If it wasn't for raising all of the kids, I could do this again and again. Although after the last week with my seven year old girl... Big reality check. I get glimpses of so much ability/responsibility, followed by Attitude (capital on purpose). So contrary! I don't like complaining about my ordinarily beautiful children, but oh dear, I hope this is a temporary phase. It's like if I ask her to do something, she'll say no, or do it on a go slow, just to annoy me on purpose. And she knows she's doing it. Little bugger.

I keep reminding myself I'm possibly going to have to do the seven-year-old-girl-thing three times. As nervous as I am about what I'd do with a boy - this last week has me thinking maybe it's preferable.
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Just remember that each one is different. You might have one that throws attitude now and then, but that doesn't mean they all will. Each one brings their own unique challenges and gifts. And they all make your family richer and bring more joy in some way too.
We're working on responsibility with the older girls here right now too, and it is SO FRUSTRATING when they don't do what they're asked, or do it poorly, or do it with back talk and complaining the whole time. But I keep telling myself that this is just a part of the process of bringing up responsible citizens. Eventually they'll get it together. Or they'll move out. Either way it will end at some point! And sometimes, they surprise me and do a great job without any complaining, and that gives me some hope too.

Teni - so glad your appointment was great! A good midwife is such a joy and makes such a big difference in pregnancy!

AFM - DH and I visited a good friend last night who was hoping for a homebirth with this pregnancy, but ended up having her water break just before 26 weeks, and delivering last week at 30 weeks. Little man is thriving though - 3lb 14oz at 30 weeks, and doing great so far. My friend is taking a little longer to recover, after a month of stress and very little sleep (her bleeding/leaking incidents always seemed to happen at night.) It was totally amazing to see the little guy - not so far off from where my baby is at right now, totally perfect, moving, yawning, stretching, hiccuping... This is baby number 6 for them, and so this whole time has been very stressful for the family, trying to care for the ones at home, and keep the household running. These are the times when having a church is so great - the whole church has been helping when and wherever they can, with babysitting, meals, baking, etc.

I'm still feeling good. Some sciatic pain, which happens every time for me. Getting better at stretching it out and avoiding the movements that trigger the pain. Exercising as often as I can manage it, and trying to keep the weight gain a little more reasonable this time... (Last time I gained 55 lb!) I got a pregnancy support camisole that is making a REALLY BIG DIFFERENCE. I highly recommend it! It's comfortable to wear and I wear it every day. When it's in the laundry, I'm in a lot of pain by the end of the day, so I know it really does make a difference. (I've started handwashing it at night and hanging it up to dry so I don't have to go without it!) My kids are done school in a couple of weeks, and we'll be in to summer holidays here! Hard to believe. I know how fast that time flies by, and this baby is due just when the kids head back to school. That makes it seem really close, all of a sudden. Looking forward to meeting this bean, that's for sure.

Hope everyone else is doing well!