Out with the old...In with the new...

Today I parted with my double stroller...silly I know. But in some ways it is parting with my old life. The life of foster care and babies coming and going. I can remember seeing Gracie and Sophie riding around the zoo and mall and all sorts of places in that stroller. I can remember Zackary screaming at me in Home Depot because he hated the stroller if he wasn't eating. We put more Target popcorn in those cup holders than any other snack.

But...today I said goodbye. Because my life is changing...my body is changing...my heart is changing...our lives our changing. Today I said goodbye to the double stroller and hello to the single stroller. You see, when the babe arrives, Grace will be 5 years old...and if you know anything about Grace... you know how independent she is. She would rather walk everywhere, and touch everything than be confined to the stroller or shopping cart. We don't need the double stroller anymore. No use keeping it for memory's sake (even though I loved that stroller). So, I did what any good mommy would do...bid goodbye to the double (sold it) and bought the single in the same make and brand as the double.

I was going to register for the single, but I needed the one that would fit my infant seat, and they were clearancing out the red one (I love the color red) so I made my first purchase for the baby. A single "red" stroller. I practiced pushing it around the house wondering what adventures the baby and I would have while the two older ones will be in school. Probably trips to the doctors, strolls around the mall and of course trips with the big kids, to the zoo, the fair...Disneyland. I am trying hard not to hurry things along, but the truth is I can't wait to meet this little person within.

16 weeks

Difficult to believe that I am 16 weeks along. I am feeling pretty well these days except for being exhausted. I have also developed the "pregnancy brain" where I repeat myself and forget basic things (like the names of my students). I am really starting to show now and also ache in my hips and sides (all of which I have been told is normal). I am wearing mainly maternity clothes as they are more comfortable (especially the pants).

We signed up for childbirth classes. It is a 6 week class beginning November 30 - January 4. Sometimes it still doesn't feel real to me that I am going through this. I keep waiting to feel the baby move, but nothing yet. After much deliberation, we have decided to put Grace and Luke in the bigger bedroom in bunk beds and make a nursery for the babe. We won't begin these projects until after the holidays. There is just going to be a five year age difference between Grace and the baby. Luke and Grace are very attached to each other and run on the same schedule. I am sure it will be an adjustment but we will adjust them before the baby arrives.

Speaking of baby arriving...I am a little upset that neither of my children will be allowed to come to the hospital to visit their new baby because of the "lock down" of people allowed in the family birth center because of H1N1. No person under 18 is allowed in the doors. Thankfully Mark and Mother will be allowed to come in. But they have now limited support people from 4 to 2. I know it is for a good reason, but I am hoping they lift the ban in April.

The kids are excited about Halloween coming up. Luke is going to be Darth Vader (a lot of irony there) and Grace is going to Belle (thanks in part to Uncle D and Auntie Katie that sent her a gorgeous Belle costume for her birthday). It will be double the candy and parties because their school is doing a Harvest Festival next Friday and then we always go Trick-or-treating with Mimi on Halloween night, while Papa stays home and hands out candy to the little people that come by. Fun is always had by all.

It is difficult to believe that the holidays are right around the corner. Where does the time go?

14 weeks

Well...I am here. It has been a crazy couple of weeks and much to report. Last week I met with my doctor here in Vancouver for the first time. I had the usual 1st OB visit with all the "fun" tests. Everything came back normal, so I can cross all that off my list of worries. I ended up getting another ultrasound (#5 but who's counting). Baby looked great. Next appointment is in 4 weeks (well 3 weeks now) next ultrasound at 20 weeks. I cannot wait until we can find out what this little one is. Mark would like another boy, but has admitted he would love another little girl too. I told him that was good because I think the baby is a girl. Luke is dead set on a boy. He won't even consider the possibility that it might be a girl. Grace says boy because that is what Luke has convinced her it is. Only a few more weeks until we find out. I think I am starting to show (at least that is what people are telling me). I have been sick this past week with a bad cold. It has been miserable, especially not being able to take any good medication. I am not a particular fan of Tylenol.

We ended up putting Luke in 1st grade at Mountain View Christian School. I just couldn't keep up on everything and feel like I was doing a really quality job with Luke's school. If I wasn't pregnant or working it would have been great. He couldn't be more thrilled. He loves his friends and is doing some exceptional work. I am very proud!!!! He also lost another tooth, and we almost had a panic because he swallowed it and how would he get his money! Luckily, I suggested a note to the tooth fairy would do the trick.

Gracie is fun and full of it. She will tell anyone and everyone about the "baby in mommy's tummy". She is even drawing pictures of her and the baby. And let me tell you...she is quite the artist. She is also into singing...especially the song "John, Jacob, Jinglehemer, Schmidt" very loudly whenever the mood strikes her. She is still in preschool and loves every minute of it.

Mark is busy busy. He is doing and exceptional job helping me whenever I need it. Like today...he deep cleaned the kids bathroom for me. He picks things up that I need and always asks me what he can do. He is very involved in the pregnancy and doctor's appointments. He also has lots of questions for the doctor. I couldn't do this without him.

Let's see...I am trying to think if there is anything else that I haven't covered yet. Oh..Monday is flu shot day and dentist day. We like to just do everything fun in one day. The kids are going to love me!