2 more days

Last week, I entered my 38th week of pregnancy. I was feeling great, and getting excited to meet my little girl in just a few weeks. I went in for my weekly check-up with T.J. and Elliana in tow, a nice safety net this late in pregnancy.

Little did I know how odd my 38 week appointment would be! Before I knew it, I was being wheeled in a wheelchair to the hospital with bleeding and contractions. Elliana loved riding in the wheelchair and considered it all a grand adventure.

The contractions continued to get stronger and I was hooked on a monitor to track the baby's heartbeat while I waited for an ultrasound to determine why and where the bleeding was coming from. Being in the maternity triage unit, hooked up to machines while my daughter runs in circles and my husband felt ill, was what could be considered a stressful situation. I found myself laughing. Perhaps it was self preservation or the fact that I couldn't stop thinking of all the things I hadn't yet packed in my hospital bag if indeed I was staying.

Finally we went for the ultrasound, where luckily no cause for the bleeding was found. The technician did find a healthy, 8 lb baby girl, with a head of hair, in a breech position. A COMPLETE SURPRISE! Contractions and bleeding continued as I was wheeled back to triage where my mom was waiting to pick up Elliana, a fabulous blessing on such short notice!!! The nurse gave me a shot to stop the contractions as they didn't want me going into labor with a breech baby. I was sent home and put on modified bedrest until I could see my doctor again on Friday.

And so, I was on bed rest for 2.5 days and it isn't as fun as it sounds like it would be. I am so grateful for my mom and friends, and of course my hubby who all stepped up and helped with Elliana, waited on me, provided food and encouragement.

Friday evening I was released from bed rest, and was encouraged to go live an active life, as the baby had flipped back into proper position! The more active I was the more likely she would stay that way, but to ensure they scheduled an induction for this week, in hopes of having her arrive naturally and not a c-section.

We are just a couple of days until our newest little girl will officially be in our family. I am excited, anxious, thrilled, nervous and a bit terrified. But most of all, I am grateful.

8 weeks...

We are in the home stretch of this pregnancy, as I enter the 32nd week this week. And, although approximately 8 weeks still remain until our baby girl arrives, I find myself filling my days with preparation for our expanding family. Whether it is the hormones, nesting or just me striving for perfection, I am literally using every ounce of energy I have to prepare.

The funny thing is, my definition of preparation is different than other expectant mommas. The to-do list that keeps me up at night doesn't involve installing the car seat or packing the hospital bag (though it probably should), but instead craft projects for my daughter's room, sewing projects I want to complete and recipes I want to try nag at me. And, if someone even mentions scrap-booking to me, I feel completely overwhelmed as my goal was to finish Elliana's first year album before her sister arrived and given I have completed only the first month, it is quite evident that will not happen.

I really can't explain the irrational thoughts that run through my head, or the way that I can be laughing one minute and crying the next. I can't explain the reason I look and feel three times bigger at this point than I did with my first pregnancy. But, I do know that I am cherishing this pregnancy, in a way that I didn't know how during my pregnancy with Elliana. I am savoring each kick, even the strong 2 am kicks. I am allowing each craving I experience and am feeling no shame in wearing my husband's clothing as it is far more comfortable than my own.

You may be asking what the point of this blog entry is....and I wish I could tell you. As I did have a clear idea of where this writing would go when I began. That idea is now gone, but I do feel a sense of accomplishment in just getting some thoughts out there...no matter how random they may be.

Now this pregnant momma is going back to an afternoon snack of skyline chili dip and relishing in the remaining moments of nap time.