Still waiting for baby . . .

Well, here we are, two days after the due date, exactly where we expected to be. But I did hope just a tiny bit that this baby would come on time! My wonderful mom & dad arrived yesterday and have been such a help! The kids love them and are happy to have someone actually play with them. It's been a relief to hand them over, much as I love them. I'm exhausted.

I am now, however, a firm believer in the old wive's tale of the "nesting instinct." A couple of days ago I went absolutely nuts! I cleaned all the tubs (you should have seen me--it was pretty hilarious), swept, mopped, vacuumed the whole house, cleaned out closets that have collected dust for over a year, organized cupboards, wiped down mirrors and walls, did 2 complete batches of laundry, hung it out to dry and folded and put it away. I don't know what got into me! The sad thing is that I've heard of women getting the nesting instinct, then going in to labor the next day. Alas, such was not the case.

But this is strange--today I actually wanted to go shopping. For anyone who knows me, that is highly unusual. We took my parents and the kids and window-shopped all over Tiapan Trading Co. I got several contractions out of the business, but that's it. Oh well! Little Gabe will come when he's good and ready!

And here's a picture of my gigantic tummy just after I dropped last week. It's even worse now, so I'm not sending anything more recent.

Goodbye to Uncle Brian!

We have so enjoyed having Seth's brother, Brian King, live with us for 3 months! He has been a woderful help. He's been so helpful with the kids (Jacob cried when he left), and always helped ease any tension with a joke. These are some pictures we took on the last night of his stay.

We miss you, Brian!

This picture made me laugh so hard! And normally I'm opposed to pictures of Seth flexing being on our blogs, because we got so many comments last time he posted . . . Brian wanted a shot of the 3 King men flexing, but Jacob had already put on his favorite pj's and insisted that he doesn't know how to "make muss-ohs!" Isn't his face priceless?

Waiting for baby . . .

Seth has the camera at the seminary this week, so I haven't taken any new pictures. But I thought I'd let you know our status on little Junior-on-the-way. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and *sigh* the doctor says I'm barely at a two and will most likely go until my due date, probably longer. I know by now I should expect as much, but I can't help but get my hopes up! :)

I love Relief Society! I'm so grateful for how the church helps in every stage of our lives. Our Compassionate Service leader is amazing. She's had people scheduled to tend my kids all week and had a sweet sister bring dinner a couple of nights ago (it was HEAVENLY!!!). And I haven't even had the baby yet! There is nothing like the love and sisterhood I feel in Relief Society from such remarkable women.

Because of the pre-arranged dinner, I was blessed to be able to attend the temple one last time before the baby comes. There is no place on earth more peaceful! Which is a blessing, except that I was SO HOT--but when am I not in this blasted oven-of-a-city? So I'm afraid I slept through most of the session. But then at the end, I had a very strong feeling about this little baby. I felt that he is a special little spirit, very strong, and will be such a powerful addition to our family. I feel so blessed to be trusted with these sweet spirits, even though they grow up and drive me crazy sometimes! Truly, there is nothing I would rather be doing than raising them. I also felt like the name Jacob picked is the right one--Gabriel Noah King. We'll keep you posted if that changes, but I think it's the name that's going to stick. Jacob is already planning on playing trains with "Gaaaay-bree-yul as soon as he grows up into a big boy like me."

First day of 2nd Grade

Well, it's the first day of 2nd grade! Isn't Lydia cute as a button? She could hardly sleep last night, she was so excited. Unfortunately, Eleni wouldn't sleep, and we have all 3 in the same room now, trying to make space in the crib for the new baby. Last night we had a huge fight trying to keep her in bed, until Seth came home and she went right to sleep for him. Thank goodness for Daddy!

It was Seth's first day too. We spent last night sharpening red pencils for his students and wiping the imaginary dust off the brand new desks at his new seminary building. Seth is now teaching at Desert Hills Seminary, and is so excited! It's a brand spakin' new high school--very beautiful! His room looks great--I'll take some pictures sometime.
And I couldn't resist throwing in these pictures of Jacob in his long johns. Someone gave us a big bag of baby clothes for the new little guy, and there happened to be this very big pajama thing with a tiny matching baby one. Jacob was THRILLED. He wears it almost every night, in spite of the hole in the toe. And if you know Jacob and his OCD tendencies, that's really saying something.
And Ellers . . . what a nut! These are her current favorite toys to hold. Our neighbor, Elsa Picklesimer (isn't that the most wonderful name?) gave her the squeaky baby toy, and the Barbie comes from a very patient sister. Eleni spent lunchtime today painting her hair with peanut butter. She sleeps with "Bobby and Baby" every day. And Barbie, being the authentic Barbie from Princess and the Pauper, sings two songs. All the time. ALL the time. It drives us crazy! That's actually how we know Ellie's awake in the morning: "When you live your dreams you'll find desssstinyyyyy is written in your heaaaaaaaart!"