Budding Baby & Bathtime Buddies

Well, I'm in the "home stretch" as they call it....I'm almost 30 weeks preggo, only 10 weeks to go! At times that sounds like it's just around the corner and at other times, (like when I'm really tired or my body is aching) it feels veeeery far away. Baby is very active, especially around 10 pm, seems to have her own little pattern down already. We don't know what we're having, but I'll just keep saying "she" or "her" for now. She's about 15 1/2 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision!! ~ which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.) This is probably a good thing since the boys will most likely make their home right in her face!

Thanks to hormonal changes, my ligaments are more lax, so my joints are looser and therefore getting more sore. It's such a odd feeling to watch/feel your body morph before you. And cause for amazement at the same time. Also, this relaxation of my ligaments, (otherwise known as big hips)!! can actually cause my feet to spread permanently! This happened with Luke, I'm a 1/2 size bigger and can't begin to fit in my old shoes! So far, so good this time around! Here's my baby belly, (to the right that is), butt it does look like I'm growing one out both sides!! HA!! The boys have been "at each other" lately and I'm trying to keep on top of that. Trying to instill first time obedience and quick listening, kindness/preference to one another ! I KNOW it's worth all the effort, consistency, frustration, and at times moments of sheer madness! Like my Mom often says, "line upon line, precept upon precept!" Jake and I were talking about it last night, about the reward of friendship and brotherly love that will eventually trump the screaming, fighting and hording that takes place now! It doesn't help when they are both not feeling good, but it's still no excuse to be mean! I'm daydreaming about the fresh Spring air, sending them out in old clothing to play the day away while the screen door hangs wide open! Yum! I'm getting into my organizing kick that comes with each baby! My list hangs on my refrigerator waiting to be checked off with my red sharpie! I organized/cleaned the attic yesterday and will work my way down. A few weeks ago I found an adorable little vintage armorie on the side of the road marked for free! It needs some love, but I can give that away. I think I'll use it in the boys' room once I switch all Luke's things over there. It's such a sweet time, preparing room for Baby. I found some precious little girl things that I've been collecting over time. I had forgotten about them being stored in the attic. Although, truly, I will be okay if I break out my faithful boy clothing as well. I will honestly say that I am eternally and deeply grateful for what God has placed within me, whatever He chooses I will receive....a priceless gift from heaven to me...to us!!!

Bathtime is fun time around here! The boys love to brush their teeth, play trains, sing and play with their toys until their little bodies turn to prunes. Tyler is sure to show me his hands after each bath! I've been seeing their personalities really blossom lately. Tyler isn't quite as laid back as I thought he was, he's much more like me.
Luke is quite the jokester, (see picture below)! He loves to tease Tyler, but is generally laid back and shy with others. He is much more like Jake and I think prefers his company over mine, (unless he needs something, then it's only Mama to the rescue)!!

It will be an interesting journey, welcoming this new little one into our hearts and home. I am getting excited to meet him/her. Tyler says I'm going "to push and pop the baby out and then I'm going to hold it and it's going to be a sister and it's going to look at me and laugh and it will like me." Yes, I believe that will be so, although I can't guarantee the sister part!!!"All for one and one for all
My brother and my friend
What fun we have
The time we share
Brothers 'til the end."
~Author Unknown

A few lyrics from the song that plays: "two kids and a dream, with kids that can scream, too much it might seem when it’s two AM. When I am weak, unable to speak, still I will call You by name. “Oh Shepherd, Savior, Pasture-maker, hold on to my hand,” and You say “I am.”

*Nichole Nordeman "I Am"