It is Saturday July 22nd. Our due date to meet our sweet baby boy is set for August 16th-and if he is anything like his sisters, we may see him even sooner then that. In the endless hours we've spent thinking, dreaming and imagining who our son is and all the wonders that he is going to bring to our lives, I realised that I haven't really sat down and told him his story. So, with my muddled memories and raw pregnancy emotions, I am going to attempt to do that now, at least once before he gets here. I hope he feels our boundless love for him, even if there aren't countless entries about him. The fact is, we have been so busy learning and getting prepared for him that we haven't made time to write them down. But now is the time, even if it is in between contractions and his letting me know he's almost ready to come home to us.

Son, you are so very wanted. When your sisters started getting older and we started to feel like it may be time to bring you here, we were both excited and nervous. We had so many things we wanted to give you when you came, and we were concerned that if you came now, we wouldn't be able to do so. You deserve the world, and we wanted to be able to offer you that and more. So we continued to think of you, pray about you and seek out answers as to whether now was the right time or not; we had to know that if you we were to bring you into this world sooner then we originally planned that the sacrifices you, and all of us would have to make would be 100% worth the things we'd all receive in return.

After waiting a while longer, we realised that our timeline for meeting you, although not always logical, was now-we wanted you and felt like you were just waiting for us to take a step of faith and get ready to bring you home our arms. Soon afterwards [around Christmas time], we found out that both of your Aunt's were pregnant with your cousins. We suspected that we were as well [as you were making me so sick] but rather then check and take a test just then, we wanted to do things a little differently this time. So we waited and spent all that time savouring and dreaming about you and imagining who you would be, when you would come, and making sure that you were healthy and safe before we got our hopes up [you gave us a few scares in that time ;)]. When the time finally came for us to take that test, we watched impatiently...to see indistinct lines that looked like they could go either way. Hah, from day one you have had kept us guessing. Eventually, the Dr. confirmed what we hoped for-you were there, healthy, and on your way and we couldn't have been more ecstatic.




After savouring this special time as a family, and getting your sisters prepared to meet you, the time came for us to tell the rest of our families. Even before you were born, you have brought joy to so many people by your mere existence. Your Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, cousins and friends never once asked us if we were crazy or ridiculous for bringing you here-they just immediately shared our joy bc they have loved being a part of your sisters lives, and bc they could feel that you were going to be another someone special and unique to all who met you.


If I'm honest, everyone in our little family was expecting you to be a girl, except your oldest sister Addy. I would occasionally have little doubts in my heart and head, but immediately talk myself out of them bc I didn't want to be surprised, and I was also not sure I could be the best Mom to a boy, when all I've done is girls. That sounds silly now, but it was my reality back then. But Addy continually told us you would be a boy, and Daddy would go back and forth, until finally the date came for us to find out. After a long ultra sound with Daddy and I trying to get clear view of you through all the gray and black, our jaws dropped at the same moment the ultra sound tech said 'now, this will be your first time seeing this right here...' and pointed out your boyhood. In truth, you were so open and spread legged about it, that even if she hadn't said anything, we would have known what was up. We hope that you always have the same silly, open hearted nature and confidence in who you are and what you can bring to the table! We have no doubt that you will bring so many elements of wonder, surprise, energy and joy to our lives once your here.




All this said, throughout the last 9 months, you have continually challenged me and helped me to continue to learn, grow and improve as a parent [in both wonderful ways, and hard ones!] You've brought symptoms I'm used to, and ones that I have never experienced or expected in my life [namely constipation and back labour, since it seems you are sunny side up]. You have far and away smoked your sisters when it comes to activity-you never seem to be still or sleep, and you are always ready and willing to play, no matter what time it is. Speaking of which, your eager sisters have spent countless hours talking to you, singing and making up stories and songs for you. Isla in particular-which is ironic, bc when we came home and told your sisters you were a boy, Addy said 'I knew it!' and Isla said 'NO I want a girl!' And yet over the last several months of your growing, she has become your best friend and constant companion. She tells you everything and anything, and kisses and tickles you all the time. You have responded by kicking and high fiving when you hear her voice, more for her then anyone else. Addy can't wait to protect, hold and cuddle you as well-she always knew who you were, even before us. Already, you have a special relationship with each of them, and us and we can't wait to see that develop even more over time when your here in the flesh. Your Daddy can't wait to have you on his team and get to know you and share some likes and dislikes, and I can't wait to share Star Wars, and LOTR with you [your sisters love it, but not enough-I am going to indoctrinate you harder while your still young ;)





Again, I know being part of a family means lots of blessings and lots of sacrifices. I hope that even though I haven't had the time to write a million entries about how ecstatic we are to meet you, this small sacrifice will be made up a million times over by the sheer amount of love and support you will receive instead.

My son, we love you. Come home healthy soon-we are eagerly awaiting you with open arms.

Have you ever been in one of those simulated tornado chambers? The one where you experience how intense and crazy the wind in one is, but in a totally controlled, fun, safe environment? Ya. I feel like the last week or two of my life has been one of those haha. Having lived through real tornados, I can say that those are no fun and to be avoided at all costs. But every once in a while, one of those little simualted ones of endless, fun chaos are great.

Less then a week after company left and we wrapped up Mariah's baby shower [see last post] my awesome friends from high school threw me the cutest baby shower ever. It was literary themed, and they went all out with it. The decorations were adorable and personal, and they even made delicious foods correlating with the children's book next to it-which were all also part of a sweet gift. We played games and there were activties that incorporated the kids who were there as well. This may sound silly, but it did wonders to make me feel loved, and even more excited for this sweet baby boy to join our family. I can't thank Lisa, Liz, Becca and Drea enough for the shower, and for being such an important part of my life all these years. They are such great Aunt's to my kids in our ever growing family [and thanks to the sweet friends who attended]. I am blessed beyond what I can express!


















Later that week, my sister and her husband came back for one last visit before we all have our babies, and we enjoyed hanging out with them. I also had book club, which is always fun, and then the intensity cranked up a notch. Without realizing how packed our week was, we had planned on having some friends over for wings after church on Sunday. We also didn't consult each other about how many people we each invited-so in the end, when everyone RSVP'd yes [and generously brought sides to share] we had a house packed full to the brim for dinner and games. It ended up being a blast, so much so that it went into the night. Once we had wrapped everything up, Lester got the girls to bed while I stayed up to prepare for Isla's 3rd bday playdate at the park with some friends the next morning.




The next morning, I finished all the odds and ends of frosting cupcakes, making fruit wands, loading up everything, etc and headed to the park. It was a little hectic at first, but ended up being an absoluetly goregous day with lots of Isla's friends and family. She loved every second of it, and I loved seeing her be the center of attention for once. I think thats important for everyone to have every once in a while, especially for a soon to be middle child haha. Again, thanks to all the friends who came to both things. Friends and family are such a wonderful thing!



















After cleaning and packing everything up from the park, Lester packed us all up for a birthday camping trip in Yosemite [courtesy of my parents-thanks, it was the perfect bday present for him!] We stayed the night in Fresno visiting with my sister's in laws, and it was great. We woke up at 4:30 the next morning and did the rest of the drive in record time, avoiding all the crowds. We ate breakfast at an almost empty, sunlit Glacier Point and it was beautiful. So peacful, and good rejuvination for the soul. After enjoying our time here, we met up with my parents and Luke at Lower Yosemite Falls where Luke, Lester and Addy scaled the waterfall,and the rest of us climbed, snacked and enjoyed the view and mist while we waited for them. From here, we took the shuttle to the Mirror Lake trail and hiked into a beautiful, scenic place and played in the water, sand and rocks for hours, against the back drop of half dome. Stuff of dreams people. Eventually, we made the mile hike back, and baby brother gave me a hard time for it-I sicnerely wondered if we might have to have him there, and name him after Ansel Adams at one point haha. But after making it back to our crowded shuttle, we made it to our campsite and set up for the night. We ate hot dogs and fruit, and smores by the fire and hung out with my family in the beautiful valley. We called it an early night, although I still got an amazing view of the hundreds of stars when I had to pee at 2:30 that morning haha. The next morning, we made quick work of packing things up before heading over to Olmstead Point for a little bit of rock climbing and more goregous views, before heading over to Tuolome Meadows. Our last stop was at Tenaya Lake, where we played in the water before starting the long drive home. It was a perfect trip full of beautiful memories, even with being 8 months pregnant. It was made even sweeter when we heard the news that our first ever sweet nephew was born, thanks to Hillary and Andrew. He is a total doll, and I'm hoping he gave his cousins the hint and that they will join him soon.

























































Now, we are back and preparing for our baby boy's arrival, and spending our last little while as a family of 4. More good things to come in this beautiful life of ours!