All the time we wondered and wondered, who is this person coming/growing/turning/floating/swimming deep, deep inside.

Josiah David

December 31, 2011

9lbs 2ozs

More to come... I'm on my "babymoon" and relearning to type one-handed. 

It's my due date party and I'll cry if I want to. 

Not really.  I mean, I'm not crying.  Yet. 

I've got encouraging words from all of you. 

I've had my "gonna have a baby, need sparkled toes" pedicure.

I've been listening to my Baby Mix.

And tomorrow we enter the land of "post date".

P.S.  If you go shopping on your due date, strangers will ask when you are due.  You will respond, "Today."  They will freak a little and cashiers will express concern that you do not go into labor while shopping in the store.  You will leave knowing that people watch too much television. 

Some dear friends have been sending me bible verses of encouragement to calm my anxious heart as I prepare for the birth of our Josiah.  It means so much to me and I try to spend time each day reading and reflecting on them. 

“But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.” 2 Chron. 15:7

“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from whence shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Ps. 121:1-2

“In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid.” Ps. 56:11a

“Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.” John 16:21

Any verses you'd like to add?  I'd love the encouragement!  I'm ready to have and meet this baby. 

I'm not gonna lie.  I was kinda shocked when I saw all the deer in our "herd".

But a quick count confirmed they all belong.    Our friends gave us this ornament for Christmas and I LOVE it!  As you can see, we've given baby a name.   

Now we just need him to make an appearance. 

2011?  2012? 

These kiddos are so very anxiously awaiting your arrival.

There will be no shortage of hands to hold you. 

Hugs and kisses will be plentiful.

Hurry along now.  Waiting is hard. 

I'm still pregnant.  38 weeks, 3 days. 

As I near the end of this season, I am anxious to have baby here (of course!).  But I'm also a little sad to know that this could be my last pregnancy.  It's hard for me to think that I may be leaving behind a season of my life.  When our other babies were born we were living in babyland.  We had babies and toddlers all over.  Now our family is made up of big kids.  I'm realizing how quickly seasons change.

It's like when we are in our twenties, we think we'll always be twenty.  Then one day we blink and we are thirty-five and wondering what it will be like to be forty and how the heck did we get so far from twenty!   

For the first time ever, we'll experience parenting a teenager all the way down to a newborn.  Wow!  Talk about new seasons.  So as I prepare to leave behind this season of pregnancy and our family enters a new season of five children,  teenager to newborn, I want to savor all the moments.  I want to remember. 

A grand adventure is about to begin.
-- Winnie the Pooh

Seems like everywhere you turn now days, people have advice for you.  Unsolicited advice. 

People have an opinion about us and how we should live our lives.  Sometimes they offer good advice and sometimes the advice should be completely disregarded. 

This is my advice-o-meter:

If you want advice about an area of life, find someone who has achieved what you are aiming for.  

For example, don't take marriage advice from people who complain about their spouse.  Don't take parenting advice from people with unhappy, out of control children.  Don't take home management advice from people who can't dig their way out of the clutter, dirty dishes, and dirty laundry. 

Find someone who has already been where you want to go and learn all you can!

Did y'all know I'm pregnant?  I might have mentioned it a time or two. 

The last days of this pregnancy have been more enjoyable than the first.  Having said that, I will be thrilled to welcome this baby boy into the world and be "me" again! 

I am using a pic from my maternity shoot because I ain't about to snap a pic today.  You see, I celebrated 37 weeks, 1 day in my pajamas.  Weary and teary.  For no REAL reason but plenty of pretend reasons.  Yay Hormones! 

I've been washing those tiny baby clothes in that sweet smelling expensive baby detergent (that may or may not really be necessary but smells heavenly).  Oh.  My.  Goodness.  The baby clothes.  I seriously don't know what to put on him first.  Between his grandmothers and church ladies this kid is gonna be adorned in major cuteness!  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you! 

I must also confess that in four and a half years I really did forget how tiny newborn diapers are.  I couldn't resist opening a pack just to soak in the tininess and that baby diaper smell (applies only to pre-worn diapers ).

Now the real waiting begins.  The last month seems longer than the entire first eight months.  lol

My oldest daughter is 13 and half!  I can't believe I am a mom to a teenager.  But oh how I love the young lady she is becoming.  She is such a blessing to me! 

Just today I was watching her teach my younger daughter how to do something.  She taught her sister just as I taught her, which is how I was taught by my mom, who I assume was taught by her mom and so on... 

A few days ago, she was showing my younger daughter how to do something she learned at gymnastics camp where she was taught by a coach who learned from her coach and so on...

Watching her teach as she has been taught made me realize that without even meaning to, the things we teach our kids last for generations.  They will be taught to the next generation who will teach the next.  So what are we teaching our kids?  Are we being purposeful?  Who are we allowing to teach our kids?  Are they being purposeful?  And when given the opportunity to teach others' children - are we doing our best?  We leave a legacy that will last for many many generations.  Let's leave a good one. 

"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." Deuteronomy 4:9