21er!

Pregnancy is starting to become more beautiful and more enjoyable with each kick and wiggle my little guy gives to me. It is seriously the best thing ever. I can now feel where my little guy is most of the time, and if he is close to the top I can feel him from the outside. It is so cool feeling my baby from the outside. Zach keeps telling me he is going to come out with little bruises because I keep poking him. The mornings are the best when I get to "sleep in" because if I lay on my back then Uriah usually floats to the top and I can feel the whole length of his body. It is unbearably exciting and I tell him how much I love him and I rub where I guess that his little back is. I feel like I am already getting to know my son even though I can't see him. I love this stage of pregnancy. I LOVE it.
People are regularly asking me about my pregnancy without me saying anything, and it makes me proud of my little guy for growing so big, and making me feel so beautiful. I'm trying to enjoy every minute because I know that I will miss being pregnant, and I will miss feeling my baby growing inside of me. Pregnancy is so often uncomfortable, and it makes me feel crazy sometimes, so I'm really trying to focus on the positive.
A few of my friends had their babies recently, and it puts things into perspective for me. Things like, I won't be pregnant FOREVER and I WILL have my baby one day. I always thought 9 months was no time at all, but now it feels like eternity.
Zach and I got to babysit for my sister while she and her hubby went on a date. Zach was carrying around Wesley, my 7 month old nephew, in the ergo carrier and it was one of the best things I've ever seen. He is going to be such a great dad, and I can't wait to see him with our son. It will also be fun to watch Reggie with a baby because he is already so great with Wesley. Yesterday Wesley grabbed on to Reggie's leg and pulled himself up to standing and Reggie just stood there and let it happen. He is a good dog. He has a licking problem, but he is a good dog.
Zach and I have started talking about what we will do when mister Uriah comes as far as work goes. Ideally I don't want to have to work for awhile (9 months to a year) after he comes, but we also gotta pay those bills! So far we are just working on saving money, but we are praying that God shows us exactly what we need to do. God has been so faithful in showing us our path, and I have peace (at least for right now) that he will continue to do so. Worst case scenario? Uriah is going to be spoiled completely rotten by his grandmas while I'm working and pumping that milk.
I had another appointment last week at Bella Vie to check in and see how I was doing. They asked the usual questions, are you constipated? Any swelling? How are you feeling? We also talked about the appointment I had with the doctor in Beaverton and some of the symptoms that have been bothering me. I explained that overall I felt fine, and when I started nit-picking my symptoms it started to stress me out and make me feel inadequate about myself. My midwife encouraged me to look at the big picture and trust my body instead of stressing out about symptoms. I got to meet the rest of my birth team at the appointment, and I feel awesome about my labor already. Would you think I was crazy if I told you I look forward to my labor and delivery? Because I do! I can't wait to bring this baby into the world, and although I'm sure it will hurt, my body is strong and capable, and I can do it! I'm not afraid of the pain, or the struggle, or what might go wrong, I'm just excited to deliver my Uriah like a champ! I have no reason to be afraid.