Taking care of mommy

Tonight after dinner I was sitting on the couch. Ellie comes over and hands me one of her prized drawings and says, " mommy this is for you because you are having such a hard time being pregnant with my sister. "

Then, she continues, " I'm going to do a dance for you too. " so I got to sit on the couch and enjoy her performing or a good ten minutes. Her dancing is coming along.

It was so sweet of her.

Ellie and her sister

Ellie has been patiently awaiting the arrival of her baby sister for nearly 9 months now. From the day she knew I was pregnant she wanted it to be a sister. And she was so excited when she found out her dream was coming true.

At this last stage of pregnancy one of the best parts of my day is if Ellie crawls up beside me and tries to talk to or feel her baby sister moving around inside me. Belly giggles with delight when her sister moves around and she can feel it. I love watching the smile that comes across Ellie's face as this happens. Unfortunately, we still haven't gotten a video of this precious moment. But I hope that I can always remember the joy that she experienced waiting for her sister to come into this world.

My hope for Ellie and her sisters that they are close. I know they will be nearly 6 years apart in age, and there will be hard times in the teenage years. But I hope that the relationship is everything in Portelli could've ever imagined it to be for both of them!

My Max

Max is been my buddy lately. It wasn't like that prior. For a while he was very much daddy's boy. I think it was during the time when he had his tubes out and he was having trouble with the talking that he and I got very close. And he is my buddy now, and I love it.

I'm pretty frustrated being two weeks from my due date and so tired. I feel like I really can't do anything. And the best part of the day is one of my little buddy tries to make me smile. We were just outside enjoying the evening, and I had asked him for a hug. He likes to tease me, so he said no. About five minutes later he comes back to me he says, mommy what's wrong? I told him I just don't feel good. He goes, mommy, I give you a hug. And he runs up to me and gives me the best hug. Then he says, and kiss! He knows how to make his mommy smile.

Carry me upside down daddy

Max has a new found fascination with having daddy carry him places upside down. It started a couple weeks ago. Now if we want anything from him, this is his requirement. And, usually David obliges this crazy idea.

17 days and counting

The final days of my final pregnancy are painful. And at the same time, I'm trying to relish them because I know this will be the last time. It's fun to feel the baby moving around in my tummy like she's a little alien. This one is sure the acrobatics of the three. My tummy is so big, people look at me and say wow you really gotten big recently .

Doctors think I look huge too. But one of them said, you've never had a small baby so I'm not expecting one this time around either.

Pregnancy is an amazing mystery. THe idea that I can grow a baby is pretty cool. And I will always wish I could have had at least one more, another little boy to make my family. But at 37, I can't face it again. So, having to continue working full-time, I don't think I could be a good mom to anymore anyway.

So in 17 days, our family will meet the youngest child. And we will be a complete family. And I'm really looking forward to it. It's been a long journey, and it will be so quick too!

Ellie and Max

This morning I took Ellie to church by herself because it was time to sing, and Max is sick.

As we were leaving church, she says to me I can't wait to get home and play with Max.

Isn't that sweet. They are now playing and laughing together.

Making a beach

Yesterday when Max and I came down after nap, Ellie had created her own beach in the living room. She had blankets laid out. She was collecting things to make toys. And low and behold she hadn't drawn a sunshine and hung it on the wall.

I know it's great when she gets created. It was a little unfortunate that no one was really feeling playing in her beach. She is a cutie pie.