Changes are coming

In just four short days we will be welcoming home our newest addition.

 I never take the time to sit at the computer anymore these days, so my updates haven't been happening.  One of the boys will say something funny or do something adorable and I'll think about adding it in here just so I have a record of it, but it's very hard finding even a couple minutes to myself when the boys are awake.  And then because it's been so long since the last update, I feel like I need to post a long update to cover the months since the last post and I never have the time to do that.  I'm sure I've typed a similar paragraph many many times already in previous posts.

Luke and Micah are 27 months.  It's been a pretty difficult time the last several months, probably mostly due to me being pregnant and extra tired (weary and sleepy).  Plus they're just two and that's how two year olds are.  It scares me to hear so many people say that three was even harder.  Eek!  They're also doing so many cute things lately and I know they really love each other even though they are constantly pushing each other's buttons.  Micah is a little more independent, so he's mostly content to just play what he wants to play and he usually leaves Luke alone.  Luke wants to play with Micah which irritates Micah because Luke doesn't do it right.  So there's lots of screaming and whining.  I'm trying to remind him (them) to use his words and often if he asks for the stolen toy back by saying "please" Luke is quick to return the toy. 

They started going to Mother's Day Out in November.  We had a few good weeks and then around Thanksgiving Micah started having lots of anxiety issues and wasn't sleeping well and then crying while he was at MDO.  They are going two mornings a week for 4 hours.  Now for the past month or so they've been really enjoying it.  It's great for me to have a break to get errands done or just have some time to myself.  It will be especially nice once the baby is here and I can spend that time just with the baby. 

They are also attending a playgroup connected with the therapy Luke is receiving for speech and fine motor skills.  This is one morning a week for an hour.  They haven't taken to this as well as MDO, but they're starting to really look forward to it the last few weeks.  I think it's a little more chaotic with children with special needs.  This week there was a boy in the waiting room that was crying pretty loudly which made both of my boys uneasy.

They're also enjoying nursery at church.  That's been a long time coming.  They recognize church when we drive by and will clap their hands as they say "yay church".  Last weekend they cried when we drove right past, even with promises of going to church the next day. 

We've talked a lot to them about Baby Brother and have read lots of books to try to prepare them.  I think I need some books to prepare me.  I feel really sad when I think about how much things will change for them when the new baby is here.  I'm so thankful that they have each other to play with when I'm busy with the baby, but I know it will still be hard.  Luke loves babies, so I think he'll be very nurturing and interested in everything the baby is doing.  I'm not sure about Micah.  He's been pretty cuddly and demanding about rocking in the rocking chair with us.  I think it might be harder on him, but thankfully he's a more independent kid, so I'll hold out hope that he'll be fine too.  I know they'll be fine in the long run.

My c-section is scheduled for February 15.  It's crazy to think this is my last Friday being pregnant.  This will be our last weekend as a family of four.  I'm so excited to meet our new little man.  We're 95% sure we've decided on a name, but we have a couple back-ups just in case.  We're keeping the name a secret so we'll at least have one thing to announce on Wednesday.  We already know he's a boy and when his birthday is.  I'm excited to see his face and have him here with us and I'm ready to be done being pregnant.  I've enjoyed feeling him move and I've enjoyed having a baby belly, but everything has gotten so much more difficult the bigger I get.  I'm ready to sleep without pain or difficulty rolling over.  I'm ready to be able to bend down to pick something up without it being a major deal.  I'm ready to have my lap back for my big boys.  And I can't wait to dress my little guy in all his big brothers' baby clothes and hold him and snuggle him and nurse.

My mom is coming into town on Monday and will be with us about three weeks.  My dad will be here for a week while she is.  My brother and sister in law and niece will be here sometime around the first of March for a few days.  And Glen's parents are coming for a week sometime in March.  We're getting ready for a busy but joyous time in our family.