It's another baby!

I just realized that we only have one post for August as we quickly approach September. We also don’t have much time until our family of 4 becomes a family of 5, with my c-section scheduled for Sept 1st (at 40.5 weeks…and, yes, I chose to schedule my c-section after my due date, so I really can’t blame anyone but myself for my extreme discomfort at this point). Everyone always asks how I’m feeling, so…Physically: yikes! This has definitely been the most difficult/uncomfortable pregnancy I have ever experienced. I don’t think summer pregnancies (especially in Texas) are for the faint of heart…or maybe it’s because I already have 2 little ones to keep me very busy and the added stress of pregnancy is really making me tired (and cranky). Mentally: I won’t lie, this little one was not part of my plans (but I guess Heavenly Father had different plans) and the thought of adding a new little person to the mix is often daunting. Luckily, I have a really awesome husband, who I know will be incredibly supportive and helpful while we try to find a new routine/balance in our family. The biggest causes of anxiety right now are the upcoming c-section recovery and not being physically available for my other two kiddos (these 2 things kind of go hand in hand). Also, if this one is anything like Annelise, I will have to nurse this guy in seclusion so that he will actually eat and not get distracted.

Well, enough complaining/anxiety issues from me…We are also really excited to meet this little boy and see what he will look like and how his personality will be the same/different from our other two kiddos. Annelise and Harrison look so much alike, so we figure that this little boy will just look like a baby Harrison twin. His name is still undecided (I say that, but I’m pretty sure we have decided, I am just not ready to say that we have made a final decision until I see him), and like usual, we are not disclosing possible/definite name choices.

Kris just started a new school year with more kids in his class this year than he has ever had. I think he is really relieved that he was able to make it through the first day without being called out of class because his wife was having a baby. Since I know how difficult the beginning of the school year can be, I have asked him to only take off 2 days when the baby comes (as long as the baby comes on Sept 1st as scheduled), and then return to work until all of our help leaves…then he can take some more time if I need him or if he just wants to.

Annelise has no idea what is going on as far as the baby goes, but she does love babies. Just yesterday, she was teaching my friend’s baby where her eye is...by pointing at it (think finger in little baby’s eye while she repeats, "eye, eye, eye"). Harrison is a little more aware of what is going on and will sometimes ask about the baby, but usually it is one of us that will bring up the subject with him. Lately he has been asking when the baby is coming because he knows that after the baby comes, Abuela will be coming to visit, followed by Grandma…both of which he is really excited about. Speaking of Abuela, my mom was nice enough to come here a couple of weeks ago to help me get some much needed organizing/deep cleaning done and to give me a break in the evenings by making and cleaning up after dinner (It was so awesome to have some help!). During that time, Annelise perfected her “abuela call”…Annelise begins calling for Abuela by starting off with a sweet, innocent sounding, “Bueeeelaaaa…Bueeelaaa…Bueeelaaa”, if she still doesn’t get a response from Abuela, the tone becomes very harsh, very quickly, “BUELA!, BUELA!”. This made me laugh every time she did it. She just started talking not long ago and she is already commanding attention.

The current baby and soon to be big sister: