The unexpected pregnancy symptom...

(Enjoy this photo that has no relation to today's post. Just a picture of my favorite person on a walk by a beautiful river  during my favorite time of year.)

Today marks my 39th week of pregnancy. And what a blessing these past 39 weeks have been. I am truly grateful for the gift I have been given to be able to carry this baby and very soon be his mother. Even these last few weeks with this unexpected pregnancy symptom have been a blessing because they are making me want to hold my baby outside of my belly more than ever before. And it has also given me time to reflect on the relatively easy road this whole experience has been.

I expected a lot of things coming into this pregnancy. I expected to be more hungry and tired than normal. I expected to really enjoy feeling a little person move inside of me. I expected my belly to grow and stretch more than I thought possible leaving the expected marks of such stretching behind. I expected I would nest, wanting everything in perfect order before the arrival of this tiny baby. And I expected that I would love being pregnant. (which I really do.)

However, what I did not expect with pregnancy is the almost unbearable itching that I am sure is a result of the expected stretching of my 39 weeks pregnant belly. This itching is probably worse than any mosquito bite I have ever had times 10. It is pretty close to constant and is very hard to relieve. I try not to touch it, look at it, think about it, and should probably stop blogging about it because doing so seems to be making it itch even more. But I felt that I should let my future-mother-friends out there know about this pregnancy symptom which for me was very unexpected so that they can add it to their list of expected things that may come their way when pregnant. But remember, everyone is different so you may be lucky and never have to experience the itchy belly. But if you do, also remember that it is a blessing. Because as my sweet sister once told me, if pregnancy were without difficulty we would forever want to remain pregnant. Instead we get to dream about the day when our little one is wrapped up in our arms and not in our bellies.

(So please come out soon little boy.)

Baby bump...

I was looking through some old pictures on our computer the other day and had to laugh at some of the earlier pregnancy pictures I had taken thinking that my belly was so big and finally showing when it was just a little bump. There is not hiding it now. (This was one of those rare days when I actually wore real clothes. Believe me that those pants were quickly changed once my errands were over.)

As much as I am ready for this baby to be in my arms and not in my belly, I really have enjoyed being pregnant. It has been very easy compared to what so many other women have to go through which I am very grateful for. I still get excited when I feel this little guy wiggle inside of me. Even when his little feet find the most uncomfortable spot to wedge themselves into, it makes me happy thinking that he is in there and doing well. I sure do love this little baby of mine.

ps. Today marks week 37. That leaves only 3 more weeks until the due date. Which means that if baby boy were born today, he would not be considered premature. What a relief. I do not feel bad now wishing that he would come soon. But I will keep being patient because as my sister said, the world is a scary place and he can just stay inside his safe little corner until he is ready to come out.

Sometimes I pretend it's snowing...

(Last December)

Especially while eating warm maple and brown sugar oatmeal with apples and listening to some Pandora Christmas music. (Mormon Tabernacle Choir (Holiday) radio) Makes me so happy!

In love...

(taken on an early morning last November)

I love this man. (a lot)

Our baby has hair...

And cute little hands curled up next to a darling little face, and little feet that like to be crossed. (Can you see all of that?)

ps. Hair is not represented in the above pictures. We just saw it in the ultrasound today. Baby now has an estimated weight of 6 lbs. 13 oz. and is due to come in just a few weeks. So excited to meet this little guy! 

Big Belly...

Today is one month away from this baby's due date. Will he be here in one month? Who knows. But I do know that this belly is feeling quite big today. This shirt, along with most things I wear around the house these days, belongs to Sage. And even they are becoming too short. Oh well. This is not a permanent part of my body. (Or so I hope...) I am just glad that I have a belly at all. That is, a belly full of baby.

I was watching a woman at church a couple weeks ago who was very much ready to have her baby. She looked exhausted, warm, and uncomfortable. As I sat watching her I felt a peace come over me that this is all worth it. I wanted to hold her by the shoulders and remind her that, but I didn't because I didn't want to interrupt the lesson. Then I realized that I need to remember that just as much as she does. Sometimes I find myself complaining about how uncomfortable I am feeling or just wishing that he was out instead of in. But this is such a great blessing and I need to treat it more like that.

This baby is going to be here before we know it. I need to really enjoy these last few weeks of being pregnant because I will never have this time back. Once he is here it will never be just me again. Even if I have some time to myself, I will still be a mother and that is how it is going to be for the rest of eternity. I am completely fine with that but I also need to remember to enjoy these last few weeks of me time. 

So if you will excuse me, I am going to go do just that. Have a great day everyone!

2 Years...

This picture has nothing to do with today's post. I just felt like sharing it. This was taken on the 4th of July at some beautiful lake which I can not remember the name of. It was such a fun day.

Now that I think of it, this picture does have some relationship to today's post because it was taken on Bridger's last day before he left for his mission and today Ryley is coming home from his. We are so excited to see him! It is so crazy that 2 years has already come and gone.When he left, he did not have any sisters, now he has two! And he has two nephews on the way! Quite the 2 years for the Boman family. We love you Bridger and Ryley!

ps. Don't I have the most adorable husband in the world? I love him. :)