Even during the final days of my pregnancy, I am enjoying the moments and being still while waiting for the wonder of what’s to come.
It’s hard to believe that I’ve reached the end of pregnancy. At any moment now, I could go into labor.
After my three girls, I always longed for another baby. At first, my hubby wasn’t on board.
It might sound crazy considering that we already had three beautiful children, but my heart ached for one more.
On Valentine’s Day 2015, Will handed me a heart locket with three little turtle charms inside. He said they each represented one of our girls.
Then he held out his hand, balled into a fist: “Your real present is inside this hand,” he said.
I tapped on it, and he opened it.
It was a fourth turtle.
I wrinkled my forehead, confused. “Um, do you know something I don’t know?” I asked him.
He laughed.
“Am I pregnant? How would you know if I were pregnant?”
Then I tried another scenario: “Are we adopting? Have you already put in for adoption papers or something?”
He laughed again. “This turtle symbolizes that I’m OK with trying for another baby. I know I said I wasn’t before, but I am now.”
I was over-the-moon excited. I texted several friends the picture.
We didn’t start trying right away, but we said that perhaps Costa Rica–where we met–would be a great place to conceive since we were taking the girls there this summer.
Our Costa Rica trip came and went. And nothing happened. And nothing happened for months.
Then, in January of last year, we had some tests run.
And when a doctor told us it wasn’t possible to conceive, I grieved that I would never be able to carry a baby again.
Then, out of the blue, in May, I realized I was five days late. Pregnancy wasn’t my first thought. Instead, I thought: “I’m 35 and skipping a period, and goodness…there must be something wrong with me!”
I researched what it could be, and when I told a friend, she said: “Erin, just take a pregnancy test!”
That night, at 11:00 no less, I took one last pregnancy test I had from before.
The positive sign showed up almost immediately. I wobbled down the stairs with the test in hand.
Will was sitting at the kitchen table.
“Um, honey?” I stammered. “I’m…I’m pregnant.”
“No, there’s no way you’re pregnant!” he said. “It’s too late at night for that test to be accurate. And it’s probably old. Re-test tomorrow.”
But the test was right. And here we are, 9 months later, on the cusp of our son’s birth.
While this has been, in many ways, my easiest pregnancy, the end has come with some definite discomforts:
Cankles? The struggle is real, y’all. I can’t remember if I had them with the others, but I freaked out a bit when I saw how swollen my feet were last week. Thankfully, I’ve learned that a good nightly real salt bath with some orange and grapefruit essential oils can bring the swelling down, so not it’s part of my nighttime routine.
Varicose veins? I had them with the girls, but they popped out super early this time. I’m hoping they aren’t permanent.
Utter exhaustion? Honestly, up until the past few weeks I’ve been fine. While I made it a priority to sleep as much as possible during my first trimester, I’ve had a very hard time sleeping the past few weeks. And the effects are showing up in my days.
Frequent urination? There are many nights that I see every hour on the clock. But those nights when I get up just two or three times are a blessing.
Back aches? Let’s just say: “Praise Jesus for my chiropractor and rock tape!”
Yet it’s those little kicks. The looking at my mushrooming belly in the mirror and realizing there is life on the other side of it. It’s calling my baby’s name and having him kick back.
All of those could-be-fleeting moments make all of the discomforts worth it.
I was telling someone this morning that this is such a weird phase of pregnancy. Since I’ve always gone into labor at night, every.single.night I go to bed thinking: “Will this be the night?”
Some nights, I think: “Yes, please! Let this be the night!”
Other nights, I think: “No! This can’t be the night! I don’t have the energy to birth a baby tonight!”
Since my 3rd came 12 days past her due date, I could very well have three-ish more weeks before baby boy arrives.
Yes, I’m uncomfortable. Yes, I often feel “done.” But I’m also grateful.
I’m grateful for these little kicks that I never thought I’d get to feel again.
I’m grateful for more time as just a family of 5 before our world is changed (in a good way) by this little boy.
I’m grateful for more time to wash diapers and set up his room and check a bazillion things off my to-do list.
When I was overdue with my third, this quote from Ann Voskamp helped me get through those last days:
“Waiting is just a gift of time in disguise — a time to pray, wrapped up in a ribbon of patience — because is the Lord ever late?”
~Ann Voskamp
It’s so good for me to go back and read what the Lord was teaching me then as I prepare for the next few days and weeks.
So, for now, I’m just practicing being still (as much as a busy mama can be!) and waiting for this new precious gift that I thought I’d never have.
Like the Be Still T-shirt in my pics? Check it out–along with some other inspirational T-shirts from my affiliate partner, Cents of Style. Shop here.
How did you enjoy the last days of pregnancy?
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Jennifer
Thank you for this post! I’m 39 weeks 6 days pregnant with my fourth as well! All of my babies came before my due date. I know this will be our last, so I am trying to enjoy these last moments, it’s been hard! Thank you for the encouragement and reminder that these little kicks are the sweetest blessing and to BE STILL! God is so good and his timing is perfect! Xoxo ❤
Sarah Mueller
Such a beautiful post! So happy for you, Erin ❤
Amy @ These Wild Acres
😀 Congratulation!
Kay
I love the quote that talks about your baby is the only one that has heard your heart beat from the inside. How precious the thought of that is, such a special connection! Congratulations and I pray for an easy delivery for you! God bless!
Heather
Thank you for the Ann Voskamp quote. We are “waiting” to get pregnant with our first. May God bless your delivery and new little one!
Keelie Reason
Can’t wait for you to have your little man! Oh- and I hated being pregnant. My last days, I felt like I was going to die. 😀 no love lost here that I don’t have to be pregnant again.
Mrs U
I just stopped by to check and see if the baby was here yet. 🙂 I am so excited for your family!! What a blessing!!
His
Shari
Lindsey
Erin, I got the chills reading your pregnancy story!! That was such a creative way for your husband to tell you he was ready to have another baby! And I love your pregnancy update as well!! I went eight days over and it does get more challenging at the end, but being pregnant is so amazing! It’s just an absolute miracle! I’m so excited for you and your family to welcome your new little boy!!!!
Erin
Thank you SO much, Lindsey! I am 8 days over now and am getting a little impatient! I so appreciate the encouragement and prayers!