35 Weeks… and Yes, I’m Counting

If our baby arrives full-term we will be meeting him in the next three to seven weeks.  Of course, premature would really not be good, for us or the baby, and when I think about three weeks I still freak out a bit.  There is still plenty to do and I’m fairly certain I haven’t thought of it all because those “minor” details being asked about like, “Who’s Charlie going to be with if your mom isn’t here yet?” haven’t come into mind on their own.  We do have the crib set up, so that’s good.  However, I don’t plan on the baby being in the crib for awhile and we haven’t figured out what we’re going to use in our bedroom yet.  I think we know where all the infant car seat parts are but we still have to fit it in the car amongst the pounds of food that Charlie has dropped in the back seat and we’ve yet to vacuum up.  See, minor details.

I’m starting to feel really ready, though, and that feels great.  There’s the obvious physical reasons to be excited– no more reflux!  sleeping however I want!  peeing less frequently!– but I am also getting anxious to snuggle with the little bundle and discover who he is.  When I look through all of Charlie’s early pictures I am reminded of the precious fleeting times of newborn life.  Little sleeper, sweet reflexes, intense eye gazes, swaddling.  I want to treasure those moments no matter how tired I am.  If this baby sleeps better than Charlie did, I will be extremely grateful, but I’m expecting the worst.  At least I can be pleasantly surprised that way.  Thankfully I also have perspective to know that sleep will come.  And even with sleep, I’ll still be tired caring for two little ones, so I might as well learn to function joyfully while fatigued.

I am also looking forward to seeing Charlie interact with the baby.  He loves to kiss and hug my belly and often requests to do so whenever I’m rubbing it or feeling the baby.  He’s asking more and more questions, too.  “Will the baby be able to eat chocolate?”  “Will the baby take my toys?”  He also weaves in his persistent line of commenting regarding speech and language development of all toddlers and babies.  “He won’t be able to say ‘as’ but Glory and Elena can say ‘as’ (their old pronunciation of eyes).  And he won’t be able to say papa.  And Glory and Elena can’t say Charlie.”  This has *not* been influenced by his SLP mom, I promise.  In fact, one of my biggest pet peeves is when people overtly correct children’s speech errors.  It’s so strange but he really is rather obsessed with what younger kids can’t say and likes to bring it up in conversation in front of them.  Thank goodness they’re too young to care.

Anyways, I’m thankful that we’ll be adding to our family soon.  And, while I can, I should go get a full night’s sleep.  Or maybe read a bit about what people expecting a baby should have ready before it comes.