35 weeks and entering the final month!

Wow the past 4 months have flown by!! From traveling across the nation to visit family, getting everything packed up and moving to a new country...We've been a bit busy! We expect to receive all of our household stuff (furniture, dishes, toys, beds etc...) next week. That's right...just a few days before Christmas and only 1 month before the baby is due! My nesting instinct is going crazy since I haven't been able to organize and get settled. I'm anxious to get our stuff, unpack our boxes and set up the nursery!

We just got internet last week so I figured I'd better update the blog because we are about to get severely busy getting settled, celebrating Christmas and getting ready for the baby. So, I may not get the chance to update again until after he is born. That's right..."He", for those who didn't know we are having another boy! We were a bit surprised but we are excited because we know God has a plan for our family and we are thrilled to welcome Jordan Daniel in to our lives!

Now we are "flirting" with the idea of trying for 1 more baby after this since we are not having a girl this time. I was excited to be done after this one but sometimes plans change. It will depend on how smooth labor/delivery goes! I would expect to have another boy, of course. I told Jarod he can have his basketball team then. Daddy and his 4 boys on Team Savage! (4 boys! Holy Moly...)

Through all of this craziness I feel so blessed to have a healthy baby and a healthy pregnancy. I am a little anemic so I take a supplement but that's it. I have no health risks and can function quite normally. Yes, I am getting uncomfortable from the lovely 3rd trimester side effects of sciatic nerve pain, leg aches, back aches, hemorrhoids, swollen feet etc... I have to assume the "sumo wrestler" position every time I need to bend over and it's a challenge to keep my undies dry when I laugh, cough or sneeze. I get a few contractions each day, sometimes more if I've had a busy day. I am certainly not "small" anymore. I have outgrown many of my maternity clothes and am only comfortable in the stretchy large sizes. I embrace all of these symptoms because they tell me that my baby is growing healthy and strong and we are getting close to meeting!

We are becoming more comfortable with our surroundings. It has been a big adjustment moving to England! So much is different! We found a lovely house in a sweet, quiet village that is very close to our Base. (hopefully our furniture will all fit inside!)

We are PLANNING a home birth! (unlike our last home birth that was unplanned) I found a wonderful certified midwife that is covered by our insurance! I have talked to other military spouses who have had home births with her. She is amazing! We all enjoy her British wit and charm!

Jarod is very busy with work and I don't know many people yet so I was concerned about doctor appointments and such since there is nobody to watch Micah (our 4 year old). With our midwife I don't have to worry about that! She comes to the house and interacts with Micah while taking my blood pressure and listening to the baby's heartbeat. If she needs a urine or blood sample she does it all here at my house. It's SO nice and relaxed!

I am so excited to have a relaxed childbirth experience this time, rather then a panic and rushed (OMG call 911) childbirth like last time. All we will have to do is call the midwife and work on relaxing. Hopefully we will have enough time to set up the pool. I'd love to try a water birth. I think I am most excited about recovering in my own bed!

I am also STOKED to have my step-mom (Darlene) out here! She is due to arrive nearly 2 weeks before Jordan is due. She will be with us for about 5 weeks. I was a little scared about going in to labor alone and not being able to get a hold of Jarod. With Darlene here I have peace knowing I won't be alone. She'll also be a huge help with the house and kids, helping us get settled in and helping me recover after Jordan arrives. God is so good!

I hope to update again after the holidays and as we enter the final stretch but my next post may be the details of Jordan's Birth-Day!

Until next time...
-Linda