I am 97 weeks pregnant. Yes, you read that right. It's officially the longest pregnancy in the history of the entire world.
Alright… alright… I shouldn't be complaining. I know plenty of women who have gone waaaay over their due date and we're not there (yet), but even still, any woman who has been pregnant knows what that last month feels like. It sort of feels like you're drowning in cervical obsession/uncomfortableness/Braxton Hicks/nausea/sleep deprivation. If that's possible.
Regardless. Here we are. 173 weeks pregnant. “Fat head” stage, as my friend Angela calls it. We're there.
Farm boots no longer come off without help. I've graduated completely from my own sweatpants into Stuart's. I take approximately 3 baths per day (it's the only place to get some relief!). The receptionists at the Doctor's office are starting to give me that “Poor thing!” look every time I waddle in. And speaking of waddle, can we just appreciate how hard it is to not walk like a total cow these last few weeks? I've tried. It ain't happening.
Suppers are paired down to basics like Chicken and Rice.
Laundry is being done each day so that the kids have clean clothes whenever we have to head into the hospital and ship them off to Nan and Papa's.
… and Stuart has taken almost the entire farm/house/kid load on himself.
I came home from an afternoon Doctor's appointment yesterday to find the kitchen cleaned, the dining room floor swept, the laundry put away, the kitchen vacuumed (yes, there is carpet in the kitchen, let's not even go there), the dishes done, and supper in the oven.
God bless you, Stuart Elliott. You are amazing.
Couple that with the fact that he has a teaching job, farm chores, a zillion animals that depend on him, and he has still been building me my vegetable garden and new potager – and, well, I think the man deserves a round of applause. Not every man would make sure to care for his lady in that way. And I am thankful.
Still super uncomfortable – but thankful.
On top of all of that, the man is preaching at our Easter Sunday Service this weekend. So he's currently writing a beautiful sermon on the resurrection, and even with the very few snippets I've caught so far, I'm already giddy to hear him PREACH IT! This is the very best week of the year, in my books. There's nothing I'd rather focus on than the death and resurrection of Christ.
Even more so than having a baby. Though one is currently taking up much of my physical capacity at the moment…
And speaking of physical capacity, let's just appreciate a few of the spoken gems that have been floating around our house these past few weeks of pregnancy:
“Wow, Momma! You're like a dinosaur with your big belly!” (Owen)
“Mom, look at your tummy! It's like small and then gigantic!” (Georgia)
“Honey, are you okay? What's going on in there!?” (Stu) …”Nothing. I'm just trying to get out of bed.” (Me)
*Slap, slap, slap on the belly* “BEBE! BIG BEBE!” (Will)
“Momma, how many babies are in there? It looks like a lot!” (Georgia)
Ah yes – they certainly know how to make a Momma feel special. Truth be told, I do feel very special. The Lord has given me 4 (FOUR!!!) littles ones to raise, love, nurture, and train. It's more than I feel capable of, but thankfully, I am not to rely on my own strength, patience, or ability for any of it. Because, Lord knows, I ran out of all of that years ago. Frankly, I don't even know how I'm going to survive the birth of this one. We're shooting for our second high-risk VBAC and I'll freely admit, I'm feeling a bit anxious. You'd think it'd get easier the fourth time around, but now that I've ever experienced three other births with all their unique challenges, I know very well what to expect and a few of the ‘what-if' possibilities that can actually come to pass.
I know about my condition and birth – blood loss, passing out, teeny babies, and vomiting included.
I know about swollen girly parts and the ‘new normal' down there.
I know about healing cesarian scars and how challenging it is to wear any sort of pants for months afterwords.
I know about the first poo post baby.
I know about the (almost) unbearable uterine cramping as I nurse our little one.
And I know about the sleepless nights that are to come.
But I also know that I am not, nor will I ever be, alone. I've got a rockstar of a husband to help me through the birth. I've got a wonderful Doctor who is willing to help us get our VBAC. I've got a clutch of family members in the wings to help with the littles. And I've got Georgia, Owen, and Will to cheerlead us on as we welcome the new baby back home on the farm.
It's going to be hard. But it's going to be good. And someday I won't quite remember the lead soccer ball that's currently sitting between my legs, but instead, will remember the beautiful soul we're welcoming into the world and raising for God's purpose.
May He be glorified in it all! Please join us in praying for our soon-to-be-arriving bundle!
And Amen.
Amy Wilson
Look at your beautiful family!!
Clare
hard to believe you’re already about to have your new little one! seems like a few weeks ago that you first told us you were pregnant 🙂 I’ll be praying for you! stay strong, mama!
Audrey
And Amen.
Camille
I love Will’s face in that last picture! Can’t wait to find out the name and gender of your new baby. My husband still doesn’t understand why I keep talking about your… “Have we met these people?” My youngest is 7 months old (c-section) Still working on getting the body back but I definitely remember how hard it is in that last month!”
Leslie
You are in my prayers . . . and your family. I love your transparent, sweet, God-loving spirit. Your blogs are my favorites and I find myself thanking God each time I read your words — thanking Him for the wonderful testimony you are to living life the right way and giving Him the credit.
Blessings on your sweet little head.
Melissa
I smiled this entire post. Oh Shaye!!! You
are such a gem. I’ll be praying for y’all, for sure! I always find myself praying for you and your family… XOXO
Kaley
Oh sweet momma!
4 very short weeks ago I was in your very shoes. It does seem unending doesn’t it? Every second I was torn between feeling completely miserable and blessed beyond all belief.
Good husbands are worth their weight in gold during a pregnancy. It’s so funny to me how with this fourth baby I felt so much more emotional. I could remember having the other babies, the struggles and the joys, but for some reason I was just completely unnerved this time around. Life is funny like that I suppose.
I pray that the Lord comforts and guides you through the remainder of your pregnancy. That it grows you and your husband even closer together as a couple and that your children grow from watching you both handle this together. I also pray that this new little one is healthy and happy and comes into this world with a passion for live and brights endless joy and light to your family.
And Amen.
D
Well written.
And don’t worry, you feel huge, but your not THAT big. 🙂 With my third I had people in the beginning of June saying I must be due any day… She wasn’t born until the end of September. :/ I was a BOAT! A house boat.
Praying for you and your family. Can’t wait to see all the pics of your cute little bundle.
Angela Arbogast
Shaye, I know what you’re going through. Our 1st 4 (out of 6) gifts from God were born in 5 years — starting 9 mths after the wedding. I remember very little from #4’s childhood. Everything was a big blur. But he is a wonderful young man of God today — a strapping 12-year-old who towers over me and serves the family almost as selflessly as his Daddy does. We are blessed women for sure, you & I, despite the slew of physical trials that threaten to suck the joy out of motherhood. All I can say is, pregnancy/birthing/post-birthing/breastfeeding were experiences that gave me a teeny, tiny taste of the unfathomable pain endured by our Savior to pay for our sins. With that as my focus, I was able to make it through what you, too, will get through. God bless you and all of yours, including this new one!
— Cheering for you over here in Ohio!
Rachel E.
I think you look great. I just delivered our 7th little one two weeks ago. I know how you feel. My five year old asked me a month before our son was born, “Why are you so fat?” I felt like crying, but I knew she was limited in her adjectives.
You are almost there…hang on.
Ashleigh
I just found out that I am pregnant with our fourth. I was feeling not overly joyful due to the fact that I have an 8 month old and I “like space between my kids”. I’ve been asking God to give me joy and gratitude for this new little one and I think he brought me to your blog post to help with that. I was convicted and encouraged by your words, Thank You!
Kim
Thinking of you and your family Shaye. I love your blog, it makes me smile and it shakes me back to reality and the things that matter the most. Sending prayers your way for some relief and comfort.
Deb B.
What a Blessing Stewart is! Not everyone is so blessed as you, I thank God every day for bringing me the wonderful man I have been married to for 34 years now!
Every once in awhile I find myself wishing for ‘just one more baby’… no matter how many we have, and even though now I’m too old ( sad!)… and then I read something written by you or another pregnant mommy, and remember what it was like in that last month!
Maybe this one will come a little early…Prayers for a easy delivery and everything goes well!
Brooke
Shaye I found your blog years ago when I was searching for a Chapstick recipe. You have been an inspiration to me with your amazing words on your blog. I pray all will go well with your baby and your family. Thank you for being a wonderful example of being a good Christian! I really appreciate your sweet spirit!
Jane
How is it possible to be over double the weeks pregnant than normal and you nor your doctor extremely concerned? Also, it says 97 weeks first, than 173 weeks… Not following…
Andrea Useche
She is exaggerating to highlight how she feels, not literally how far along she is. If you read her blogs, you’ll see that she has a great sense of humor 😉
Katie Thies
Prayers! Have a blessed Easter!
Terri
Congratulations to your beautiful family! I love your block!
Terri
Lol….I have a love – hate relationship with auto – correct! Blog not block! I am so looking for word to the cookbook!
ann
The month that lasts a year, I remember it well. My baby will be 34 in June, but some things you just don’t forget.
Allison
For some reason I was convinced that my last one was going to come two weeks early, so it wasn’t even my due date and I was feeling so cheated for still being pregnant. Google “funny third trimester stories”, it’ll get you through. Maybe not without peeing yourself, though.
Sheri
Yeah! Almost there! It really seems like a month ago you announced the “Good News”! What a blessing and “Good Luck” to your whole Clan! You look absolutely gorgeous!
Judy G
Your family is beautiful. I love your lifestyle and wish it could be mine. You have a wonderful blog. I wish I could be there to help with the animals, etc for a few weeks, but I’m sure you have all of that covered. Praying the Lords best for you through the birth and that first really hard month afterward.
Danae
I’m right there with ya! Baby #3 due any week now. So I’m feeling your pain. Lol. And amazing that we know what’s in store for after baby – all that recooperating and lady issues and recovery… and yet we go through it again and again. Oy! It’s about this time that I am wondering why the heck I’m doing this again. But I guess no turning back now! Ha! The Lord has blessed us with healthy kids so far and His plan is perfect! He knows how many I can handle (of course only with HIS HELP!) and what number is perfect for our family. Here’s to you and your delivery (and mine as well). Hoping all goes well!!!
Roz from Real Food Family
Blessings on your birth and to your family! I can’t wait to hear and see the new little one!! You’re going to be amazing. I pray the LORD gives you safety and simplicity during birth and the weeks that follow. XOXO!