40 Weeks and 1 Day Pregnant

Ready to pop?

Another Due Date Has Come and Gone

In less than two hours, this baby's due date will become yesterday. You would think I'd be used to this, with both Big Sister and Little Man being born after their due dates. However, this isn't the case. I've been holding on to the hope that this one would be on time or even early. Apparently, our babies take after their late mama and not their punctual dada.

I'd like to say that the third time is a charm and I'm handling the waiting game with such grace. I want to say I'm savoring every moment of my last pregnancy while enjoying as much time as possible with my husband and children before things get even busier.

The truth is that I'm emotional and even angry some of the time. I want to meet this baby, but I don't feel ready for the responsiblity of three children. I'm fretting about the things I feel I should do to prepare for the baby's arrival. Meanwhile, I'm feeling guilty about not spending that time with my husband and children. It is a vicious cycle.

I'll feel embarassed a week or two from now when the baby is in my arms and pregnancy is a thing of the past. I'll think of how silly I was to be so impatient, yet nervous about the baby's arrival. Until then, I'll be praying for the grace to truly savor this precious time. Oh, and I'll definitely be enjoying the funny looks I get when people ask when I'm due and I get to tell them yesterday.

More Belly Laughs (At Least for Them)

Overheard today as I stood in the doorway to my bedroom...

"Mom," whined Big Sister. "I can't see. Your belly is too big. Please move." She actually smiled a sly little smile when she finished this comment.

Later, I was still trying to laugh at that comment when the man at the gym had another one for me.

"Aren't you going to zip that coat?" He asked with a chuckle.

"Ha, ha," I said. It was pretty clear that I'd need few more yards of fabric to actually zip my coat.

Who knew I was so funny?

Is it Time?

Oh, why do I torture myself so? I've been analyzing every twinge and pain thinking that maybe, just maybe this baby will surprise us before its due date and weigh in less than eight pounds. It might, but if history repeats itself it won't.



Our second baby came later than our first, and while we won't let this one go much past the due date, it would probably like to, just to show up the first two.



But, knowing in my head that this baby will likely be late does not stop me from encouraging it to make its debut. I've been walking mile after mile on the treadmill and ingesting massive amounts of spicy food. I suppose I'm a glutton for punishment or at least heartburn.



The ironic thing is, as much as I want to meet this baby, a big part of me is still trying to hold on to these days of just the four of us. Change is like that. It can be so exciting and terrifying at the same time. Not to mention the fact that my children are going to outnumber my hands and I'm pretty sure that isn't good for the general public.

Oh, I'm so excited to meet this little one, but just like when Little Man was born, I wanted to hold on to my baby (Big Sister) for just a few more moments. Of course, I'm learning that they will always be my babies regardless of size or birth order.



So, now, I'm trying to enjoy each moment and not long for the next. But, I must emphasize the word trying because in the middle of playing or cleaning, I am completely aware of any small ache and I wonder if maybe, just maybe...

Because I'm Nothing if Not a Procrastinator

I decided to wait until this pregnancy was full-term (today) before I painted the baby's room. Nice huh?

Before and after pictures coming soon, unless this baby makes an unlikely early appearance before I can finish painting.

A Spoonful of Peanut Butter

I was delighted to find this article when I opened my computer this morning.
It basically says that new research shows that avoiding certain foods during pregnancy and breastfeeding may not prevent allergies. As someone who literally wants a spoonful or two of peanut butter for breakfast each morning, this is good news.

Now, don't for a minute think that I was letting my guilt keep me from my peanut butter. Nope, not at all. I'm not that good of a preggo gal. I would eat it, but I would feel a twinge of guilt.

And now, because of one article, and no research on my part, I'm letting the guilt go. Sometimes it just tastes good to live in ignorance.

Excuse me, I'm off to find a spoon and a jar of peanut butter.

Belly Laughs in the Garage

I'd like to think of myself as the cute-pregnant type. However, it is getting harder and harder to feel that way these days. I think I can attribute that to mainly one thing.

It does very little for the ego when one occasionally has to back out of the garage and pull back in one more time. Why is this? Oh, I will tell you. It is because no amount of twisting or squeezing can get this belly out of the van if the door isn't able to almost fully open.

A favorite question of Big Sister's has become this. "Is your belly going to fit out of the van?" She asks with a giggle.

I can only honestly answer, "I don't know, let me check."

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. At least the situation is immensely amusing my daughter and of course, my husband.

I, on the other hand, must choose to laugh with them, because really what other choice is there, but to cry?

Fortunately, we will eventually meet this baby, which will at least cause my belly to become mushy so that it will squeeze through tight spots when I need it to do so. It is either that, start parking in the cold, icy driveway, or become a contortionist. I'm going with having the baby.