Max at 34 weeks!!!

Today Brooks and I ventured to my OB for Max's 34-week check up. As we were driving to the doctor, it struck me that two weeks had passed since I had last been there. It felt more like 2 days and it is just crazy to me how fast this pregnancy has progressed. Wedding season is back and I am glad I am ready for this baby because the next five weeks are going to fly by.

Our little baby is about 4 pounds and growing just fine! He was so cute today when the nurse was checking his heartbeat. He would move from one side of my body to the other depending on where the nurse would squeeze the cold gel. My belly would literally go flat on one side and it felt so cool! I love it and I am going to miss that feeling! She had to chase him to get his little heartbeat.

One thing I have held on to this entire pregnancy is the fact that I do not want to be induced this go around. Well, I thought I didn't. But when I spoke with my doctor and John today we decided if the baby did not come before the week of his due date we would induce. I feel confident in the decision. There are many reasons why I changed my mind and I am super excited we will be able to plan it out again. The main reason I did not want to be induced was because I thought my episiotomy was a result of being induced. But that is not the case at all and the doctor assured me that more than likely I would not need that procedure with the second baby since we've been there done that, so to speak! He made the comment that he rarely cuts episiotomy's and does not do them routinely and he did not think it would be an issue.

Another reason we are going to be induced is because my labor went extremely fast with Brooks. I was induced at 8 am, my water broke at 1 pm and I shot up from 3 centimeters to 10 centimeters and delivered him by 2:30. The doctor said that with many (not all, but many) second labors the delivery tends to run about 2 hours shorter. That said, I would rather be in the hospital, WITH MY EPIDURAL and prepared for this baby than heading to the hospital once my water breaks. Plus, with John having to plan around work and us planning on Brooks staying with my parents it would be better to have everyone packed and ready to go!

So, that said I am a planner and do like for things to be "ready" so I feel better about this. All my reasons for not wanting to be induced were not medically in line so I don't have to worry about that anymore. And Brooks' labor went so smoothly.

So with many prayers in tow, and even more excitement, we head towards the final month of this pregnancy and are planning to have our sweet baby the week of the 12th. Lord and baby willing, it will all go smoothly and flawless and our decision will be the right one!!!

Let Me Hold You Longer...

Yesterday I ordered Karen Kingsbury's children's book, "Let Me Hold You Longer" from Amazon. Karen is the author of the Redemption and First Born Series' that I have been reading. This children's book was inspired by a poem in "Remember," one of five books in the Redemption Series.

In this book, the mother Elizabeth Baxter is struggling with the fact that her son is getting married and moving away. She also has four daughters and she talks about how "a daughter is a daughter for life, a son is a son until he takes a wife." (I say bull to that, but that's just me being bitter!) Anyway, this poem turned children's book talks about how as parents we always document our children's "firsts" but very rarely focus on their lasts. I was literally bawling through out the entire poem. So, yesterday I decided to order it and add it to Brooks' book collection.

I know all you mommy's out there will appreciate it. This book would be a great gift for a new baby, a baby shower or even a graduation gift! Enjoy...

Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts,
First smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away and leave to me your past
And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts…

The last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips
The last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip.
The last night when you woke up crying, needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket, wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me,s till small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you’d marry me when you grew old.
Precious, simple moments and bright flashes from your past
Would I have held on longer if I’d known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park, your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite faded baseball cap.
Your last few hours of kindergarten, those last few days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League, last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow-will I recognize your lasts?
The last time that you catch a frog in that old backyard pond.
The last time that you run barefoot across our fresh-cut lawn.

Silly, scattered images will represent your past.
I keep on taking pictures, never quite sure of your lasts…
The last time that I comb your hair or stop a pillow fight.
The last time that I pray with you and tuck you in at night.

The last time when we cuddle with a book, just me and you
The last time you jump in our bed and sleep between us two.
The last piano lesson, last vacation to the lake.
Your last few weeks of middle school, last soccer goal you make.

I look ahead and dream of days that haven’t come to pass.
But as I do, I sometimes miss today’s sweet, precious lasts…
The last time that I help you with a math or spelling test.
The last time when I shout that yes, your room is still a mess.

The last time that you need me for a ride from here to there.
The last time that you spend the night with your old tattered bear.
My life keeps moving faster, stealing precious days that pass,
I want to hold on longer-want to recognize your lasts…

The last time that you need my help with details of a dance.
The last time that you ask me for advice about romance.
The last time that you talk to me about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey for your high school team.

I’ve watched you grow and barely noticed seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time,I’d hold on to your lasts.
For come some bright fall morning, you’ll be going far away.
College life will beckon in a brilliant sort of way.

One last hug, one last good-bye, one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand just how much you’ll be missed.
I’ll watch you leave and think how fast our time together passed.
Let me hold on longer, God, to every precious last.