Pregnancy Hormone Hodge-Podge

What would this world be like without pregnant women?? We add laughter, frustration, confusion, hope, and the promise of a new beginning...or is that just for my family and I? Although I have to admit I feel I add way more frustration and confusion than anything else these days! This pregnancy has taxed me in more ways than one can imagine, and I am doing my utmost to enjoy every last minute of it as it seems to fly by-evidenced by the amount of feet I can see vertically on a weekly basis. I am pleased to have busted out of my regular wardrobe some weeks ago, but find myself in limbo as far as what to wear. Despite having already experienced two pregnancies, I have not an item of maternity wear to my name (save for the shirt and shorts I purchased yesterday), as my generosity seems to get the best of me sometimes. Oh, not that I think that's a bad thing...but sometimes I think I'd give away the clothes on my back and strutt home au natural should someone need them. I've always been that way, sometimes to a fault even, and I'm far too foggy brained at the moment to analyze WHY. Eager readers, you're welcome to the daunting task should you dare. And while I enjoyed the rabbit trail back there, I believe I was getting to the fact that I get to purchase an entirely new wardrobe here in the coming weeks as it's becoming more and more obvious that the old elastic band trick and non-maternity baby doll tops (which I own an insane amount of) aren't doing the trick. PLUS my old maternity wardrobes were all summer stuff because I was the biggest during the summer months. This is the first time (and I can't explain how ecstatic I am about this) I get to be pregnant through the winter months! Thanksgiving was the average cut-off for my last pregnancies, so to think that I get to experience a chilly Christmas and New Years as big as a cow makes my heart do glorious things. I'm due the second day of February, but if history repeats itself we will have a January blessing. Gabe was encouraged (all they did was break my water) at 39 weeks for medical reasons (though I was already 5 cm walking around and happily ignorant!). Had my doc had his way he most likely would have arrived in November but I begged him to let nature take its course as long as was medically safe and he was wonderful and worked with us. Elijah's birth, though it lasted a freaking 14 hrs with crazy-doing-nothing-for-me contractions, started off with a bang as my water broke at 38 weeks and 2 days. So...we'll just have to see if this baby wants to follow suit with his or her older brothers. I just pray that my new doctor is equally as eager as past docs and midwives to accommodate an often weak-willed pregnant woman and allow body and baby to do its thing, providing mom and baby are in good health. I am so mournful that I won't have my blessed midwives with me this time. Sometimes I think without their encouragement and support that I won't be able to be as strong as I was empowered to be with Elijah's birth (though hind site reminds me that it was my husband who was my strength, encouragement, and push, while my midwives were out of the way as it seemed they needed to be). Thankfully that is all a ways off and I have time to think, plan, and pray. And with my 20 week scan a little over a month away we're all obsessing over gender determination (did I say we....I meant me). It's crazy how many people come up to me (complete strangers too) and mention how I must be hoping for a girl after two boys. It's uncanny. What ever would make them think that =) And what's even more precious is how Gabriel is so adamant that he's having a baby sister. He's already named her and both boys run around the house yelling the short version of her would-be name and kissing my belly (which, c'mon boys...is getting a little obsessive). I've tried to explain to him that he just might have a baby brother, but he's not buying it! Still no boys names in the mix yet, but I'm in no hurry. Once we find out the gender I can start brain-storming boys names if need be. As far as a pregnancy update goes I'm still not feeling well and would probably like to deck you on any given day but hey, this is my last pregnancy and my body is working hard for this little miracle that the Lord has chosen to bless our growing family with. I'm just trying to capture all the memories and take it all in. A day doesn't go by when I don't do something incredibly stupid (accidentally putting bread crumbs in a recipe when it calls for oats), or cry, unprovoked for who knows WHAT reason (and in the weirdest places-the grocery store?!?!). I still have trouble getting out and about when I need to, but the sun has continued to rise and set despite it all. This baby and pregnancy must be wonderfully strong and healthy! I couldn't be more blessed and I know this all too well. On the immediate horizon, Gabe starts pre-school at a Christian school in town the end of this month so I'm sure there will be pictures and a post about that as the month draws to a close. This and this alone can keep me bawling for hours in my present state but I couldn't be more proud and excited for him. He will have such a great time making friends and learning what he most likely already knows-he's a smarty pants (mother's honor). Okay readers, until next post...whatever that may be :)