Last week of pregnancy!

Happy Sunday!!

I haven't posted in three weeks...so you'd think I'd have lots to say! Actually I do, but I my brain doesn't know how to put all of my thoughts together into one cohesive thought. So, I'll let you in on a few unrelated things happening over here with the Pool's! 

First of all...my due date is one week from tomorrow! Holy smokes! 7 days! Although, she could come late. BOOOO!!! As we sit here waiting for sweet Abigail to make her grand appearance, we can't help but think of the blessing she already is to us. 

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth."
Psalm 139:13-15

How sweet it is to know we have a God who cares so much about His children, that He forms us with delight...with such sweet consideration. We are made in HIS image. How beautiful! 

Ya'll I am tired. My legs are lifeless. My eyes are baggy. My wallet is lighter than a feather because of how much food I need. Yeah....I said it, "need." My back is aching. My wedding rings don't fit. Oh the joys of motherhood!! Aside from all this complaining, I really do LOVE being pregnant! I haven't had it too bad. My first trimester was like one of those nightmares you wake up to and hope it wasn't real life. Just kidding. Not that bad. :) Just the typical "morning sickness." Or what I like to call three-months-of-throwing-up-twice-a-day-sickness. Anyway, we've heard nothing but great news during the past ten (lonnnnnnnnng!) months. Now, we just await her arrival! 

I swear I've done everything in the book to help induce labor. Primrose Oil pills, raspberry red leaf tea, walking uphill, tropical fruits (pineapple and kiwi), squats, bouncing on a yoga ball, going up and down stairs....I could keep going. I'll stop BORING you with my foolish acts of motherhood though. I do have to say, going through it with my best friend has been one of the coolest experiences ever. It's so funny how different our pregnancies have been. It just goes to show you how elaborate and complex God is. With our due dates just two days apart, we have been able to communicate in detail (sometimes TMI...) about what's going on in our bodies. Before you go assuming though, I'd like to reassure you us getting pregnant was not a "planned thing." First of all, that's just weird. Secondly, just....no. Weird. 

It's been so neat to be able to pray for each other's family--for Mike and Casy to be good stewards of their time and raise Aria by the Word. For Mike and Casy to go through parenthood joyfully. For them to experience the love of Christ through and through. For them to teach (but more importantly show) Aria how to genuinely love their Father in Heaven. For them to be parents who speak life into Aria. For the fruits of the Spirit to be so evident in their life--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self control. For Aria to know Jesus as her Redeemer and Friend. For her to see His goodness in every aspect of life.

There's a million things I could pray for them as they enter parenthood and it's just so sweet to be side by side through it all...even though we're 1,500 miles apart. :( What a blessing it is though to know them and go through this together! If you're reading this, Josh & I love you guys very, VERY much and are so excited for you!! This pregnancy has brought us closer than ever and I treasure it so very, VERY much. 

So...as the last week ahead of us, what will we be doing? Seriously praying she comes THIS WEEK. My body can't handle it anymore! Don't worry, not complaining anymore...I just am physically out of it. And I won't spend another penny on maternity clothes. Mainly because the day after I purchase it, it's most likely to not fit. :) Typical. Maybe it's my fault though. I really love coke floats. Ask Josh....

We're thankful to have such loving friends and especially family to support us through this whole time! I can't say that I'm NOT nervous about going into labor. I'm actually a slight bit terrified. Needles...blood...doctors...blood...blood...ew....not my thing ya know what I'm sayin? It's sad that my 9 year old sister had to distract me while I got blood drawn at an appointment. We'll see how it goes though, right?! I'm going in with no expectations. I've heard enough HORROR stories of friends' deliveries. Please...save them for AFTER I deliver. Then I'm all ears :). The doctor did ask me if I have any questions or concerns (as she does at every appointment). One thing I begged of her: five epidurals. She laughed as if I was kidding....silly, silly Doc. 

My next appointment is on Friday and we'll check again to see if my body is preparing the way it should! It's exciting...but I don't want to be too thrilled about it. Last appointment was a bit of a let down. Mom always knows how to make me feel better though. She sent me a text that said: "Well, Abbie loves you. She just wants to stay as close to you for as long as she can." So sweet of mom. But, I'd like Abbie on the outside of me now. It's time to play!! :)

Tomorrow: 39 weeks. Holy Cow. Bittersweet.

So excited to meet her! I hope she has every ounce of Josh in her. I hope she has his eye lashes, eyes, smile, you name it. She'll be one pretty little thing.