36 weeks!

Well, I can hardly believe it, but I am 36 weeks pregnant! That means most likely we will have another baby in our house in a month or less...crazy! There is so much going on with our family right now that this last couple of months of pregnancy has flown by due to all the distraction. We still need a name, nursery, and I need to go through all the baby gear to make sure we don't need to fix or replace anything...meanwhile we are selling our home and will move into our new home (closed last week, yay!) with in the next 2 weeks after we get some small jobs and painting done first. On top of all that we have been adjusting to Levi starting kindergarten, Joel's first year of preschool and Levi playing his first organized sport. Sheesh! To say I have been a bit overwhelmed would be an understatement. Philip has been extra sweet to me and may have had to deal with a crying wife a few evenings this month as well. All of these overwhelming things are, however, big blessings, so I am trying to just take it one day at a time, pray often and lean on God as well as my family and friends. I know in a few months we will be much more adjusted to all these changes and better off as well.

This pregnancy continues to go well and considering my large hernia and diastasis as well as this being my third pregnancy with a larger than average baby, I am doing fine. Yes, by the end of the day I am very tired and my back and hips are sore, but it is all so worth it to have the blessing of another baby in my near future. I have been having more contractions these last few weeks, which is all expected with the state of my abdominal muscles, and although sometimes uncomfortable, rarely painful. I have to force myself to spend an hour or two laying down every evening as well as usually a few 30 minute couch breaks during the day (not too bad of a problem to have!), and I'm not as able to do my usual heavy lifting and exercise during pregnancy this time. All that aside, this little guy is growing well, very active and developing nicely. He has remained head down for the last several weeks, so we are all ready for another routine delivery (with God's help).

The shape of my belly is narrow and "all out front" and I have had many many interesting comments from acquaintances to strangers, so here is my list of random comments about my pregnant body:

-Do you have more than one in there? Really? WOW, you are HUGE!
-Are you having another boy? I knew it because you are SO big and low.
-You are having a girl this time aren't you? Are you sure? I know a girl belly when I see one you should get another sonogram.
-When are you due? NO WAY! I bet they have your dates wrong!
-Are you having twins? Really? You must be overdue then, right?
-I've had 5 kids and I NEVER looked that big!
-There is NO WAY you are going to make it to October!
-If that goes another week it's going to pop (overheard by Philip after I walked past 2 men at church)
-You are shaped just like a torpedo! From the back you cannot even tell you are pregnant, and then you turn to the side and Whoa!
-There is no way you can get any bigger!
-I don't see how you can stay upright.
-You are so big/huge/large
-Man you are just all baby!
-Do you have a basketball/beach-ball/watermelon under your shirt?!
-You must be due tomorrow...wow, that's amazing, you are so big already!
-Are you sure you should be out of the house? (as I walk Levi past the crossing guard) Maybe your husband should me doing this for you. (Well, he has to work and I have 6 weeks left) Really? You're lying like a rug!


Hope you enjoyed that ;)

Now for your viewing pleasure, side by side 36 week shots from Levi, Joel and this little one:

Go Eagles!

Levi is playing soccer for the first time this "fall." His team is the Eagles and they have green camo jerseys (we had nothing to do with picking either and Levi was thrilled when he heard the team name and saw their uniforms). Their first game was this morning and Levi was very excited to start playing.

all ready to start his first official sport!

His league is very disorganized (in my opinion) and we didn't find out any information about his team or coach until a week ago, and didn't get our schedule for games until Thursday. So, the boys weren't able to meet or practice until Friday night. Philip had signed up to be assistant coach (with baby on the way he didn't feel he could commit to head coach), but didn't ever hear back if he was coaching. After the first practice, it looks like he will be helping assist in coaching as much as he is able.

All the boys on his team are new to the sport, but seem to be excited and played very hard in their first game. It was hot and humid, and all the boys were super sweaty from running and trying so hard. Joel was quite the cheer leader, and also worked up a good sweat :). Much to Levi's disappointment they lost today's game 10-0, but he got some great kicks and blocks in there and recovered from his sadness pretty quickly. With more practice, I think they will learn to understand the game a little more and be able to play more successfully.  The opponent has been a team for 2 previous season and it really showed!

Levi ran hard most of the game!

getting in a little dribbling

managed to kick it away from the other team a couple times

I love this picture...we watched a few of the world cup games, and I guess Levi picked up on this arm position from some of those players :) He ran with his arms out "like an eagle" several times during the game!

We just need to understand the rules and gain some confidence and we will do better next time (at least that's what Philip and I told Levi)! Our little guy sure was cute running all over the field and giving his teammates high fives! He's off to a great start and I can't wait to watch him learn and grow as an athlete in the many, many games to come. I was proud that he was a good sport and kept trying hard despite being so far behind. I hope we can instill good sportsmanship in him early and he will become a great athlete that is a team player with a good attitude as he matures.

still smiling after a rough game!

Preschool for Joel!

Today, Joel had his first day of preschool! He was super excited to go to school and be a big boy like his brother. Ever since Levi's meet the teacher Joel has been asking several times a day when his school will start. After going with me to drop off and pick up Levi at Discovery School for the past two years, Joel feels like a pro already and strutted his way into school and his classroom. I'm so glad he is so comfortable and confident! His teacher seems very sweet and said he had a great first day of school! Yay! After school I let Joel choose what he wanted for lunch, anything I could make at home or a restaurant. Not surprisinlgy he chose Chick-fil-A and we had a fun lunch together talking about his new school and all the fun things in his classroom. I can't wait to see all the new things Joel will experience and learn while in preschool! We love this school and know that God will use it to teach our little man some great skills while he learns more about Him as well!

Joel chose his special 1st day of school breakfast: blueberry bagel & peaches

SO excited to start BIG boy school :)

Excited to walk in with his buddy Chase (his big sister is in Kindergarten with Levi)

 

He found his hook right away, thrilling ;)

Hooray for the 1st day of school!

Praying for a great year of learning and growth for our sweet boy! Hopefully he will be excited to go to school every day. Thankful to be able to send him to a school where we feel he is safe, learning and growing in his relationship with God!