What a Difference a Year Makes

This was on our 10 year anniversary last year. We went to our very favorite place, Winthrop, and stayed at the Sun Mountain Lodge.  It was the farthest away we had ever been from our children, but we loved the beauty of the place and the time together.

               

This was us on our 11 year anniversary. We knew we would either be at the hospital in labor, have a days old newborn, or be days away from having our baby. A big date was not really in the plans.  Instead, we thought it would be fun to do something as a family.  A few years ago we went to Maggie Bluffs for dinner and then walked around the Ballard Locks. We weren't up for a restaurant but thought we could pick up some teriyaki or something similar and have a picnic at the Locks.

Apparently, our anniversary was the day all of Seattle was having some sort of festival. We knew about the Rock'n'Roll Marathon, and the Gay Pride Parade, but we did not know about the Greenwood Car Show - where we tried to pick up take out. Or, the wedding at the Locks just as we were trying to find a parking spot.

We ended up at a neighborhood park in Ballard. All the kids wanted was a playground and because it had been so hot, we wanted a shady place to eat. This park was perfect.  Until we sat down and had a mini-wind storm. The kids were shaking and asking for jackets I did not pack. Finn only had a light receiving blanket because I wasn't expecting it to be cold.  And, all the leaves and tree debris was falling into our meal. Luckily, you couldn't really tell what was a spice and what was dirt so we just ate it anyway.  

The kids ended up having a great time. Brandon and I smiled at each other and said, not quite as relaxing as last year, but exciting to have our family all together.

11 years, 3 boys, countless bike races and cups of coffee, later and here we are.

My Three Sons

Jack Oscar

3/27/05

Leaving NW Hospital for the first time.

Micah Allen

4/16/07

Getting to know Micah

Finn Carlson

6/23/09

Leaving NW Hospital for the last time.

Bath - Yes, Baby - No, Up - Not So Much

We have a functioning bath again, complete with a real floor! 

The boys are so happy to have a bath in their house. Each night they ask to take a bath before bed!

After several false starts I have decided this baby has no desire to be born. So after church I was doing this:

For a family outing this afternoon we decided to take the boys to see Up. We knew it was a risky move to take Micah to a movie, but we thought with popcorn and candy we would make it.  20 minutes into the movie he was on the stairs eating fallen popcorn and slowly making his way out the door. Brandon and I have a rule, no movies while I am pregnant. I tend to cry at anything. I knew the beginning was sad, unfortunately that is all I got to see. I was able to be in the theater just long enough to cry and then follow Micah outside. I did hear from Brandon that it was a pretty good movie. I guess I will see it on DVD.

Day 17

That is how long it has been since I have had a shower in my house.  When I left for Seaside, I had a shower that looked like this:

I came home to this:

And this:

The plan was to demo the upstairs shower (the only working one) replace the old pipes and then tile in the downstairs bath. It seemed like an easier job then re-tiling the upstairs shower and would also give me the ability to bathe the kids again. With the countdown on for the new baby, a working bathtub was a priority! 

Unfortunately, we misjudged how long it would take to drywall, prep, tile, plumb, grout, seal, etc, and have been showerless for over two weeks.  When  I left on Friday for Seaside, I said, please don't make me come home to no shower. No problem, my husband replied.  When I was leaving Seaside on Monday and knew there was no hope for a shower, I said, by Saturday I will have a shower.  Oh sure, my husband replied.  On Sunday when I knew we were still a ways from a shower, I said, please don't make me go to work on Thursday with no shower. Of course not, my husband replied.

Now I say nothing. Tile is up, grout is in and now we are waiting for it to dry. Tuesday at the latest, my husband tells me.  It's okay, I've got several friends who have offered their shower. I don't even know what it will be like to wake up in the morning and shower in my own house.  Or to take a shower for two days in a row. 

Anticipation

It is officially June and that means baby month. Yes, it is possible I could be late and the baby could be born in July, but based on my other 2 babies, not likely.  This last week I finally got the baby's 'room' ready. By room, I mean cleaned out space in our room to put a changing table, cradle, and rocker.  The actual baby room is still technically called "The Rat Room" for reasons I think you can figure out.

Knowing that the baby would be in our room for a looong time, I was not anxious to start setting up. But once the changing table came upstairs, I wanted it full of baby things. Now I have my cradle with a clean sheet, a new changing table pad and cover, and baskets of newborn diapers. When I opened the package of diapers, my heart did a little flip. I forget how tiny the baby is. These are the tiniest, most sweet smelling (at least now) diapers and I love them. It is a fleeting moment before you move onto the next stage and I just want to savor each moment with this baby.

Last night I was going through the drawers looking at all the baby clothes. There is not much in there yet, as we have to wait for the baby to join us to know if it is a boy or girl.  I have teeny, tiny yellow, green, and white onesies that I just hold up and can't believe they will be that small. I have my absolute favorite nightgowns that all my babies have worn until Brandon reminds me that I have boys, not girls. In my defense, they make nighttime changes so much easier!  Then I have just a handful of "day" sleepers that the baby will wear during the day, again all neutral colors. If this baby is a boy (which my dr. is convinced of) I have a whole tub of clothes waiting, if not, my mom already said she is buying PINK everything! 

The other night I was pulling clothes out of the bin and I held up one of the sleepers and said to Brandon, in an embarrassingly high-pitched voice, "We are having a baby!". He just smiled at me and said, he knew.  

I've spent so much time agonizing over how it will be with three kids, possibly three boys, that I forgot how absolutely exciting it will be to bring home our last baby. Now, I am ready.  Not for the sleepless nights, endless crying, or constant nursing. But for the tiny, little body, that will snuggle up on my chest. To smell that sweet baby smell again, and wait eagerly for the first smile and recognition that yes, I am his (or her) mom.

4 more weeks and counting!