Time for a slow down...

In 5 weeks from today, we will officially become a family of 6.

We are very blessed.

This whole pregnancy we have been so incredibly busy. We've been busy with great things, for sure! But I know that our family of 5 is suffering a little for it.

So I'm making it official: the Jacobs family is slowing down for the next 5 weeks. And probably several weeks following!

We need this. I need this.

I need to just hang out with my big kids (Kempton is a big kid now!) and their dad.
I need to spend more time with the Lord.
I need to do some laundry and maybe make dinner.
I need to have the patience to finish out the school year.

I need peace and quiet.

And maybe as a result we will all be able to enjoy the last 5 weeks of what could be my last pregnancy.

Please don't be offended if we turn down an invitation or don't volunteer for something. If you don't hear from me very quickly, know that it is because my family is being prioritized right now. I'm not saying we won't be doing anything or going anywhere! I'm just saying that we might turn things down just for the sake of keeping our lives quiet.

image source

I envy you, coffee lovers.

This pregnancy has been the hardest of the four by far.

Laundry keeps getting forgotten in the machines...
We just recently emptied the dishwasher by using all the dishes out of it before I finally got to doing the dishes...
Working out consists of going up and down the stairs to deal with kids and bending over to fill the dustpan...
Marie told me I needed to sing the song that Daniel Tiger's mom told him to sing... "When I get so mad that I want to roar, take a deep breath and count to 4..."
I can't remember the last time I made a real dinner...
There is no such things as "comfortable" anymore...
I don't want to do anything. Don't make me do anything...

I know only moms can relate to this. And probably only moms that have very recently experienced this as it is quickly forgotten when hormones get back into some sort of balance and you no longer have a bowling ball hanging off the front of you.

But I'm telling you this because I want you to understand one of the reasons I envy coffee lovers. I hate coffee but oh, I could use a serious dose every morning, afternoon, and most evenings.

I envy you, coffee lovers.

And now, to add injury to insult, I have even more reason to envy you. And maybe even not like you very much. You get to use these...

Beautifully crocheted coffee sleeves, handmade by my sister-in-law. You need one of these. I need to learn to like coffee so I can have one of these.

Go HERE to purchase while supplies last!

Then, once you've received your awesome coffee sleeve, head over to The Living Room Coffee House to put them to good use. I might see you there, but I'll be suffering through a smoothie or some sort of non-coffee, sleeveless drink while envying your coffee-sleeved, energy boosting, coffee.

Go in peace, coffee lovers.

Just Do It

One of our favorite traditions is running the Turkey Stampede 10k that supports the Faith Mission. (I love that even if for some reason we couldn't run, we didn't waste our money! Love supporting an excellent cause).

I debated about doing the 10k, considering the 5k instead, because I haven't run more than once a week for months. And being pregnant, I was a little nervous about surviving. But I just hated the idea of breaking tradition. And I love impressing my husband.

This race has had obstacles for me each year… all related to bearing children! But I think that's what makes it one of my favorite traditions! It has played a huge part in teaching me that I can do so much more than I thought I could.

I first learned this concept from my other half. He's always told me (not always with sensitivity I might add) that my body can do amazing things. After the last year, I finally truly believe it. And I want so badly for you, dear reader, to believe it about yourself, too!

Do you want to be a runner? Then become a runner!
Do you want to lose weight? Then lose weight!
Do you want to be fit and healthy? Then get fit and healthy!
Do you want to be stronger spiritually, mentally, physically? Then be stronger!

I realize there are road blocks. Different for everyone. But how many are simply in your head? And how many are simply obstacles that you need to push past? work through? beat?

most of them.

I am the queen of excuses. Pregnancy makes it that much worse! But the race on Thanksgiving morning was a much needed reminder that I can do so much more than I think I can. And so can you!

Don't wait for the new year. Stop making excuses NOW.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

Baby Update

I've taken miscellaneous preggo pics this pregnancy but seriously, they are not pretty. I just do not make a "cute" pregnant person. But here's a pic from 28 weeks that I shared on Facebook, so I might as well share on here. You will very likely not see another.

I had my fourth ultrasound yesterday. The third ultrasound showed strange measurements... apparently the head was measuring a little over a week smaller than the rest of the body. But yesterday's ultrasound put that to rest. Not only is this baby growing strong and healthy, it is measuring somewhere around 2 weeks further along. Surprised? Me either.

See, my due date is debatable, so it's hard to say exactly. But the doc said this baby is weighing in at 3.5 lbs. Whether I am 28 or 29 weeks, this is at least a pound heavier than average.

I also recently found out, just like with my previous babes, I do not have gestational diabetes or any risk of it, I have low blood pressure and I'm anemic (which supposedly contributes to low birth weight). Maybe this will go on the list of questions to ask God in heaven... why the huge babies?

The ultrasound tech said I have a super long cervix which I had heard before. But this lady could actually tell me something interesting... she said it puts me at very low risk of pre-term labor. In her mind that was a great thing. In mine... well sure I don't want to have this baby super early. But a little early would be nice!

And finally, my placenta has been low, which is the main reason for all the ultrasounds. It is moving up very slowly but the bottom line is, if it doesn't do some real moving, if I go into labor or not doesn't matter. A csection will be required.

Another question to add to the list... why all the csections??

I know that God's hand has been in all of it. I'm clinging to that. We desperately want at least one more baby after this one. It is very possible that after 2 sections, a vbac might be even more dangerous than a 3rd section... at least in my case with the big babes and the low placenta. Or maybe God doesn't want us to have 4.

Nope, I'm not ready to think about that.

It's been a crazy busy week. I'm tired and more hormonal than normal. But I must end this baby update on a much higher note...

Baby Amber Jade/Kempton Charles is healthy, growing, and going to be here in 10-11 weeks. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

35 Weeks

Today I am 35 weeks pregnant. 4 weeks from right now I will either be in the recovery room attempting to nurse my chunky son for the first time while still having no feeling in the majority of my body, or comfortably at home with my precious son and daughter, probably thoroughly stressed out and incredibly happy at the same time. (I think only mom's can truly understand that!)

We're continually praying that Jack comes on his own very soon, but we know that God's timing is perfect. In the meantime, we're attempting to encourage him to come soon any way that we can. For the past two days I've spent almost any sitting down time on my yoga ball. Come, baby, come!

Packing is coming along... very slowly. We just got back from vacation last Saturday. I'm sure I'll post about that soon. But for now, it's time to work. My goal is 6 boxes a day... I better get to work!

July 1 @ 7am - scheduled csection.
July 12 - moving day!

This is an ultrasound picture of our Jack Edward at 30 weeks.  Doesn't he look just like his daddy??

Our Bundle #2

There's so many fears I have about Baby #2... just the thought of having 2 is a little overwhelming! And I'm uncomfortable and frustrated with my weight. So overall, the past 4 months haven't been all that thrilling to me. And while I've felt this little booger for a couple weeks now, tonight I was especially touched (no pun intended!)

Maybe I'm just really tired... no I mean I am definitely really tired. Maybe it's just the hormones added to the tiredness, but I finally felt connected to this little guy (or girl!) and so I got out my magazine and read about how he/she is growing and changing this month.

The little creature actually looks like a human! A tiny 5 inch transparent, disproportionate human! He's got ams, legs, fingers, toes, eyes, ears, mouth and nose! (I could not resist). He can hear my toddler's high pitched screams and would get annoyed - because he is his mother's child - if someone put a flashlight to his cozy little home.

Obviously many more details are being knitted and woven by God Himself physically. But it means so much to me that God Himself is softening my heart to this tiny little Babe and I'm beginning - only just beginning - to kind of understand what it's like to have equal parts love for more than one child. I'm sure I won't fully understand it until this Itty Bitty is in my arms, but I've thoroughly enjoyed the glimpse. Thank you, Lord.

I still have trouble imagining I could possibly have enough love to share when I look into this sweet face...