Waiting for Everdeen

Happy 4th of July!

Today we slept in late, enjoying the fact that it was a holiday and neither of us had to work. It's been so hot that we barely sleep through the night anymore, so it felt nice to finally catch up on some sleep. 

  We were invited to attend Martin's work BBQ at the retirement community so we headed over around lunch time to get our hotdogs and enjoy some of the festivities.  This is the first 4th of July that I haven't spent at home with my parents (remember last year's very memorable 4th?)...it was a little bittersweet seeing I missed out on one of my favorite family traditions of a big slice of homemade cherry pie. But Martin and I made the best of it meandering in and out of the elderly and excited grandchildren, finding our own quiet piece of shade to enjoy our lunch in.  A few women gave me the "Oh, you poor thing!" speech while gazing wide eyed at my belly.  I overheard one women say, "That poor girl looks so miserable..." Ummm, thanks?  

Everyday I wonder if today is the day our baby girl will join us. I've been having quite a few contractions, some are pretty painful, but so far it's just my body revving up for it's big moment. Hopefully soon. I'm not sure how much bigger I can get...yet everyday my body surprises me and I seem to grow even more. 

I know these last few days of just us are so precious, so I'm trying to keep my mind occupied with little projects and enjoy the quiet while it lasts :)

I hope everyone is having a fun 4th of July! 

38 w e e k s

While Colorado is in the midst of a record breaking heat wave and hundreds of thousands of acres are being burned across our state, my very pregnant belly and I have been lying low trying to keep cool and my swollen feet under control.  Each afternoon as the clouds roll in we pray for rain that will help ease the heat and fires, but the lightning is causing more forest fires than the firefighters can keep up with. It's been a sad and devastating couple of weeks here.

 We just heard on the news the other day that this is the worst time for babies to be born in Colorado because of the poor air quality.  Someday we'll tell our baby girl all about how she was born the summer of the fires. I want to be somewhere refreshing and cool...feeling the ocean spray on my face.  While we're suffering from a lack of rain, my sister in Florida hasn't seen the sun in a week and could probably float to work...  

I've been spending the hot days napping and simply thinking...and wondering if each little twinge I feel is going to lead to labor soon. I still don't know if I have my mind completely ready for what I am about to do, and maybe I really can't until labor has started.  Martin and I have been planning and preparing for a natural child birth and my greatest fear right now is that something out of our control will prevent us from having that experience. I've been trying to put my energy and fears into things I can control like practicing all of my optimal fetal positions that our doula has taught us, reading positive birth stories, and talking to our sweet baby about when she'd like to come out and meet us. 

I am so so thankful that we have made it to 38 weeks. I am so thankful that we have a healthy baby growing stronger and stronger every day and that I have this time off to enjoy my last few weeks of pregnancy. 

Okay baby girl, whenever you're ready, we're ready to meet you :)

A Water Date and 9 months

Our sweet baby girl will be here before we know it. She really could come at any time now, but she can stay with me for a few more weeks if she wants to :) Martin and I have been enjoying so much more time together now that he has a new job with much, much better hours. I feel very spoiled getting to see my husband during daylight hours and soon his little girl will be spoiled getting to spend time with her daddy too.  

Martin and I enjoyed a little date to the aquarium on his day off this week. I'm not sure if my swollen feet appreciated all the walking, but it was nice to get out of the house and away from the 100 degree heat for an hour or so.  We meandered in and out of wild, screaming children and both gave each other that silent look of, "Our child will never act like that" and then quickly realized that our lives are about to resemble those around us faster than we think. (...but seriously, our child will still never act like that ;)

I'm so grateful that during this last part of my pregnancy Martin has been able to be home more.  He has been so supportive, reading and researching how to be the best birth partner for me, giving me foot massages nightly, and saying sweet words when I start crying because I feel out of sorts in this body of mine.

We finished our natural birth classes this past weekend and I don't know if I would be able to do all of this without him.  I know he will be incredible during my labor and delivery and every time I think of him holding his daughter for the first time my heart swells with happiness. 

Packing the Infamous Hospital Bag

The time has come to pack the hospital bag. I don't want to be one of those couples that brings their entire house with them, but I also don't want to be in labor thinking, "I wish I had brought this_____."  Martin keeps asking if we can bring the cats...hmmmm  

Here's what I've come up with so far.

1. My pillow and I have a special relationship...it will be coming with me

2. Slippers 

3. Socks

4. Comfy clothes with a nursing cami

5. Travel toiletries, hair ties, and makeup

6. Baby girl's take home outfit

7. Blanket

8. Important documents: Insurance, birth plan, my own acid free paper for footprints

9. Camera

10. Cell Phone

11. iPod (CD with my playlists)

12. Gum and Mints

My chef husband is also planning on bringing a small cooler filled with our favorite drinks and foods (I'm SO thankful I can drink and eat as much as I want during my labor)

*   *   *

Does anyone have any other must haves that I've missed that you found helpful during your labor? Or things that you think I won't need? I'm open to any advice :)