6-8 Months

I have totally fallen off the ball and haven't put up Joy Schelle's update in 3 months! :O I am going to do my best to recap because I hope to print this out in book form one day. :)

6 Months
You really didn't start much new during your 6th month. You were still laid back and just a go with the flow kind of gal. You were getting close to sitting up, but hadn't gotten there yet. You love sleep!

You had bananas a couple times, but that is it. You weren't sure at first, but you got the hang of it.

Here are your 6 month pictures...

 Laughing

 Looks like she is saying "cheese" :)

 This is how well it went getting her monthly picture with Little Janie. LOL

 Easter

 Going after the bear.

 Hair after bathtime. :P

 Eating bananas

7 Months

You had your 6 month check up at 7 months. You were 16 lb 1.5 oz and 26 in. You starting sitting up well, and you could roll over if you wanted to. :) You were amazing on the car trip to New Orleans!!! You are my nice round snuggle bug. Your demeanor is still just sweet and calm. You are still a Mama's girl!!

Here is your 7 Month picture.

 Sitting with Aunt Abby

 She loves to sleep with Baby on her head.

 Playing at Kid's Space

8 Months

You are still a Mama's girl, but you love when Daddy comes in the room or is around! You watch him and get so excited. :) You still have bananas from time to time, but that is it. You started rolling around on the floor, but it is only back and forth for the most part. There are times that you will roll multiple times in one direction. You manage to move about your bed now too. You have mastered sitting up. You have also become quite the chatterbox!!!! You are making up for all those months of not talking. LOL I guess you realized that you couldn't make it in this loud family without putting in your 2 cents worth. You definitely make yourself known! You haven't cut any teeth, but you are chewing on everything. You love the pool!! You will be joining Eli and Katie Jo in the water club.

You hung out with me in the sling the week of Bible School and were our class mascot. All the kids loved you, especially Luke! Thankfully, you hadn't started talking much at that time or you would've been a distraction. You go in the nursery on Sunday morning and all the workers love you. You are our sweetness. I love to squeeze you! You brighten up all our days around here. All of your big siblings still adore you! We shall see how they feel once you are getting in their stuff. LOL It is fun watching your personality come out even more, but it is sad that you are growing so fast!

Here are your 8 months pictures...
With Little Janie (Man, have you grown!)

 My view from the sling. :)

 With cousin Gwyn

 Sportin' my ponytail at the library.

I could just eat you up! You are so cute!! :)

Trying to Prepare

I am trying to prepare for Joy Michelle's arrival. With most of my pregnancies I try to be pretty ready around 30 wks or so. I believe I went into protect myself mode. I allowed myself to put up the crib and put some bedding on it. I have clothes for her, but they were in boxes or just stuck in random places. If I didn't prepare then I wouldn't be hurt if something goes wrong.

Yea right!!! With the early dilation and contractions, I have been somewhat forced to move forward. Without even realizing it, I was in L&D 9 months after Janie Beth passed away to get my steriod shot. I went the next day for my second shot, 9 months after I left the hospital holding my baby to take her to the funeral home. This time, both days, I had a cute little girl with me in a stroller. :) Gwyn accompanied me to get both of my shots. She happened to be with me at the doctor the first day, and she got to come the next day too.

I realized in the evening of the 30th that I had been at the hospital and that it was the 30th. The 29th escaped me completely. I really didn't feel bad that I hadn't noticed, but it made me catch my breath. It made me think back to those days in December that I was in L&D and how different they were compared to these days in September.

I have emotions that fill me every time I walk down the hallway in L&D. I cannot tell you what they are, but there are many. It is vast mix I believe. Every time, my mind goes to December 29, 2009. I will never forget the nurse that brought us back or the room we were in. The huge mix of emotions from that day as well.

I wonder just how it will feel to walk down that hallway when I go into labor this time. I wonder who my nurses will be. I wonder....

I am trying to allow myself to be excited again. As we draw nearer, I long to hold Joy Michelle and see what she looks like. As I do, I try to remember what it felt like to hold Janie Beth.

My bags are packed. My list is written. My heart is ready. My arms are longing. Her bed is waiting. Her clothes are washed. Now, in God's perfect time she will come and join our family outside my belly. I have let go. I am giving God control, like He didn't have it before, but I am not trying to take it now. :) If she ends up in the NICU, that is ok, that is the plan. We will be ready when He is ready.

Do I feel totally ready? NO! and YES! LOL "He makes all things beautiful in His time."

I go back to the doctor on Tuesday. As of Monday, I was 3 cm dilated. I have had to up my meds in the last couple days to 1 every 4 hours because they weren't doing as much anymore. I am supposed to keep my feet up practically all the time. I am anxious to see how Tues goes! I will be 34 wks on Wed. Janie Beth was born at 34 wks 1 day. My heart is full! My cup runneth over! God is healing me!

I took a picture of myself this morning. :) (Not the best, but I hope to get a good one later.) I haven't really grown much in the last few weeks. I have been measuring 34 wks since 30 wks. I hope to have grown on Tuesday, and if not I may ask for a u/s to check everything.