17 months

This baby has somehow grown into more of a toddler. How and when did that happen.
She's been walking for 9 months.
Stopped breast feeding at 15 months.
Drinks from a cup. No bottles.
Has 7 teeth and plenty to come.
Still prefers to feed herself.
Signs 'food' ALL DAY LONG!
Likes 'shoes' so much she wears them to bed.
Will sit still in the high chair and car seat ONLY. Every other place she wriggle wriggle wriggles.
Has the biggest smile most of the time.
Has one fiery temper.
Bites and pinches. Out of frustration.
Has her fathers fluffy hair,
and big wide feet.
Will still happily be in the sling for long periods of time.

Is unique to the others in that it's like she KNOWS she's loved and adored without a shadow of doubt. Expecting the adoration to be poured upon her at request.

Favourite position is the 'carried position'.

17 months seems to be a bittersweet moment for me this time around.
My past dictates to me that 'soon' we'll have another little baby to love and to hold. (7 months, 1 month, 2 months to wait when our 'baby' was 17 months.
I'd have battled through morning sickness, waddling, achy back, swollen body, drs visits and baby check ups. Cuddling the baby on the hipless sides or the bulge at the front. Not even mentioning the excessive hormonal balances... Imbalances.

This time around the bulge is excess baby chub left from the last, hormones are neatly in check, and there is no preparations coming forth for a baby. No excitement leading up to birth and delivery and meeting our next little us.
The last two times I had a neat and tidy bedroom with a cot set up next to my bed in preparation of our upcoming arrival.
Every bump and kick would be my constant reminder of what and who we will soon get to meet. I would gaze at the 0000/000 baby clothing and bunny rugs while rubbing my tummy and holding that 17 month old.
We'd talk about it day and night in preparation for the 17 month old of what's going to happen and I'll ponder how I would cope and manage with that extra babe.

There's none of that this time.

But life is sweet and easy to manage. Four kids is easy and getting easier as they get older and more capable and less reliant on me serving there every need and want.

And yet...

And yet...

This arvo after a sweet afternoon tea with two sister-in-laws.. We ducked into iga for toilet paper.. As you do.. And I snuck a test in.

Came home..

And...
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