The final countdown to TieBreaker's birth

Dear TieBreaker,

Good job, little man! You've somehow managed to surprise us all and stay put. I am 38 weeks, 5 days today... no small feat considering the amount of contractions I have been having for several weeks, the fact that I continued to lift Gracie and her wheelchair all over creation until just a few days ago and that you are the third sweet baby to reside in my (apparently-comfier-than-my-doctor-thought) uterus! I went to the doctor Monday and was 50% effaced and nearly 2cm dilated and, though I have been contracting A LOT since then, you still seem to be comfy enough to not protest your current living situation. In fact, all four women I know (or know of) who were due roughly the same time have all had their babies already! Daddy says that our babies just don't want out of the comfy home I make. :-)

Last night, when we were getting ready for bed, I turned to Daddy and reminded him that we had just had our last Tuesday as a family of four and as parents of two. He didn't seem phased by it, though admittedly, I was a bit as I said it. It's hard to believe that you're going to be in our arms anytime now, but definitely by next Tuesday morning. People keep asking if I am (we are) ready and I am not really sure how to answer that.    I am not ready for the c-section or recovery... it's just not fun. But, it is, of course, totally worth it!   As far as meeting you... of course we are ready now that you have "cooked" as long as you're supposed to!   We are so curious and excited to meet you - - wondering what you'll be like... knowing that you'll be your own little person, but still curious whether you'll remind us of your brother or be totally different.  We wonder what you'll look like... will you have hair like Gracie or very little like Preston? Will you have blue eyes like Mommy, Gracie and Preston or green eyes like Daddy? (Your 20-week ultrasound looks a lot like Preston's in the profile... but will you really look like him?)  Will you be as big as everyone seems to think you are? (I am wondering now, as I recently looked at pics of me the day Preston was born. I am not as big with you as I was with him, at least not so far.  And, I carried Gracie totally different than you or your brother, so it's hard to compare size, but she outweighed Preston by just an ounce or so.  Anyway... wondering if you're really the nine-plus pounder you're expected to be.)  We wonder what we'll name you!  We have a more narrowed list now, but still not as concise as the lists we had when Gracelyn Marie and Preston James were born.   I sure hope we "just know" when we see you like we did with them!

What I can tell you, sweet TieBreaker, is this... you are already so very loved by so many. Your presence in our family is already felt so much by Daddy and me and, of course, by your sister and brother. They cannot wait to meet you, love you, teach you things, "show you the ropes." My heart explodes with happiness to think of the three of you together.  And, while I am so excited about that, I wouldn't be honest if I didn't admit that a (very) small part of my mamaheart is a bit wistful when I think about not being pregnant with you anymore.  Yes... I am uncomfortable and ready to be done with this pregnancy.  Yes I am so eager to meet you face to face, hold you in my arms and learn all about you... that all goes without saying.  But it doesn't mean I won't miss the special bond that only I have had with you as I've carried you for the last 38 weeks and 5 days.  There is something magical about that feeling and I am so lucky to have had that experience three times now.

@ 38 weeks...
If Gracie isn't sitting with me like this at every opportunity, she has her arms wrapped around my belly, rubbing gently (most of the time!) and signing "baby" "baby boy" and "mommy baby."  It is so sweet and reminds me so much of how she was when I was pregnant with Preston.

@ 38 weeks, 3 days...
Preston loves all over my "bump" all the time... kissing you ("the baby"), talking to you, telling you stories, feeling you squirm all over and then asking, "Whatchya doin' in there, big guy?"

The final countdown has begun.  We know that, no matter your own timing, you will be here no later than Tuesday morning.  I have had a cold since Saturday that has now turned rather nasty, so I am convinced that with each cough and sneeze you might just slide right out!  I am hoping, though, we can just ride it out until Tuesday.  Otherwise, I still have more stipulations for you regarding your timing and I am hoping that, despite the all the pressure I have put on you for the last several weeks regarding "staying put," you can oblige your mama!  My doctor is out of town Friday and Saturday... so, if you are looking to make an escape before Tuesday, can you either do it tomorrow (after we pick Nana up from the airport) or wait until Sunday?  Thanks in advance, little man... mommy really would like her own doctor for your big day!  ;-)

With so much anticipation and all my love,

Mommy