Level 2 Ultrasound Scans (Pics)

I just wanted to share the Level 2 Ultrasound scans that we had done this Friday.  These are the 3D images.  I loved seeing her moving around on the 4D images, but they would not let us video that.  Bummer!  The cord goes up her body and is tucked under her chin is these scans. No harm.  At first Cody was alarmed and thought it was around her neck.  At that point the ultrasound technician explained to him that even if it was it would not be cause for concern and they only get concerned when they see it wrapped around the neck twice.  Then, she showed us how it was coming up from the belly button, up her chest, over her shoulder, and under her chin.  Likely it is only staying there because she is snuggling it up and tucking her chin in. 

 In this first scan you can really see her features.  She looks like my others and has that same little nose.

She looks like she is really resting here, but let me tell you she was very active during this scan.  She kept kicking and punching the scan wand (transducer). 

In this one the tech zoomed up and cropped out the areas around the face to focus on the face.  Again, you can see that same little nose and if you look closely you can see that she has the same lips like all my others.  The top lip has very define "peaks" and to me her lips look a little on the "fluffy" side like her brothers.  And I can't tell you how much I love his big fluffy, juicy lips! 

I am glad we got the chance to see this little glimpse and check out all her parts to make sure she is thriving and I am so excited that we will soon be seeing her in real time soon.  I do however want to hold onto these moments of her squirmy little body safely tucked away inside of mine while I can.  They grow up way to quickly and every moment is a treasure that I don't want to rush! 

Baby Predictions Game Time!

I have always wanted to do this, but never have actually take a sort of poll on what people's predictions are for the upcoming birth of my children.  So, this time I am going to.  Why?  Simply.... I need something fun to do besides obsessing over the other birth details. 

First I am going to give a few clues or things you might wonder about, then I will list the questions.  The fun part is where you tell me your predictions.
My children's names are Savannah Faith, Sierra Faith, Caden Reese, Sahara Faith.... and so it is a given that her middle name is going to be Faith.  All of my babies have ranged from 7 lbs. 6 oz. to 8lbs. 8 oz. with my smallest one being a schedule caesarean a couple of weeks early.  My son is the only one I went into labor with and he was 8 lbs. 6 oz., if my memory serves me right.  My labor started two days before my due date with him.  My due date is March 16th.  The level 2 ultrasound two days ago showed her weighing 5 lbs. 5 oz. already with almost 7 weeks until her due date.  Also, this ultrasound showed a due date of March 11th.  The first ultrasound shows a due date of March 16th.  As far as length... I think they were all under 20 inches.  Take all that for what you will.  What I want to know is what you predict!!!

1. First name?
2. Date of birth?
3. Weight?
4. Length?

So, who wants to play along?!  I am so excited to see what you all predict!  I will try to repost this periodically until the birth and then, after the birth let you all know!

So, What Are We Going To Name This Little One?

Today I got a message from my dear friend Tara asking me if we were going to name this baby girl with another "s" name.  Well, that is a very interesting questioning and one that I can't even believe that I have not blogged about!  It has actually been pretty interesting.  And just to let you know we are not going to reveal the name or decide for sure on the name until the actual birth, so I will refer to one certain name as simply "X" in this post. 

First of all, I want to state that we never planned to name our children with any particular letter, or theme, or other strangeness.  And, I think God gives parents the names for their children in many different ways.  I have one friend that prays and researches in depth and always tries to have her babies name all picked out before she ever knows the gender or sees the baby on ultrasound.  I know others that purposely choose biblical names and others that try to find the most unique names or spell them in a very unique way.  To each their own.  I think God can give us all the names for our children in a very personal way for us.  I will say that the only real "rules" that I have purposely followed are:  (1) I don't like for names to be shortened (like mine.... fortunately, no one has ever called me Shan as opposed to my real name, Shannon), so I look for names that simply can not be shortened.  (2) I like a lot of syllables and even long spellings, but it is not a"requirement"".  (3) And I like gender specific names (if they are girls, I want it girly sounding... if they are boys, I want it masculine). 

So, the next question to answer might be how did our other children get their names... or rather, how did we get them.  Before I was EVER pregnant I had the name "Hayley" picked out for a girl.  Loved it!  It reminded me of all the old Haley Mills movies from my childhood and I just thought it was a pretty name.  However, a few years before we actually joined the parenting world the name gained popularity and even a cousin of mine named his daughter that.  Okay, so I am not one to intentionally name my children a popular name, so that was out. 

• When I was actually pregnant with Savannah I made a list of names and we just talked about them and thought Savannah was the one.  Her middle name was also one of those names I had wanted for her first name, but thanks to Faith Hill making it popular I decided that it was better suited for her middle name.  And Faith was chosen simply because I wanted her to have a strong faith in God.  So, our firstborn was named Savannah Faith.
• Shortly (like a week) after Savannah's birth I was sitting around watching TV and there was a character on a show named Sierra and I had the thought, "If I ever have another girl I like that name."  I never told anyone... it was just a thought in my head.  A few days later when my husband was off work and we were outside in the yard he looked at me and said, "You know, if we ever have another girl I like the name Sierra."  Wow!  Now, that was easy... the middle name.... not so easy.  As with Savannah, I wanted Sierra to have a strong faith.  It was suggested we use Hope like so many people do... Faith, Hope, Charity, but those are not the same as Faith.  After much deliberation we decided that they would have the same middle name and it would be a wonderful thing when they grew up and married and still had there middle names in common when they changed to their married names.  We found out later that this is actually quite common.  With that settled our second child would be named Sierra Fatih. 
• When I became pregnant with Caden we realized that we had a little trend going with the girl's names and before we knew his gender we were pondering boy and girl names.  It is really then that we realized that both of our girls had names that were geographic locations and both started with and "s".  Also, not only were they just geographic locations they were also deserts.  So, when we found out we were having a boy that was one less dilemna to deal with and we were happy not to have any "rules" to consider for his name.  We never really had too much of a list for Caden.  Boy names were hard for us and there were few that we really loved.  I am not sure why.  Caden was really the only one we were heavily considering.  I was on the way to church one Wednesday night for a ladies Bible Study when the name Reese came to me.  I believe God gave me that name for him that night.  Strangely, as the weeks past I began to see the name wherever I went.  I wanted to name him Reese Caden, but sadly I did not listen to God fully hear.  I had several family members telling me it just did not "flow" right and that Caden Reese was the way I should go.  Confession... I caved.... and it is one of my biggest regrets because I really think Reese is the name God gave him.  Oddly, it was a couple of months AFTER Caden was born that we realized what we had done in regards to more complexity we had added to "the name game".  Now, all the females in our home had "s" names and the males had "c" names.  It was a total accident, but people think we did it on purpose.  And it is embarassing to say, but we did it in total cluelessness, because we are smart like that.  LOL!  So, that is the story for his name, Ceden Reese.
• And then it was time for another girl in our house.  I really felt that if her name was too different from the other too girls it would not seem right.  I wanted to name her Sahara because it was beautiful and mysterious.  It also just happened to be my favorite and followed all the girl "rules" that had developed.  Let's just say we had a LOT of opinions about what we should do and I knew after what I had done with Caden's name that I had to really NOT listen to what others opinions where on this.  Her name was too important of a thing to let others sway me again and I wanted no regrets this time.  I kept it secret (and boy my mother-in-law was not happy about that... it was nothing personal, but still she was not happy about not knowing the name).  I did tell a few people that I knew would not try to influence our decision.  The big reveal was at the time of birth.... Sahara Faith.
• Now that brings us to the current little one in the womb.... now this one is really interesting, I think.  Shortly after Sahara was born I started to have thoughts about a certain girl "s" name.  I mentioned it to my husband, but it was just small talk and nothing more at the time.  We were considering not having any more children due to the repeat caesarean births.  Time moved on and lots of discussion and two years passed.  We had started wanting another baby when Sahara turned one year old, but knowing that it would be caesarean I was not open to it at all.  After discussing the possibility of a VBAC over the course of the next year we decided that under those circumstances we would have another baby (if God saw fit).  And let's just say God saw fit INSTANTLY.  Bam!  Conception!  LOL!  We were on vacation for five weeks at which time this child was conceived and I was starting to show slight signs of the possibility of pregnancy before we got back from this vacation.  What a cool souvenir!  As we were heading home we dropped by to visit Cody's parents.  His mother asked it I was pregnant to which I responded, "Why would you ask a thing like that?  Not as far as we know"  ;)  The next week she dropped by our house and as soon as she arrived she started questioning if I was pregnant and we since we had planned to keep this a secret until we did some midwife research, etc. we were trying hard to change the subject.  She finally said, "Well, if you are I have a name for this one!  You should name her "X"!"  And first of all I was thinking she has lost her mind, but how on earth did she come up with the name that has been on my heart.  And we do not even know the gender.  And she was one of the ones that always gives us a hard time about the "s" name thing.  As time is passing everyone is asking about the name and we are able to brush it off mostly, but my mother would not quite calling me to give me her list of names... ranging from Sydney, Sheyenne, Shenandoah (because it matched mine more), and on and on.  I kept telling her that I was not naming this baby until birth and I would "consider" them all, but no promises.  She was persistent and one day she calls me and says, "I have the name for this baby!  Your daddy picked it out.  He has been out riding the four wheeler and he came in and said to me, "I have a name for Shannon's baby.  It's "X"."  I almost dropped the phone.  Also, as I was dropping Sahara off at the church nursery one day and one of the nursery workers ask me point blank, "So, are you going to name this one "X"?"  I had a teenage girl from our church ask the same question one morning.  As well, even a few near strangers.  I find that very peculiar, especially since "X" is not a common name at all.  The real irony in the situation is that I had decided that it was time to break all the rules and go with a name that was totally different than the others for a first name, but I think God has already named her.  ;)  That that is the story up until now for the name for "Baby" Faith Swafford. 

Level 2 Ultrasound Update in Galveston, TX

Just for the record I want to say that I am glad we did the Level 2 ultrasound.  Some of the images are still kind of strange for me because the bubbly look all over the surface of the baby (looks kind of wart-like), but it is simply amazing.  I actually preferred seeing the portion that was in 4D.  The 3D is the part where it looks kind of bubbly on the surface.  The detail in all of it is simply amazing!  I will have to see if I can scan the images to show here.  I have a new scanner in my printer, but am clueless about it.  I will say this though... there are no surprises as far as the baby's looks.  She looks like all my other kiddos.  Her lips look just like Caden's.  All my children have the same lips for the most part, but Caden's are ultra fluffy.  This baby's lips look ultra fluffy, too.  Same little nose and ... well, everything.  We got to see little wisps of hair floating around her head, too.  Interestly, she had the umbilical cord tucked under her chin, which kind of scared my husband.  The ultrasound technician pointed out that it is very common to have a cord around the neck and that it is no big deal, but this baby's cord was simply coming up from her tummy across her shoulder and under her neck.  So glad she was able to tell Cody that and put his worried mind to ease. 

We got great news about the placenta.  It has moved up away from the c-section scar.  And not just a little.... like WAY up.... like 6-7 inches up!!  And the reason that is such good news is that we can rest assured the the placenta is not connected to any uterine scar tissue and it is safely out of the way for a vaginal birth.  It was a double whammy in the joy category. 

I have a lot of amniotic fluid .. like 24 percent, so I am going to double check with the "medical midwife" that is handling my case to make sure my bloodwork showed no sugar problems.  They just referred to the amniotic fluid level as being "borderline" on the high side and sometimes that is seen in sugar level problems.  I really do not thing that it is an issue, but will make sure we watch that. 

Also, this little one is already estimated to weigh 5 pounds 5 ounces with 7 more weeks of growing to do.  No surprise that she is bound to be a big girl.  I expect she will be in the 8-9 pound range like my others.  I was pondering the thought of her weight and thinking about how many babies are born and this one's current size.  Amazing to me.  I would like to have a small baby, but I am quite thankful that mine or very healthy babies and that this little one seems to be also.  That is the most important thing of all.  They checked her heart since her brother was born with holes in his heart (that later closed) because that is a genetic trait.  All looked great there. 

It was an exciting fun time for us and the kids to see the baby!  Afterwards, we took them to eat pizza and shopping at the Dollar Tree.  Love that we can let them pick out anything in there and still get out cheap... especially, since we went to The Rainforest Cafe after that to ride their jungle ride.  That is getting to be an expensive little "treat".  I was shocked when the man told me it was $32.  And that was with Sahara being free to ride.  $5 a ticket adds up quick when you multipy it times five.  ;)  And there will be a day when it will be times 7!  Yikes.... nevermind... let's not think about that.  LOL!  Then, we took them down to the beach and let them run around for about 30 minutes or so.  It was warm and sunshiney, but still kind of nippy with the gusty wind from the Gulf.  We left Galveston via the ferry and we all enjoyed seeing the dolphins.  We saw dolphins on the way there and on the way back.  Very exciting! 

Level 2 Ultrasound Today and "Advanced Maternal Age"

So, today I having a 3D Ultrasound (or whatever... 2D).  I don't want to do it and I originally declined, but my husband wants to "see the baby".  Is it just me, but am I the only one that thinks these things are creepy?  ;)  I find the images disturbing for some reason.  So, maybe it will be different when it is my own baby we are looking at. 

And just for the record there is no "real" reason for the ultrasound.  They want to do it because of my "advanced maternal age".  Simply because they think 38 is old.  Ha!  I get that some women are "old" at 30, but I am not old.  In fact, this has been the easiest of my SEVEN pregnancies!  So, in your face Mr. Medical Whoever that label us women over 35 as "advance maternal age".   Pregnancy is not an illness and I am not a victim of it.  I feel awesome!  Ladies, don't let them convince you that your are old.  And all pregnancies are different.  I have had rough ones and easy ones and I am guessing that my age is not a factor since this one has been the easiest. 

Wow! Only Seven Weeks Unitl My Due Date / Birth Info

I redid my little pregnancy ticker that you see with the little baby floating around because it had the wrong due date.  As the day passed I was thinking about how far along I am and thinking I still have close to eight weeks left.  As I pondered this I realized I have not been "deleting" any days off in my mind.  I have been at like "8 weeks and holding".  ;)  Not on purpose.  I have just been too busy to think.  Anyhow, I decided to look at my little pocket planner and there it was.... my countdown.  As of today I have seven weeks until my due date. 

I really wanted to keep up with this pregnancy on my blog, but since I have had some not-so-nice comments about my pregnancy I have not done that.  I have chosen to follow this scripture during this pregnancy:

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phillipians 4:8

It is hard sometimes to do that... to think on the good, the pure, the lovely.  We live in a world today where if you do anything that is out of the norm people will have something ugly to say about.  I have three strikes against me concerning this pregnancy in the eyes of the world.  First, I already have four children, which is "way too many".   Second, I am of "advanced maternal age" (38).  Third, and the last one... the most controversial we are "homebirthing" with a "high risk pregnancy".  I love all this I must say.  ;)  Let me just hit a few points here about the latter of the three because that is the one that has kept me from blogging about this pregnancy.  We are not really "homebirthing" as most people view it.  I won't be here surrounded by my children in the loveliness of my home because my home is about 30 minutes (speeding) to the nearest hospital.  If our area had a birth center we would be doing that, but since it does not we are kind of creating our own.  And oddly, according to midwives it is quite common to do this.  It is called a hotel.  Really?  Really.  Took me some time to get used to the idea... and really I am still getting used to the idea.  Unless I can find a home to "borrow" or rent for the day this is the only way I can be right around the corner from the hospiatl.  And as "dumb" as some people think I am smart enough to know I need to be near a hospital.  So, we have checked the local hotels that are nearest to the hospital and compared the layouts of rooms, the layouts of hotels, the ease of entry/exit routes, and the drive time required to transfer to the hospital.  I have spent my time reading and educating myself about birth (normal, high risk, and possible problems).  I will have a midwife with me, but my husband and I will be watching for problems that would require a transfer, also.  One of the things we will be watching closeley will be the baby's heartrate.  If the heartrate is out of the normal range for labor we will transfer to the hospital.  Blood loss is another thing, since this could be a sign of uterine rupture or placental abruption.  Some bleeding is expected in birth, but not a constant bleeding or passing of blood clots.  Fever is an absolute no-no.  Pain at the previous incision site is cause for concern, but as I have read is not a clear indicator of trouble.  It is advised to transfer to the hospital, if there is pain beyond normal labor pains, though.  Those are the main things.  I have also read alot about different laboring positions that help the progress of labor and done some researching specifically on shoulder dystocia and manuevers that can be done if that were an issue.  Now, I am sure you can see how it is hard to focus on the good, the pure, the lovely when you are reading all this stuff.  ;)  But really there is more of the good, the pure, and the lovely in these books than the negative things.  In wisdom I feel I must educate myself of the negative also, though.  I have said this before and I will say it again.... I did not "pick out" the books I have.  I simply went to the library and ask to see what books they had on childbirth and there were only four, so I checked them all out and brought them home.  I believe God lead me to those books.  They are all very positive about real childbirth.  They all have sections that are devoted to the "epidemic" of caesarean birth in our country and how to change it.  They all have sections in them supporting VBAC deliveries.  Now, I am not saying they all say "I" should try to VBAC, but that simply they are supportive of VBAC.  The books I have are:

• Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
• Active Birth: The New Approach To Giving Birth Naturally by Janet Balaska
• A Good Birth, A Safe Birth: Choosing and Having the Childbirth Expereince You Want by Diana Korte and Roberta Scaer
• The Birth Book: Everything You Need To Know To Have a Safe and Satisfying Birth by William Sears, M.D. and Martha Sears, R.N.

I am reading the last book now and the others I have completed.  They all are very different, yet very much the same.  They all say that there is too much hospital intervention going on in birth in our country.  They all say that birth is a natural and not medical issue in most circumstances.  And they all say that a woman's body is designed to give birth and in most cases it can and will if left to do it without all the interventions.  They all say that the interventions are usually the cause of fetal distress or failure to progress in labor and are responsible for the high caesarean rate in our country. 

Amazingly, one of the things that are used to scare women away from trying to VBAC is that there is a 1 in 1,000 chance of placental abruption that puts the mother and baby at risk.  What the doctors will not tell you is that there is a 1 in 1,000 chance of dying from having a caesarean.  I find that very interesting!  And just to be fair here is the qoute from the book, A Good Birth, As Safe Birth:

"The true caesaren maternal death rate, or the odds of a mother dying after a caesarean delivery, are about one per 1,000.  Certainly this relatively high rate, compared to vaginal delivery, should be a strong reason for caution when the question of caesarean comes up."  (Page 163)

This book goes on to say that: 

"Almost half of caesarean mothers have serious complications from the surgery, some complications more easily treated than others.  The three most frequent serious complications are infection, hemorrage, and internal problems from scarring or injury to other organs...." (Page 164)

Anyway, that is just a tiny bit in that chapter... yes, there is a whole chapter about "The Caesarean Epidemic" in that book... about 30 pages of information.  I just qouted two parts that really stood out for me.  If you have ever had a caesarean or might ever have one you should read this stuff.  And again, I will point out that I have had to really try hard to focus on what is good, and pure, and lovely.  And it may not seem that I am to an outsider, but this stuff I am reading is very empowering to me.  I don't feel a sense of fear or anything like that when I read it.  I view it as more of a gift that others have put these books together for me to learn from and to help me make the best decisions possible (along with my caregivers). 

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phillipians 4:8

Honestly, I have little support and very few people that I can even talk to openly about this birth.  My family does not support me nor do most of my friends and that is sad because in the end they should be the ones I can turn to.  When you get the "crazy look" or the unwanted advice you know that there is no point.  But I am not trying to win them over.  This is really between me and God and that is where my faith is.  I believe that God designed my body and He did not design my body to be faulty.  And not just my body.  I am talking about the women in our country.  The caesarean rate in my area is near 50% (and this varies regionally within the country and some places are more like 35%, etc.).  Those two examples imply that 1/3 to 1/2 of the women that God created have faulty bodies.  I don't buy that.  I think we have a faulty medical system and women don't know what to do about it and are too scared to try.  So, for me I am going to attempt to turn this thing around.  I believe God is going to honor my faith in Him!  I believe God is going to make this happen.... not me.... not the midwife... or anyone else.... just God and when He does I want Him to get all the glory. 

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phillipians 4:8

{Negative comments will be deleted!  This blog is for my children, myself, and my bloggy FRIENDS!}

It's All About Me!

Well, not really, but I have been a bit "me focused" lately.  I am absorbed in this pregnancy and the details that must be worked out.  It has been very interesting and everytime I think there is nothing more to plan for I discover that there really is more.  I have been planning for ordering my birth kit and some homeopathic remedy stuff.  Also, I am trying to plan for all the things I need to take with me for the birth, as well as, the unresolved detail of where the birth will actually take place.  So, yesterday I am thinking of all the things to have on hand... some garbage bags for various things, plenty of towels, and the little things like bendy straws.  I realize that I have a pretty good list going and am feeling as if I may have everything on the list when a thought occurs to me, "If I have the bendy straws for drinking during labor, I probably need a cup!"  Oh my gosh!  It seems never ending!  LOL!  Okay, so I decided it might be wise to get a package of disposable cups.  It is the small details like that that drive you nuts when planning for a birth outside of the hospital... and outside of your own home.  I won't have my things or a nurse that I can push a button for.  I will have a labor assistant, but she surely will not have a travelling closet of everything I get a whim for.  So, I must prepare and think it all out... eshaustively.   LOL!  It is pretty funny.  And the most surprising thing I think is that the midwife asked to have a crockpot... really?  Apparently, they like to keep diluted olive oil warmed up in a crockpot of perineal soaks.  Who knew?!  So, now I have to pack up a crock pot of all things.  I was thinking the microwave would do for anything that needed to be warm... and maybe it would... I better add that to my list of things to ask.  See what I mean?!   One thought leads to another thought and before you know it I am stressing over wondering if I have it all.  Of course, I am sure I will never have it all, so I guess I better just chill out. 

Anyway, it is not all about me.... but I seem to have slipped into my own world.  I have to remember to come back to reality sometimes... Call a friend, send and email, post a facebook message, post a blog post, or go outside and try to find some sunshine.  I am still out here everyone!  And I have not forgotten everyone in my life or tried to alienate myself as it may seem.  I just have a lot of little details to work out. 

This Is What An Almost Seven Year Old Looks Like

Sierra

6 years, 10 months, 3 weeks, and 1 day old...

Soon to be 7.

Interestingly, all of my kids have looked like carbon copies of one another for the most part, but something about Sierra has always been a tiny bit different.  There is a uniqueness about her that is hard to explain.  She is the easiest of my kids in many ways, yet has a very complex emotional personality.  She is the most helpful, most thoughtful of my kids.  She obviously has the gift of service and is eager to help most of the time.  She is always making us stuff... usually out of paper... cards, crowns, paper toys that little hands destroy as soon as they touch them, etc..  She tries everything with gusto.  She outdoes her older sister on many things and with a 3 year and 3 month age difference it is hard to imagine it is possible.  Poor Savannah gets so frustrated about it.  Savannah learned to ride a bike and Sierra was doing it a few short months later.  Sierra can climb trees better.  Sierra can blow bubbles with her bubblegum.  She gets twice as much schoolwork done (not because she is smarter, but because she is a doer).  Sierra started out very reserved and afraid of many things, but one day she just changed.  She was a shy baby not wanting to be in the spotlight, but you would never know it now.  She wants to be a "rock star" (not really a "rock" star as she does not truly know what that means, but she loves to be the center of attention).  At church she is the one singing out uninhibited.  She is a leader.  She is usually trying to control us all and I tell everyone that she is going to be the President one day.  She is the little Momma around here... and quite often has to get disciplined for it herself.  ;)  She is the one that at the age of two was telling me how to drive the car.  No joke!  When Savannah was in public school we would have to go pick her up and Sierra would always tell me to go (in the stop and go traffic of the pick-up line).. she would say, "You are going to miss your kid!"  I would turn to her and say, "I think I know how to drive." and then, I would realize I was talking to a two year old.  Quite funny indeed.  She is controlling and highly irrational and emotional.  I don't claim to always understand this one, but I do love her.  I worry about her extreme emotions and guiding her on how to manage those emotions.  I think that is a hard area to understand with anyone, but when you are the Momma you feel like you are responsible for teaching them how to handle their emotions... even when you are not so good with yor own. ;)  At any rate we will make it through and I know that one day she is going to be one incredible little lady.  And I think she is so very beautiful. 

I just don't understand how six can look so much older.  I am not one to adorn my children with bows in their hair (a few times a year) or add to their appearance with other things like lipgloss, etc..  I don't fuss daily over vanity and the perfect outfit.  They can pick what thye wear unless we are going somewhere and even then I am not too picky as long as they look "cared for".  I don't even care if they match sometimes.  What I am saying is that I am not about vanity with my children, so it surprises me how they look so "big" and in the little everyday moments how beautiful they look. 

Is It Crowded?

Imagine this picture in a couple of months with one more little one on Daddy's lap. 

I wonder if he can hold a baby and and iPad?  ;)

I wonder how Princess Goo-Goo (Sahara, 2) is going to react to sharing her space.

I wonder where they will all find a place to fit on the couch to get a view of the iPad.

I wonder how safe it is for them to be sitting on the chair arms and back of the sofa.  ;)

I wonder if Daddy's arms are going to be overwhelmed.

Time will tell very soon!

Tic-Toc, Tic-Toc.... Slow Down

Wow!  Today I was looking at my little pregnancy ticker on my blog and it says I have only 63 days until my due date!  So, I realize that is only BARELY over two months.  Then, I get an email from a fellow blogger congratulating me on only having NINE weeks left!  What?!  Seriously, that sounds even shorter to me.  I think that really woke me up!  Tic-Toc, tic-toc, ... the clock is seriously ticking away.  I want to slow it down some.

Yep, you heard me right.  I want to stay right here with my big round belly a little longer.  Now, don't qoute me on that at 40 weeks when I can't reach my toes.  ;)  And don't look at the strange facial expressions I always seem to make in pictures.... I have mini-photographers here and they do not wait on the perfect look.  ;)  I figure if I don't just suck it up and post a pic you will never know what I look like at all.  I must say I love how my floors don't look nearly as dirty in a snapshot as they do in real life... maybe I mopped that day.  Anyhow.... So, this is me with two months (or NINE weeks) to go.  I am only barely 5'3", so every bit of pregnancy shows on me.  There is no hiding my obvious condition even early on.  And aside from the rude comments from passersby I really do not ever want to hide it.  I love having a big round baby belly.  And right now I am sitting here feeling that little body roll around inside me.  I just felt of some little part, which I can never figure out... maybe it is an arm or the bottom of a foot... maybe a knee... I don't know, but I know that as I felt it, rubbing it with my fingers that the little one inside is feeling me feeling of her and there is just nothing more precious than being the only one to experience that.  And right now I can feel her pushing into the right side of my pelvis.  Seriously, I have to move sometimes when she does that because it is so uncomfortable... not painful... just that I have to move to give her some room to move.  And if that clock keeps ticking away so fast all this is going to be over way to soon! 

Don't Overlook This Post on MY VIEW on Birth Control

http://littlethingstx.blogspot.com/2010/12/brith-control.html
Sometimes these posts get all out of order and I don't want you to miss this one.  Click on the link and it will take you to my post or scroll down the page and search for it.