Everyone wanted to be mobile with the dolls. We fashioned slings out of play silks so they could carry babies like mama. It was pretty cute.

That's Just the Way I Grow Them

Ultrasound tonight to rule out a low-lying placenta. It is at the level of the baby's chin, so no problems there, phew. The homebirth is still on! (I was wondering if a c-section would be added to my life experiences) The radiologist came in afterward and asked how big my other babies were. (8, 9, & 10.8 lbs) Then proceeded to say this baby is in the 99th percentile and that I should expect another 10 pounder. I'm thinking we have another strapping boy, and a very cute baby with Stefan's profile! But the head circumference on this one will be an intense pushing stage, so that is hard to be fearless about. My pelvis has plenty of room, but I am going to have to push slowly to keep from tearing and going slowly is just agonizing. But we will have a new baby in the next 6-10 weeks and that is a fantastic blessing.
Being in Seattle, we got to go to a sibling prep class given by the Penny Simkin. She is as AMAZING in person as in video. Her contributions to childbirth education and research are phenomenal.

Happenings as of Late

I am looking out on a freshly painted deck! My brother Michael also finished the last piece of the front entrance way and painted the steps the same color as the trim. These are the little happies of life. They are particularly important to a woman anticipating giving birth before the next three months are up.
Nesting is a powerful force driven by a combination of panic, planning, and insistence. I laugh as I remember the last time I cared much whether the tops of the kitchen cabinets were dusted-you guessed it, about exactly two years ago when I was almost as pregnant. My husband has been given a three page list titled "Nesting I, II, & III." Today I realized I might be able to increase my efficiency if I made him a copy to take with him to work. He would laugh if I handed it to him, but he would most likely make our weekends even more useful.
I am not a super organized zealot. Really. Only as # four's arrival imminently approaches have I garnered the desperate energy to get some things done. I actually have planned to sew replacement seats for deck chairs I hauled out of the next door neighbors free pile. Then my mom invested in the fabric (two yards of Sunbrella Tuscan orange) so now I am really required to finish that project!
I guess remodeling the bathroom or replacing the kitchen floor are out at this point (although maybe, just maybe!) Part of the pressure is carefully reordering the functions of the house (1800 sq ft-including the basement) and purging the stuff that floats around to a useful place or to the goodwill bag. Yesterday I sent forth with good wishes at least 6 baby blankets that are just taking up space. Some were homeade gifts, I have to confess. But those were the ugly or stained ones! Only 18 more are waiting to be used! It's like the baby blankets were making babies in the drawer.
Other notes:
Tryn is reading her first books: green eggs and ham, fat cat on a mat, or whatever is in sight such as "quick oats"
("mom, is the 'a' quiet?")
Annika is concentrating and sitting still and liking workbooks. This is a huge accomplishment and gives me hope for my future sanity. Tracing is giving her above average skills. I hope to work with the girls on the Drawing with Children book by Mona Brooks this summer. Or maybe we'll stick to fingerpainting outside and mom glued to a chair nursing a newborn.
Tristan is saying everything. Of special importance to him is location: "right der" "der she is" "da pane in da sky up der!" "oh, where's my hedicopter?" Yesterday I took him out of our truck and as we walked by the new for us but very old convertible he woefully shook his head and said, "not the poptop today." Rides in cooler cars matter, even to 23 month old little boys.
So, the Lord continues to bless us even amongst our frailty and weakness. Our sermon this week was especially encouraging "Childrearing: Praying without Ceasing"
and can be downloaded and listened to. Our pastor has been bringing it on lately and we are admonished and blessed.
Next on the list: build the coop and get chicks. Yep, more creatures to care for. I almost could go for a cat?! This was anathema after the second child. and the third. Now, who cares. It is all busyness and we are at a chaotic hum.