Hey my little Lake-ster.
It’s getting OH SO REAL, but I still feel like I have totally avoided the reality of you joining our home.
I haven’t bought you anything – I mean third girl, really doesn’t “need” much.
The bassinet is in the attic.
I am scheduling sessions as though I am NOT pregnant.
AND… I am not sure how it’s going to be with FOUR ducklings tailing behind me.
Our home will break ground soon, as we are finalizing the plans with polished revisions… how exciting!
There have been women recently who have tried to place fear in my heart – about my choice to do a home birth.
This is such a tragedy for my heart and head.
I’ve been praying and praying and praying and praying and visualizing for our birth to be GREAT!
Lake, please hear me… I love you more than ANYONE can tell you… or me.
You are precious to me. Perfect. Fearfully and Wonderfully Made.
I pray that you will come from womb to my arms – with ease, without problems or chaos, that we will join one another here in our home – breathing for your first time on my chest, while we are both well and good.
That our team of midwives, Daddy, supporters, family and friends will lift us up in prayer, be everything that we need, that God will help guide us through the process without fears, worry, hurt or sadness.
I pray for your health and well being… now, during labor, during your first moments on earth and through your life.
Fear is for the weak… the untrusting… it’s from the enemy.
My fear and burdens are laid before the Lord… and I am breathing with relief after doing so.
…BREATHE…
My belly is big. You are growing.
We are only EIGHT weeks away.
Eight weeks and I will have my last baby… to snuggle with, feed, nurture, carry, love on, watch, photograph, sing to, and rock to sleep.
Perhaps I’ve been avoiding your arrival… knowing you’ll be my last one.
How sad I get thinking about that word: “LAST”
Lake, I am so eager to set my eyes on you.
.love.
I haven’t posted my outfits in a while:
Tunic: Nom from Gilt.com
Jeans: Maternal America from Gilt.com
Shoes: Target
Earrings/ring: Banana Republic
Colorful Bangles: Gilt.com
Is this your first home birth? It will all go well! So excited for you. My daughter id doing a home birth in June!
Second home birth, fourth child. 🙂 Thanks Gail, so much.
Beautiful mama! I love your words. I am praying for everything to go smoothly and perfectly! Can’t wait to see pictures of sweet baby Lake.
Thank you thank YOU Hayley.
I LOVE the belly… so gorgeous and I must just say that your shoes with that pop of pink are beautiful 🙂
Thanks Melissa!!! Fun shoes.
PROUD OF YOU for choosing to do a home birth!!!! I don’t know you, but I will be thinking and praying for you and your family as you welcome this new little joy. Those that aren’t lifting you up are uneducated… continue to ignore that fear and let God take care of it! Thank you for bringing another baby into the world the very best way that you know how and drug free, wahooooo!!!!!
Thanks Annie. I have had hospital and home, all were good births. Just a personal choice and so grateful for that freedom, I appreciate your prayers!
Momma, you are so totally gorgeous–from your sassy ponytail and beautifully bulging belly right down to those playfully pink shoes! Thank you for the encouragement, hope,
creativity, and confidence you inspire in us, your readers! You rock the camera–in front OR behind it, girl! Blessings and prayers for your upcoming birth!
Thank you thank YOU Kristen. 🙂 YOu are precious…
You are GORGEOUS!
Praying blessings over this pregnancy and birth. Believing and speaking peace and perfection over the birth.
Thank you Misti.
You look wonderful Arden! You have looked so small too me but your side view now, whoa! you’re getting there! You are a smart, experienced mama who has planned everything out, your baby’s birth will be a beautiful event no matter where or how you deliver. As I await the birth of our own little one (grchild) due the same time as your little one, I will keep you all in my prayers 🙂
Thank you so much Helen! Such a sweet one.
I L.O.V.E. this! Your an amazing person A! Love ya momma!!!
Shareen. Dang it. I miss you. You are coming over next week. Period!!!! Love you!!!
“God has not given us a spirit of fear,” right? – “but of power, love and sound mind” I just had my unexpected fourth (and LAST) – my third girl (who also will only get hand-me-downs). I did nothing till the last moment and yet I knew she was covered and surrounded with LOVE. I look at her now and my heart melts and my eyes tear up every time. I admire your strength and courage to do this at home. God bless you on this MOST INCREDIBLE journey.
Thank you Leena. So much. Cheers to your babe too!
You look beautiful, Arden! Such an exciting time in your life; treasure it and focus on all that is GOOD. You did a home birth once before so you aren’t a novice. Every birth is different but this will, no doubt, be another beautiful, life altering experience. Enjoy the anticipation of ALL the new, exciting developments in your life right now and take care of yourself and that family of yours.
Thank you Jenn! 🙂
First of all… Arden, you look amazing!! You are so beautiful, inside and out! I just adore reading about your progress and feeling your ups and downs with you. I’m so sorry that you’ve had people throwing negativity your way. Please try hard not to let it influence you. A home birth is a beautiful thing and I wish my hubbs would have been on board when I wanted on! 🙂 You are so blessed to have such great support in your family and friends, don’t let others in who aren’t cheering for you. 🙂 Your birth will be beautiful! I’m so excited for you and your growing family! 🙂 Sending my love!
Arden,
You look wonderful as always. This is my first time commenting, but as somebody who has done two VBAC homebirths. You CAN do this:) You know you can. I pray you have an easy, beautiful, gentle, birth with baby Lake. Many prayers and blessings for peace and strength in the coming weeks.
Thank you so much Alexis. I appreciate you.