Now that I'm somewhat caught up on blogging for the first time since 2010, I thought I'd talk about this pregnancy for the first time.
We found out we were pregnant at the very beginning of August and I was anxious to get to Bethany (my amazing rock star and friend of an OB) to make sure it was for real. Remember the "fake" baby of 2011? I went in at 6 weeks and heard a very strong heart beat and was so relieved. Still, lots of trepidation though. I wanted an ultrasound. So two weeks later she let me come in and get one and I saw the little shrimp and felt soooo much better. I can't describe how wonderful it is having a friend and doctor in the room with me who cares. I know that she was sad for me when I didn't have a baby inside and I know she was thrilled when there was. I love her.
This pregnancy has been great. Sure, I felt really tired and nauseous until about 13 weeks but there was no violent vomiting or huge food aversions. Just a lot of days where I stayed in my sweats and ate a lot of carbs. I started looking pregnant super early on-like 18 weeks and by 24 when we went to Utah I had a big ol' baby bump. And he has been a ferocious kicker. WAY more than both of the other two.
I'm scared to death to have THREE kids to take care of, but so excited to meet another Allen/Toolson child. I feel more prepared and excited about this pregnancy than usual. Less anxious, more peaceful. I know what it's like to add another baby to the fam-really hard, but I know the horrible sleepless nights don't last forever and I should enjoy every second with a brand new baby. They grow up too fast. My baby girl is four. I still can't get over that. I look at baby pictures of Johnny and Liv and get teary eyed every single time. What I would give to hold those little babies one more time and be okay that they cry a lot and spit up thousands of times a day and never poop. They were so cute.
And since I've made this into a journal entry-note to self, start online journaling-I need to talk about my sweet hubby. He is so amazing. He has picked up the slack every single time I have left something undone or unwashed or forgotten. He has put the kids to beds countless times so I can close the door at 8:30 and go to bed. He has been so patient with me and my strange mood swings and every growing back side:) He loves me and I know it. He is an incredible father to our kids. They are so lucky. And he is SO excited to have another one which makes me feel so good. I remember having a new baby and seeing a strange look on John's face-like "what on earth am I supposed to do with that?" and he would always say "I just can't wait for them to get older, then I will know what to do and have so much fun". He was great with babies and toddlers but seeing him with these two big kids is amazing. He was right. He knows just what to do with them when I don't. He runs them to the park or on a bike ride or plays some made up game outside. He and Johnny have this magical relationship now that I am totally not a part of and sometimes I feel left out. But that's okay. It's what I always wanted to see between them. And he and Livy have always had a special bond. He is obsessed with her and she can do no wrong...and she knows that. Lately the phrase "joy and rejoicing in your posterity" has been running through my head as I watch (I do that a lot these days, sit and watch) these relationships grow. I am one lucky woman. And now I get one more. wow.
So here he is. Our little Drew Richard Allen at 32 weeks. Can't see much but a squished nose and huge lips which is exactly what both of them looked like. We love him already and are very excited to meet him.
