deliver...deliver...can you deliver?

Here I am, 4 days past my due date. My mother-in-law leaves tomorrow morning and it is looking more and more likely that she will not get to meet her new grandson.

I am feeling tired, sad, and depressed. Last night I had a number of good contractions -- it was the first time I could really time them even. They weren't *that* strong or painful, but some where crampy and they were noticeable and seemingly regular. When I woke up for bathroom breaks at night, they continued to seem regular. Yet when I woke up around 7:30 they seemed to be lessening in frequency and intensity. I couldn't get back to sleep because I was so bummed. I had really thought this might be it.

So I took a walk this morning and have had some contractions so far today, but nothing really of note. I'm feeling sleepy, sad, and I guess a little bit awkward. Perhaps the big day will be today though, there is still no telling. I'm having a contraction now...could this be the start? I guess I just don't think so.

I'm also sort of battling a little cold -- did I mention that yet? Maybe I did. I don't know. It's not bad but it's annoying to be so pregnant, expecting to go into labor any moment, feeling depressed, and then feeling sick too. I had been cutting back on my pre-natal vitamins because of digestion issues late in pregnancy, so I've started up with those again thinking maybe that has something to do with my weakened immune system. Then again, there just seems to be a bug going around and Aaron has been fighting it off for over a week.

Anyway, I guess that's all. Because I don't want to get sick, I think today will be pretty uneventful. Went for a nice morning walk, made waffles, now I think I'll go lie down for a bit.

due date +3

I have little to report, but figured I should let you know that I am still pregnant. A lot of contractions yesterday, but nothing real to speak of.

The holiday was nice. I got some work done, Aaron's mom, Aaron, and I went for ice cream and a nice walk through campus. Then my family came over and we had food and fire pit in the backyard and watched the fireworks from the front lawn.

Today Meg, Sarah, and Dad leave. They are going to breakfast now and will stop by for a bit and probably hit the road shortly thereafter, at least that's what it sounds like the plans are.

Seems my routine these days is to wake up feeling pretty good, then realize I am still pregnant and labor seems as far away as ever, and then feel down. With family returning to their home states today and Monday, I sort of feel a lack of climax. We all knew that there was no guarantee the baby would arrive but we all also hoped and partly felt it would. I am not that far past the due date, and as the days tick on, the odds that today is the day get more and more likely, so I guess that's sort of neat. It, however, feels the opposite. As though since it hasn't happened yet, it simply isn't going to happen. But as they always say, "I've never seen a baby stay in there yet!" har har har.

Here are some pics my dad took:

due date +2

No labor. No delivery. No baby.

That is all.

no news is good news?

Opted not to have my cervix checked. Fetal monitoring was sorta fun. The guy moved all around and gave a variety of heart rates and seems oh-so healthy and comfy in there. If I still haven't gone into labor by next Thursday's appointment, I'll have the doc strip my membranes (sorta separate the amniotic sac from the uterine walls or something like that). That has a 50/50 chance of starting labor in the next day or two. Doc says she can usually tell too whether it stands much chance of working after she does it. Hopefully we won't even need to do it!

Other than that, things are going pretty well. Lunch in the park was nice, my family got here OK, we had dinner at Outback Steakhouse. Now I'm working on getting our Internet set up with the old router dad brought (think we've got it figured out). Aaron has been fighting off a cold and today I have a bit of a sore throat. Maybe I will have a cold while going into labor. Fun!!

Oh, and I wanted to find a four-leaf clover to put in our baby book...yesterday I went for a walk and found 6!...thought that might be a sign, but no labor yet!

And we have a cucumber or two that we can pick, and little tomatoes starting. Yeah garden.

+1 (no action)

As expected, the day has come and gone with not much to speak of. It was an ok day filled with enough distractions so that I wasn't too down about passing my due date. Aaron, however, has become increasingly anxious. I didn't anticipate that!! I feel bad but there just isn't much we can do except wait. We have a doctor's appointment in a couple of hours -- my first "past due"and "oh, we hope you don't need this one!" appointment. It will be about an hour long as I will have my normal check ups and then will spend some time on the fetal monitor to make sure everything is going ok and to measure my contractions. I'm really curious to see what that is like, though I feel very confident that all they will say is "everything looks ok!! he just needs some more time to bake!" and I'll see them again next week.

I keep reminding myself that even if I still have to wait two weeks to meet my new guy that that's ok and really not much time in the whole time line of pregnancy, and well, parenthood.

I may post later after the doc appointment to let you know how things have progressed. After the appointment we're all going out to lunch and then if the weather permits we might take a walk in the park (the park which is just oh-so conveniently located across the street from the hospital!!) . This morning is thick and rainy and the weather should be cooler today.

Meg, Dad, and Sarah also arrive today to start moving Meg into the place next door, so that's fun. Again, at least I'll have company to distract me while I wait for the ever-elusive "contractions that increase in intensity" or "contractions that are 3-5 minutes apart, 1 minute in length" or "your water breaks, which feels like you peed your pants, either in a big gush or maybe a steady leak"...

Tonight's the ni-ight

Well here it is my due date. I did not wake in labor. I am still half-heartedly sticking by my guess of TOMORROW as the big day, but the other half of my heart thinks I've got another week being pregnant. I guess it's all OK. Tonight is the New Moon, we'll see if that really has an effect or not. Tomorrow I think the Moon is opposite my Sun.

We are having a nice time in Lafayette visiting with Aaron's mom. We took her to Kokoro last night and that was as yummy as ever. Kokoro is about the only restaurant in Lafayette with something of a reputation due to its character of a chef, Tony. He and his restaurant are both loved and hated, but Aaron and I subscribe to the former. He makes lots of yummy custom sushi rolls that feature lotsa veggies and cooked fish that work out just so well for the pregnant set. And he has the most amazing gyoza. mmmmm. Then we took a walk around Lafayette, hit Target for some groceries, and watched half of To Kill a Thief. Hey, we were tired.

I got up early this morning because I couldn't sleep, but now I'm tired already. I had a few nice strong contractions, but it seems true labor still escapes me.

I'm feeling down today again because I just found out that lousy Purdue did NOT accept the proposed new parental leave policy, which means all Aaron will get is the inadequate FMLA which gives him the option of a few UNPAID weeks off. And he has to FIRST use his vacation and sick time during that time. Sigh. Don't you love America?

Here is a picture of my big ol' belly near the end of this wild adventure. It was taken a couple of days ago... Sometimes it looks like I could just pop the thing off my torso like one of those fake pregnant bellies they wear on TV!

1 day... no baby

Just a quick post to let you know that I have not gone into labor. My mother-in-law is visiting and we are just having a nice time talking about pregnancy, birth, and parenting. I have some pics to post, but don't have my camera with me, so I will have to post them later.

I am still very pregnant awaiting his arrival, but sort of feel that I may still be waiting another week.

Oh, I did work my last day in the archives. I am officially unemployed.