Lack of an update

Normally, I would title this post as an update on James, but there is nothing to report, much to my dismay. I am on a weekly basis now with my doctors, and today they told me nothing. The doctor commented that he "was no small baby" as he measured my belly, found his heartbeat, determined that James was head down and had dropped slightly, commented on how well my pregnancy has been, filled out an appointment card, and sent me on my way. It took a max of 10 minutes.

I left feeling very discouraged. I really want to know if some progress has been made in the right direction, especially since I am so worried that I won't go into labor at all. I also feel that each day that passes, my chances of having a c-section increase along with James' size. That discourages me even more because I don't want to spend my precious time off with James recovering from major abdominal surgery.

I don't want to complain or anything, so I am sorry if it sounds that way. It is a blessing that my pregnancy has gone so smoothly and that James has had the time he needs. God has truly been taking care of James and me, and I am incredibly thankful. I am really just struggling now with trusting God's timing and plans for James' birth.

His will be done.

Summer Memories

About an hour and a half ago, I arrived home from spending a wonderful afternoon with my in-laws. We ate lunch at Chick-Fil-A, went swimming, and then watched a movie.

As I watched all my sweet nieces and nephews kicking and splashing around in the pool and then crashing with a movie, I couldn't help but remember all my summer afternoons spent like that.

I specifically remember packing snacks and lunches and going to Four Winds Pool to spend a summer afternoon swimming, splashing, kicking, jumping, and flipping around in the water. The only time mom could get us out was during adult swim. Mom would relax with a book or visit with other parents, and sometimes she would swim with us. We'd get out after a few hours (and lots of threats from mom), go home, and enjoy a popsicle (the kind that you buy as a juice and freezes). Jenn and I would then crash with a movie while mom got dinner ready for when dad got home. Even better days were the ones where dad was off and we would have a cook-out for dinner! I can remember coming home, climbing out of our old Explorer, and smelling the hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill... yum!

I smile when I think of those fantastic lazy summer days, and I relished in today knowing that my nieces and nephews were creating the same awesome summer memories I now have in my head.

The next new moon?

On Saturday, after attending morning services of Shoal's annual meeting, we all headed down to a nursing home in Thomson to visit a church member Chris grew up knowing. As we walked in, this sweet older woman was sitting at a table to gather donations for Cystic Fibrosis, and she introduced herself as Mildred Throckmorton. I flipped out! I asked her to repeat her last name, and I told her that my maiden name was Throckmorton. She was a sweet, gentle, polite woman, a lot like my Grandma Throckmorton, and I truly enjoyed getting to talk with her. She asked me when my baby was due, and when I told her, she grinned and told me to find out when the next new moon is. She thinks my baby boy will be born then. I smiled, and we left.

The second we got home, Chris and I went to weather.com to look up the moon cycle. The next new moon will happen on June 22. That would be next week. Next Tuesday, to be exact. If only I could be so lucky! I'm really beginning to wonder if James will come late. We've had all this talk about him coming early, so with all this expectation for the past 8 months, it would be just my luck for him to hang out until well past July 8th, despite his HUGE size. I say this because he has not dropped yet, and nothing has happened to indicate that labor is happening any time soon.

I really want him to come early, which I fear is selfish and self-serving. If he comes on-time or late, I am going to have to take unpaid time off to finish my maternity leave. I do not have enough sick days to cover the time off. I only have 11 sick days, and it would take 15 to finish up maternity leave, if he is born on time. I want lots of time off with this little dude, with sick days left to take care of him when he gets sick.

I'm really thankful that I got bit with the nesting bug last week because I sure don't feel like doing much this week. It hurts! Just walking around is uncomfortable. All i am doing this week is maintaining the mess and tackling school stuff. I have some books to read, procedures to plan, and worksheets to type up. I also want to get the bag packed for the hospital once and for all. Just in case Tuesday is the big day. :)

Summer Routine!

This is truly my first real day of summer vacation, and I am super excited because I think I have stumbled upon the perfect summer routine for me (until little James makes his debut).

I get up in the morning with Chris (which is not too terribly early-- 7am or so), eat breakfast (maybe get ambitious enough one day to make us both breakfast), and send him off to work. Once he is gone, I throw on some "work clothes" and get to work on the house... not a whole lot! Just one chore at a time each day! Today I cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen, plus mopped the floors, all while baby clothes were washing in the laundry room. (I know today was not one chore, and I am feeling it right now-- believe me! I am sitting in bed until Chris can get home and help me out-- my back hurts that much!) I then shower and make myself a simple lunch. That leaves my afternoon open for anything-- reading a good book, getting a pedicure (which I am scared to do until the house is a little more ready for baby), cutting my hair, going swimming, going to the doctor, and other fun stuff like that! :)

I am so excited about this routine, and if I tackle a chore a day, it does not over work me and helps me feel ready for baby. My plan for this week is to work on the nursery tomorrow now that all the clothes and items are clean and ready to go. On Wednesday I am going to straighten up our living room and dining room-- vacuum the furniture and floors and hopefully box up our DVDs. On Thursday I am going to work on our guest room/office and hopefully organize it for good. On Friday I am spending the day with my mom! :)

Right now I am truly thankful for all the work we completed over spring break, even though I was overwhelmed. I can't imagine what I would do right now if our house was in the same order as before spring break. It stresses me out a little bit, actually.'

So a little baby update... or maybe I shouldn't use "little"...

As of Friday, James measured at 7 pounds, 3 ounces. eek!
My doctor's office is doing nothing with this information, which I completely respect. A baby, no matter his weight, is still a preemie when born before his due date... as explained to me.
The ultrasound pictures are hard to decipher because James is all squished in there.
I go to the doctor every week now until he decides to come!

I am still trying to be content in the Lord's timing, even though I want James in my arms now! I watched A Baby Story this afternoon while I folded baby clothes, hoping James could take a hint. :)

The end is near!

Last week, I posted as my facebook status that "the end is near." I was really referring to the end of school since I posted it on Wednesday and our last day was Friday. And oh what a happy day Friday was! I have NEVER been more excited for school to get out. Now I am struggling through this week to get all the post-planning work done, and I can say once again, the end is near! Tomorrow is our last day!

My facebook status, however, could also refer to the end of my pregnancy! As of today, I am 35 weeks pregnant. I can count down to James' due date on ONE HAND. Time seems to have flown by! My pregnancy has been a blessing; I have been extremely fortunate to have no complications and no major discomforts. I credit that to my job, keeping me up and around on my feet, instead of propping my feet up and, as one student told me I should do, eating sweet potato pie all day. Just recently a few discomforts have emerged, like being unable to get into a comfortable sleeping position!

I am SO excited to meet James. The fear and nervousness have not kicked in yet; all I feel is excitement to meet my little dude, to hold him and love on him as much as possible. I have a few things left to do to get ready for his arrival, but, in all honesty, we'd be ready for him to arrive today! I have made myself content, however, to wait on God's good timing, whether that brings James early or late.

Speaking of James' arrival... if you want to make a guess in the baby poll, please do so! It is unlocked now and can be played!