THE WAITING GAME

 Four days left. Four little days yet it feels like this last little bit is dragging out forever. The truth is, I set myself up for failure with the unrealistic expectation that this little babe of ours was going to make his or her appearance early. Since my water broke with Forester almost two and a half weeks before his due date I was so certain that this next baby would practically fly out with one good sneeze.

The joke is on me.

So here we are, within days of my due date. While pregnancy has been so good to me, I must admit I'm ready for the finish line. At my appointment this week my doctor offered to induce me, but warned it didn't mean labor wouldn't be long. Immediately I flashed back to my nearly 30-hour labor with Forester and politely said, "No thanks, I'll wait it out a bit longer." So I've been walking around a  lot, trying to eat spicy food, and praying for the Lord to ease my discomfort and let me get some rest.

On top of it all our whole family has come down with a rotten cold. Dustin saw the doctor and thankfully received the good news that he didn't have strep nor the flu, both illnesses that would prevent him from being in the delivery room with me. Oh the irony of such timing.

So we wait.

I will say the extra one-on-one time we've had with Forester has been such a gift. We've been focusing on giving him as much of our time as possible, filling our evenings with trips to the park, days at the Science Center, and long rides on his bike up and down our street. I'm still plugging away trying to wrap up some important works things. I told myself I'd make several meals in advance and freeze them, to which I've failed miserably of prioritizing. But I'm taking my husband's advice and I'm trying to listen to my body and slow down where I can.

Overall we're brimming with excitement and anticipation as the end is nearing. The funny part this go round is that we're confident in our diaper changing and feeding abilities, but are nervous about learning how to juggle two little ones under two. As with anything I'm sure we'll adapt accordingly.

In the meantime I'm trying to think ahead to maternity leave and time with a sweet little baby. I'm hoping to get outside more this time around, to get in the garden and do some work, to read a few books, and perhaps work on a new hobby, embroidering.

Until then, we wait. May you and your family have a fantastic weekend ahead - if you're in the Louisville area I think the weather is supposed to be superb.