Some Throw Pillows and a Sneak Peek

We got a peek at our baby today.  Since I'll be 41 weeks tomorrow, my midwives wanted me to have a non-stress test and ultrasound to be sure the baby was doing well and that my fluid levels were normal.  The kids have been so excited to meet their new sister, so we invited them along to the ultrasound.  Poor Iris was so confused by what her older sisters meant by "see the baby".  While we were waiting to be called back, Iris went with Dan to pick up something from the hospital convenience store.   As she walked away, she looked at me with nervous eyes and said, "Bye, Mama!  Have a nice baby!"

Thankfully everything looked great on our scan, so we continue to wait.  Like her siblings, this baby is taking her sweet time.   While Dan and I were waiting to see the midwives, we saw an advertisement for a hospital infant care class.  We started reminiscing about the baby class we took before Jude was born.  We were a rapt audience, jotting down notes in hopes that we wouldn't mess things up too badly.   "No drinking coffee while holding baby!  Baby could get burned!"  "Get on hands and knees and crawl through entire house to be sure it's adequately baby-proofed!"   Dan and I were laughing so much remembering how fervent (and terrified) we were about it all.  We were pretty terrified.  We took every class they offered back then.

A couple of weeks ago I made some new throw pillows.  I used my tutorial here.  I actually referred to it, too, which was funny given I wrote it.  The pillows are pretty much exactly like the first set I made, except this time I serged the seams to make them more durable and I used Anna Maria Horner's velveteen in saffron instead of quilting cotton. That velveteen is so luxurious and amazing.  I also used the 16" pillow size for this project, but discovered I really prefer the 20".  Next time, I'd use the 20".

Our first set got pretty worn out after years of being hauled around to build forts and the like.  When actually on the couch, I really love how the colors coordinate with our paintings from Ethiopia.

I thought I'd get some photos of my four kids together before we become a family of 7.

A lot of people talk/write/blog about the importance of enjoying, even 'savoring', the baby days.  I completely agree with that advice, but with one caveat.   I say - enjoy your kids at every age!  

Tia and Iris say the cutest, most innocent things, which are adorable.  Today Iris was repeatedly lecturing her siblings (less adorable). :)  Half the time, we can't even understand what she's saying exactly, but we can tell by the tone - she's definitely lecturing.  I asked, "Why do you lecture them so much, Iris?  Is it because it makes you feel big while you are still so small?"  She sadly and seriously responded, "Yes!  Because I sooo small."

Jude and Indigo make me laugh every day by being intentionally funny and clever.  They come up with the most witty things...  and encouraging things... and sometimes profound things.  It's so fun to witness them become their own people, with their own ideas and insights, even.

Here's their version of 'serious'... Jude and Indigo's prompting.

I took some photos of the kids all stacked up, an organized monkey pile of sorts.

I thought the photos were cute and fun.  That is, until I eagerly showed them to  Dan.  He said they looked like they belonged on Awkward Family Photos.  I could-not-stop laughing. Nor can I look at these photos the same... ever again.

In the birth documentary, The Business of Being Born, the midwife says most pregnant women eventually find themselves between a rock and a hard place.  The rock is knowing they have to get the baby out.  The alternative, the hard place, is staying uncomfortably pregnant forever.  And that's kind of where I am right now.  I'm uncomfortably pregnant with some trepidation, though of course a whole lot of excitement, about how this is all going to go.  I'm trying to trust and be present, enjoying what is, while knowing there's only one place to go : onward.