First, have you signed up to receive one of my birth announcements? Can I tell you how much I love that YOU can receive one? {yes you.} Tiny Prints did this for my friend, Megan, over at Velveteen Mind, when I received mine I was so thrilled. It just made me happy.
So, please feel free to sign up, don’t be shy. I love the idea of giving you back some of the love you all have given me during this pregnancy and beyond.
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Also, I posted here.
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And the winner of the Geezees Canvas Art giveaway is Jess! Congrats!
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This week has been a very, very difficult week for me emotionally. I can think of maybe 10 reasons why this may be the case but I think the biggest problem I am having is my lack of sleep. I just can’t sleep. It used to be a comfort issue now it’s a mind-racing issue AND a comfort issue. ”what do I need to do before he arrives, will he be healthy, will he go to the NICU? how will the kids adjust? how will we adjust? is this really real? is he with James and Jake right now?”
I think of that last thought often. I laid in bed last night, eyes closed, surrounded by pillows, listening to Brian breathe quietly. I wondered if James and Jake have been telling this baby things about their family like “Noah is going to teach you to play video games, he’s really good, so listen to him. (and you are going to love his belly laugh!) Anna plans to read stories to you every single day. (and wait until you see her beautiful eyes!) Mom is a sucker for baby noises, so coo a lot, she can’t get enough. And Daddy? He’s a big guy with a huge heart, he loves to snuggle with his babies, that makes him happy.”
It’s a lot to take in, a lot to think about. Our lives are changing forever, in a really good way but change is hard no matter who you are and as THE MOM I’m worrying a lot.
But I can handle this. I can handle the lack of sleep, I had it before and it was in a much more difficult situation.
I can handle the crying, the emotional toll. I’ve done it before but for a different reason, one that broke my heart.
And I can handle the worry of how this is going to affect my family … I’ve worried this before and we came out good. Better.
I’ve got this.
Sleepily. Painfully. Happily.
I’ve got this.
You’ve *totally* got this. (And you’re in the home stretch!)
Tons of love.
You can and You will. You’re right. You got this.
Can’t WAIT to get my announcement!!!
You soooo got it!!
Can’t wait to see your handsome little man!
Yep, that’s what us Moms do, we worry. But I wish you wouldn’t because I know it’s going to be wonderful. I hope you can have some peace in the next few days and then peace of mind after he’s born. xoxo
You have got this. There is not a doubt in my mind. I love the idea that James and Jake are filling this little man in on the lay of the land. You are all going to adjust just fine and it’s only a few days away. Love you guys!
Thank you so much for stopping by my place today. A compliment from you on one of my pictures (and one of my girls) made my day. I am so excited to get your birth announcement of this little guy. You are in the home stretch and so close to being able to stare and him and breathe in his baby-ness. *sigh*
Yes, THE MOM, The Worrier. It’s what we do, isn’t it? I hope the extra pillows bring you some measure of comfort, along with knowing James and Jake are preparing The Supervisor for his first family meeting. =>
Aaaaaah, sleep is for wimps anyway. (It’s after 2 AM here and I’m awake, worrying about my own people/stuff, so I know how you feel!) You do got this, though. I can’t WAIT to meet him and read about him and see him and kiss my computer screen on his little cheekies. Hang in there Mama – this sleepless haze will be all but forgotten in the much more pleasant sleepless haze that is to follow!
(PS, I cooked my chicken. You can deliver any time now.) xoxoxo
Will be praying for you lots this last few days. Try to find some rest (even if it’s not the night hours which can be the worst). I am so excited to here your news. Sadly in the UK so can’t get your announcement card (I did look), but will be listening out all the same
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Seriously? You’re totally having a baby on Monday!!! The worry and fear is normal. It’s amazing how much we worry about our babies before they are even born! Praying that you get some rest and peace this weekend.
I SO signed up for the birth announcement when you first posted that (coolest.thing.ever!) even though I felt a little strange about it. I feel better now because you are excited about it.
Hang in there. Have a restful weekend if you can. It’s true that big (wonderful) changes are coming, but I am SURE you’ve got it.
I was being shy but no longer, I’ve signed up and I’m thrilled for you!
I can’t believe next week is it, really can’t believe it.
Your body and mind are preparing for birth: one of the most precious events on this earth. Even the worry is precious; it means you’re present for the event.
Wishing you the best in the coming days!
(I’m in my own home stretch now, at 37 weeks. I’m in the “Oh my God, is this ever really going to happen?!” phase.)
Not one doubt in my mind that you’ve *got* it. xo
You are going to be fine. You are such an awesome mom! He is so lucky to have you.
love this Beth, this baby is soo lucky to have so much love.
Enjoy your last weekend with the little one in your belly…I bet he is soo excited to finally meet you guys!!!
You do got this.
You are surrounded by so much love
can’t wait to see him in your arms!
xoxo
YOU’VE GOT THIS!!! Your family will do great with a new little one. I’m just so excited to hear all about this baby boy. Change (especially a new baby) is always stressful. The unexpected or the unknown is the most difficult part. You’re such a great mom and Brian seems to be such a great dad that you can do and get through anything. You have two great kids that will help you out so much. This baby’s birth will be so different than Anna and Noah’s because you’ll have 2 additional sets of hands to help out. Nothing like extra help, right?? I’ll be thinking of ya and praying for a safe and healthy arrival!
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I agree! Best wishes to you for a happy healthy delivery
I can’t wait until you get to meet him!
And thanks for the awesome giveaway!!
You so “got it”!!! All your babies are together… what a lovely and comforting thought!! Good luck with your up coming big day!!
Beth, I am thinking of you everyday. You are so special.
This may sound strange as I only know you from your blog, but I’m going away for the weekend and I thought this morning while getting ready, when I come back, Beth will have her handsome little man with her. And I looked outside and there were 2 little birds sitting on my balcony and I couldn’t help but smile.
YOU are amazing. As is your family. I’ve followed your blog for a long time and your words never cease to amaze me. You are an inspiration. I don’t know you but from on your blog, but I do know you got this. You and your family will be great- and I can’t wait to hear more stories of what lies ahead. Thinking of you and wishing you a wonderful weekend and delivery on MONDAY!!!
Martina, this does not sound strange it sounds awesome and beautiful and truthfully means more to me than you could ever imagine.
I hope you have a great weekend!
Entering the world with this much love surrounding him is absolutely fantastic. Your post made my heart smile today! I wish you all the best for good sleep, good thoughts in the few remaining days before he arrives. What a lucky little guy! Looking forward to the birth announcement.
I LOOOOOVE hearing that you guys signed up for the birth announcements!
Well, now there are tears for a Friday morning, because that conversation between James and Jake and your new baby boy was just precious.
You can do all of this and of course you know that, but I think having a few more people say it, always helps. And if you feel like you can’t because its all overwhelming, my guess is that you’ll have a billion 1 people ready to back you up, hold you up, and listen to you until you can do it. Pregnancy is tought and just because you have done it before doesn’t make it easier, at least for the few moments that its really hard.
Thinking about you all lots!
Do you EVER got this! You are such a wonderful mom, and he is so lucky to have you and the entire family.
I just found your blog and was blown away by this first post I read. It was almost as if I was writing it… We’re 2 weeks from having our 5th child. Only 3 of which are with us now. We lost our first baby to a rare newborn disorder and have been told that there might be a 25% chance the same would happen with each child. (We have been so blessed thus far…) So as the time gets closer, my mind is restless, racing with thoughts of “what’s going to be…?” I can’t wait to meet this new little guy, but also just want hold him in, knowing this could be it. I look forward to keeping up with you and of course, seeing this new little one of yours. Hope all goes well.
One of the bizarre things about c-sections is knowing practically exactly when you will have your baby. You don’t have the anxiety/wondering when will the baby come, so your brain is filled with all the other things you can think about. I can’t wait to visit here and see pictures of that beautiful baby boy and the rest of your beautiful family.
What really gives me chills and makes me know that you SO got this is thinking back over the past eight months and how you and Brian have LOVED Tommy to pieces. How you hold him and snuggle him and kiss him, and he’s my baby. So, the sheer thought of how the two of you will hold and snuggle and kiss YOUR baby? It just makes me want to explode with the goodness and beauty of it all.
Hugs, it will all workout better then you could ever dream.
I love the paragraph where James and Jake are coaching their little brother. There’s no doubt in my mind that that’s exactly what’s going on.
I know you’re sleepless and I hate that but it’s for all the right reasons. Except that you shouldn’t worry about the changes. There’s no one more capable when adjustments need to be made. (As long as you realize that you are only human and sometimes not everything can get done and you might have to call your mom for help.)
Anyway, it’s right around the corner. Before long it will be hard to remember all this so it’s a good thing you’re writing it down.