Well, eviction notice was sent 2 weeks ago, giving 2 days left to vacate the premises...and in true procrastination fashion, little one hasn't even started packing yet. It appears I may be late.
Story of my life.
Baby's size: A 7lb watermelon. But as pointed out at our 37 week US, Baby Hickman is measuring slightly smaller so make that a (roughly) 6.5 lb seedless watermelon!
Total weight gain: 30 lb. My ankles and calves were swollen just a few times over the last couple weeks so I'm wearing only my loosest socks now and retired wearing boots until the baby comes.
Down to the wire: We're getting so close to due date and I admit, my impatient nature has gotten the best of me and made me irritable at times. I'm getting up slower, my body aches, and I experienced some intense low abdominal cramping earlier this week. I was hesitant to call them contractions, and knew they weren't when the pain wasn't coming and going in waves. But after all the cramping and spotting, I'm still none percent effaced or dilated. Which has me wondering...will this pregnancy ever end?
Moment of the week: Receiving an ultimatum and knowing there is, indeed, an end to this pregnancy. My doctor and I have agreed going past 41 weeks may not be in my (or the baby's) best interest. So we went ahead and scheduled one last US for next Wednesday in place of an NST (non-stress test). She'll check baby's growth again and amniotic fluid to ensure placenta is not deteriorating. I just have a feeling I'll go into labor on my own before then, but if I don't by next Friday, I'll be induced on the 10th!
How do you feel? Ready. Ready to see our sweet baby's face, ready to meet the tiny human I've been carrying for the past 9 months, eager to learn its likes/dislikes, watch it learn, grow, and develop a personality. Ready for the up-all-night feedings and never ending diaper changes. Ready for the "Why are you still crying?" and the "What is in your mouth?!"
The card I received from my sweet coworkers was so right:
You can get the room ready, make lists of to-do's, Stock up on everything new babies use, read all the baby books, take every class, research diapers and how to relieve gas...
(which is so funny because I've literally spent hours doing all these things)
but nothing prepares you for how it'll feel when baby arrives and it all becomes real
It still blows my mind that this breathing blessing is half Mathias, half me. This child has always been a mover and a shaker, and I hope here on Earth, it is just that. I can't wait to pick out the little "he gets it from his daddy/she takes after her momma" intricacies, but more so, recognizing the independent traits that make him/her unique. And as we can all hope for, part of a generation that is better than the one before.
It won't be all butterflies and rainbows. I know that. It'll be tough at times, and the new role of lifelong parenthood will test my patience and my limits. But I also know it'll be the greatest and most rewarding challenge. I'll make mistakes...alot of them, and it will try Mathias and my relationship. But we're ready to begin this adventure because it was never about us. It's about our family.
No comments:
Post a Comment