The Final Countdown!

Well...we are counting down the days as a family of 5 (6 really counting Madison)!  It is hard to believe that this pregnancy is almost over...although it does seem to be dragging here at the end.

Charles Brannon Perkins {"Charlie"}will be here Wednesday if not before.  I have been having a few nagging contractions...okay...all day today...but they are short and intermittent...just enough to be slightly annoying.

Charlie B - as we have been calling him - was a complete changaroo from where we started name-wise.  We ended up deciding that the other two boys have a family name from both sides - Parker {Momma's maiden name} Alan {Nick's middle name}, Anderson {Nick's late grandmother's maiden name} Edward {Momma's daddy's...aka "Poppie"...middle name} - so this sweet little boy should too.  It was really like a light bulb went off and poof...name decided on.  Charlie was my grandmother's father's name {so my great grandfather}, but we wanted to go with something a little more formal.  Brannon is Nick's older brother who has only girls and is "done" having kids.  {KSP...those quotation marks are for you!  Haha!}

So there you have it...Sweet Charlie B. 

We have rounded up most of the baby gear, washed a few outfits, kicked Andy out of his beloved crib {back into another crib in the "boys" room}, moved around the car seats and added a captain's chair back in for Momma {so long baby changing station}. You know I have to ride in the back to keep an eye on baby Charlie, just like I did with the other three. It is crazy that we will have 4 car seats in that van.  4. Seriously 4.  I haven't gotten out the bottles...hoping nursing goes smoothly like it did with Andy.  We also haven't purchased any teeny tiny diapers. Seriously...4 in diapers. 4.

I suppose all of that can be done when we need it. Thank goodness Nick is going to be able to take quite a bit of time off of work.  I really couldn't do it without him.  He is truly an amazing friend, husband, and father. Amazing.

I finished my last day of work at face to face school on Friday.  It was a good feeling, but at the same time I was really enjoying my classes.  Really nice kids.  I will still continue to teach my online class {only 11 students this go round} although I have requested a 1 week sub.

My school BFF delivered her sweet baby boy this week.  So incredibly cute.  I cannot wait for the teacher babies to unite...I'm sure they will have some crazy Econ/Govt super-powers and will be world leaders for sure!  Another person I know also lost a baby at 6 months gestation this week...I know he and his wife are devastated.  I cannot imagine the incredible sense of loss...the extreme elation you start with and then extreme agony and grief.  My friend {who just delivered via unplanned c-section after 40-ish hours of labor...go girl} pointed out that pregnancy and childbirth really are so delicate.  We often take these things for granted because so much goes right most of the time...but it slaps us in the face when it doesn't.

My last two deliveries were great.  It was the recovery part I wish I was better at.  I was given magnesium "mind eraser" sulfate after the twins were born as a precautionary measure against high blood pressure and of course there is the whole "had to go back into surgery after hemorrhaging and almost dying" thing after Andy was born.

I have switched practices and hospitals just to have a clean slate of sorts.  Too many bad memories at the other place.  Too many anxiety inducing memories.  {Although I have lots of good memories of that place too.} After having a little cry spell at a recent visit telling my new doc how I was starting to have a little anxiety over the upcoming delivery and would like some tips on preventing a major freak out the day of delivery...he offered the following:

• Xanax after delivery if I want. {I'll pass...for now...haha.}
• Name of a psychologist (he said I actually may suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome...say what?  I never called.}
• His personal cell phone # for me {or Nick} to call if I need to talk to him to calm my fears.
• Requested a partner to assist him during surgery instead of a PA...again to calm my nerves.
• Said he would make sure the nurses knew of my prior trouble and make sure they did some extra checking on me.  

I really love my new OB.  I so wish I could go back in time and use this practice for my other deliveries but hey...not possible.

I would also appreciate any prayers you could spare for an easy delivery, healthy baby, and an uneventful and normal recovery.  I have {almost} made myself believe that everything is going to go smoothly, but prayers cannot hurt and I absolutely believe in the power of prayer.   I also think back to my favorite scripture that helped see me through the hard infertility journey...crazy to think that 3-almost-4 kids later I was ever infertile.  

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Looking forward to meeting and holding my sweet Charlie B.