Last Stretch

I'll be 31 weeks on Friday. Insane.

This 3rd trimester so far has been pretty good. Despite the back pain that I have every day, I must admit that I am a lucky girl. With Jackson I had horrible acid reflux. I haven't really had much of that this time around. I have gained 19 lbs so far. I only gained 20 and 25 lbs with the other 2, but I have a feeling that I am going to be closer to 30 when it is all said and done. I never factored in the holiday treats coming my way. The Starbucks they are building nearby doesn't help my case. I haven't really been craving thins like crazy. I love cold drinks, specifically Sonic peach tea. I love breakfast tacos, green apples and yogurt. Nothing too "fun" or out there. I love feeling her move. That is my favorite thing about pregnancy and the only thing I will miss! My hair is getting really long and thick. I love that! Monday morning I am spoiling myself with a 1 hour prenatal massage. I am so excited. I had this done with Jack once and it was awesome.

We have NOTHING done for the baby. Absolutely nothing. We are going to have Reagan and her share a room eventually, so this week I will buying paint and Jason will be putting up the crib. I have zero clothes ready and I really need to purchase a pack 'n play. I also need to make room for this baby. Our 3 bedroom house seems so small all of a sudden, but I keep reminding myself that when I was a kid with 4 other siblings, we shared a 2 bedroom apartment. Things could be worse and it doesn't mean you need a 4000 sq. ft. home. Good perspective.

I feel like my thoughts are totally random, but I don't want to forget to document this pregnancy.

Some questions you may have:

What is her name?
I have no idea. We had settled on Madison, but all I am going to say is.....you never know. I think we are all going to be surprised the day she arrives. :)

Any more children after this?
I can't believe people ask this when you are in the middle of your pregnancy, but it seems to be a common question. NO.
NO.
NO.
NO.
We will not have any more after this. I love children. I am so blessed that God is giving me 3. I admire and respect all of you who have more, but pregnancy and me don't go together. I feel totally and 100% complete. I didn't feel that with 2, but I definitely do with this one. All in all, I we have decided that this will be it. Even more reason to enjoy this pregnancy. :)

How do you work and have kids?
I love my job. I love that it's flexible and allows me to be a mom. I love working for our church and doing ministry with my husband! After the baby arrives I am going to down to 20 hours a week. It will definitely be less than I am doing now and I feel great about that. I have never had a conviction that I needed to be a stay at home mom. I have truly prayed about this and sought the Lord, and I have felt like this is my calling. I feel that I have been called to be both a mommy and to use my gifts as a worship leader/creative arts minister. I recognize also that I am in a very unique situation and that the environment at River City allows me to do something a lot of places don't. I brought my babies to work and yes, that's pretty unusual! God is very good to me and I feel total peace about what I do.

I rambled a lot, but I woke up at 5 am this morning. I am sure this will catch up with me.

And since babies are on my mind...