it’s a funny time, the waiting on a baby time. it’s like… how far can i venture from the house do to errands… what day, what hour will he come… are these braxton hicks or is this more… how far do i want to venture from the house based on the fact that my pelvis feels a little like it’s going to crack in half… is this the last load of laundry i’m going to do… who’s driving the kids to school tomorrow if i go into labor… or is this the last load of laundry i’m going to do… you know.
tell you what makes it all way easier… having your parents around. i have been blessed with fantastic parents, the kind you’re happy to have stay day after day after day. they’ve been here a little over a week already, since steve was in california, and they’ve still got a bit to go as we wait on this grandchild of theirs. having them around is such a blessing. on instagram i joked that my mom is a little florence nightingale plus ina may gaskin plus martha stewart combination. and it’s totally true… but better. she joked that she’s feeling the nesting too, and i think it’s true. yesterday she cooked (i did make dinner! i’m not entirely useless! white chili and it was delicious!) and watched parker while i vacuumed the car (i couldn’t bear installing a car seat until i vacuumed out all the miscellany almonds and crumbs and sand etc. etc. that were floating around the floor of our old honda), she swept our front stoop, my dad and she wrapped some of our more delicate outdoor trees in burlap, she folds the laundry… as soon as i see something that needs doing, if i look away from it for a moment and look back, it’s been done. every morning there’s a delicious steel coat oatmeal brewing with coconut oil and bananas and a big scoop of yogurt (william and lindsey are definitely loving the hot breakfast at the ready before they leave for school!) and she’ll even do reiki on her anxious daughter (that’s me. i had a moment of anxiety yesterday as i got too far ahead of myself and worried about things that needed doing and kids and difficult phases and adding a baby to it all. is it just me or do you cry at least once the week leading up to delivery too?). and while that whirling dervish of a woman whirls, my dad is a little bit tim the tool man taylor plus he does know his way around the kitchen too. he made the thanksgiving gravy, dessert, and he’s been doing other random house projects for us too. basically, power couple, and we couldn’t love them more if we tried. steve comes home from a long day to continue getting stuff done (we’ve been building a garage for the last couple months so it’s been essentially a race to the finish–baby or garage and we need the garage space to lessen some of the stuff in our house!) so to have their help… god-send.
i thank them constantly but it’s worth having it in writing. THANK YOU MOM AND DAD. WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH.
i had an ob appointment yesterday and my midwife casually asked, “want me to check your cervix?” and i sort of froze. what did i want the answer to be? if she told me i was dilated, would that make me panic or would that be a cause for celebration? and then it can mean nothing anyway… women can walk around for weeks dilated already… so what would knowing that information do for me? thus, i said no, and she agreed. i can’t believe i’m already at a “want me to check your cervix” stage. i swear, i just found out i was pregnant a few weeks ago.
in the meantime, i have a few odds and ends left to do. changing sheets on beds, restocking our meat and bread supply, packing a hospital bag (every night i think… finish the hospital bag? nah. i am too content in my procrastination.), grabbing a few last christmas gifts. i got a present from baby to parker, which was definitely on my must do list. (yes… a sword-wielding knight… which on second thought seems a bit of an intense present for a brand new baby to be giving his big brother but parker does love those knights…). i don’t really take these off ever (closet options have widdled down to… about three things)–such a broken record at this point. in fact, steve, please get me another pair for christmas? solid black. thank you. and i am thinking of little activities that parker can do while i nurse a sleepy baby (my sister loves these
I am just so over the moon excited for you and this new little baby that will be arriving soon! Your parents sound like saints, I have a set too and aren't they just the best treasure to ever have?! I always hope that one day my children will look up to me the same way I look up to my parents! Many hugs as you wait in anticipation these last few days or hours or weeks or what have you….I'll hope it's not weeks, for your sake! xxxx
Right there with you (40 weeks and 2 days, today–urgh) and sending good thoughts for a baby soon.
hang in there, mama!
You had me at Ina May Gaskin – wow, I'm glad you have such wonderful support around and no, it is not just you with the crying and having moments of doubts and anxiety. If it makes you feel better, for me it feels like yesterday reading your post about moving and the "other news" 😉 I think of you every day now and send some thougths of love and encouragement over the pond.
thank you so much. seriously, means a lot.
Paint with water? YES!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!! Thank you!!
i LOVED waiting for the baby. those last few weeks are the most exciting. and during christmas? what a time. so happy for your growing family and enjoy what i am sure is the most magical time for you!
Ahhhh … those last weeks! I ended up packing my hospital bag at about 4 am when my contractions were 3 to 4 minute apart. Silly me for thinking I would end up being induced again like I had with my first … oops! Two boys … two years apart. Honestly, nothing tugs at my heartstrings like seeing the relationship between brothers. So special. Just listening to them interact as I type this brings such joy to my heart. Enjoy!
that sounds like what i'll be doing…
ahhh, i look forward to seeing what p will be like as a big brother and that relationship! (hopefully a sweet one like it sounds like your boys have!)
What an exciting time! So happy for you, Bridget. You sound like you're in your glory as you anticipate so much joy yet to come. The way you describe your parents is so inspiring. I would love to have this kind of relationship with my kids when they're grown. I'd love to hear more, if you ever want do a longer post on the ways you guys relate with each other, that makes for this great dynamic. Sounds like your folks have found a superb balance between continuing to nurture their grown kids while respecting their adulthood, individuality and autonomy. Anyway, you're all sweet as can be and I'm such a grateful reader. Much love.
i think we do have that balance! i can't pinpoint why it works so well, but there's definitely a lot of mutual respect and gratitude for one another… and we've always made that really clear. maybe i'll give it some more thought and do a bigger post 🙂
Sorry I think the last link was wrong…
Read this blog post just now and thought of you! 🙂
http://www.scissortailsilk.com/2014/12/01/advent-day-1-love-has-come/
oh i loved that. thanks for sharing, christy.
oh your mom is a dream!!! she even does reiki?! so glad she is there for you 🙂 good luck with the waiting!! soon soon!!
I'm a couple of weeks behind you with my first pregnancy…and I cannot believe it's already time to start checking cervixes, packing a hospital bag, preparing everything, etc. either! It really does seem like I just found out I was pregnant. Wishing you luck and an easy delivery!
OH my goodddnessss! You and that bump of yours are too cute for words! Pregnancy looks good on you! Hope you are feeling well, and thank goodness for parents! I still rely on my mom weekly to help me wrangle life with my two babies.
xoxo,
Megan from Chasing Davies
Such an exciting time!!! I remember having the same conversations with my midwife last October when I was waiting for my second baby boy…and I DID have her check me. And you know what?? It didn't help anything. In fact it made me more anxious! I was VERY dilated right from the "full-term" get-go, and each week thought "this could happen ANY MINUTE!" As it turns out, he was cozy in there and I was one day over-due. Good for you in saying no. Let your mind rest that it will happen when the time is right. And know that just as it was with Parker, you will get the hang of having another baby around. It will be your new normal and you won't change it for anything. 🙂