I can’t believe that I am about to have a 4th baby!

This year has been so full of abundance and creativity in all its forms. I feel the loving support of staff, students, community and family as we all excitedly await a sweet love baby into our Ohana. The past couple of weeks, I have been able to nest, rest, and spend some really special quality time with Justin and the Keiki. There has been so much love and anticipation in my household. I know this baby feels herself being surrounded with Aloha. The kids can barely keep their hands off my belly, kissing my huge opu every chance they get!

I never thought it could feel so good to hear, “Mommy, your stomach is so HUGE!”

We have all tried guessing who she will look like: will she have black hair like mom? Blue eyes like Kala? Long lashes like La’au? Lei wants to name the baby Anna and change her own name to Elsa so they can duet “Do you want to build a snow man?” from Frozen. How I feel in my body is crazy! I forgot all the little things about being pregnant. The effort it takes to simply roll over in bed, the raging hormones, the constant heartburn, the sensation that your pubis is ripping open with each step you take and that if you cough or sneeze the baby might just fall out of your Piko. When I’m lying awake in the middle of the night, I feel like baby and I are the only ones awake in the whole house. If I give her a little rub, she’ll poke back at me and sometimes even follow my hand.

We have our own special bond that is just ours.

I am imagining looking into her eyes for the first time and feeling her tiny little fingers and toes. This will be the last time that I will get to experience this miracle of life in this way. Birthing, nursing, and smelling that sweet baby smell is an opportunity that I am so grateful for. As the moon waxes to full between now and Sunday, I ask for prayers of support for her journey, for our journey.

I feel all the Kupuna standing behind me. I am supported by all the women who have participated in this sacred ritual ceremony of Birth throughout the ages.

Thank you for all your thoughts and well wishes and know that they are felt. I can’t wait for you all to meet her.