still waiting...

 Yes I'm still here and STILL in one piece.

Unfortunately.

I don't know why I tell myself I'm gonna go early every time,

because it almost never happens (ryder was the only one early).

I was having contractions all last week and every day I thought

was the day.

But it wasn't and I'm still here, pregnant.

I hate to complain, 

but the last 2 weeks of pregnancy are a KILLER!

Everything hurts, nothing fits, and my brain does weird things.

And I don't even want to see anyone because all I get is the
"you haven't had that baby yet" look,
 and all those lovely comments.
I have no sympathy for my mom who had all her babies 2-4 weeks early.

Why couldn't I inherit that awesome gene?

I guess it's my fault for getting my hopes up. 

I still have 3 more days till my due date and soo anxious

to get this show on the road.

I've tried everything to try to induce labour 

(except castor oil - yuk!)

but nothing works.

I guess we'll just have to wait for this stubborn little guy to decide he's ready to join us.

Until then, I'll be an emotional, uncomfortable, frustrated pregnant lady.

This was the kids and I
the day before maysa
was born

This was us on Sunday.
Crazy what 4 years can do!

36 weeks

so I've made it to the 36 week mark.

I thought I had better get a photo shoot in before

this babe makes his appearance.

this was not an easy thing for me to do.

Getting pictures of my puffy preggo self is not my favorite thing.

And I am very puffy.

I think I retain 80% of my water

in my face.

I feel kind of silly putting so many pictures of me

on here, especially 9 months pregnant.

It's not really my style.

But I knew I'd regret it if I didn't get some pics.

So my little photographer Sadie snapped some of me.

And there is even some of my face (cringe!)

 just to prove that it IS actually me

above that massive belly.

So I've hit that point.

The point where I'm ready to be done.

Don't get me wrong - I LOVE being pregnant

and I am so beyond grateful to be pregnant, 

especially this time.

But it's just time for this little guy to come out.

I have awesome pregnancies for the first 7 months,

but the last 2 months,

well, lets just say I could do without them.

I have been on a nesting rampage lately.

My mind can't seem to rest.

I go to bed thinking about all the projects and things

I need to do before this baby comes.

Yah I'm a little crazy.

But it's been fun and I've gotten tons of things done,

not to mention that it gets my mind off the fact

that I am a very uncomfortable 9-month pregnant lady.

ok this has to be one of my favorite pics of all time.

me and my baby girl.

It makes me kind of sad that she won't be my baby

for too much longer.

But I'm so excited for her because she is gonna completely 

die over this baby.

I can't even say how incredibly excited and anxious I am to meet my little boy. 

I still can't believe that he can come anytime now

(and hopefully he does come very soon!!) 

I can't wait to kiss those 

 little hands and feet

that have been kicking my ribs for the past 5 months.

I'm so excited to have a baby in our home again.

There is seriously nothing better!

have to do the heart on the belly pic

please excuse all the cheesy poses.

I just couldn't help myself.

lovin' this face!

look who got his picture taken today

For some reason I can't stop looking at this picture today.

It is so crazy how much he looks like my babies -

mostly ryder and maysa.

And he's a big boy.

Just look at those cheeks.

They said he weighs 4lb 13oz already

and he still has 8 weeks of baking left.

That might explain why I'm so big.

He's also breech.

Awesome.

Yah, I'm pretty much crazy about this little guy already.

28 weeks

So here's the ginormous belly at 28 weeks. Yah, I'm big. I keep reminding myself that it's because this is baby #5 or maybe because it's a boy. Everyone keeps telling me that baby #5 does this to you. I hope that is the reason and it's not due to the constant chocolate cravings I've had (I believe in eating excessive amounts of chocolate while pregnant to get the baby use to it so I don't have to avoid it when I'm nursing - works like a charm!)haha. Otherwise I'm producing a 12 pounder. But then again, I think that with every pregnancy and I've never had a baby over 8 pounds. 
I had my first "how much longer" question the other day. The guy at home depot asked me how much longer I have left (I'm sure he expected that I would say 1-2 weeks), but when I said 12 weeks, he looked super surprised. I quickly told him that it was my 5th baby and then I think he understood. I've gotten to the point where, for my sanity, I don't look at the scale when I get weighed anymore. So I have no clue how much I've gained. It's probably better that way. Anyways, all that matters I guess is that this little guy inside me is healthy and growing. 

So the pregnancy is going good, although I'm definately starting to feel it. Bending over is no longer pleasant, and either is sleeping. I have discovered the body pillow though which is heaven sent! I have surprised myself this pregnancy, that I haven't had to stop running on the treadmill. I didn't think I could last this long, so it's more of an experiment at this point to see how long I can run for. So needless to say, the running isn't pretty, nor will I be winning any awards any time soon. Sadie asked me the other day after I ran how I can still run with my huge belly. Thanks sades. I told her it's because I'm amazing. 


I'm getting really excited to meet this little babe. Because of the awesome weather that we have had this spring so far (totally being sarcastic of course), my projects have gotten pushed back so the next 2 months will be very full of projects to get ready for the baby. The kids also start soccer, baseball, and softball next week so life will be crazy. You'd think that by baby #5, that it wouldn't be as exciting, but I think it seriously gets more exciting with each kid. Maybe it's because I kind of know what to expect, and maybe also because I'm so excited to see the older kids with the new baby, after all it's been 4 years since we've had one in our house. Maysa is gonna be in heaven!! 

it's a ...

BOY!!

Yah - we're a tiny bit excited around here!

   Ryder was starting to wonder if he'd ever get a brother (and so was I). And I totally thought I was gonna have a girl this time, so what an awesome surprise. Of course we would have been happy with a girl too - who wouldn't want another one of these

 Anyways, I was so excited I had to pull out all my boy clothes today and see what I had - after all it's been 8 years since I've had a boy. That only got me more excited to see all the little blue onesies and sleepers. 

  So I've been thinking a lot lately about finding out the sex of the baby while you're pregnant. I have some friends who gave me some flack about finding out. These are my thoughts on the topic. Finding out, for me, kind of breaks up the pregnancy. 9 months is SUCH a long time, and it's nice to get that little surprise half way through. It kind of refuels me so I can get through the rest of the pregnancy. I'm so excited now to start making blankets and shopping for the baby. I feel like it is so overwhelming and life-changing when you actually have the baby, and that finding out the sex then, just kind of adds to that overwhelming feeling. Plus, I kinda like knowing what's growing and kicking inside me - it kind of feels a little less alien-ish. It's also nice to be totally prepared when the baby comes- cause seriously, who wants to shop for baby clothes the weeks following giving birth (especially with 4 other kids tagging along)? Not me. Finding out isn't for everyone, but I love knowing what I'm having. 

 This is the good 'ole belly at 20 weeks. It's funny (well actually pretty sad) that I have next to no pictures of me when I was pregnant with my other 4 kids. How does that happen? That's like over 3 years of my life that I've spent pregnant. And maybe 4 or 5 pictures. Maybe it's because the maternity clothes back then were hideous (believe me, they have come a LONG way since then), and mostly I just wore the hubs clothes. So attractive I know.  So I guess it's a good thing there are no reminders of that. So this pregnancy I told myself I would take lots of pictures, since this could very well be my last. Don't expect to see my head in the pictures though, that would require me to actually put on makeup and do my hair, which, lets be serious, doesn't happen everyday. 

 just another one and an outfit change. Thanks to Sadie, my little photography assistant.

 so this pregnancy has been going good except for the first half being spent on pins and needles and thinking I was gonna miscarry any day. A couple previous miscarriages will do that to you. It was pretty nervewracking but it's definately made me appreciate the total miracle of hearing a little heartbeat for the first time. And now to feel every kick is so amazing. I don't think I fully realized how incredible it was with my other four. So I guess losing those babies has given me such a greater love and appreciation for this pregnancy and this little babe that's inside me. Seriously, SUCH a miracle! I can't wait to meet him!

 Here's a few more pics of my little Maysa. The poor child gets so tired of me constantly taking her picture (not that you can tell that from these shots - she can sure turn it on it a second). And I promise I have more kids that just this one. The others are just lucky they are at school all day while the lighting is optimal. I'm am so aching for spring so I can go outside and take pictures. I'm SOO done with winter!! Ugg.

ok now I want another girl. Maybe this won't be my last :)

Lately...

So here's a little peek at what we've been up 

to lately 

just growing another little human, that's all