4 Weeks To Go!

I made it to the '36 week' point as of today--and I can't decide if time is moving really quickly, or way too slowly. :) Kind of depends on how I'm feeling at the moment, which I have to admit is not anything to truly complain about. I pretty much just feel like I'm a month away from having a baby--big belly, tired legs and back, not sleeping much, and a very real sense of 'nesting urgency'. I think Alex is getting anxious too--he asks almost every day if Baby Moses is "ready" yet. I really believe that he is going to be such a great big brother. He's very kind to other babies that we are around and seems to have a geniune interest in my pregnancy. He loves to tell strangers that he is going to be a big brother and usually adds that he has a baby in his tummy too. :)



The nursery is pretty much ready (will get pictures of that soon). Just need to wash some clothing and sheets and hang her name on the wall...that last task will wait until she has arrived, so no trying to come peek for hints. We have our room ready for the addition of a rocker and bassinett (and I'm sure she'll appreciate the paint job that my mom and I did last week...nesting...). Our garage even got a major makeover this weekend (thanks Pop!) so that our cars can fit back inside for easy loading and unloading of the kiddos (more nesting...). I know that I'm supposed to be 'slowing down' during these last few weeks, and I actually have stopped accepting any more photography work, but I also know that once she arrives the ability to do ANYTHING will pretty much cease for several weeks. So I just have to get it all done right now, right?! :) (Kevin wouldn't necessarily agree...he's afraid that I've engineered his paternity leave to be a time of chores, projects, and a multitude of honey-do lists. Not ME, never! wink, wink).


I am to the point of once-weekly visits with my midwife, though I did see my 'old' OB doctor last week for a lab test. We have been using a private midwife since about 25 weeks in preparation for a home birth. Yes, don't choke--I said 'home birth', as in, we are planning to deliver Baby A here at our house with the assistance of our midwife and her assistant. No hospitals, no drugs--just us, a birthing pool, and Debbie (midwife). Our decision to do this is a lengthy one, better suited to its own posting, so I'll just sum it up to say that we (well, I, with Kevin's support) desire a different birthing experience than the one we had with Alex, and I want to be more in control of my surroundings and labor processes. Still shaking your head at the "home" and "no drugs" part? We did too, for a little while. But we feel very confident in our decision now and I can honestly say that I'm looking forward to the experience. More on all of that later.


A few weeks ago, I was feeling very "diva" and asked two great photographer friends to do maternity sessions for us. First, Melissa and Julie did a 'family' session for us because I wanted to document our family of 3 being excited together over the arrival of number 4. They did an awesome job capturing exactly that--though I think Alex in all of his cuteness may have stolen the show. :)

And then I asked Jackie to do a session just for me and Kevin--to document that all of this started with just the two of us. We got to be very urban and sassy for this shoot, which was a very fun and romantic way to spend an evening together. Again, an awesome job and the end result was exactly what I wanted.

Well, I've now got a sleepy 3-year-old in my lap who says he "needs" me. Definitely can't resist that! :)

More updates soon--hope everyone has a great October!