

Here are a few pictures that we took on our phones on Christmas.  The fog by the river was amazing!

In other news, bebe is doing so well.  Every time I tell Michael about how well he's growing or positioning he responds with "he's the best." :) His growth rate is right on target, to the centimeter.  I've been trying to coax him out of his favored posterior position, and at my last appointment my midwife said that he is LOA, an ideal position to begin labor!  We haven't reached our due date yet (and I in no way am at that point where I "just need to get that baby out of me," but just knowing that he is full grown and could come anytime is mind-blowing.

I have mixed feelings as we approach the labor.  Some days I feel really confident in mine and the baby's ability to get it done.  Other days it just seems like an overwhelming task that I've been given that I don't know if I will have the mental or physical strength to get through it.  Michael is wonderful (not that I should be surprised) in encouraging me that I will be able to do it.  And since we've taken a birth class and he understands more about the process than most, I'm willing to believe him, because he's learned how hard and miraculous of a feat it is to birth a child. :) I do have full faith in the midwives that will be assisting us.  I'm also very okay with the idea of transferring to the hospital if needed.  While we find midwifery care to be most ideal for us, I am not at all against doctors/nurses/medicine, and welcome their intervention if the time comes.

It has been a really great experience to set up the crib and arrange his space.  I can actually picture a baby living in this apartment now.  The reality of this fragile human being under our care is a little terrifying at times, but it makes me love this apartment more knowing that it will be his home, his first home outside of my body.

Full term!

It's been fun to see dad (what?) get bitten by the nesting bug too :)

A bonus shot of the belly.  I remember thinking that I may be blocking my stomach with the Bible when this picture was taken, now I see that there is no blocking that stomach these days!

Tonight we went out for Indian for dinner and saw a movie.  It's the first weekend since my birthday that we've felt well so it was fun to get out and celebrate.

One day shy of 38 weeks!  Ahhhhhh

Much love, K&M