Jump to 37 ... weeks and years

This week marked the start of weekly checkups til birth, and - bam - all of a sudden this baby is big and measuring a week ahead of (our) schedule, moving a due date from the 19th to the 12th. That's only about 3 weeks til 40 weeks, so we're looking at sooner than 3 weeks from today. If I sound a little in disbelief, it's because I am. Somehow, it's going to happen soon! And I have to do it! I've experienced giving birth 4 separate, miraculous times, and somehow, this time, I don't feel quite ready. I bought the Catholic mom's guide to birth Made for This with the hope of settling nerves and re-realizing the beauty and sanctity that accompanies birth; I know it's there - I've seen it! I think there's just so little down time with the chaos of 4 kids and all the joy and life and spark and stress that they bring to really get a chance to focus inward on the imminent arrival of their newest sibling.

So. All that being said and put behind us, I had a birthday, myself, to celebrate! Thanks, Mom!! Couldn't have made it to 37 without YOUR self-sacrifice! Dad's, too, of course, but differently ;). We started with beignets for brekky in City Park and then made it to the Children's Museum as soon as it opened -- after reserving tickets and showing proof of vaccination + masks. Dylan asked what my cake request would be, and he makes such yummy ones, it's hard to choose. I've been torn between a chocolate cherry because chooocooooolate or his fantastic baked cheesecake. Remembering that we almost only ever have his cheesecake for our babies' 1st birthdays, I went with that one instead, and no regrets. Pretty good way to ring in 37 and hit the 37wk mark all at once. Also, Ada made us a birthday party game: pin the butterfly on the flower! She made 2 butterflies per person, drew up the large flower and ran the whole thing. So sweet!

Earlier in this hot, hot week, we schooled in the mornings and swam in the afternoons. Jack's birthday blowup pool has been a huge hit, and it's killing some awful tufty grass variety that popped up and wouldn't ever let itself get mown down. Large brown spot to follow where hopefully normal turf will take over ... or maybe I'll plant a new garden once I'm able.

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