Growing and growing

Okay, first of all I must apologize for my pitiful scanning abilities. I haven't quite figured it all out yet. But look at how cute! #5 is getting bigger and bigger. Everything looks great and seems to be right on track.
I don't know if it's because I have four other kids and am just tired, or if I am in serious need of prozac, but I feel worried all the time that I won't be able to carry this one to term. It's really weird. I feel constantly worried that I'll lose this little baby. I love being a mom, I love my kids, I am excited and happy at the prospect of another child in our family. So rest assured of that. But all you moms know that despite how much you love and want all your children, sometimes it feels overwhelming and just plain hard. This pregnancy has been harder than any of my other ones. Every ill side effect I experienced with other pregnancies is intensified and earlier. My veins are out of control, longer, more swollen than ever. At times my legs just ache, my feet and my toes get numb. My capacity is greatly limited. I can only be on my feet for about half an hour before my legs and back just ache. I feel swollen all over. The saddest part for me is that I wake up in the morning feeling more swollen than the day before. Isn't rest supposed to ease the symptoms? Everyone of my docotor's have seemed unconcerned, which means that it probably isn't a very big deal. There only advice is to stay off of my feet, which once again all you moms out there know to be impossible when you have other children around.
Thanks for listening! I don't mean to complain, I am truly blessed. Sometimes, even though our trials shadow in comparison to what some people around us are experiencing, they still feel hard to bear. I'm a great big whimp and I know it. I think about things too much and my constant thinking worsens the symptoms I know. My fingers are starting to tingle, which means I need a break from typing.
Thanks for all your kind words and support! I love all ya'll!

Julia and Mrs. Webb

Here's Julia with her Kindergarten teacher. She absolutely adored Mrs. Webb. It was funny to me because Mrs. Webb is how I picture Julia as an adult. Outgoing, outspoken, knows what she wants, her way or the highway! If Julia turns out to be like Mrs. Webb she'll be doing GREAT! Mrs. Webb was the perfect teacher for Julia. Unfortunately for us, she's taking a sabaatical to have a baby. I was really hoping she'd be Emily's teacher too. Good luck to Mrs. Webb!

Julia's Kindergarten Program

Here's Julia marching onto the stage.
Here's Julia singing her heart out. They had a patriotic theme and she loved all the songs. In fact, she's teaching her daddy how to sing the 50 Nifty United States.
Here's Julia receiving her certificate from the principal.
Here's Julia with her best friend Amanda. It worked out very nicely--Amanda's mom and I became fast friends. She has a sister Emily's age and they love to play together, she also has a brother Benjamin's age and they love to play together! How much fun for us to all have friends in the same family! Poor Ryan, no one his age though!

Emily, Emily. . .

She put on these silly glasses and asked me to take a picture.
She picked up Cheer Bear and asked me to take a picture. I have a premonition that this one will be a cheerleader or on the drill team, she certainly loves the limelight and attention!