34 weeks and restless

I'm starting to feel uncomfortable. Every time I get up, my stomach tightens. I started to have some rib pain a few days ago early in the morning and it hurt to lay on my right side. My fingers are constantly sore. I can't really sit in one position too long. This baby really loves hanging out on my right side! Luckily there's not too much to do around here. The big things need to be set up (swing, PNP, co-sleeper) but that's basically it! I find myself chilling out on the couch more and more. I'm definitely taking lots of breaks in between getting things done.

At my appointment on Tuesday I saw a different doctor who suggested adding a fast-acting insulin at breakfast. My morning fasting and breakfast numbers are too high. My doctor poked his head in halfway through (he'd come from the OR) and agreed. So I'm up to 48 units of NPH at night, 48 in the morning with 10 units of Novolog. I will be soooo glad when I can stop! Baby is 5 lbs (perfect!) and aced the BPP and NST. We got a couple of pictures, including this creepy one of the mouth and nose!



My teacher friends are getting back to school early and working on their classrooms...I am a little jealous! I love this time of year. Working allows me such great balance as a mom and teacher...I can be my absolute best at both jobs. Chris asked me if I was going back next year, and I just looked at him like he was crazy, lol. He pointed out that I'd better enjoy this year, because when am I ever going to have this much time with them again? He's right...I know that I'm very lucky to have this opportunity. So I'll just have to settle for Pinning school ideas so that I can rock it next September :)

Our Middle Child

One of the things I worried about the most with being pregnant is that Abigail would become the middle child. I majored in Psych and I remember studying Adler's theories on birth order. It was pretty interesting how birth order and sibling relationships contribute to personality traits and self-esteem. I started reading all I could about "middle child syndrome."

The first step to avoiding it is to be aware...done! I know that having 3 kids will mean less individual attention. But I think this is where being a teacher is going to be so helpful; I'm used to not only dividing my attention, but being able to pinpoint who needs what (and quickly) is a strength of mine. Within the first few hours of being in a classroom I can spot who needs what. I love the saying that fairness isn't giving everyone the same thing; it's giving everyone what they need. My babies are going to need different things...that has been apparent with just having 2 (very different) girls! I can say that I am very in-tune with their needs and I feel very confident that that will continue.

The second issue I read a lot about was how to avoid favoritism. This is a little tricky, because I identify more with Audrey at this point. I basically like 4 better than 2, lol. I empathize with Audrey more when Abigail does something to piss her off. I try not to take sides during an argument...I now simply separate them and that usually does the trick. I talk to them after we've all cooled down. After all, they are learning to get along but they're at two completely different stages in their cognitive development. Again, I try to give them what they need, whether it be reassurance, a shoulder to cry on, or a stern talking-to :)

I think sibling rivalry is going to be the hardest issue to tackle. Sometimes when I'm snuggling with Abby and telling her how much I love her, Audrey will say, "Do you love me, too?" HA! As if she really has to ask...but I completely understand where she's coming from. I know they're going to have different strengths...all I can do is foster those and never compare them. They will compare themselves enough on their own. It's important for us to encourage them to support each other, teach each other, and cheer each other on.

After all my reading, I feel much better about Abigail. I'm "forewarned and forearmed." My babies will absolutely not live out the negative stereotypes of their birth order (for example, this last baby will NOT be spoiled rotten!) Middle child syndrome stems from parenting that falls short. And that will certainly not be the case for us.