32 Weeks

I'm 32 weeks pregnant today. It's so crazy to think about this pregnancy. I remember being about 12 weeks along and so terrified of early miscarriage. Then 18 weeks finding out we were having another boy. Those experiences seem so far away! We're nearing the finish line now. I have less than 2 months before my due date, but likely only 4-6 weeks before being induced. I'm excited and terrified all at once. However, I surprised my Dr. I was able to stabilize most of my glucose levels without added intervention. I just changed my eating.

I have nearly everything we need. Seth's amazing coworker sold us a car seat, two bases, and a bassinet for $100. I'm honestly not in love with the bassinet. I'm thinking of either selling it or donating it to a mama in need. The one I REALLY want can be found on eBay for $50-60, instead of the $150 it currently retails for. So, aside from that, I just need some boob stuff and more 0-3m clothes. I'm planning on buying disposable nursing pads at first, just to see what the filling up is like so I can gauge how many cloth pads to buy. I also want to get gel pads, nipple shields (inverted nipples), a lactation aid that kind of pumps up the nipple, and some more comfy nursing bras and tanks. And yoga pants. Ohhhhh, how I need new yoga pants. :-)

We have a gently used baby gear store called Mama Goose. I'm planning on selling off my maternity clothes there, as well as the baby gear we don't use. I can get 60% of whatever they plan to sell it for as store credit. That'll buy my baby clothes. Everything Haven outgrows will be taken there. I may actually take this bassinet there. It's a great store. Cheaper than Salvation Army or Goodwill, doesn't smell funny, awesome staff, and an incredible selection of everything. Had I known, I would have gotten my Ergo carrier there instead of paying full retail. Same thing with all the crap we've been buying Liam! Clothes he outgrows in less than a month. Toys he gets bored with in a week. Eh, live and learn.

Outside of that, life is good. I have the option of returning to school in January. I'm inquiring about finishing my last 7 courses on a part time status. I can't do full time with a toddler and newborn. It means finishing a few months later than I wanted. But, by the time I finish, we'll know more about Seth's role at work, my ability to find work, and if we can afford to hire someone to come in while I go back to work. Ideally, the timing will work so my mother in law can babysit for us full time, help us homeschool, and quit her job! All I need to do is make enough to pay her for that. Why would I work a job just to break even on child care?

Well, here's why: I have the patience of a honey badger, lol. I struggle daily with my role in my home. My MIL is amazing. She thrived as a SAHM- even going so far as writing the lesson plans FOR her kids' teachers! Her children are all well adjusted, amazing people. And she now lives for her grandkids. :-) She is honestly a far better caregiver and teacher than I'll ever be. I am confident enough in my self to admit that. I do think I'm an awesome mom. But when it comes down to it, she's a better pick for the home school, toddler wranglin', house managing caregiver. For me, it's not any different than hiring a nanny, except she's family. And we love her to pieces. I'm a better money maker. I LOVE being home with my babies while they're young. But let's face reality. I'll likely never make enough money to allow my husband to stay home with the kids, even though that's our dream. So the next best thing is his mom. :-)

I wanted to share our plan for if my little trooper ends up in the NICU. The hospital is almost 70 miles from us. There's no way I'll be able to come home until he can. So, my mother in law already plans to be here with Liam while we're having the baby. We'll have her stay here with Liam for however long she planned to, then we'll come get Liam when I get discharged and stay at he Ronald McDonald House near the hospital. A neighbor can feed the pets. Seth can 'work from home' up there so he's not eating into his vacation time home with us. That will allow me to be at the hospital everyday to pump, feed my baby, care for him, hold him, without having to worry about Seth and Liam. I am hoping every day that he can cook until he's ready and be discharged with me, but there is a plan in place if there's a problem.

Well, that's it from our end. Things are good. :-)

32 week belly. :-) I'm still DOWN 29lbs from pre-pregnancy weight.