July 14th

So we've been watching our countdown for nearly 9 months, and now that it gets to "1 day left," I'm finding it rather anti-climatic since it could still be another 10 days :( Bleh. Oh well.

Yesterday was my first day of working from home and let me just say, it made all the difference in the world! At 5:00, I actually still had ankles! I don't know whether it was the ridiculously long walk from my car to my office 4 times a day or sitting in an uncomfortable office chair for 8 hours, but something about going to work just wasn't doing me any good - these last few weeks especially.

It is a strange feeling to not have to get dressed or go anywhere... it'll be interesting to see how I adjust to being at home everyday with a baby. Of course my days with him will be more rewarding and busy, so hopefully I won't get too antsy. I've been looking forward to this for sure, but I know it's going to be a bit of a shocker when I'm used to a pretty busy routine of working all week!

We get to see BabyW on Wednesday!

So far this baby seems to be pretty comfortable where he's at! Our due date is technically in 2 days, but obviously that is just an estimate anyway... and first-borns tend to be late. I've had some progress as far as my body prepping for labor but not enough that he is ready to come out just yet. I had a doctor's appointment this morning and she seemed to think there's a good chance he'll continue to camp out a little longer. We'll have an ultrasound and non-stress test (for the baby) on Wednesday just to check out his size and make sure that he looks like he's doing fine in there... and so long as all is well with him, we'll just continue to wait. Of course I would rather see him in person, but at least we do have something fun to look forward to now on Wednesday no matter what!

Then, I have another appointment for next Monday, so if he's still hanging out, we'll discuss options. They wouldn't want me to go much beyond a week or so after my due date for safety reasons, but I'd definitely prefer him to come naturally than to have to induce anyway, so as much as we're ready and excited to meet him, we're okay with waiting a bit longer. I know he'll definitley be here in the next two weeks, hopefully less!

Please pray for us: that things would progress naturally and that we don't have to be induced, and that BabyW continues to be healthy as we wait... also pray that we would have peace with whatever our doctor recommends should we get to that point. Not that being induced is the end of the world, but it does typically mean a much longer and harder labor... which obviously isn't ideal!

This Weekend: Intense Contractions...

Intense contractions for Mike, that is. That's right, as I anxiously await feeling some sign that this baby is ready to enter the world, I feel nothing and poor Mike ended up with some serious sympathy pains. I was actually so thankful the baby didn't decide to come this weekend because Saturday morning, Mike got intense back spasms and was in serious pain all day. He ended up taking muscle relaxers and a bunch of ibuprofen and trying really hard to not move. If I'd of gone into labor, he wouldn't have been much good for anything, let alone driving me to the hospital and coaching me through! He's still hurting, but each day it's improving... not exactly how we expected to spend the weekend, but it did force us to lay low and that was good for us both! By last night, my swelling had really improved, so I guess a weekend off my feet was the answer. (Well, somewhat off my feet... I seemed to be in better shape than Mike on Saturday, so I did make a grocery run and tried to do some cooking... but Justine came over and was a huge help and she made me sit down, prop up my feet and supervise...while she did the cooking!!)

It's so hard to believe that the week we've been looking forward to for 9 months is actually here! BabyW is due in 2 days and so far he seems to be pretty comfy just staying right where he is. I know things can change in an instant, but I'm prepping myself that there's a very good chance that next week might be "the week" instead.

LAST Day!!

Well, it's finally here: my last day of coming into work before the baby arrives! It's definitely a good feeling! I'll still be working next week if we're still waiting on a baby, but just being able to do it from the comfort of home will make a huge difference! Besides, I've finally been told from the doctors that it's time for me to stay off my feet and take it easy. I'm not on strict bed-rest, but they want me to not do any last minute shopping/cleaning/etc. and to really try to take it easy. I'll try. :)

I went in the the doctor's office this morning because I had some really bad swelling in my right ankle last night (the worst yet) and when I called last night, since I had no other symptoms she said it could wait until this morning, but to definitely come in and get my blood pressure checked before the weekend. Well, everything was normal this morning, which is good news. I go back Monday morning (unless BabyW decides to show up this weekend?!) but everything is looking good and they said it definitely could be any time now.

So since I shouldn't do too much walking, today's "get-the-baby-out" tactic will be spicy food. Christy, Senneca and I are going to meet Mike at Bangkok Garden in Norfolk for a Thai lunch and I just might order mine a bit spicier than usual :) Probably just an old wives tale, but it's worth a shot... I like spicy food anyway!

6 Days!!

Did you see that? That's right... it says ZERO weeks 6 days on our countdown! Holy Moly! :) It was kinda crazy this morning that when two different people asked me when my baby is due, I could just say "Wednesday!" You know, like less than a week from now!! Wow! Whether he decides to come today or in 2 weeks, it's really, really close!

Other Plans...

Unless he really gets a quick move on, I guess today won't be the day. So much for 7-8-9. We technically still have 8 1/2 hours... but yeah, I don't see that happening. LOL. Oh well... I'm kinda torn as to wanting him to come early or late anyway...

Benefits to BabyW coming EARLY:

• I wouldn't have to be pregnant anymore.
• We'd get to meet our little boy sooner.
• Mike's family could be here when he's born.
• Julie could possibly be here too.
• Justine would have a little longer to spend with her nephew.
  
• I wouldn't have to worry about being induced.
• He'd be slightly smaller...maybe a little easier to get out!
  
• All the wondering would be over.

Benefits to BabyW coming LATER:

• Mike and I could enjoy a few extra days with just the two of us.
• We could get a few more nights of decent (if you can call it that) sleep.
• I'd get paid for working an extra week or two.
• BabyW could pack on some extra immunities & brain cells.
• My friend, Amy (Dr. Brown) could deliver him while she's here that week (just kidding...)
• I could get fatter, it could get hotter, I could end up getting stretch-marks after all, I could have cramps & contractions for weeks, I could go insane wondering when he'll arrive, I could have to be induced....yeah, all kinds of great stuff!

I think I see the obvious winner, don't you?! HaHa! Really, I'm okay either way (which is good, considering it's completely out of my control!) but I think other than the extra paycheck and maybe one more date night, I don't see any real benefits to him sticking around much longer! Come on out boy!

Makes Sense to Me!

Yet another good reason for BabyW to come this week: my best friend Julie will be here from Texas! Sadly, her Grandma passed away this morning and Julie will be flying in tomorrow to be with her family for the funeral. Obviously not the best circumstances for a visit, but I had just been thinking this week how I hate that Julie lives so far away and it would probably be a while before she'd get a chance to meet our little boy. She'll only be here through Sunday... so who knows, but it sure would be great if he decided to come before she leaves. The last time we saw each other was last May when Mike and I took a trip out to Austin to visit them. Julie & Josh have two adorable kids: Abby & Luke, and they are expecting number 3 in February! So anyway, tonight Mike and I took a nice long walk and ate some cajun food... let's see if we can get this boy movin'! Julie swears that castor oil works like a charm... hmmm....tempting... but I'm not sure I'm ready to go that far yet! :)