This Moment

Soaking up and treasuring these moments

 this energy

 this wonder

 this love of trucks

 these expressions

 this time

 

 this boy and me

these two together

 even these times

 this exuberance

 this play

 this sweet boy

 this love of outside

 this excitement in the little things

 this love

 this smile

this laugher

38 Weeks

Phew! Now at 38 weeks I am really feeling it. I have been walking with a friend a couple times a week and it is getting slower and harder. Hopefully she doesn't mind. But even just moving around about my day is hard. I feel bad for the lack of energy and ability to move and play with Micah now. I have to keep remembering that I will be back to "normal" soon. And soon is, well, coming soon. Two weeks from the due date! (less then that now) I can't believe we have reached this point already!! Ready or not she is coming. Though there are many things I still would like to get done I am excited to meet our little girl.

I was thinking the other night about being prepared. I don't think there is ever a way to fully be prepared for a baby. But I question should I even been? Where would my moment by moment, day by day need for the Lord be then? He is the one who prepares me and equips me. I can try with all my humanly effort to get ready to welcome a new life to this world, though I will not succeed, I will still stumble in many ways when she is here. The way to be prepared then would be ready to trust and lean on God for the strength, wisdom and endurance needed. I pray that I will ready in that way when He chooses to to bring our daughter into the world.

As for the doctor report, everything looks good. Blood pressure is great, baby's heart rate is where it should be, I measured at 39cm and I have gained about 30 pounds. I am definitely feeling those 30 pounds in my hips and back. Below is the comparison to 38 weeks with Micah.
 

Tourist

We haven't exactly been tourist, just making more of an effort to get our and enjoy the area around us in the last couple weeks

First off we made a quick trip up to Cloud Cap Inn. It took longer to get up there then The Farmer remembered so we didn't stay up there too long due to lunch/nap time.

Not a bad view out the front door.

One morning we took a spur of the moment trip to the Mosier Tunnels. This was the first time I had ever seen them. They are pretty cool and impressive with how old they are.

Our next adventure was camping. We really wanted to get out camping this summer so Micah could have his first experience. The Farmer went out earlier to find a spot and set up the tent. He found a spot about 15 minutes from home just in case things didn't go well for Micah and for me 35 weeks pregnant.

 Nobody likes smoke in their face.

 Keeping warm in the morning.

 Micah is helping Papa pack up the tent.

The Farmer and I took a day and one night away just the two of us. Most likely the last time before this little lady arrives. We started out by heading to Timberline Lodge. I couldn't remember the last time that I had been. Luckily when we arrived a Forest Service volunteer had just started a tour. It was very interesting!

 I want to remember to get pictures of just the two of us even as the years get busier.

36 Weeks

Less then a month to go. Wow! We are getting very close to having our second child. I am excited and apprehensive at the same time. Excited to meet her and apprehensive knowing the work and sleep I will lose.

I am certainly feeling like my growth has slowed down a bit. Which is okay because I still feel huge and it is still hard to get up from sitting and get out of bed. I had a doctor appointment earlier this week and I have gained about 26 pounds (with Micah I was at 28) and I measured at 34cm (typically it would be around 36). The doctor wasn't concerned because some of it could be who is doing the measuring. The past few appointments I have been seeing the other doctors in the office in case they are the ones to deliver, so we will see next week when I am back with my doctor.

The little lady is moving around. It seems she is in a similar position Micah was, head down on her side with her legs toward my left. She has had hiccups a couple times which is always funny. Her movements do seem to have slowed down as her space is getting smaller. Braxton Hicks contractions have started up, sometimes has many as three in an hour. Which is not a concern, if I get more around five an hour and they cause me to have to stop what I am doing then we might need to call the doctor. So now it is just finishing up a few details and waiting for her arrival.

Micah week 35, now, Micah week 37

Creating for a Girl

I realized now that I am almost 36 weeks along I haven't posted anything about what I have for the little lady. Well I have been busy crafting and sewing. So here are some pictures of what I have been making.

These are all the flowers I have made (so far). I know I will make more, I already have the itch to make a crochet flower. Notice the beaver orange, she will be wearing that this season. :)

Usually for flower headbands each flower has its own band it is attached to. To me that seemed a waste and what if I wanted that particular flower on a different band. So I designed away to clip the flowers onto different bands. That also means the flowers can be used later when she has hair to clip back. It is hard to tell the colors in the picture but there is one black and the others are white and pink.

 Of course you can't forget about the hats. Which I'm actually surprised I haven't made more. But I usually don't really get going on crocheting until the weather gets cooler. The really long hat is for newborn pictures.

This is one of the pieces of art for the room (it is watercolor) and I still need to get it framed. I also have plans to paint a Bible verse on some wood for another open space on the wall.

These are the colors I used for the little lady's blanket. My Mom was great and came up last week to help make the blanket and curtains for the room. We whipped out the blanket in about two days. I forgot to get a picture of it before I packed it in the hospital bag, but I am happy with how it turned out. A few days ago I finished up all the sewing I needed to get done before she comes.

Not too many more big projects to complete before this girl comes, still many things I want to get done or at least work on. But at four weeks away I am starting to feel more ready, though maybe not emotionally ready for a baby and a toddler. That is a whole different post.