37 Weeks

"Live...Laugh....Love"

Tom is back to the office until Baby arrives. He got a lot done in our backyard. We have a beautiful shed - passed inspection! And a huge wonderful playset for our children. We still need the swings attached, but the slides are on and getting a lot of use. Now I need to find time to work on the inside of our home. Still can't even step into our basement. I have a hard time letting go of stuff, but I think I'm ready to go through it all. It'll be easier once we find out if Baby is a boy or a girl. We have lots of toys and clothes down there.
Today I am 37 weeks. Baby is moving around a lot. (Has the hiccups right now.) I really thought we'd be at the hospital yesterday. I remember having false labor in the past, but not like this. My oldest even said he's never seen me so bad before. But usually I go into labor at night, so they've never really seen mommy having true contractions. This little one is just teasing me. I would like to wait until August. I'm just not quite ready. Normally I get to a point where I am so uncomfortable that I can't wait to go into labor. I'm not there yet. I think it might be the thought of having a newborn to care for while also trying to get 5 children off to school every morning that's holding me back. I better learn how to be very organized very quickly. Lunches, snacks, bus schedules, homework,...and all the needs that a new little baby comes with. We're praying for a healthy, happy, patient child. I'm also praying that Sarah accepts her new little brother or sister. She has been very "clingy" lately. Still waking up and screaming until I get up and bring her to bed with me and Tom. I've tried letting her cry a little, but one of the older children comes in to let us know they can't sleep with Sarah screaming. I think she will enjoy the time we'll have together this year while Baby is napping - which they usually do a lot of at first. Sarah will get mommy all to herself in the mornings.
Yesterday was our church picnic. Lots of fun, good food - beautiful weather. I am so thankful that it has been a pretty cool summer. I was afraid I'd be suffering in the heat for 3 months, but it's been really nice.
When we got home from the picnic, Tom finished up the slides and we had some neighbor children over to help break them in. After I bathed our girls Tom and I had to go drop off the truck at his work. Not the thing we really wanted to do at 9:30 at night, but it had to be done. I am not big on driving on the Interstate - another reason to rethink the big family van.
Today I am going to take all 6 children to the pool. My neighbor is taking her 4. Should be fun.
There are a couple of meltdowns going on around me. Time to put on some music (totally changes the mood in our home - I recommend it.) Then I will let them all know that we are going swimming. That should make them all very happy.