I had to turn to a bowl of my favorite cereal... at 3 a.m....  for my last meal before this little girl is born. I have two favorites. Really, I only have two kinds of cereal I like.

The healthy one - Grape Nuts

The better choice - Peanut Butter Captain Crunch

Yum!

I am one of those people who worries about getting hungry. Me, hungry - not a happy time for anyone around. I set my internal clock to 3 just so I could enjoy this moment, not that I wouldn't have woken up anyway to go pee. This little human is sitting right atop my bladder. She has been for the last 30 weeks I believe. I'm pretty sure I visit the lavatory every 15 minutes.

Delightful interruption.

We have been showered with an out pour of love from those around us in anticipation of our new arrival. A couple weeks ago I innocently showed up at our regular Wednesday night YW activity where they had secretly planned a surprise Baby Shower. (because surprises are secret - but I feel in my odd verbal brain both words are necessary in that sentence)

It was such a fun night and what warmed my heart the most was the homemade gifts each class has made for the baby at previous activities.

The Laurels made the impressive diaper cake.

Miamaids - darling baby blanket.

Beehives - creative scrap fabric stuffed animal.

If I was a crier - I would have cried.

Such a special, thoughtful night.

Jed's employees, like always, have been taking care of us as well.
The day after my surprise shower they had a surprise "pink day" at his office where they bestowed the delightful diaper cake above.

Adorable.

And so kind!

I love kind people. Love them.

The ladies in my ward also threw me the loveliest shower.

I grew up in the ward we live in so it was super special mingling with the ward family I grew up with and the new family I have made. I love these women.

Even though my mom is far away she made sure this little girl had a present from her at the Baby shower. She had contacted my dear friend Elann, who took charge and went and purchased a breath taking blessing dress at my loving mother's request for me to open.

You rock mom.

This non-crier cried.

When I was growing up I never imagined by the age of 31 I would be the mother of 5. I didn't know if I would be a mother at all.

I'm about to have more kids than my parents did.

This is whole new territory.

And I can't wait.

I adore my children.

Each of their individual, unique personalities completes the puzzle that is my life.

I love loving them with my husband, The Beloved.

Knowing how much I love our kids and understanding that his love for them matches mine brings such a connection into a marriage. It makes our love stronger.

Oh barf  - I know - but I have this thought often.

This last Sunday was our ward Primary Program.

My three oldest boys did such a great job sharing their memorized parts in front of the whole congregation.

Ruckus said,

I am a Child of God and He knows my name.

Dash -

Heavenly Father loves us so much that He gave us this beautiful Earth and Amazing bodies.

Little C - 

quoted D&C 112:10

  Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers. 

He then shared his feelings about prayer and how he prays before he goes to  his Dad's house because his biological father doesn't use the best language or watch the best movies.

As he's prayed it's gotten better.

Cool kids.

As they were singing we observed their little personalities.

Ruckus was singing his heart out like a soul brother. Moving his head from side to side expressing his joy through movement.

Lou was smiling as tears ran down his face. Being touched by the spirit, relishing in the moment.

Little C was stone faced - doing his very best not to smile. This is what he does when he is excited. 

The Beloved and I took turns catching his eye and were usually rewarded with a deep gratifying smile in our direction.

The Baby wasn't part of the program but his personality still shined. 

The Beloved and I were sitting on the second to front row with nobody occupying the row in front of us.

We allowed The Baby to sit in the very front as long as he was reverent and folded his arms.

His desire to "be big" and watch his brothers helped his follow through with our instruction and he sat in the row by himself for the whole meeting. Dedication and determination. That's the Baby.

I am so glad I have the opportunity to be a mother.

It is a gift.

A hard, put your game face on, wouldn't want it any other way, gift.

In a few hours I get to meet the next member of our family.

I am so excited to get to know her.

For her to fill another piece of my heart with her perfect, unique self.

I'm also thankful for Peanut Butter Captain Crunch - and my internal clock waking me up in time to enjoy one last bowl before we meet our new daughter!