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: