39 weeks and counting . . .

Life has been an incredible journey over the past year.  We have been blessed with a wonderful family with seven children.  Bob and I are both getting older and felt pretty settled with our family over the last several years.  We have been so busy keeping up with our children and all their activities.  Bob started a new job nearly a year ago.  So the feelings to have another baby took us both by surprise.  Over a number of months the feelings to have another baby just gnawed at my heart and mind.   How could we consider another with our oldest graduating from high school and starting college.  Our youngest would be starting kindergarten.  

As I considered the feelings of my heart, I  prayed for guidance.  I surely wasn't considering taking fertility medication as with most of our other pregnancies.  It really took me a bit to even talk about it with Bob.  After the continued promptings I finally talked about it with Bob.  I think he was very surprised.  He wasn't interested in fertility assistance and I think he really had set the possibility of a pregnancy happening very low.    Ultimately,  he left the changes and effort that would need to take place up to me. I set up my appointment for my annual doctors visit with the knowledge I would open the door to a possible pregnancy.   As I prayed, I talked with the Lord about how old we were and that if this was what was really best that I would be able to get pregnant right away.  My prayer was answered.

A couple weeks later I was pregnant.  It was  unlike any experience I had before.  I have never been so sure that it would happen or that I was pregnant at such an early time.  It was a knowing that continued with me, even despite my own doubts and amazement.  I took a pregnancy test earlier than with any of my other children.  It was a sense of knowing that continued through the coming weeks.  My first appointment to visit the doctor was filled with uncertainty.  The nurse practitioner couldn't find a heart beat and suggested I wasn't as far along.  Yet, I knew how far I should be.  She quickly ordered an ultrasound and said little more to me.  As I looked at the order the word "viability" was written down.  There was this tension inside me and I said little to anyone.   I left the new pregnancy gift I had been given at the doctors office, not wanting to bring it where my children could see it .  We were not going to say anything until everything looked positive.  My ultrasound was the next day.  I didn't even have a good chance to talk with Bob.  He had been busy and stressed at work, so I just waited to talk about the uncertainties.  The next day I headed to have an ultrasound.  Despite the worry, the woman doing the ultrasound found a baby and heartbeat right away.  She was even surprised they had sent me there.  She also confirmed my due date.   April 25th was right on.

Despite worries that come with every pregnancy, everything has been positive.  It has been a great blessing.  It truly is a humbling opportunity to welcome another little one to our family.  I have been so humbled by my children and their openness to love another little one.  They actually had asked for another baby for years.  Their feelings have helped me prepare for the changes both physically, emotionally, and life course that this baby brings to our family.

So tomorrow morning, it looks like baby number 8 will join us.  39 weeks and counting down to a new baby.  I am feeling ready, nervous, excited, but most of all so thankful to be a mother to another little one.  One last time!

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HOLDING ON TO SUMMER

April 18, 2013

A couple of years ago I was with my seven children at the water park.  We spent a day each week going to Seven Peaks.  As I was surrounded by my busy children, I had one of the motherhood moments when you know that this day is special and won't last.  Nothing big happened, but we were all together having fun.  I had the thought of how short my time with them was and I just wanted to hold on to summer.  Summer is the time when the kids are yours.  You have a little more flexibility to be together.  Knowing this, I just have wanted to hold on to the summer of my life.  My children are growing up.  They will not be with me for long and I want to savor the time that I have with them.