And the doctor says. . .

Make that the midwife. And all she said was my ligaments were causing my trouble and pain and tears and hunched over-ness. Well, at least two times when I was in serious pain on my right side they were the trouble. I hope it doesn't pick up speed and frequency, but things seem to accelerate during pregnancy.

Like my weight, I'm sure all of these pounds are from baby, NOT ONE from the holiday overload.

Taking up space

Our little, growing daughter is taking up a lot of real estate in my abdomen. People often remark that I barely look pregnant and where could the baby be. Well, let me tell you, she is taking up residence in my rib cage, using my diaphragm as a pillow, or maybe a foot rest. Sometimes I wish she'd just poke my tummy out and leave my lungs and digestive system alone.

Tummy pains

I have stopped sleeping on my stomach. It is uncomfortable and just plain hurts sometimes. Some sad day in the not-to-distant future I will become a fully side sleeper. But until then, at least I still have my back.

Patterns of x and y

Long ago Matt's parents became aware that we were following there pattern for marriage and family quite closely. Our ages are 3 years apart. We had two boys first and then two girls. But we have outgrown them.

This weekend my mom realized that we were completely opposite (at least child-wise) from my parents. They went boy, girl, boy, boy, girl, girl. We have been, girl, girl, boy, boy, girl. We only need a last boy to complete the reversal.

All I have to say is, that is a lot of x's and y's.

Carefree charity

The other day I was slightly (ever so slightly) raising my voice to get the attention, change the behavior or just voice my displeasure of one of my already birthed children for the millionth time. It wasn't the most charitable moment of parenting. Just then I felt our little un-birthed girl give a little kick. It gave me cause to ponder.

Feeling her move reminded me of a wholely unslefish act, a nine month trip down maternity lane, that I started four months ago. I was grateful for the reminder. Even as I was being uncharitable from my own mouth, my body was giving its all for someone else in complete charity. I can be good and giving person. It just happens to be easier when you only have to make one decision and it gives you nine whole months of good acts!

Seeing into the future (or womb)

We (the baby and me) had our ultrasound last week amid the holiday rush. Matt was there too. The kids were home with a babysitter. I love the ultrasound experience. About the time when I start really feeling bustlings inside me, I get to watch them on screen too. This time we got an especially great view of the heart, all four chambers, valves etc. And we saw a cute face, fingers, toes, spine, brain, legs and elbows. All the essentials. Then we looked down under.

And what to our wondering eyes should appear but a little girl waiting to bolster the estrogen around here! We were kind of thinking girl. And I'll admit that I was thinking a little less kamikaze-like boyishness would be helpful to my nerves (and my house's walls).

Parenthetically, when Matt got home from the doctor (where I was still waiting to talk to the midwife) to work from the house, the kids asked "Where have you been anyway?" But they never asked if they would be having a brother and sister. They finally caught on and when I got home we told them. The girls cheered; Scott looked confused and then crestfallen. Then his little lip quivered and he looked really sad. He asked "Why didn't Heavenly Father want to make it a boy?" We assured him that maybe He would send a boy next time. (Oh dear.)

So now we are in the baby name list-making stage. So if you've got any good ideas. . .

Baby spirits

After Scott's surgery, I was holding him as he slept off his anesthesia. He was in a bit of pain and not entirely happy. But for the moment he was sleeping. As I rested, I could feel his heart beating on my stomach. I thought about when I could hear my new baby's heartbeat emmanating from the same place. What happy thoughts and feelings.

My mind flitted to surgery. I wondered if Scott's angel Grandpa was perhaps with him through surgery. It made me happy to think that. Just then, under Scott's leg, I felt a strong kick and movement that lasted several minutes. I haven't felt the baby move like that ever. The thought occured to me that maybe Scott's little brother or sister was there with him instead. It seemed right.

Who knows? Maybe those we guard through life were guarding us first.