Yes, I am still pregnant. No, I don't know when the baby is coming. Yes, I am sure there's only one baby in there.

Those are answers to the questions I've been asked nearly everyday as of late. Funny, with my first baby, those questions bothered me a lot. But, with this being the sixth baby, not so much. I just let it roll off. Beside, I am beginning to resemble someone part of a roadside freak show. Yes, my belly *is* that big.

I am going to the OB this Thursday for my 38 week visit. My last 3 babies have been born at 38 weeks. Enough said.

Unbelievably, I still don't even have arrangements for the other kids care while I am having the baby. I keep assuming that I will have to be induced and therefore it won't have to be a mad dash to the birth center and I can plan it all out. I've had MANY offers from friends to watch the kids thankfully, so I feel like I have options as far as that goes. But, with my due date fast approaching, I should probably nail something down. Any takers?

Short and sweet tonight...as you guessed, I'm tired!

Belly Full of Baby

I thought I'd finally get around to posting another belly picture. Sorry if it disturbs anyone with its enormity, but I *am* pregnant after all! Warning: If a picture of a stretched to capacity belly makes you want to poke your eyes out, close them now...




Lovely, huh?

Now, I'm going into hiding.

It's Official!

Finally...finally it's here! I am 'officially' considered full term! Granted, I know I *could* still be pregnant for a couple more weeks, but, knowing that I *could* go into labor anytime is still exciting. I'll be holding a sweet, new bundle of pink soon :)

I've been having a TON of contractions--some pretty brutal. I know it's just my body warming up for the real deal, but maybe it's doing *something* to get the process going. I can hope!

Yesterday, Sam took it upon himself to feed the dog. I had just bought a new bag of dog food and poured it into a container that is easy for him to dip a cup into--you know, because he loves to 'help'. While I spent a whole 5 minutes in the laundry room folding a load of clothes, Sam took the entire container of dog food and dumped it in the living room--all four POUNDS of it. (what? It's a small dog--4 pounds lasts her a month) Well, since Sam likes to do things completely, he not only dumped the food, he also spread it around the entire living room. Believe me, it wasn't easy nor pretty I'm sure, to get on my hands and knees to scoop up dog food. And to top it off, after we'd (mostly me) cleaned up the mess, I went upstairs to put away the clothes I had folded and I found another few cups of dog food bits dumped on the floor in my room. I held in the urge to scream at Sam, but instead, I quietly cleaned it up alone...freaking out on him just wasn't worth the fit nor the guilt that would have ensued had I done so.

And, just in case you thought I was kidding about the dog food--here's proof!



Well, I'm calling it a night(hopefully). I am tired after cleaning up the bathroom after Tsunami Sam hit earlier this evening. This kid is on a roll I tell ya! And I'm even more tired from yelling "Stop it!" or "Don't hit!" or "Leave him/her ALONE"....oy!

I think I am going a teeny bit cuh-raaazy!

Progress....Zero!

Yup, you guessed it...another totally whiny post. Can I just screeeeeeeeeam?

I had my 37 week OB visit today. Thankfully, baby passed the non-stress test within a half hour. But, in addition to being told 'see you next week!', I had to have the Group B Strep test redone. You know, the one where the very long swab goes ummm, well, where the sun doesn't shine. For some reason the lab messed up so I got the privilege of being tested again. After gathering my nearly tearful self together after the pelvic exam, I asked if there were anything I could do to 'speed' things along. The doctors face lit up and she said "Yes, get yourself some Evening Primrose Oil". After some explanation as to what it was for and how to use it (don't worry, I will spare you my dear readers, the details) I ran out of the office and went right to Whole Foods to buy the stuff.

Maybe next week there will be more encouraging news...?

I know I shouldn't put much stock into being or not being dilated or effaced--I have gone into inductions either being dilated to a 'fingertip' or even not at all and I progressed at lightening speed. But, sheesh, it would be nice to think I am getting somewhere...

Again, sorry for the whining. Believe it or not, I am thankful that all is well--I know that the baby will come when she's ready, regardless of what I have to say about it!

With that, I am taking my puffy feet and droopy eyes to bed.

G'night!

Freedom!

Ahhhhhhh yes....back to school today. Somehow, I had NO trouble getting up this morning. In fact, I was up a good 20 minutes before my alarm.

As unheard of as it is, the kids ALL cooperated. There wasn't whining nor fighting. Breakfast was eaten without complaint...and we made it to school on time. Is it wrong that I was giddy with delight when I pulled out of the parking lot after drop off?

I think the kids were actually *glad* to be getting out of the house and back into a routine. Almost as glad as I was :)

I'm sure by tomorrow, the kids will be back to being difficult to get ready, but for today, I'll take it!

I am now 36 weeks 4 days pregnant---just 3 days until full-term! I have an appointment for a non-stress test and to see the OB in the morning. I'm hoping that we can get this show on the road sooner than later...I'm THE crankiest pregnant woman EVER, remember?

Of course, now that Spring Break is over, Sam is getting sick. As of tonight he's got a runny nose, a goopy eye and a sunburn-like rash on his legs, belly, cheeks and ears. At first I thought roseola, but he's had NO fever. Weird.

Signing off...I've got 'Slumdog Millionaire' to fall asleep to.

Basically, I am ready to crawl out of my own skin. I had a rough night. Not much sleep was had. Not because of anyone else...just because of my huge and uncomfortable pregnant body. My hips have been killing me with shooting pain every time I lay down and not one position makes it better. I mean, I no longer have much variety in the position I can sleep in. I've tried laying on my back, but then the tingling in my hands gets worse and I can't breathe. And as everyone in the house is keenly aware of, a rough night for mom makes for a rough DAY for all. (sorry guys!)

Yes, I know my blog has become my daily complain-a-thon...I know. I just can't help it. If I complained 'out loud' to my friends everyday, I wouldn't have any friends!

I am restless. Moody. Antsy. Tired. Moody. (oh yeah, I already said that)

I am SO thankful that it's Friday and Spring Break is nearing an end. SOOOOO thankful. I know that heading back to school means getting everyone up early, packing lunches, pestering everyone to finish getting ready to fly out the door, homework and earlier bedtimes, but HELLO I get to have 7.5 hours with just ONE kid! A good chunk of the day where I don't have to deal with a sassy kindergartner, a highly energized 8 year old and two defiant preteens. The three year old I can handle, most days. Heck, hugs, milk and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse make HIM happy.

Forging on...the day is still young!

Puddle Jumper

Puddles are fun to jump in, right? Apparently they are even fun to jump in when they are located on the bathroom floor and are made of your own PEE! (Not MY pee, just to clarify)

Potty training is an adventure. Accidents happen. Sometimes they happen RIGHT in front of the toilet on the floor. Truth be told, I haven't had to change a poopy diaper in a week, but for some reason, Sam can't quite figure out how to pee in the potty consistently. Don't get me wrong, he does well, but seems 'forgetful'. He also likes to take off his pull-up without telling me and go commando. When he does that, he ends up flooding the bed when he takes a nap. Or making a HUGE wet spot on the carpeted floor of the dentists waiting room. Or causing a yellow waterfall from the cart at Safeway. I should probably make a note to check to make sure he's wearing a pull up before sleeping or going out...smart, yes?

3 days and counting before the kids go back to school. I. Can't. Wait. I've been dealing with their insane behavior day in and day out for the last two weeks. Two VERY long weeks. I really am ready to run from the house screaming. Really. I am very thankful my hubby is gainfully employed, but his being gone a great deal of the time is not a good thing. I'd heard of 'Restaurant Manager Widows' before, but now I live the reality of being one. I am growing weary of feeling like a 'single' mom. And honestly, I struggle with bitterness over it.

As long as I'm counting things down, I'll mention that I have just one week to go until my pregnancy is considered 'full term'. Today I had planned on hubby helping me clean the upper level of the house, but as usual, he had other things to do and not much help was given before he had to run out the door to work. I spent the entire day scrubbing things like a mad-woman. What is it about a woman that's about to give birth and the insane desire to have things clean and organized? I'm not sure why it's so important, but I have a feeling that it's all I'll do until this baby comes. Besides, SOMEBODY had to clean up the toxic waste pit that is otherwise known as the boys bathroom. I don't understand how they manage to make such a mess in there. It's beyond me...

I am a little worried that we're going to be hit with sickness passing through the house. Last night, Eli began vomiting. All of a sudden and in the kitchen sink. (tmi, I know) Thankfully, he seemed fine after, and didn't get sick again, but I am still worried that germs are brewing! The last thing I need is to have a house full of vomiting children...

I'm going to go break up yet another spat, fold a load of clothes and maybe make a cup of tea.

G'night.

Time Keeps On Tickin'...

Time is ticking slower and s.l.o.w.e.r. Having 5 kids home on break combined with being hugely pregnant is not a pretty combination. Yes, I know I chose this path in life--to become a mom of many. I'm just trying to be honest. It's not easy. And like I said, it's not always pretty either.

I have had the nesting bug something fierce these past couple of days, but it has not amounted to much in the way of actual nesting because I am so darn tired. That, and the fact that everything I do is quickly undone by one kid or another. This morning, I walked into a cloud of baby powder that *someone* had sprinkled all over the baby's room. When the cloud cleared and I could see, I found tiny little diapers strewn across the room, baby washclothes unfolded and feathers from a blue boa all over the floor. All I could do was turn around and leave. *Somebody* else will deal with it later. (and I'm sure the *somebody* will be me)

Since both Eli and Gracie have friends over today, I am trying to hold myself together so as not to embarrass them. Or freak their friends out. I wouldn't want it spread around that I am a lunatic or anything.

Still no news on the labs for HELLP I had done yesterday, so I am still assuming all is well. This baby will come when she's supposed to. Guaranteed. In the meantime it's all I can do to stay sane :)