39 Down...

I sit here one week before my due date reflecting on a few things about this pregnancy. First of all, for the most part, it was extraordinarily easy. The only thing I can really complain about is tiredness, which simply comes with the territory. I have had only a couple of major meltdowns (both being this week...oops, sorry to all those involved). It all began Thursday at the weekly appointment when I got teary thinking of some random story about Jack and then the fact that I feel I'm at the end of my mental rope. Doctor just hands me the Kleenex and says it's perfectly ok to be hormonal at this stage in the game. I hate feeling stereotypically hormonal and I know sometimes it can't be helped. And now I'm just uncomfortable in really anything except underwear and a sports bra, but that's a mental picture none of us need...

I will not miss certain things about pregnancy - the feeling that I'm not myself, that sometimes I'm incapable of things that would normally be easy, the itchiness of my belly (which has far exceeded the first pregnancy), and the fact that this little person has complete control of my life...something I suppose I don't necessarily like to relinquish. I will miss several things - I love the idea that this little person is growing inside of me and I love feeling its acrobatics inside of my big belly. I love that since I've been through it before I have an inexplicable, amazing moment ahead when I first see his or her face and we are properly introduced. Mostly I will miss how this baby has bonded me and Jack. I know he doesn't fully understand, but I am going to be ridiculously sad that there's no more "Mommy, open your tummy," so he can rest his face against my warm belly. Or to lay his blankie on it (satiny side up - always) and say, "Let's cuddle baby." Although the memories will be sweet, tears well up in my eyes at the thought of those moments being over. I love that he is comforted by it just before bedtime or after a bad dream. I know if he hasn't already done so, I can suggest it and all is right in his world. I love his questions about baby and his concern for the dogs coming to visit in the hospital while we are there. He is going to be an amazing brother. The boy has a huge heart to match his personality and I can't help but think that somewhere along the way, hubby and I have done something amazingly right. I am cherishing these last few moments that we have as a family of three...I know it won't be much longer and I want to love, love, love on him so he doesn't forget his place in my heart. I am also looking forward to becoming a family of four and seeing him take on his new role as a big brother and the incredible moments we have ahead.

With that, I give you recent pictures of my little man...wearing a headband he found in my drawer, several pairs of my sunglasses - and daddy's athletic cup inside of his pants at his insistence when I told him what it was for - some pictures we took at the pumpkin patch yesterday and a few other randoms...