Week 36!

Week 36 (what only 26 days left until my due date?)

I find it hard to believe that I am truly in the home stretch! I cannot believe that our last baby will be here within the next 26 days! This pregnancy has gone fast, and yet slow at times. I think being an "expectant mom" really comes into play in these last weeks. I know this baby is coming out, but when???! For me they are full of joy, excitement, worry, happiness, sadness and anticipation. Mostly joyful though. I have finally been enjoying being pregnant with this baby. Feeling this new life moving about my uterus, and sharing my personal space with him or her. It has been such a special journey with this baby. A sense of pure joy.

I know I will truly will miss this phase of my life, especially when Cliff and I start talking about him going for a vasectomy after the baby is born, how final this stage of life will become. A wonderful set of memories...of my childbirthing years.

May 9th Cliff and I will have been married for 8 years. And if you think of that, that is 6 pregnancies/5 kids in 8 years! No wonder I will miss this. I have been practically pregnant for almost our whole marriage. I found out I was pregnant with Cameron when were only married for 6 months. I will not miss, these veins, the sciatic pain, the tired feeling, the lack of sleep, the aching body etc. But I will FOREVER cherish all of the last of the firsts with this baby. I know now our family will be complete.

I know my body cannot physically handle another baby. I need to get these veins taken care of, and start taking care of myself, and my family. I want to be able to have fun with Cliff, and and experience more as a couple. We will experience new things...such as, no more diapers, first foods (messy) sippy cups etc. Being able to leave the house without a diaper bag, and extra stuff just incase I get spit up all over me etc. Less to pack up when we just want to go out for a quick drive to the store.

I know with each baby, the kids get "bumped" from their previous positions, and now my current baby Catie will become a "big sister." I look at her now, and I go my darling little Catie, you are a mere baby yourself at only 19 months old. But, I know you will be a great big Sis. I am so excited for you to become that big Sis. Your baby Sister or Brother will be so lucky to have you as their older Sister.

We can grow up together as a family, and not have to worry about the "baby"...although this one will always be my baby.

I have so many feelings, that I cannot even put them all down here, except to say that I am so glad we chose this path of having a large family. It was the right path for us. Our kids have been so accepting of new babies/kids into the family. And their excitment shows Cliff and I that this baby was meant to be here with us.

Who would of guessed that I would be the one with 5 kids?! 20 years ago, I would have said no to marriage and kids. I am so glad that my life took this path. I am so glad to have such a wonderful, supportive and caring family.

I know that this special time is limited, and I try not to complain too much about the way my body feels physically, and emotionally I think I am ready to meet this baby, but I am cherishing every move, punch, jab and roll until baby arrives. I don't want to be grouchy, or moody or complain, because I have so much to be thankful for these days. I will try not let the trivial little things get to me, I will just be thankful for this blessing in my belly who will be my forever baby.

I still have some stuff to prepare, and a nest to fluff. Heck, we still don't have a van that will accomodate all 7 of us!

I was reading 5 Little Monkeys to my girls last night, and I saw these 5 little monkeys in the illustrations jumping on the bed, and I realized...I will have that! (well except that they will not be real monkeys!!) but I will have 5 kids! Wow. The amount looked just right to me! All of the seats on my bench are full now. Our family will be complete in a matter of weeks.

I cannot wait to meet you baby!

Cathy36 Weeks 2 Days
__________________