Family // Favorite Things

With any luck, our little family of 4 will become a family of 5 sometime today. I'm excited and nervous (and writing this the week before, don't worry. I'm not blogging from the hospital). We are so happy to be at the end of this pregnancy journey--everyone has definitely grown and suffered and been stretched and hopefully become better versions of ourselves. At least, these three have. I'm not sure about me.  (Ugh. Hyperemesis).This picture was taken mid-October on my son's baptism day. 8 is the exciting age for baptism for members of the LDS Church, and I doubt there has ever been a happier, more enthusiastic 8 year old in all the land. We sometimes laugh (but are mostly serious) that if we make it to heaven, it will be because of him. He is kind and thoughtful and enthusiastic and serious, and can run and jump and hoot and holler with the best of them. He has read more bedtime stories to his sister, and helped keep her engaged in activities so I can rest, more times than I can count. He has had to grow up a lot, and I'm so grateful for him.She has been my little buddy for months and months. She makes me laugh and makes me cry and doesn't pull punches when talking about how my body has changed! Last week she said, "Man. Aren't you lucky to have me as an all the time buddy? What if it was just you and baby? Crying baby? You would have no one to talk to all day." So true. She is confident and carefree, smart and tenacious, always has a project going with paper and tape and glue, and has a softer side that surprises me sometimes.My husband has been a rock. It hasn't been particularly easy for any of us. I love him. And we are both looking forward to many happy, vomit-free days in our future.I've had so much help. My mom has lived with us for months at a time, being mom and grandma, and doing so with ease. Each of my sisters has come to take care of me and the kids at least once. I've received so many texts, notes, prayers, and love from family members and friends all over. (And did you see the beautiful quilt I got last week?)Thank you, everyone.  Thanks for being patient with me, everyone, and for reading this post that is much more mommy-blog-appropriate than I normally post.  And as a bonus--no more countdown posts on Facebook/Instagram. Happy November 7!