Jennie Finch's Blog: Making Final Preparations...

Having our Christmas photos taken – Courtesy Jennie Finch

Thank you for welcoming back celebrity blogger Jennie Finch.

After sharing her pregnancy with now 18-month-old son Diesel Dean with us, we asked the recently retired softball player for an update on family life.

It turns out that Finch had some news to break: she’s expecting her third child — a girl! — in January!

In addition to Baby D, the Olympian, 32 — who won gold in Athens and silver in Beijing — and her husband, pitcher Casey Daigle, are also parents to son Ace Shane, 6½.

You can find Finch — author of Throw Like a Girl: How to Dream Big and Believe in Yourself — on Facebook and @JFinch27 on Twitter.

The countdown is on. The big question I keep getting is, “Are you ready?”

I seem to always pause before answering, because I don’t know what to say. To be honest, I don’t think you are ever “ready,” but my heart is exploding with love and excitement to meet our precious, sweet baby girl.

It’s been such an enormous blessing to have my feet on the ground for the last couple weeks and not on an airplane. We’ve been keeping busy and time has continued to fly by.

Having two active boys to chase and eight family members in town for the holidays has kept me on the go. I hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday season. We sure did! There’s nothing better than a house full of those you love. And if it can be full of sweets, too, that’s always great!

Bump at 34 weeks – Courtesy Jennie Finch

Once things quieted down and school was back in session, it was time to put my game face on. We finally moved Diesel from his nursery and in with Ace in his room.

We have incredible news to report as well: Diesel has been sleeping through the night the last three weeks. It is an enormous blessing … there were two or three nights he cried only once, but for awhile it was impossible.

Diesel sleeping through the night was a win for all of us, but for him it was such a victory. For the longest time (it seemed!) he was getting up and it was to the point where we couldn’t even soothe him.

Part of me sees why we waited 18 months to “help” him soothe himself, but one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned through parenting is to each their own. Whatever is best for your family and your situation.

Diesel and Ace – Courtesy Jennie Finch

We thought this was best for Diesel, but we are so happy to be on the other side of that challenge!

We are currently living in a barn/barndominium until we build our house in the back of our property. That building project is another story. With back-to-back babies, there was no way we were going to begin that project. I’m one of the most indecisive people on the planet and knew it would not be a good thing to start while I’m pregnant.

The nursery is attached to our bedroom which makes it really convenient and comforting. I’m thrilled to share the finished project with y’all!

My mom-in-law is really the MVP, and the reason it is what it is and is complete. She is amazing and made every piece of it, from the bedding to the decor. It turned out as cute as can be.

Baby girl’s nursery – Courtesy Jennie Finch

I decided on lighter shades of pink and off white for the colors. I love ribbons, bows and tulle but didn’t want anything directly over the crib, especially with the small space we have. I love the finished product of a sweet crown and décor against the wall behind her crib (from Posh Tots).

It was definitely fun putting together a girl’s room after having two boys. As girly and soft is the room is, I have a feeling she will be one tough cookie and a tomboy following her two big brothers around (like I did!).

My sweet hubby got me a new diaper bag for our anniversary — eight years on January 15th. He has great taste! A couple last-minute decisions still need to be made. The stroller situation is always a challenge for us. Do we get a double, a side-by-side, etc? We need one that can handle all terrain, still collapses down small enough for when we travel and maybe even one I can run with.

The other big question you get when pregnant and has always made me feel strange is, “How are you feeling?” My reply always with all three has been “good,” whether I’m feeling uncomfortable, sick or anything. Pregnancy is such a miracle and blessing. I feel terrible saying anything that sounds like a complaint.

Nursery details – Courtesy Jennie Finch

Luckily, I really have been beyond blessed to have three pregnancies that were smooth and easy overall. You hear about so many mamas who have struggled throughout or have experienced a miscarriage. I feel extremely blessed and thankful. I can deal with nausea, discomfort, swelling, heartburn and the rest of it. It’s so minor in the big picture.

These last couple of days I’ve been feeling more pressure and having more contractions. The doctor said her head is all set and in position. During our last appointment, Casey said to to me, “Poor thing. She has been upside down now for weeks. Can you imagine?” I thought that was funny. My answer was that no, I couldn’t imagine.

The doctor says she looks healthy and is already about 8 lbs., 2 oz. as of last Monday. I’m excited to have my parents come back into town from California waiting on her arrival. It will be nice to have extra help with the boys as well as extra hands with all three little ones! It’s been fun wondering every night if tonight’s the night.

I’m trying to soak up my time with the boys as we approach my due date, knowing how I will have my hands full when their little sister arrives. I’ve struggled a bit with worrying about our family dynamic and the boys, especially Diesel being so young. It seems as though lately he’s been more clingy to me than normal as well.

Bump at 39 weeks – Courtesy Jennie Finch

It’s so tempting as mothers to sink into worrying and get distracted, but finally, it hit me … Stop! The Lord will provide. One of my friends reminded me that “the greatest blessing we can give our children is siblings.” I so needed to hear that. It put things in perspective. Yes, it’s going to be crazy, but it’s all a blessing.

Children are the greatest gift of all, which is why my heart continues to ache as we lift up those Sandy Hook angels that were taken from this world so very young. They are a reminder of so many things, but most of all to speak to our children as a blessing instead of a burden.

I’m trying my best to change the direction of my thoughts, and instead of worrying I can feel the beautiful gift of our growing family. We are truly so lucky and share so much love.

The Sandy Hook tragedy is a terrible reminder that each breath is a gift, and that in this world among all the bad things, children are the light and a source of joy. So I’m here waiting to welcome our little girl, soaking in my boys and enjoying these precious moments.