Preparing for the our last...

As this pregnancy comes to a close, yes, sorry another waiting post...I am obsessed...it is all I can think about. It makes me so excited and happy one moment and so extremely irrational and crabby the next. Anyways...

Since this is our last pregnancy...I have been trying to mentally and emotionally come to terms that this is it for kicking in my belly and the confident belly body that pregnancy brings with it (meaning you don't have to hold back on dessert and sucking it in is impossible). So here are a few of the things I have done lately to prepare for the end...

1. We travelled over the holidays and we got to see family and friends one last time as a mama of two and family of four. This also means packing the car with only one row of seats in.

2. I have stocked the freezer with a nice number of meals to thaw and bake up after baby arrives...and yet I have also gotten the man/boys in this house accustomed to cereal and toast for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner. So not feeling pressure with the meal thing.

3. In the last two weeks Ed and I have splurged on babysitters. We have been to two movies and attended our first photography class. We also wandered Target and Costco just the two of us. We know after baby arrives it will be a long time before we are ready to a. leave THREE b. pay for THREE c. leave baby (so most likely baby will tag along where ever we go).

4. I have had some quiet time with just Henry which will hopefully prepare him for this change in our mornings. I have also gathered a couple items to pull out when things get tense around here when I need to shut my eyes or nurse and the boys are in need of a distraction. I actually should grab a couple more little things this week now that I think about it.

5. I got out this weekend for a few hours with a friend. We wandered Kohl's and the mall and had some salsa at Chili's...the restaurant that sent her into labor for two of her three girls. While wandering the mall I splurged on a couple new regular sized items in hopes that they will fit after baby. Something to look forward to wearing. Wandering the regular clothing sections got me a little excited to switch over my closet again. Which I have also started doing. I have eliminated the maternity clothes I will not be wearing any longer, the ones that will be comfy for a while after birth, and the ones I am currently wearing these last couple/few days.

6. This afternoon I am going to make a batch of bran muffins that store up to 6 weeks in the fridge so I can make them whenever we desire. They are supposed to be delicious..and they have buttermilk in them so they must be tasty! But an easy snack or addition to the cereal meal. Thanks Kim!

7. I have started anticipating getting up and down off the floor, shovelling, sledding, picking up the boys, rolling over at night, not peeing every 45 minutes, and more.

8. I have talked to friends who have three children and have been given wise advice and reassurance that the third is a much easier transition and is all about savoring and enjoying. I now see that the midnight feedings will be a quiet alone time with baby to snuggle and relax...since the daytime ones might be a little more chaotic. The third baby gets the relaxed parent attitude which will ultimately, hopefully, make for a great sleeper, eater, and easy going sibling.

9. And of course, I can not get out of my mind the idea that we will have either a girl or boy that will complete our family and make us 5. I was always anxious at the end to find out what we were having, it helps so much get through this last week and the pain of labor...but with this one it is 150% stronger..I think because it is our last so there is no next one that we will wonder and anticipate about. So this is it...will Ed have his foursome for golf and his cabin full for hunting weekends. Or will I be sharing in my shopping cash and having someone to get pedicures with...This is it. And it is so exciting EITHER WAY! So today I have a list going on our kitchen counter of EVERY name I like so we have something to reference when we see this little one.

I am sure there are other things...but mostly, I have for the most part decided to stop worrying about the labor and delivery and just relax and think of what my sister said, something like "Once it begins it will last no more than 24 hours, most likely, and I can do anything for 1 day of my life, RIGHT?"