waiting for D-Day

 Baby News:

40 weeks (minus two days)-in this photo

Baby had another fetal assessment this week, and everything looked good! Instead of 60% for size, he was more like 40% at this assessment... this is what I meant by they just simply aren't accurate about size in these things! I think it's safe to say he'll be roughly average sized though, which is nice to know going into the future! Not to big, not too small! This little boy has been very active lately. This is both good and bad. It's very re-assuring to me, which has been very nice, since I have been a bit more anxious about miscarriage this pregnancy than the last, but it also means his head isn't really engaged (pushing on the cirvix) which would help me go into labor more naturally.

My blood pressure was quite elevated at my appointment following the fetal assessment, so I was put on regular blood pressure meds. (side note: the med they put me on last week, wasnt asthmatic safe, so I was instructed to only take it when necessary. This is a different pill all together, and I now need to take it daily). Despite the meds, my pressure still seems to be creeping higher each day, something I remember well from the last pregnancy. I remember that my body really didn't respond at all to the blood pressure medications. I am a strange bird... That's why I went from no meds to the max doses of three different pills (all taken at the same time, not switched out) in three weeks time, then still ended up being induced cause my blood pressure was out of control...the difference is, this time I am 40 WEEKS!! :) so we dont have to try meds, we can just get baby out instead.

Just like last time, I am A-symptomatic (meaning I dont have the usual high blood pressure symptoms of dizziness, seeing stars, headaches, swelling etc..) and baby is doing far better than they could assume or hope (very active, good growth and heart rate).

My OBGYN has us set up for an induction on Saturday (today). This is her day on-call at the hospital, and she is hoping that her role in choosing who on the induction list gets induced, will work in our favor. Basically, every day the doctor on call will make a selection based on whatever factors (i assume, how busy triage seems to be etc..) about who on the long list of hopeful induct-ee's will actually get to come in to be induced.  Given that my situation is based on medical concerns (blood pressure issues), and not just on being past my due date, I am more likely than some to be selected anyway (I would think). So here's hoping things get moving along! It's not a certainty, but I am hopeful.

 Josiah News:

 

This little guy has had quite a busy week! we've spent lots of time outside, and tried to get in some good quality time with him while he is still an only child.

Josiah trying to take a drink from the hose, but mostly just getting wet!

Despite lengthily trips to the park, water fun in grammie's yard across the street, a trip to the zoo and even hanging out with daddy while he works on the house, Josiah's been quite out of sorts... I think he knows something is up, but he doesn't know what or how to deal with it. I didn't clue into this till my doctor's appointment on Wednesday where another (very) pregnant mom had her two-and-a-half year old along, and as i watched them, it was like I was watching Josiah act out... same type of behaviors Josiah has been exhibiting. Pushing the boundaries more than normal, being especially clingy/needy, getting upset much more easily about  anything (and yes, I know he is two...that's why I am saying things like "more than normal." Cause of course he is doing all of these things on a regular basis anyway, as a two year old, but...just doubled lately...).

We make the most of it though, and give extra love when we can, and time outs when needed too... I mostly empathize for  his confused little mind! So when possible, thats why we've been trying to give him extra time.

Thursday morning my mom and I took Josiah to the forks for a pancake lunch, and yesterday Curtis was able to come home a little early from work, and we spent some family time at the park and at home together, which was very nice for Josiah too. Building lots of memories with him while he's an only child!

You know, it really isn't fare to be two when you get a sibling... I mean, Curtis and I get to mentally work through all the emotions of going from one young little love in our lives to two. We get to think about how divide our attentions, and even slightly mourn the loss of only having that one kid to pour all our attention on... he doesn't get that luxury. He just gets blind-sided by this new sibling in his life. The only warning he gets is his funny little "where's the baby" trick where he points to mummy's tummy. Maybe I'm just being over-run with all these extra hormones, but I really do feel and empathize for Josiah. There is a lot of difficult confusion he is about to go through, when he realizes there's a new baby in our family that is here to stay, and that he has to share mummy's time,  energy and affection with it. He hasn't quite picked up on the whole concept of "sharing" yet, even with toys. So it'll be quite a learning curve to start with sharing his parents.

mummy and Josiah at the forks on Thursday (40 weeks)

Curtis News:

our hard working man!

Curtis has been working hard, as usual! He took a couple of days off this week to try and finish up the front porch so we wont be leaving piles of lumber in our front yard. He also managed to get siding up on the two sides of our house with the help of a couple friends and family members!

our life in a nutshell

Naturally, Curtis also had a little helper for much of his part-time labors. Josiah was often plunked outside on his booster seat, or even in his highchair with breakfast or lunch, and he was happy to watch the show. Gramps came up with the idea to put the headphones on him, which made the loud noises far more tolerable for him!

Josiah has spent hours this week hanging out with daddy while he works.

Josiah is fascinated by power tools right now, and the noises they make!

Josiah will pick up something (anything) and start making power tool noises.

All-in-all, it's been an exhausting week for curtis, but I think he feels decently "nested" in his own way as well. There's still plenty that needs to be done, but enough has been checked off and enough open ends tied up for the next little while anyway.

Krysta News:

I have basically just been keeping myself busy. I made some thank you bags for 6 or so nurses/health care aids, depending on who stands out to us. I remember from last time, that we actually came back to the hospital to drop something off, and because we were so exhausted afterwards, it was more expensive to do, since we settled on gift cards. This way the thought is still there in the thank you, without breaking the bank. dis-assembled, it all fits nicely into a small pouch in my hospital bag.

 

I also went to town with my essential oils, and made some blends that I can use to bring on labor, manage pain, help with healing, and even one or two for baby!

  

I also found a neat recipe to make hand sanitizer on pinterest, using aloe vira gel, witchazel, coconut oil, and essential oils.  So i  whipped some of that up, and made little viles for each nurse's thank you baggie as well.

 

Other than these somewhat pointless nesting bits, I have been basically using my energies on Josiah, and on trying to stay rested. My blood pressure has been getting higher, and seems to be ignoring the fact that I am now on medications. This is a bit more anxiety provoking, since this is how my body responded to the meds last time too (ignoring them and getting higher). I am happy to be so close to the end this time, when this has started, but I am still losing sleep over it, and quite anxious about what the next few days will hold.

Prayer Requests:

• For Josiah as he spends several days away from us at grandparents houses, and for the adjustment back home afterward
• for Josiah adjusting to the idea of a new sibling
• That labor and delivery will be successful and boring
• For health for all
• Energy for Curtis through it all, and the stamina as he returns to work post partum
• That my blood pressure will not get dangerously high
• Rest
• That I will be able to stay close to God throughout it all, and surrender things to him, and feel his presence.