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| From 5 Minutes for Parenting |
By Kelly
Today, I’m 19 weeks pregnant. I think.
Hang on. Let me check my online pregnancy calendar.
(Insert cheesy hold music here.)
OK. I’m back. And it’s true – the calendar says 19 weeks. But dang if I can remember it without help. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m older or more tired or too distracted. But I’m just not focused on this pregnancy like I have been the others.
I suppose that’s the curse of being the fourth child. Nothing you do is original. You are always following in the wide swatch cut for you by your older siblings. And it’s true – I’m still amazed at each little baby kick, and the ultrasound yesterday was thrilling (especially since it allowed us to discover the sex of the babe in utero). But it doesn’t pop with the same fizz as that first pregnancy.
Do you remember your first trip down mommy-to-be lane? Everything is new. Every turn is exciting – and a little scary. You don’t know what to expect, even after you’ve poured over “What To Expect when You’re Expecting.” You know EXACTLY how far along you are (18 weeks, 5 days), you know exactly when the third trimester will begin. Your doctors appointments are booked months in advance, and you’re already obsessing over which kind of pacifier to buy.
And this time, for me? I’m just wondering when we have to move the toddler out of the crib. (Do you think the night before the new baby comes is too late?)
Still. I know it’s a miracle. I remind myself every day to appreciate this, to treasure this. If all goes as planned, I won’t be walking down this path again.
And every curve is a joy. Even if I know it’s coming.
Kelly’s fourth child is coming May 2010, which still seems like a long way off to her. You can find her personal blog at Love Well.
I worry about that when we have our next child, that I won't find it as thrilling as the first time. Maybe because it will have been 8 years it will make a difference...
ReplyDeleteKelly, I am so happy for you! And 4 is a great number. I would go for 4, IF I WEREN'T 125 YEARS OLD! God bless you and Merry Christmas to your growing family. And waistline. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have 4 kids only to keep for kids in malta is totally impossible unless we both work double jobs (or possibly are the prime minister or president!") and than there is also the physical thing...no room in the house and to actually try get another one with these huge loans etc is just a headache thinking about it! I will ahve to settle for 2 unless God has other ideas for us that is :)
ReplyDeleteI only have one and everything goes to plan, will only have one! I remember every movement, always knew exactly how far along I was,etc. Somedays I do miss being pregnant and think about doing it all over again. Then reality sets in!!!! I even remember the joy on my husband's face when the test was positive. I still think about the ultrasound done at 17weeks and the look on my husband's face when we were told we were going to have a son....I could tell he really wanted a son! Good luck with your pregnancy and the whole toddler bed thing..I am not sure. My son was 3years old when we moved him to a toddler bed!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your little boy - they are so much fun, I think! But I'm enjoying my brand new girl a lot, too. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, my son is 2, and we moved him from his crib to a toddler bed about 6 weeks before baby sister arrived, and honestly, have not had a problem - the transition has been MUCH smoother than I expected. So don't worry - your daughter may surprise you. :)
You are so right about the weeks blurring together in the 4th pregnancy!! You are so busy with life mothering your older 3 that there's just not as much time to obsess about dates. But it's also great because you are much more wise about what to expect in a new baby, what you really need to have prepared before the baby comes, etc. So much of it feels like getting back up on that bike you've ridden before...but at the same time, you will be surprised to discover how different this baby is from any of your others, and the various ways he might resemble this child or that child, in physical and personality resemblances...or how completely he does NOT resemble them!! So you see, the excitement and newness never ceases with each baby; you just have a better idea of what to expect. (But even with that, babies have a way of completely defying all expectation and keeping us on our toes!!) AND since you are pretty sure this is your last, you will find that you savor it more than you did the first time around. At least you will if you are anything like me! ;-)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the BABY BOY!!!
ReplyDeleteI've been contemplating the whole moving-the-toddler-out-of-the-crib thing, too. Who knows!! I think each baby is different, and Mookie moves and scoots and tumbles and fidgets all night long, so I'm a bit wary of moving her out of confinement. :o) Plus, we'll likely be moving to Colorado Springs when the new baby is about 6 months old, so I'm thinking THAT might be a fine time to move Mookie out of the crib -- new bedroom + new bed = mucho excitement. :o) And the new baby can just sleep in the pack-n-play till then. No biggie.
But since Teyla has a big brother and sister, she knows about the Big Girl Bed, so it might be really easy.
As for your mind being elsewhere - I'm only on #2 (#Final), and I'm oblivious to anything baby going on! Every now and then I look down and my belly is bigger, but that's about it! :o) Week Number? Umm... Feeling kicks? Yyyyeeeaaahhh?? Decorating the room? Erm, gosh...
:o) I think it's normal! :o)
Happy New Year!
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