Can I get it all in one post??!!

I have so missed blogging.  I find myself blogging in my head sometimes when I'm running around cleaning the house or cooking etc.  I think the main reason why blogging has taken a back seat lately is that I'm napping during the time that I used to blog (henry's naptime).  I really thought the naps would stop after the first trimester, but I've still needed them so I've tried not to let myself feel too guilty about taking a nap.  I'm also usually completely in veg out mode after Henry goes to bed at night.  It takes a lot of physical energy to run/waddle after a 20 month old all day!  Today I heard from several of you via email and comments and just hearing from my bloggy friends encouraged me to come spend some time at the computer tonight.  Thanks for making me feel loved girls!  So here is my attempt at trying to fit a lot of updates into one post!

Pregnancy update!- I'm 27 weeks along and my belly is definitely showing it :).  I really need to take some belly shots so I will just have to do a photo post soon with a bump photo and some update pics of hen hen.  I still can't believe that I'm having a girl!  And it really still doesn't even feel completely real that I'm having another baby.  I feel so blessed and so grateful to God for this precious sweet baby girl.  After all that we have been through in the past, I just can't help but want to soak up every second of this pregnancy.  I really love being pregnant.  I wish I had a pause button so I could really soak it up like I want to!  Staying busy with Henry has made this pregnancy go by way too fast.  I am starting to get to the uncomfortable stage where sleep is starting to be difficult at night, and I'm having the same severe rib cage pain that I had with Henry.  If you read back in the pregnancy days with Henry, then you might remember that I started having regular contractions at 27-28 wks that landed me on bedrest for six weeks.  They have started back again but given that I went full term with Henry, I'm just counting on them being from my "irritable uterus" unless they become more strong or really regular etc.  I recently have changed OBs so that I can deliver in a very natural childbirth friendly hospital here in town.  I just had a doula client deliver there, and it made me soooo excited to be in such a supportive and welcoming enviroment (definitely an answer to this doula's prayers).  Can't wait to go back there in a few months to meet our sweet baby Kate!

Doula update--It is hard to blog about being a doula because I just can't say very many details about the births for my client's privacy!  I can say that I have had three births so far (that should be it until after my break although I really want to add one more) and that they have all been completely different but equally beautiful.  I have loved every second of being a doula.  Who would have ever thought that I would have gone from having a lump in my throat at the sight of a pregnant woman to supporting a couple through labor and delivery??  I really feel like I need to write a separate post about this because I have a lot to say, but this is just one more area in my life that has caused me to actually be grateful for infertility.  God definitely taught me through infertility and loss to appreciate the miracle of life.  As the title of Ina May Gaskin's new book puts it..."birth matters," and to pretend as though we can take control of the process by scheduling every single delivery (as is almost the case in my city) or discouraging movement in labor etc etc without any risks to mom or baby has me very concerned  So without starting into a very long post of its own...I feel very called to be a doula, and I'm just going to have to blog more about some of my thoughts on the subject soon!

Henry update!--Oh my sweet boy.  This age is too cute.  Again where is the pause button??  Henry is talking up a storm, and his personality cracks us up.  He is such a joy and brings so much laughter into our home.  I absolutely adore the way he says some things.  Right now he loves saying "uh oh fall doooown"...it could be from a tantrum or just because he feels like laying down at the time but either way it makes me giggle every time.  Obviously impossible to descirbe on the blog but just take my word for it that it is cute!  I just want to go sneak in his room right now and scoop him up.  Everyone tells me that he is going to look huge when we get home with Kate...makes me sad to think that he is growing up so fast.

Okay so I got it all in one post!  Definitely more to come...hopefully more frequent but shorter posts!