Winding Down

Well, I guess its time to sneak my September post in before its gone!!  Summer has wound down, September is winding down (only 2 days left!!), and this pregnancy is winding down (thank goodness for that!).  School has been in full swing for 5 weeks or so.  Routines are set and Nora has stopped crying at lunch b/c she's sad that Aliza and Eben aren't home too.  It was so sad to watch her.  She enjoys her time with Zane and I and does pretty well at quiet time alone.  She sure seems to be growing up lately: still sucking her thumb - hopefully I can be consistent with bandaids and maybe we'll kick the habit - but her face is changing and she talks so grown up.  She just got her first set of sight words this past week.  We'll have 3 readers by the time summer rolls around.  Its strange that she and Aliza are almost 2 years apart in age, but just one in school.  I can't believe Nora is old enough to be doing what Aliza did last year already.  It goes so fast...

Sometimes this pregnancy seems like its gone fast too, but other times I feel like I've been pregnant so long and my due date will always be 'just around the corner'.  Almost 3 weeks away though, so I know its close.  I've been having lots of braxton hicks the past couple days.  We are nearing the end.  Even though Zane is not even 16 months yet, I still feel like its hard to remember him as a newborn.  I look forward to little Declan resting on my chest and just enjoying his littleness as much as I can.  I know that it will be a blink of an eye and he will be a crazy toddler, just like Zane.  Oh boy!!  That little guy is quite the ham.  He has such funny facial expressions - always has us laughing.....or sighing in frustration ;)  He's a boy alright.  Lots of throwing things, dumping things, and even the occasional tantrum has begun.  He is a joy though.  I'm so interested to see the differences and similarities the little boys will have.  We're in for an adventure w/ two little boys so close to each other!!

The weather has been so great the past few weeks.  No a/c and no heat running.  Perfect weather to finish up a pregnancy.  Hopefully it will stay this way for the next 3-4 weeks!  I love Fall :)  I'm happy we'll have another Fall baby.  What would make me super happy is if he comes a little early.  Oh, how wonderful that would be!!!!  I know its pretty normal to have these thoughts at this point, but I keep thinking that there will be some surprise with Declan's birth - like he's actually a 'she', or he'll have a birth defect, or something wrong with him.  I don't dwell on these thoughts b/c I know that is pointless, but they do tend to come back now and again.  Just gotta keep trusting God that He knows what is best for us and that He'll give us what we need when we need it.

It has been just a little over 2 months now since Jared's dad died.  I can't believe that I can write that.  I feel like since we've been gone, it has gotten less and less real.  How is it possible that he no longer lives at the house he's live at for so long?  How can it be that Jared no longer has a dad he can talk to and share life with.  It just seems so wrong.  I know going back at Christmas will be a challenge.  The rest of Jared's family has been face to face with his loss for the past two months, and as bad as it sounds - it has been easier for us to forget it happened since he wasn't a normal part of our day-to-day life.  I keep thinking it will be like an old wound ripping open each time we go there, for quite awhile.  However, I know without a doubt that God will get us through. 

I think about Psalm 23 and the valley of the shadow of death.  Death does cast a shadow over our lives, some longer than others.  And even in the midst of that valley, there is the promise that we will walk through it.  We won't be stuck with that shadow forever.  Praise God!!

A couple more weeks and my parents will come out.  We are having them come the Thursday before I'm due (the next Mon), so Jared and I can attempt a night away for the first time in over 2 years.  Of course that being said, I figure if we make nice plans little Declan will decide to come early.  I guess both would be good, but it would be nice to have a night away before he arrives.  Who knows when it will happen again!  And shortly after Mom and Dad leave, Jared's mom will be coming for 2 weeks.  It will be great to have the parents around to help out a little!!

I need to get some more pics loaded on here, but for now, this is what you get ;)  Next month we'll have kid pics - much more fun to look at than me and my big belly!!

                                                    36 weeks.  Hoping LESS than 4 to go!