As the due date rapidly approaches, I continue to knock out doctors’ appointment one at a time. I swear I feel like a freak show and a shuttle bus driver most days…since Elizabeth and Tom go nearly everywhere with me. This pregnancy, in addition to my normal OBGYN, I a visit a perintologist and I really love both practices. However, beginning in late January I started to visit both doctors weekly – yes, that is correct – two doctors, in two different practices, in two different locations, twice a week! This really provides excitement for me and the kids. I try to have an outing (aka get out of the house) every day and this definitely takes up that void. I will say I wouldn’t mind taking them on a stroll through the mall, the children’s museum or I wish the weather would cooperate more for the park but heck, you take whatever you can get while you are eight months pregnant entertaining twin 19 month olds. Usually by the time we finish a doctor appointment we are all tired and it is time for lunch and our afternoon siesta at home.

Seeing the every-changing baby in my body is the greatest thing about going to the

doctor every week. Here is a small stack of the ultrasound pictures.

I really have gotten the doctor appointment down to a science and yes, people do give me very strange looks when my big belly and I (in addition to two lively kids) roll up in the double wide stroller to the appointment. I have learned the appointment must take place by 10 am or earlier – otherwise the potential for meltdown increases as the minutes tick by. I really wish I could take pictures while I am there, but I would really feel odd asking a stranger in the doctor’s office to take a photograph – and surprisingly I can never remember my camera!

I pack everything the night before and layout everything from clothes (Daddy is a great clothes dresser, but he needs a little guidance from time to time), breakfast back-up (Cheerios and banana), snacks (cups, bibs, animal crackers, gold fish), books, small toys…in addition to the two extra set of back-up clothes and normal diaper bag necessities….wipes, lotion, sanitizer, etc. Even with all of these items, I have been able to move to a smaller diaper bag and even have room for my over-sized wallet!

I must brag a little and let you know the kids are usually great. I know, you are probably thinking “ya, right – I am really losing my mind!” Seriously and sadly enough, we have so many appointments I think they are used to this and as you know – me and the kiddos love routine! So, without further endue, here comes the good news….

A 3D picture of my sweet baby's face

It almost seems as though Peach is saying "Enough with the pictures already"...hence the frown Peach seems to be doing fabulous – he or she is growing right on track and currently weights an estimated 6.5 pounds (up from 4.11 two weeks ago). This baby is definitely on track to be the largest Powell yet. Which brings me to my next exciting news…Peach’s birthday has changed again from April 16th to Holy Thursday, April 9th! Now that we have an operating room booked, things are really, really starting to become real and time is running out. We still need to pick out a name, decide on sleeping arrangements, buy diapers, install third car seat and much more – worried? Heck no, I know all of this will come together in the end and hopefully I will pack my bag before we head to the hospital. Looking back on my first pregnancy it is quite scary to reflect on how ‘perfect’ a pregnancy I had, but what a rough time it was on delivery day; I wish there was something I could have done to be better prepared for the events following August 6, 2008 – but there is not. Looking back, I am smarter, stronger and more prepared and more aware than ever. Even though it might seem like I have my act together, I shamelessly ask you to continue to keep us in your prayers; I ask that you especially pray for the health of Peaches and for us to graciously accept the amazing gifts in life with open hearts. One day later in life when my children are in school and I think homework, sports and music lessons are a hassle and wonder how I will manage - remind me with 30 extra pounds of baby weight, two toddlers and a 37 pound stroller I managed. Like your mom always used to say, "If you put your mind to it, you can do anything" and that is exactly what I have learned to do. Embrace challenges with an open mind and you will be overwhelmed with the things you can do....and the short-cuts you learn to save time!

Other neat pictures....

Supposedly the baby already has hair on their head

Here are a few smaller images. The top two are a close up of the face and the bottom

two are a profile of the left side of the face (the nose is towards the top of the picture).

A close-up of the image in the top right (picture from above). If you look closely this is a horizontal picture of the face. The forehead is on the right, then the two black holes are the eyes (the top hole is the right eye and the lower one is the left eye), you can even see the chubby chin towards the middle left of the picture.

Willpower - here is a picture of the sealed envelopes that tell me the sex of the baby. I promise no one has viewed these images and no one will for a few more weeks. Just in case you were wondering - on two separate visit I asked the doctor to take pictures of the "money shot" to let me know if Peaches is a "him" or a "her"....I wanted to two pictures from two separate occasions, just to make sure everyone was correct!