39 weeks!

This post probably won't be of much interest to most of you, but I'm trying to chronicle my own thoughts and feelings as I go so I can remember later.

I'm 39 weeks pregnant today!  That means only seven days to go until my due date!  I'm officially on maternity leave, so we're ready to go anytime now! C'mon baby!! We went to the midwife this week and she checked baby's heart rate and position, which were both great, and told us that "now we wait!" ...and so we're waiting!  There's such anticipation in the air, and I can't help but think of that first Christmas, and the anticipation Mary must have felt...  Isaac spoke more eloquently and beautifully on it than I could on his blog: http://godandthemodernmind.blogspot.com/2013/11/expectation-and-uncertainty.html

I'm going to miss these kicks and bumps she gives me, but I'm very ready to meet her!  This desire is only amplified by a late return of morning sickness.  I can't seem to keep up with this active girl's metabolism!  She's an eating machine!!

It's a weird feeling, this waiting for labor to begin.  I know in my head what will happen - my contractions will come closer together and increase in intensity... I know this, but what will it feel like?  I can't quite wrap my mind and emotions around it.  There's so much expectancy built into the start!  I'm not afraid of the discomfort because I'm so excited to know I get to meet her.  I know my body can and will do what it needs to do to bring her to me safely if I just relax and let it work...  But what will it be like?  How and when will it start?  I've had contractions...I've even had two in a row... But I somehow can't bring myself to understand it.  So we wait, and expect, and anticipate, and prepare.

One thing I do understand is nesting.  Not only is it a natural instinct to prepare for a new little life, it's a necessary release of anticipatory energy!  If I keep myself busy, particularly in preparing for this little girl, I feel like I'm doing something to ease the anticipation of her arrival.

Things I'll Miss:
- Feeling her kick, hiccup, punch, stretch, and turn.
- Having her with me all the time, just me and her
- The anticipation of meeting her -- She's my first, my baby, and while each subsequent pregnancy will be thrilling in its own right, she's the first to open my womb, to give me the joy of feeling life being created and knit together inside me!

- Knowing a bit of Isaac is always with me, inside me

- The smiles from strangers (and friends) when I walk by

- The fun stories of others' experiences 

Things I Won't Miss: 

- New stretchmarks each day

- Not sleeping

- Having to potty every 10 minutes

- The aches -- fingers (especially at night and in the morning -- I can't bend my fingers!), my hips, my pelvis, my feet...

- Morning sickness!

- The horror stories people think it's appropriate to share

- Not being able to run up steps, or a hill, or run period. 

- Waddling -- I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to relearn how to walk after she arrives!

- Ligament pain (it's like being stung by a bee!)

I've heard from so many friends and family that I'll miss pregnancy when it's over (at least some of the aspects), and so I'm working to savor each moment, and take this time to pray over my unborn daughter. 

And now, if you've made it this far, you're about to be rewarded with a few pictures! 

SANTA!

Saaaanta!!

It's one of our favorite family traditions each year to meet up in downtown Seattle and go see Santa at Nordstrom. The last two years I've been able to walk up from work to join the Coury's and Isaac.  This year I got there and they were already inside in line -- perfect!  Noah and Isaac were sitting on the stairs, chatting about things only boys can appreciate, Ava was cradling her beloved Saige (American Girl doll), and Sarah and Brian were chatting happily.  What a wonderful scene!

We were just in time to meet our favorite Santa!  We've had several over the years, and all truly look the part, but this Santa is our favorite!  He's jolly, patient, and kind, and does a great job interacting with   the kids while simultaneously posing them for some wonderful pictures!

The kids each made their request to Santa (just one thing), and he asked if they wanted anything else for Christmas -- both shrugged and said "no."  I just LOVE these kids!  They're unselfish!  They each had one modest gift they're looking forward to receiving.  He responded, "how about some nice surprises?" and they both grinned.  Sarah and Brian are doing a great job of raising their children!!

At the end, as we were getting ready to leave, Santa called me over and made me take a picture with him.  Let's just say I wasn't a hard sell! :) He's a lovely Santa!  So we got baby girl's first Santa picture this year, and look forward to continuing the tradition with her next year and the years to come!

We don't over-emphasize Santa in our family, and the kids know he's not the reason for the season.  We do enjoy the fun of Santa in this season, though, and I think we were raised with a great balance of Santa being fun, but peripheral to Jesus' birth.  I see that same tradition being carried on in the kids in the new generation, and it's just so fun!

A Lovely Sister Tea!

The girls have a lovely tradition of gathering together each time one of us is approaching a life event, and sometimes when we just need one another.  It's a time of laughter, advice, questions and answers, bonding, and tea -- or spiced cider as the season allows!  

This time we gathered to celebrate baby girl's impending birth.  Sarah provided a lovely spread of gluten-free fare, supplemented by the cousins.  We spent time loving on the littlest cousins, laughing about being wives and (soon to be) mothers!  It was a lovely time of bonding, and I wouldn't trade it for anything!  I so wish that Xandra, Rose, and Nickole could have made it -- they were the only thing lacking!  And, of course, my mom and mom-in-law!  

Traditional cousin picture: cousins carrying cousins! 

Thank you ladies for making me and baby feel loved, and more prepared for her arrival!! 

Two of the happiest babies on the block! Hope my little one is as content as these two!