Our Perfect Fourth

I don't know why I haven't blogged about this yet, but I'm pregnant! And expecting another little girl around December 2nd. I'm currently 34 weeks (will be 35 tomorrow), and it just occurred to me today that I haven't blogged a single bit about this pregnancy. I had more time when I was pregnant with Reece, probably because this time around I have Reece to chase after and take care of.

When I got the positive pregnancy test, I was excited and a little nervous. My pregnancy with Reece was so easy.

I never got any morning sickness.
I was able to stay really active with my exercise.
Overall, there were no complications. It all just went so smoothly that I was sure I was in for a really difficult pregnancy this time around. But so far, it has all been fairly similar!

I haven't had any morning sickness.
I've been able to stay quite active with my exercise.
No major complications!

There have been a few differences:

I started to swell a lot earlier (I said goodbye to my ankles weeks ago).
I felt achy in my joints earlier.
My headaches have been worse this time.

Other than that, everything has been really easy! This little girl is just as active and punchy as Reece was. She really likes to stretch into my sides, and it HURTS. She has been head down for the majority of the pregnancy as well, so any squirms or stretches always, always, always push on my bladder. If you want to know discomfort, try having your bladder pushed on from the inside. Super fun.

The little peanut at just 8.5 weeks. She has always measured small. At this ultrasound they estimated that, according to her size, she was 6 days later than my clinical due date. So if I had to guess when she will be born, I would guess December 9th. But she could surprise all of us and come earlier than that. 

The top picture is Reece at 27 weeks, and the bottom one is this second little lady at 20 weeks. If you look you can see that they both have top lips that stick out father than their bottom lips. Reece's top lip was never bigger than her bottom one, so it makes me wonder if she was just sucking on her bottom lip, and maybe her little sister does the same? I'm not sure. But it was so fun for me to see that image on the screen at the ultrasound and instantly recall Reece's 27 week ultrasound and see the similarity.

18 weeks

21 weeks

22 weeks

24 weeks

28 weeks

32 weeks

I cannot wait to meet this little girl and see what she looks like! We are so ready to add another sweet little person to our family. She will be our perfect fourth.

"Caught"

It was an average day full of laundry, cleaning, and chasing around my crazy, and totally awesome, child. Reece was in her room looking at books while I was putting laundry away in my room. I usually despise putting away laundry. I don't mind the washing, drying, and folding part. But when it comes to putting away the laundry that I've taken so much time to wash, dry, and fold: Torture.

On this day, it wasn't so bad. My mind was filled with thoughts of someone I love very much and a trial they were going through. As I walked to my closet to hang up some shirts, I felt impressed to say a quick prayer for this person. So I got down on my knees and prayed silently to my Heavenly Father. As I was almost done, I heard Reece call my name and start walking to my room. My instant reaction was to hurriedly close my prayer and stand up. I can't remember what it was she needed, or what question she asked me, but I do remember what I felt. I felt silly! I laughed at myself. Why did I feel the need to hurry and finish praying so that my daughter didn't "catch me in the act?" What would have been so wrong about that?

I've never been someone who is all that comfortable praying in public. I am more than happy to say a prayer at church if called upon, but I can hardly ever muster up the courage to raise my hand when volunteers are asked for. But that doesn't matter. I want my children to see me living my faith. I want them to see and feel, through my actions, my faith in our Father in Heaven, my faith in the power of prayer, and my faith in the love that our Heavenly Father and Savior have for us. I want them to see me living my testimony! And even though this moment from months ago was a small thing, it has stuck with me, and I think I will carry it in my heart forever.

Perfectly Clear

Have you ever had a moment where your life seems to come into a perfect and clear focus? I couldn't sleep last night. Among all the tossing and turning, my mind was constantly running around with silly, pointless thoughts, making it even more exhausting trying to find restful sleep. And then as I was laying there, feeling the kicks and punches from baby girl number two, I looked over at Derek. An unstoppable smile spread across my face and, as school-girlish as it sounds, my heart started to pound.

This picture melts my heart.

My mind filled with thoughts of my little family, all the fun things we had done this weekend, and all
of the good memories we have already made. I thought of the excitement, joy, stress, sleeplessness, and headaches that will come with another little lady being added to our family. And it all just felt so right. It was a moment that reaffirmed to me that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.

Being a mom is rough. Really rough. You love these little people with everything you have, even on the days when they get mad at you, yell at you, and do everything they know they shouldn't. It is mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausting. But as I laid in bed last night, it all made me smile. I'm sure being a mom is going to get even more exhausting come December. But you know what? I know that this, being a mom to my precious and crazy girl (soon to be girls), is what I am meant to do. Yes, there are other things that I do that aren't directly connected with being a mom, and yes, they still make me who I am. But being a mom is the biggest part of me right now, and it will be for the rest of my life.

All of this flooded my mind within thirty seconds. It was a rush of happiness and peace. It filled me with gratitude for everything I have been blessed with. At that moment my life came into a perfect and clear focus. And I wish I could say that afterward I settled into my bed and fell right to sleep. But I can't. And that's okay, because I get to hang out with this beautiful girl all day and hug my husband when he gets home from work.

Life is good.