>Thirty Eight Weeks!

>So close to the finish line! I’m trying really hard not to think too much about when labor will start. I’m just so excited to meet this little one. We are a few weeks away from meeting out third child, and finding out if we will add another daughter, or son to our family. I keep wondering what he/she will look like. Nakiah asked me if it was almost time for the baby to come out today. I told her the baby will be here soon.

Everyone keeps telling me they think they baby is a boy, or they have a feeling we’re having a boy. I think some of it is wishful thinking. I would love for this baby to be a boy. Charles has wanted a boy since our first pregnancy.
Not to say that we wouldn’t be happy with another girl, we would. A Healthy baby is what’s most important.

I had my Blessingway last Saturday. It was so much fun. I felt so connected to the other women that attended, and empowered. I have only known the women for almost a year, and they are all so sweet.
We had good food, laughs, I had henna tattoos done on my belly. I think my favorite part was when we went around the room and everyone talked about why they chose the beads they did for their children, talked a little bit about each child’s birth, and their wishes for my birth.

I received wishes for a water birth, a orgasmic birth, a peaceful and quick birth, help from the older siblings, wisdom, growth, and love. I have this beautiful necklace that I’ve worn every day since then. It reminds me that I have the positive vibes of all of the women who have birthed before me, and all of the beautiful wishes for this birth.

The women also signed a plate for me to hang in the house. They also wrote on pieces of paper wisdom about labor, nursing, and motherhood. I can pull one out and read it whenever I feel the need.

I also received awesome gifts. Bath salts, a candle, chocolates, Earth Mama Angel Baby products. Home made all natural lavender sugar scrub, all natural soap, a beautiful plant, mothers milk tea,  mother to be tea, and peppermint foot soak and scrub.
I’ve already used the sugar scrub, and it was amazing! I didn’t even need lotion when I got out of the shower. Tonight I soaked in a Epsom salt bath. How relaxing.

Several people asked me why I wasn’t having a baby shower. I had never been to a Blessingway or had one of my own. It seemed so natural, and it was all about the mom. Nothing wrong with conventional baby showers, but the mom gets left out at those quite a bit. Nothing wrong with focusing on the baby, but the Blessingway is all about blessing and empowering the mother to be.
Plus I have been given so many different baby items, and no one had to pay for anything.

I’m feeling pretty good, in spite of the fact that two people have asked me recently if I’m carrying twins. I really don’t think I’m that big.

Now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for…..pictures from my Blessingway. I forgot the flash wasn’t on, but they still came out ok.

Starting the henna

Letting it dry

End of the night, everyone was gone. I was waiting on Charles and the girls to get back home. Self portrait.
The flowers….everyone came with s fresh flower to put in my crown. They told how we met. Most of us met online( Via the Attachment Parenting Group on Yahoo) or through a passion party.
The passion party was my first time meeting a lot of the women hat were there that night. We had a good laugh about that.

My finished henna belly and 38 week belly shot.

Side view

A friend came over this afternoon and did my belly cast. That was my first one, and it turned out great! I can’t wait to post pics of it.  Her children came with her, and the kids played while we did the cast. Nakiah wanted to help, but she’s wearing a cast of her own right now. I’m going to wait until her cast comes off, and she can help me add another layer onto it. Then we’re going to decorate it. I’m just not sure how. After the baby is born, and we find out the sex maybe something will come to mind.

That’s what has gone on around here the past few days.
I’m going to continue to enjoy the rest of this pregnancy until baby decides to make his/her entrance.