waiting...

As it turns out, this waiting thing isn't very fun. I am very thankful that my job has slowed down significantly so I have plenty of time to rest, & I know that when Elliot comes I won't need to worry about something not getting done. I'm pretty easily bored these days. I try to get out of the house every day, if just to run one errand, & my house has stayed pretty neat & clean (not spotless, because I have no desire to deep-clean my house, which is a bummer), but the days crawl. Every morning when I journal during my time with Jesus (SOAP anyone??) & I write down the date, I wonder, will I go into labor today? How does the next day sound as a birthday?

waiting, waiting...

The practice I go to does not induce before 42 weeks unless there is a medical reason to do so. So the latest Elliot will be born is November 1st (eek! hoping for October). In about a week & a half, at just over 41 weeks, I'll start the non-stress testing if he's not here yet, so they can monitor him & make sure he's still doing well in there. Other than that, the plan is to wait. Wait. Wait.

I don't do so well with this unplanned stuff, you know.

I do have a couple of things to look forward to, which helps. I am excited to head out to the pumpkin patch tomorrow. We went a couple years ago & loved walking out in the cool weather with all the pumpkins & eating caramel apples. I love fall. It's my favorite season by far.

Zac & Cara will be in on Monday, & we are excited to spend time with them before they move even further away. :-( Even if they don't get to meet Elliot, I'm glad we'll get to see them.

I do pray, though, that this time will not go by wasted. I want to suck every bit of what God has for me out of this period of waiting. I want to catch every lesson, I want to enjoy spending time with Him before I have an infant vying for my time. I am enjoying every bit of time with Josh, & I am trying to enjoy the slowness in my schedule. I don't want to wish time away. So if you pray for me, for us, pray that we will grow in this time, & take hold of the things available to us, specifically peace & joy.

Now I shall go watch the Ellen show with a caffeine-free Diet Dr. Pepper. :-)

& I'll keep waiting.

Week 39

Fruit/Veggie

Mini watermelon (weight)

Size

20 inches, over 7 lbs

Baby Changes (Source: BabyCenter.com.)

Still.. just getting fatter. Elliot, you can do that out here you know!

Best Moment this Week

Hmm... it's been a pretty dull week. We had fun with some friends at dinner last weekend, & we've had some good times together, taking walks, watching movies, & last night got what we assume to be the last snow cone of the season. Josh & I are enjoying our time together.

Gender

BOY! Elliot James.

Movement

Same...

Food Craving

This week's fruits: apples, peaches, strawberries. I've had chips & salsa several times in the last week too, trying to get him moving, which it does, but not out of my belly. Bummer.

Sleep

I have been trying to take naps every day, at least a little one, so that I'm consistently rested, or as much as I can be.

What I am looking forward to

Tonight starts Josh's basketball league with the church, which I'm excited about; I love going to his games (in college it was basketball & football, then he's played softball a couple times here too). We also decided to make plans to go to a pumpkin patch on Saturday; I told him I need something fun to look forward to so we're not just sitting around waiting. So I am looking forward to that. A caramel apple sounds real good right about now.

Symptoms

A little nausea, exhausted, sore back & shoulders, not sleeping well, Braxton Hicks, arthritis hands.

To-Do List & Progression - ALL IS DONE!

-Wash clothes newborn - 3 mos.

Status: done! I might wash the rest of his clothes just for good measure.

-Wash diapers

Status: prefolds & covers washed; pocket & AIO diapers & wipes all washed.

-Get bookcase done

Status: done!

-Hang fabric circles, other decor

Status: Fabric circles hung! A few things have to wait until the bookcase is done, which I have no control over, so I'm going to check this off the list to make myself feel better. :-)

-Pack hospital bag

Status: packed!

-Install car seat

Status: car washed & car seat base installed!

-Make room in kitchen cabinets for bottles, sippy cups, plates, etc.

Status: Done!

-Make up crib w/ mattress pad & sheet

Status: done!

-Buy home coming outfit

Status: done!

I thought of another reason...

...my clothes keep getting tighter & I don't want to buy any more!!

The Reasons Elliot Should Come Now

(or within the next week or so. The first reason is really the only not selfish one. :-) )

1. So Zac & Cara can meet him when they come on the 18th - I mean, they're flying in from DC, it's only courteous!

2. So we can carve a pumpkin outside with him.

3. So we can take him to our church's Fall Festival.

4. So I can go to our church's women's retreat for the day.

5. So we can enjoy the perfect fall weather together (he should come now while it's still a smidge warm).

6. Because the earlier he comes, the earlier I can fit into my jeans again, & this needs to happen before it gets warm!! (I dream of wearing my jeans again... yes I do believe this is the most selfish reason on the list.)

7. Because why WOULDN'T I want him to come early???? I mean, he's baked for 39 weeks, he's probably nice & fluffy & ready for the world by now.

But if he doesn't come early, that's okay too... but I am ready to see him!

Week 38

Fruit/Veggie

Leek (length)

Size

19.5 inches, about 6.8 lbs

Baby Changes (Source: BabyCenter.com.)

At this point it's basically the same... he's ready for the outside world, just getting fatter the longer he's in there!

Best Moment this Week

Josh finished the bookcase & now his room is complete!

Gender

BOY! Elliot James.

Movement

Same old thing. He's pretty much hanging around in the same spot now, & not even switching sides like he used to do pretty much several times a day.

Food Craving

This week's fruits: apples, black grapes, peaches, bananas, strawberries. I have been chugging orange juice like crazy, too. I craved it in the first trimester, took a second trimester break, & now I drink at least one glass every morning.

Sleep

Well... I hate to be negative but... ugh. I have no idea why people keep saying, "Enjoy your sleep before baby gets here!" For reals? Did these people really sleep well in the last month? I know I won't sleep a ton when he's here, but I know I will sleep better than I am now, because it's pretty bad!

What I am looking forward to

LABOR! He can come now...!

Symptoms

A little nausea, exhausted, sore back & shoulders, not sleeping well, Braxton Hicks, arthritis hands.

To-Do List & Progression

-Wash clothes newborn - 3 mos.

Status: done! I might wash the rest of his clothes just for good measure.

-Wash diapers

Status: prefolds & covers washed; pocket & AIO diapers & wipes all washed.

-Get bookcase done

Status: done!

-Hang fabric circles, other decor

Status: Fabric circles hung! A few things have to wait until the bookcase is done, which I have no control over, so I'm going to check this off the list to make myself feel better. :-)

-Pack hospital bag

Status: packed!

-Install car seat

Status: car washed & car seat base installed!

-Make room in kitchen cabinets for bottles, sippy cups, plates, etc.

Status: Done!

-Make up crib w/ mattress pad & sheet

Status: done!

-Buy home coming outfit

Status: done!