90 days or less!!

I cannot believe we are just 3 short months away from meeting our precious Ethan! Just in the last few days, the realness of it has really started to sink in and I am getting sooo excited! Next week starts my 3rd trimester!!! It's all I can think about...I lay awake at night and imagine what it's going to be like to have a baby again...but with a 3 year old this time! I am a little nervous as most, no ALL, of my friends with 2 or more kiddos have told me I am in for the ride of my life when the second baby arrives! As my friend Tara put it, "You only think you know what tired is right now...just wait!" Yikes! I know we have no idea what to expect just like when we had Ayden, but I know we are up to the challenge. And it certainly helps that I have a super-involved and helpful husband by my side! I am sooo grateful for that...I honestly don't know how single moms do it with one kid...but 2?? I can't even imagine!

I am overwhelmed with emotions about thinking of our family changing from 3 to 4. I am excited, nervous, sentimental, and just curious about how the whole transition will go! Ayden will have had us to himself for 3 whole years and a month when baby brother arrives and I know that's going to take quite some adjustment on his part. I am praying for a smooth transition! I know that even if it doesn't happen right away, he is eventually going to love having a sibling and I am so excited to be giving each of my boys the gift of a brother to grow up with and love. I tear up just thinking about watching them together! I just thank God everyday for giving us the (very often taken-for-granted) ability to have children.

As far as the pregnancy goes...well I am feeling VERY pregnant these days! The second trimester honeymoon ended a bit early for me I'm afraid and the 3rd trimester discomforts have kicked in! Heartburn, hemorrhoids, back pain, round ligament pain, and needing to pee every 15-20 seconds are the top contenders. And I know it might sound a little crazy, but other than slight annoyance in the moment, these things really don't bother me but rather remind me on a daily basis that I am blessed enough to be able to carry a baby! Probably as a result of being an L&D nurse, I am just constantly aware of what a blessing and miracle it is to have a healthy and uncomplicated pregnancy. I frequently get whiny patients who are "tired of being pregnant" and "just want the baby out!" at 7 or 8 months along and I just want to get up on my soap box so badly and say, " do you know how many women would LOVE to have back pain and hemorrhoids just to be able to carry a child?!" But I don't. I smile and put on my nurse face and say something therapeutic. But I am thinking non-therapeutic things, that's for sure!

Anyway, I am hoping to have pictures of the nursery to post in the next few weeks. It has basically come to a standstill and I am awaiting the creative genius of my BFF Jenny to finish it! The furiture is assembled, curtains hung, bedding in place, and his name is on the wall. But it just doesn't feel "right" yet. I want it to be individualized and unique for Ethan even though we are using the same bedding and furniture that was Ayden's. Jenny has her work cut out for her! Add the fact that we aren't allowed to paint and it really is a bit of a challenge making the room look like I want! I have started sorting the mounds and mounds of clothes that I have, so far I have only made it through sizes 0-6 months. I have at least 45 onesies and I'm not even kidding! Ayden loves to help me organize Ethan's room and play with all his old baby things- bathtub, carseat, bumbo seat, etc. He talks about baby Ethan coming home all the time but I really wonder how much he really "gets". We shall see soon enough!

I have my glucose tolerance test tomorrow morning and another check-up next week. I will post more updates then! Please continue to keep Ethan and I in your prayers as we are on the home stretch!!!