34 weeks!

The countdown begins!  I went to my OB today and she said that I can give birth as early as within 3 weeks! Oh my... I was relieved when she told me that I have plenty of water (amniotic fluid) now.  2 weeks ago, she told me that my water levels were alarmingly low and that I should drink between 2-3 liters of water a day to hydrate myself and give my body the chance to filter that into amniotic fluid.  I took her words to heart and have been drinking at least 104 ounces of water a day.  What does that translate to?  It's 3.04 liters of water.  Of course, this also helps with my kidneys because i'm flushing out the stones! -- hopefully, by the time i go back to my urologist, he'll tell me that they're gone!  haha  (there's always that hope!!) 

I'm aiming for the at least the first week of August to give birth... Right now, my little one is transverse in my tummy - that means he's lying sideways.  Not a good thing.  If I go into labor now, there is no way i would give birth because his back is to my cervix.  So, I'm supposed to gently encourage him to move into the correct position (head down) by rubbing on his butt to move it up.  Otherwise, I'll have to undergo a cesarean.  That isn't so bad, actually.  I found it easier to recover from my c-section (for the twins) than my normal delivery (for micael)... But then again... I was younger then.  I can honestly say that I'm apprehensive about this birth.  I'm definitely not looking forward to the pain, but I know that it's necessary.  I offer up to God the worries I have, the pain I will endure (during and after the birth) and the joy I will feel when I finally look at the face of my newest bundle of joy!  

My little one is  (according to the ultrasound machine) 5 lbs and 5 ounces.  Wow... I'm constantly amazed by the miracle that is my unborn child. It is amazing to me that he is alive and sleeps just under my heart... 

I look at my boys now and I remember when they were small and I am awed by their growth and strength.  The sheer strength of their personalities are so amazing to me!  They have definite opinions, wants and needs.  They are very definitely their own persons!  I am humbled by the part I played in bringing them into this world and I love them so very much.  In preparation for the birth of Joachim Uriel, i've been spending loads of time with Mica, Gabe and Rafa.  Sort of like banking time with them because after I give birth, my attention will be, by necessity, on Joachim.  So I'm hoping that they'll remember that I spent a lot of time and gave them lots of attention now...

I know they'll be awesome older brothers to Joachim.  And they are already such sweethearts that it makes me cry... The way Mica's face lights up when he feels Joachim move in my tummy; Gabe's way of hugging me and speaking directly to his younger brother (in my tummy), totally bypassing me; and Rafa always remembers to say good night, hello or good bye to Joachim is truly amazing!  They are so excited to see him already!