Almost there

Today is week 36 of pregnancy number 3.More than ever, there is a feel that time is running through our fingers and we barely keep up with daily tasks. Heavy loads of clothes washings succeed each other, as we unpacked for the 3rd time boxes of baby stuff and try to get on top of all the organisation required for the arrival of our third baby boy.

Leonie, our niece from Germany, has been with us almost 5 months now, but it seems she only arrived a month ago. Leonie helps us with Elliot and Jasper, who basically are like any kids, need care, full attention and lead their own lives without really realising they are going to have a little brother within the next few days / weeks.
But even though we do feel very tired, we are happy, really looking forward to having a third child and we are taking the whole event in a much more relaxed way because we know what to expect! The fact that Leonie is with us gives us a good idea of how life will be for years to come, a busy house with the daily joys and dramas. We also just engaged cleaners for a couple of hours once a week, which is a relief to say the least.

Automn has finally reached Canberra with its beautiful blue sky, and Elliot and Jasper still get to enjoy outdoor play with their friends or just play together. They also demand attentuion from Leonie who has taken up the role of the big sister and bathes them, reads them books and plays with them.

Jasper had his very first sleepover at his best friend Eli, in preparation for an emergency, shall labor start in the evening. Little 2,5 year old boy is very independent, cheecky and funny. He makes us laugh constantly and does very moving (or very adventurous) things.

Elliot has grown into a beautiful young boy with a smart gaze. He is interested in many things, started playing the piano, still goes to Karate classes with Frank, is interested in Asterix and Obelix or Tintin comics and takes very good care of his little brother (except from the occasional fight). He has gained a lot of confidence and seems happy at school where he developped friendships with several kids and more specifically Willoughby, his current best friend. The two boys are in the bedroom watching "Robots" as I write these words.

Frank just became Australian. He is also going through the discovery lane of what it is to work as a public servant: It has got pros and cons, the pros being that his work hours are not streching as much as in the private sector. However my condition (I am about to burst, physically speaking) requires him to do most tasks that I cannot do anymore and he feels quite tired. Jasper still wakes up at night one or several times, which makes Frank's nights quite scattered. Hopefully things will improve in the next few months.

My own patience is wearing off as it is quite common towards the end of pregnancy. My body is just a sum of pain and discomfort. I get little sleep at night, cannot lace my shoes myself anymore and wonder how the hell I will be able to go through labor again. Being pregnant again is quited demanding at age 34, and although this pregnancy is smoother than the previous ones and going well, I cannot wait to hold my baby boy in my arms, get to know him, give him the name we found for him months ago, and go through the amazing times of developping a one on one relationship with my third son.