Happy 40 weeks to me!

C'mon baby Avigail! We all want to meet you. Hopefully not much longer now...

You know you're 39 weeks pregnant when...

...Your girth completely fills the bathroom stall at the Olive Garden (or any bathroom stall for that matter).

...Your 10th bottle of Tums has become your security blanket.

...You're out of breath BEFORE you reach the top of the stairs.

...You walk up the stairs spread eagle (and sit and stand that way too!)

...The thought of bending over nearly sends you into a fit of tears.

...You use the toilet more than any other appliance in the house.

...You *attempt* to keep yourself shaved, showered, hair done and makeup on~just in case you go into labor!

...Getting up requires a lot of rolling and grunting.

...Your "false labor" is greater than or equal to the sum of your bathroom trips.

...The only thing you want to wear are sweats and your husbands huge t-shirts.

...Even the sweats and t-shirts are getting tight!

...People say "Oh my goodness" when you stand up (an ordeal in itself) to move somewhere!

Well...I'm still here and still VERY pregnant! And still waiting anxiously to meet our newest addition. I am really surprised to still be pregnant actually as I was certain I wouldn't make it this long. My baby radar was definitely OFF this time!! I have another appt. with my midwives tomorrow and I'm looking forward to seeing them again as I haven't met with them since 37 weeks. I'd like to say I won't make it to my estimated due date but my confidence is waining...

I'm just really trying to be patient while everyone around me who's due AFTER ME (ironic) is popping out their babes like it's the newest craze =) I'm enjoying anticipating the "it" moment when I know labor is upon me and also seeking divine peace as I wait and enjoy our last moments as a family of four before we are again blessed beyond measure. And I think, with the Lord's help, that I've been managing quite well. It's not always easy to wait but in the end when this baby comes is exactly when she should. I trust my my body to do what God has created it to do and I know (well...I keep telling myself) that my body and baby will know when the right time to come is =) Thank you reader, for following my pregnancy journey thus far! It is almost finished and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to carry a miracle just once more. God is so good. Until next time...

38 Weeks

Well I'm still pregnant and still here (which is fine with me actually since I think 38 weeks is a perfect week to have a baby). I am hoping she's all healthy and developed and just getting ready to pop out any day. Everything is all ready for her. I am as high strung on nerves and nesting as any one pregnant woman should be. A place for everything and everything in its place. Hard to maintain with a toddler and a very active 4 year old. Despite the fact that I own a dishwasher, I haven't used it in a month. I wash dishes about 10 times a day. Anything and everything that might even be remotely dirty...in the sink to be washed immediately. So, instead of doing dishes, say...oh...ONCE after a meal, I do them 2 or 3 times. I'm really trying to refrain however, and just fill the sink until all the dirty dishes are present and ready to be washed in one load. It's harder than it sounds. Trust me. In fact, I think I need a vacation from myself. And ironically I've been so exhausted that even nesting doesn't appeal anymore (quite a statement coming from me if you think about it...). I just want to relax and enjoy these last few moments as a family of four before we add another and I get less sleep, struggle with nursing (and everything else that comes with a newborn) and try to do it all alone. Why I want to jump into that with as exhausted as I feel is a mystery. Perhaps the greatest mystery of motherhood. But I cannot stop obsessing about her. About her smell. About the way she looks. I cannot stop imagining how cute her toes and her little nose are. And I cannot stop hoping she comes soon. As far as a pregnancy update goes...she's engaged and dropped. Been that way since last week. My midwives can feel only neck still, she's LOA and most likely another 7-8 lber. I still think more like high 6 but that's most likely wishful thinking on my part! I don't think I have it in me to grow a tiny babe. I've been drinking my Red Raspberry Leaf tea in preparation for labor but other than that I think I'm just going to play it cool and let her come on her own. No "trying" to get her to come. She'll come when she's ready and if anything I have a peace about that. So, hopefully I won't have a 39 week update for you, but an amazing birth story and pictures of our little princess!

37 Weeks

Well, as promised, here is your 37 week update sans picture however :( My camera cord is having issues so it won't let me upload pics onto the computer which is disappointing because I had a super cute 37 week shot to put up. Picture aside, things are going well and I have some great news to report. It has been confirmed that I will be having this baby at home with my favorite midwives...the same ones that delivered Elijah. I cannot describe the peace that accompanies this decision. The entire thing is a huge faith issue really, so we're just trusting God and plowing through. The baby is definitely low as my midwife was only able to feel neck when checking for the head (not a big surprise to me as I've had a lot of pressure!). Baby was also posterior at the beginning of the appointment, but by the time we left her back was on the left side and she'd turned a bit which is right where she should be. This was good to hear. Hopefully she stays that way and/or gets in that position during labor. I'd rather not have a sunny side up baby if i can help it =) My midwives come for their home visit tomorrow and then we're all set to have the baby. I just keep repeating to myself that "the day she comes is the perfect day" as I am so excited for her to be here. I want to see this little wonder that's been growing inside for the last 9 months. I can't wait to see those precious feet that poke out of my stomach all the time, or kiss those most likely dimpled cheeks (that is, if she has any Rader in her at all!), or put her in the adorable outfits I have sitting all washed and ready in the nursery. I am willing her to come!!! I wonder if she's listening???

36 Weeks

This update will be short and sweet. I've no time for such luxuries as blogging when I'm cleaning and organizing like the President himself is coming for an extended stay. Besides, the current picture pretty much says it all. Big, tired, bloated...and almost done I hope. Either way, time is going by fast and with all the reading and cleaning I've been doing lately it seems to be going by even faster. I've just been sent an amazing book by a dear friend called Ina May's Guide to Natural Childbirth and I simply cannot put it down (well, in between cleaning jigs, that is). I recommend this book to all my pregnant friends, or those wishing to become pregnant. It is so empowering and emotional and I really connect with it. So much so that when I read it I develop multiple contractions! Funny how that happens. Interested in a few of my favorite things lately?? Well, I'll gladly fill you in! Comfy pants, Magic Erasers, Stouffer's single serving Margarita Pizza's, cooking with my NEW Kitchen Aid Mixer, Bath & Body Works Detox and Sleep Aromatherapy bubble baths and lotion (when I can manage to get myself in and out of the bathtub that is), crushed ice (lots and lots of it), and my rice sock for my tense shoulder muscles. So there you have it. A peek into the world of a hugely pregnant Mommy Rader. I have weekly appointments now with my doc so hopefully the updates will come more frequently. I'll also attempt weekly belly pics as the time draws nearer to accompany these weekly updates. Not much longer now before I'll be posting pics of our newest edition! Until next week...

32+ Week Update

Well time is definitely on the move now! I'll be 33 weeks this Sunday and I can scarcely believe how I've gotten this far so fast (and yet so agonizingly slow sometimes). I was hit Wednesday morning with the stomach bug that I worked so hard to avoid and am still not feeling myself and it's Friday night. The stomach flu is bad enough. Add being pregnant on top of it just seems to make it 10X's worse I think. I'm sore in places I didn't know I had! And I'll spare you the details but suffice it to say an eight month pregnant woman throwing up is NOT a pretty (or clean) picture. As far as this pregnancy goes, I'm feeling more miserable by the day so it's a great thing that I'll be meeting this princess soon~hopefully next month as crazy as that sounds!!! I've already begun my little cleaning/organizing spree I usually go on a few weeks before delivery so, right on schedule I'd say. Baby is so low that I can actually feel her head moving around waaaay down in places I can't even see and her arms pushing my pelvis apart. I am hoping this is a good thing in regards to labor, because perhaps she'll have an easier time engaging and moving down if she's already mostly there!! A plus to having a super duper low baby?? A bit more breathing room for a bit longer. My ribs haven't felt the jabs yet but I know it's coming. I feel her little feet up there, but she's so low that she's not really taken my breath away like the boys did (who were a bit on the higher side). I've had minimal swelling in my hands and face but my legs have taken the brunt of this pregnancy I must say. I'm so thankful it's winter!! Let's see...what else?? Just pretty much all around miserable is a good summary I suppose. Sort of like the first trimester only bigger, bulkier, heavier and...sleepier! Speaking of which I don't get much of these days with the belly on the rise. And sadly, I'm sure I could go on and on complaining but I'll spare the public all of that. I am so thankful that I am almost done. And so sad that I'm almost done, only because I know this will be the last time (apart from some sort of miracle or word from the Lord) that I will ever see little feet poke out of my belly. Pregnancy is a true miracle and I am so thankful to have experienced it. I've done my time (almost) and it's high time I've had my reward I say-this baby girl I've prayed for all along to add to my precious family. Still in turmoil about how she will be born, but I know ultimately God is in control of that and what will be will be. As long as she is here, happy and healthy, than that is what's important.

Per usual, I've been behind in almost everything lately!! Here's the birthday pic of my Gabey-baby turning 4 (he doesn't like when I call him that anymore though). I've always called him that *sniff*. Guess he's getting too big for that mushy mommy talk. Mr. Big Wig pre-school pants, apparently. He's also in that annoying (did I say annoying? I meant independent) "do it myself" stage. While it's great that he's learning to assert himself and becoming more independent, my gosh. It takes us hours to get anything done. I think really I could just use an extra burst of patience in that area more like it. Seriously, though. Takes the kid hours to do what I could do (and would rather do) in minutes. But he's doing it "himself" and that makes him feel pretty special so we just go with it...mostly. As long as we're not hugely late for anything he gets to take as long as he wants and I try not to comment on the backwards t-shirt, mismatched socks, or upside down coat (?). This boy has the amazing ability to brighten my day with just his smile. God knew what He was doing when he blessed me with Gabriel. He's the perfect fit for a mom like me. I'm looking forward to many, many more years with this boy =) In other news...there is none! Hoping to get a belly pic up soon as it's been almost a month since the last one. I've definitely grown (but I'll just keep all the growing details on the down low if you know what I mean)! Until then, most likely...