Some rambling thoughts as our due date approaches...

So I've been meaning to just do a post of a few of my ramblings, but haven't caught a chance to do it until now. As of today, baby G2 could join us any day. I am due in exactly a month - March 24. Hard to believe that the time has gone so fast. Preparing for baby #2 has been such a different experience. We are so excited and anxious to meet this little man, but being the "wise, experienced parents" we are (yeah, right!), it somehow seems like there is less work necessary to get everything ready. More so, I think there is just less of a need to feel like everything needs to be perfect. We know that we will love him and be able to fulfill his every need even if every article of clothing doesn't have a perfect place and every blanket isn't ironed and folded. And he will love us too, even if we can't seem to find the extra diapers in an instant and he has to share cuddle time with Mami or Daddy and Sebastian.

So much of preparing for our baby boy has also been preparing our first baby boy. It's hard to believe he won't be the "baby" anymore, even though I can't even fathom the thought that he is going to be the big one. I wish I could really know what Sebastian understands. He knows I have a baby in my belly and will sometimes say "abre" or "open" like he wants to see the baby. And he gets so excited when he sees a baby in person or on TV and cuddles up to me and touches my belly. Or he'll just give the baby kisses or sometimes even his prized stickers. I feel he knows there is a new little someone in there and he is excited to meet him. Most importantly to him, he knows he will have to share his milk with the baby (yes, we are still nursing and very proud!) and always says "che, che" (his word for milk) when we talk about the baby. He knows babies nurse for a long time and his che che is "quick, quick." We'll see how that goes! I've heard and read stories that are wonderful and also difficult about tandem nursing, so we'll see how it goes. It is bound to be an adventure!

We know that going from a family of three to a family of four is going to be a change. And most of me is ecstatic for that moment, knowing that we are so blessed to have a family with so much love. A small part of me is also terrified that we won't be able to juggle it all and meet every one's needs all the time. But I know that we will grow into a routine and soon things will become second nature. I look forward to the beautiful growth of our family and am certainly counting the days now!

I hope that someday I will reflect back on these ramblings and cherish the thoughts I had in the days before our family grew once again - as I muddle through piles of stained and stinky laundry and pick up piles of trucks and toys that make entirely too much noise. In case there is no more time for deep thoughts for a while, I am just so thankful to have the most wonderful husband to support and love me and our family, and so thankful for my growing family. Thank God for motherhood and how much it teaches us each day about sacrifice and unconditional love! There is no better job in the world.