Meredith’s Birth

Update #4 – 10:33 p.m.

Meredith is 8 pounds, 9 ounces, and has peach fuzz for hair. : ) We will be posting pictures tomorrow- stay tuned! : )

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Update #3 – 7:23 p.m.

We have a little one! Details will be posted as soon as I have them.

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Update #2 – 10:14 a.m

The Pitocin has been started.  Everything is going well, just slow. Pray that the labor will go smoothly and quickly.

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Update #1 – 4:30 a.m.

Today’s the day!! We leave for the hospital in 15 minutes. Courtney has volunteered to post updates. Please pray for our family! : )

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The Baby’s Name

I’m finally feeling my little one moving around.

I’ve only had one other baby that took so long. That baby was Matthew.

Just like this little one, he had an anterior placenta.

This cushioned pretty much every l move he made and I first felt him move around 27 weeks.

This one hasn’t waited quite so long. I’m so glad. It’s always comforting to feel their little movements and makes it all the more exciting to get to greet them in the coming months.

I’m happy to say that Paul and I have settled on a name.

It’s not been without “incidence”, but at least we’ve reached an agreement. *smile*

As I’ve prayed, I’ve really felt like she was a “Meredith”. We’ve never considered the name for our other girls, but it sure seems to fit.

I love the thought of calling her “Meri” for short and it especially reminds me of the following verse:

Proverbs 17:22a
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…”

…and then, there is that my Grandmother’s name is Mary. It is just “right”

Well, I should run. It’s late, and I’m still trying to get past this nasty flu bug.

Thank you all for your continued prayers for me and for our family. It never ceases to amaze me to find emails from some of you in the mornings to greet me, or late at night when I’m ready to turn in.

You are a very special group of ladies and I’m thankful for each and every one of you!

With my love,
Tracy

Baby #10 Sonar

We went for our ultrasound this morning…I’ve thought this day would NEVER arrive.

For months, I’ve floundered between boy and girl. I just told Courtney this last week that I really thought baby was a girl and then I woke up today terribly sick and told her this baby must be a boy. *smile*

As it turns out, our new precious blessing is another sweet little girl.

Everyone except the five and six year old brothers are thrilled….they always want another little brother.

So now, we’ll have 10 children- as Paul tells folks, 6 strapping sons, and FOUR virtuous daughters.

We’re thanking God for this new tiny life growing inside.

A sweet little baby foot

With my love,

We’re expecting!!!

We are expecting #10 in June!

Be praying for a safe pregnancy/delivery.

With my love,
Tracy

39 Weeks, 6 Days

If I could share a moment with all of you….sitting here typing away, my tummy seems to possess a life of it’s own…and then I remember it does…really!  When this little one stretches out over the last couple of days, my skin goes this way and that…I can tell he has ran out of room.   He’s gaining weight and growing longer.  It seems bizarre that I only have two days until I get to hold him in my arms.  Where does the time go?

The last couple of days have brought a flurry of activity.  This little one will hopefully know someday that his whole family anticipated his arrival so much that they all pitched in and helped with housework, cooking, sewing, etc.  It’s been wonderful to see everyone working as a team.  It is a joy to be the mom of this wonderful group of little and not so little people.  I’m excited, as always, to see what new trait this little guy will bring.  Each personality molds and shapes our group in it’s own little individual way.  How blessed I am to be a part.

So, now the bags are almost packed.  I still have to add Paul’s clothes which are about
to be hung on the line to dry outside.  I also need to throw in the camera (I use it everyday so it is a last minute addition).  Aside from that and a few lingering chores (one of which is to polish my nails- yippee!), we are ready to go. 

My little boys are SO excited for their Grandmother to be keeping them for a few days.  A friend of mine gave us an entire set of play-doh a while back and we’ve been waiting for them to get to use it while I’m away.  This has Timothy most excited.  Ben’s mostly looking forward to visiting the hospital for a chocolate (the ones we had prepared for the nurses!) .  I told him that I would save him one for when he visits.  Every day he asks how much longer to “Hewshey’s”.    Neither boy quite “gets it” that they are going to have a brand new baby in the house next week.   It always works that way…something magical happens and then I can’t chase them away when the new little ones arrive.  They all want to help.

I’ll try and post last minute pictures tomorrow, but for now, I think that is it.  I’m just waiting…so grateful to the Lord for allowing me another little life.       

38 weeks, 6 days

So close….so close….so close……I woke up this morning to Paul rubbing my tummy and telling me that it wouldn’t be much longer. Little feet and little toes are so sweet to feel…my older children can’t resist feeling this sweet little life still growing inside of me.

Motherhood is an amazing thing to experience. Before I had children, I could have never imagined how wonderful it would be to hear a sleeping baby in the cradle next to me, or see their little fingers curled around mine. It would have never occurred to me how I would feel to see them succeed at something they’ve tried so hard at, or watch them help a younger sibling that just needs a helping hand. What a privilege to enjoy life with a child.

As the days go by, I am getting more and more excited to see this little one…he is another special blessing from a very loving God…I pray that Paul and I can raise him to be the man that he is created to be.

Welcome to our new baby blog…

Thanks for visiting our new baby blog. Don’t forget your hard hats as there is construction going on currently!

34 Weeks…

I can’t believe that I have reached this point already. Each passing day leaves me more and more excited to see this little miracle that I
am carrying.

Some things of note:

Today marks the day when I have begun my labor preparation herbs.
Aside from the baby being rather active today, I am really not feeling any different than I did before I took them…not that one day would really make that much of a difference! : )

He is so big, I am getting that “rib burn” quite regularly now. I find that pelvic tilts, walking and sometimes just a change of position have really helped.

I’m so grateful for the microwavable rice socks. I’ve been able to keep little aches and pains at a minimum with the help of these. I’m
hoping to have time to make one for myself (up until now, I’ve been
making them for others!) soon.

We have most everything we need for our little one with the exception of burp cloths (which I’m working on), and a car seat. My mom is going to purchase his coming home outfit for us and she has agreed
to crochet an edging on the blanket that I knit for him. I’m really excited as this will be an heirloom made my him and his Grandmommy. I hope that it will be very special to him.

I have started his baby book. What a joy to write words that my son
will one day read for himself. The Lord is so good…what a wonderful place to share you faith with a future generation. I smile at the thought that one day his children and his children’s children will read my words and know what a special person this young man is to me.

I’m having contractions pretty much daily. They are usually not anything that make me more than uncomfortable but a constant reminder of the time ticking away.

I’m also having heartburn pretty frequently. It’s obvious orange juice and tomato based foods are something that I should probably avoid right now.

A few prayer requests concerning this birth:

1. I would love for my husband to be more involved. There is something about birth in a hospital that makes that nearly impossible, but I know that the Lord knows my heart.

2. I’m praying that first, I don’t have to be induced, but should
I find myself in this situation for the 9th time, that it will not
be as painful or as long (I’ve had inductions lasting almost 30 hours!).

3. My recovery from birth is quick and I’m back to feeling healthy and strong quickly.

4. There will be no complications during this birth.

5. Mostly, I want a healthy, happy boy!!

6. That the Lord would be glorified in all….

Thank you all for your notes of encouragement and your continued support. I can’t tell you how much they mean to my family and I!

With my love,

Tracy

the baby pics…

Here is the whole group…if you’ve never had one, you wouldn’t believe how long they   take getting the photos:                             

                                                                     

                                                                    

                                                                    

                                                                    

                                                                    

I have to say that getting to see your baby this way, makes it all
the harder to wait!

With My Love,

Tracy

Weeks and Counting……….

Wow! Time is flying by so quickly, I can hardly believe that this little guy will make his appearance in so little time. I’m very aware that this is the time to take a moment to really enjoy him being part of me.I have a few (I know it’s not that impressive, LOL!), items packed in my hospital bag.

I think today, I’m going to create a baby registry on Amazon.com to
keep a running list of items that I would still like to get for the little guy. It might help me stay a little more organized for his arrival.

Tomorrow, we’re off to the doctor for what will be our third ultrasound. I can’t wait to see how he’s grown. I’ll definitely post pictures following the visit.

We’re also having the blood sugar test done. I’m not really thrilled.
I hope that all goes well and we continue on with no problems.

I think that is it for today’s update. I’m sure that I’ll have more tomorrow!

With my love,

Tracy