Our Final Days as a Family of 3

Last Monday was my 36 week checkup and doctor appointment.  All along I was thinking that I was going to be right on target for my October 8 delivery date.  Compared to what I looked like at this point when I was pregnant with Cooper, I am almost 15 pounds lighter,  my legs and ankles are not nearly as terribly swollen, and I have been feeling great!  So, when the ultrasound tech informed me that my little baby boy was already weighing in at 8 pounds and 3 ounces, I was quite shocked to say the least!  His legs measured over the average length for a 40 week old, full term, baby.  His abdomen is huge!  So the doctor told me to plan to come back this Monday for a follow up appointment and to set a day for an induction.  I left, let the news sink in, and by the weekend I pretty much had convinced myself that the ultrasound tech was just mistaken.  So this Monday I bopped back into the office, hoping the doctor would approve a second ultrasound and that we would see that Colson was not nearly as big as we thought he was.  I really had myself fooled.  Except, instead of weighing in at 8 pounds 3 ounces, this time he measured 8 pounds and 14 ounces, and is pretty much the "age" of a 39 week, 5 day old baby!  So...this time I just had to accept that there is no getting out of being induced early, as Colson is pretty much set on arriving this week.  The doctor scheduled my induction for Wednesday night/Thursday morning.  We report to the hospital at 11 tomorrow night...ahhhhhh....release the butterflies in my tummy!

I am nervous.  Much more nervous than I was last time.  Last time I was blissfully naive.  This time I know what is coming my way, or at least what is coming my way if all goes as it did last time.  I also know more about things that can go wrong.  Those things worry me.  I am thankful to have faith in a God that I know will be there and will be in charge of all that happens, and that it is all entirely out of my hands.  So I can try to let go of those worries and pray and pray them away.  I didn't sleep well last night, and woke every hour or so, and would just pray myself back to sleep.  I don't know how people without faith ever get through times of anxiety and worry.  I felt much better today about everything, but, I just can't stop worrying about Coop.  This is going to be such a big change and adjustment for him.  I am so proud of how well he has done in Pre-K and just hope this is not too big of a bump in the road for him.  He is the absolute center of my world, and I just don't want to rock his world too much.  I just love him so, so much.  And I know how guilty I will feel when I have to divide my attention and my time between him and the new baby.  This is just me being very honest, and I know that the people who read my blog are also the same people who pray for me, so I am just asking you to keep praying for me, and for Colson, and for an easy delivery, but also pray especially for Cooper.  Pray that he will take pride in his big brother status and will be understanding when mommy has her hands full with a baby.  Pray that Colson will be kind in how much attention he demands from mommy so that I can still devote time to Coop.  Just please pray for our little family as we go through the changes ahead.  I know I am praying diligently nowadays about all of it.

Mentally, we may not be quite ready, but we are pretty much prepared otherwise.  Here are a few pictures of what we have done so far:

The freezer is packed with meals.  Hopefully these will help us on those nights when we are just too tired to cook.  Those nights came a lot last time when Cooper was born!

The crib is ready.  Josh spent his Sunday afternoon making a wall hanging to go above Colson's bed.  It turned out perfectly.  One of my sweet dancers painted the letters for us, and Josh built a frame and board for them to be mounted on.  Now I want one for Cooper's room too.  Then last night Josh spent the evening helping me clean the house, so thankfully that is done.  The hospital bags are almost packed.  Cooper's bags are packed for his stay at NanPa's.  Davidson's bag is packed for his stay at Katie's.  The nursery is as ready as it is going to be.  

Tonight Josh hung pictures and curtains for me.

Dad gave Colson this painting a little early.  He brought one to the hospital for Cooper when he was born that featured Dave, so I guess he felt Colson should have one too.  I am definitely glad he felt that way!

The changing station is stocked with diapers and wipes.  The closet is full of clothes, diapers, wipes, and gear.  The carseat is in the car.  All that is missing is the baby.  And apparently that will be here soon enough... so for now I am just going to use this quiet time while Josh, Cooper, and Dave are all sleeping and work on a few last minute things I need to do.

Tonight, I spent my evening with Cooper and Josh.  I had so much on my mind that needed to be done, but I am thankful I took the time to slow down a bit and just hang with them.  I brought Cooper Wendy's because that is his favorite, but Josh and I ate homemade taco soup, which was just what this congested mommy needed.  Then, Cooper and I baked cookies and the three of us piled up on the sofas and watched a movie.  Cooper thanked us so many times I honestly lost count.  He loves time with his family just like I do.

Tomorrow night, Josh and I will be leaving Cooper at NanPa's and heading to the hospital.  I guess the two of us will have one final dinner together before the excitement begins.  Maybe even a trip to the bookstore to read some books and magazines and enjoy a cup of coffee (decaf of course).  

Am I ready?  I guess I am as ready as I will ever be.  I still have lots to do tonight but did not want to forget to blog since it is a pretty important night for us.  The biggest task left is those 90 lesson plans I have to write (30 days worth for three grades).  I worked a while today on them and managed after 2 1/2 hours to have three whole days worth of plans finished.  So, I am guessing they won't all be finished by tomorrow, but maybe I can get at least one more week planned out.

Hopefully the next time I blog it will be to post pictures of a perfectly healthy baby boy, a very proud big brother, and two happy and thankful parents.  I am so thankful to know that so many of my friends and family will be praying us through the next few days.  I am anxious and nervous and excited and ready to just have this delivery behind me, and to be at home again, this time as a family of 4.  I just can't wait to be home with them.