Countdown is on....

This is the robin that our family has been keeping watch over this summer.  She built a nest in our patio, produced eggs, and they hatched.  Two of the baby birds have gone to bird heaven already (my research has indicated that only about 40% of baby robins live).  I tried bonding with this mama bird, seeing that we were both in the same situation and all, but she wasn't having it.  My friendship meant nothing to her - she squawked every time we peeked out at her new family.  I am totally jealous that she already had her babies (it only takes 14 days for an egg to hatch!) and lost all of her baby weight...however, I found out that robins have 3 broods a year, and their babies leave their nest after 14 days.  So, I probably don't want to switch places with this mama robin afterall.

Here are some answers to some of the questions that I've gotten from friends and family and haven't had a lot of time to email or call and catch up! So, here they are!

How far along am I? When is my due date?

35-plus weeks....My REAL due date is September 15th, but they told me I'm running 4 days ahead of time, so I personally have moved my due date up to September 11th, without the doctor's permission. : ) I don't know why- I guess Sept. 11th makes me feel better than September 15th did.

What am I having?

I don't know. It's either a boy or a girl though.

What do I think I'm having?

I've never been one to have a "feeling" either way. We did not find out with Joey or Maddox - I thought Joey was going to be a girl, and I'm not really sure why, probably because my sister had girls or something.

What do I want to have?

Of course, healthy comes first. After that, I can be swayed either way. As for a third boy - things would be a lot easier....I have boy clothes, boy blankets, boy room decorations, boy EVERYTHING. I know how little league and flag football works. I know ESPN is part of our family's daily routine. I know about Superheroes, Transformers, Power Rangers, weapons, swords, dinosaurs and Mario Brothers. I know that dirt, messes and spills come with boys. I know that frogs, snakes and insects are welcomed inside the house by boys. I know that farting, burping and any other bodily noises are hilarious to boys. I KNOW boys and I am no longer scared by them. If I do have another boy, it's putting my life in the hands of three daughter in laws someday....I pray for my future daughter in laws already, but not having my own daughter at all, I really just hope my boys attract the nicest girls.

As for a girl, she would rock our world. Being a girl myself, I obviously know girls, too - but I'm certainly out of the loop. Grace and Maya have kept me up to date with Littlest Pet Shop, Strawberry Shortcake, Barbie, Kids Bopz, dresses, tutus, wands, dolls, playing house, etc....but it's still all foreign to me. I know that having a girl means not just jeans and a t-shirt but bows, socks, matching shoes, necklaces - and a purse to boot. When I go into Baby Gap, I don't even look at the girl section - it's just too much cuteness for me to handle at one time. I know that having a girl means butting heads from about 13 to 17 years old....but it means shopping and trips and long phone calls when she grows up. It means getting the call that says, "Did you see the Nate Berkus show today?" and discussing the house in the newest movie. I mean, that's what daughters will do for you - and they will visit you in the nursing home and yell at your other sons for not doing enough for you. As for Joe, a girl just means having to battle over not wearing enough clothes and dating before she turns 22. I would love to see Joe with a girl....and show him that watching your girl play high school basketball can be just as fun as watching a son; and writing the check for her prom dress isn't nearly as painful as it appears. He would love it.

So, at this point- we'll just be happy with either and I think whatever we have, it will just feel right.

Are we done after three?

Yes, unless God intervenes. I came from three siblings, Joe came from four and three just seems right to both of us. I would have loved to have had four kids, but after this pregnancy, I just know that this is it.

How has this pregnancy been? Has it been different than the other two?

Well, with Joey, we didn't find out we were pregnant until we were 13 weeks along...so apparently, that wasn't hard. This one does seem harder, and I feel older. I had a little nausea in the beginning, which I did not have with the other boys. I feel A LOT more tired with this pregnancy...I'm not sure if it's because I forgot how tiring it is, or if it's taking care of the other two boys or what, but I am definitely more tired. Most people tell me I'm carrying the baby high and like a basketball...and those are the same comments I heard with the other two boys. I feel like I'm carrying it everywhere, so I really can't say for sure.

Am I ready?

Yes....I'm ready in all aspects, except for work. I have a lot of loose ends to tie up at work and I have three big events late August. Once those are done, I think I will feel a lot better. I do feel we're ready for the baby - the nursey is set up, diapers and bottles are stocked, baby towels are washed and ready, breast pump is being cursed, and Joe and I are mentally preparing for the lack of sleep and for 2 a.m. disagreements over whose turn it is to get up.

Mostly, I'm ready for late nights with Jay Leno while rocking a baby; the smell of Baby Magic after a bath; the sight of my husband holding a tiny baby; the sounds a little baby makes; the laundry filled with little sleepers and onesies....all of those things we haven't had in our house in four years. I'm ready for it all.

Do I think I'll go early?

I was one day late with Joey; I was about 5 days early with Maddox; and I feel like this baby will come early, but I have no idea. I'm a little worried about the weight of this baby- Joey was 8.8 lbs and Maddox was 8.12 lbs...I don't have a strong desire to have a 9 lb baby. However, the doctor told me they will not do another ultrasound, and they are not concerned about the weight - probably because they are not the one who is giving birth. One week early would be nice....but that would be right around Labor Day, too. My doctor's office won't even schedule an inducement until 39 weeks, and I prefer to go on my own if possible anyway. So, at this point- I'm just going with the flow. I haven't had the easiest deliveries though, so I will admit that I'm a little scared. I have been praying for a healthy baby, but I've also asked God to consider me this time around and possibly make this delivery a bit easier than in the past...it'd be nice to end on a good note!

Speaking of endings, the baby just kicked me hard in the ribs, I think it wants me to end this long blog post. Can't wait to post baby photos! : )