An Evening Stroll

We got a new camera! So we took it with us this evening as we went for a walk. The baby is now eight days past his/her due date and Fable is getting pretty excited to be a big brother.

A lot happens in nine months...

Isn't that crazy?! The first picture was taken on New Year's Day, the day after we found out we were pregnant. The second picture was taken today, August 28th. I'm just about 41 weeks pregnant. Obviously my clothes no longer fit, but I refuse to buy any more maternity clothes, so I just look foolish most of the time. :)

We'll be meeting this big baby any day now!

Can a baby really be born "late?"

Today is August 26th and our due date was August 22nd. This officially makes our baby four days "late." Or does it?

A friend of mine recently emailed me a devotional from her pastor in Kansas City, Dan Wolgemuth. I don't know this man. I've never been to his church or heard him preach, but I read what he wrote about his grandchild being past her due date, and it really encouraged me. Allow me to share...

"Today, August 20, 2010 is eleven full days after the due date of our daughter Alli’s first baby. She’s in labor as I type. Just yesterday I informed a friend that she was "over a week late." But I was awakened this morning to the reality that our Father’s watch never runs slow… that He’s never late for an appointment, that He never oversleeps or reacts too quickly or scrambles to get something done… time, every second of every day, every day of every month, is His. Babies are born in the fullness of time. The last breath of every creature is deployed in the fullness of time. God Himself stands at the end of the phrase… "when the fullness of time had come, GOD…"; just as He stands at the end of every moment in our journey. He’s not stuck in traffic. He didn’t misplace His watch. He hasn’t forgotten to adjust for daylight savings. His batteries are fresh. His wisdom is impeccable. In the fullness of time… at St. Anthony’s Hospital in west Denver… a baby will be born. Not eleven days late, but right on schedule. This reality extinguishes anxiety while it ignites hope. Yes, my fourth grandchild will be born right on their due date…" - Dan Wolgemuth

Many people lately have been asking me if and when we are going to induce labor. The more that Austin and I research babies and the birth process, the more I am surprised at how quick our culture is to induce labor. Due dates are an estimation. Calculating a due date is not an exact science. It is perfectly normal and healthy for a woman to carry her baby up to 14 days past her due date, yet when someone is just four days "overdue," everyone is wondering when we plan to induce. My answer is that we don't plan to induce. Now, there are always exceptions to the rule: if the baby is in distress, or the placenta is no longer nourishing the baby, or other health risks are involved, then I absolutely understand inducing labor. However, this is most often not the case when it comes to inducing labor in America. It is usually simply because a woman is a day or two overdue, so a doctor decides to put her into labor before her body does it naturally.

Does this mean that we might be waiting quite a while longer for this baby to be born? Yes. Austin and I are excited and willing to wait on the Lord and his perfect timing. This baby will not be born late. This baby will be born right on time.

Prayer? Yes please!

I feel very fortunate to have so many people in our lives letting us know that they will be praying for us as the due date draws near (two days away! eek!) However I know that sometimes I tell people that they'll be in my prayers, but I'm not entirely sure how to pray for that person. What specifically do they want prayers for? What would be the biggest blessing for them? So if you are a praying person, and feel moved to pray for us, allow me to offer a few suggestions...

Our prayer requests:

1. a safe and healthy delivery for Caitlin and baby

2. wisdom for our midwife and her team throughout the labor and delivery process

3. no complications during the birth

4. quick recovery for Caitlin after the birth

5. that this baby's birth story would be a testimony to God's sovereignty and faithfulness

So why do we take these prayers so seriously? Why blog about this? Well, James 5:16 states that "the prayer of a righteous man are powerful and effective." This means that when Christians come before God in prayer that the prayers truly move the heart of God. There are so many people who want to do so much to help us as we transition into parenthood. In reality, the most powerful and effective thing that we can ask is that you pray.

Thanks in advance for your prayers. We will keep everyone posted on any updates!

"So how are you feeling?"

Family, friends, strangers... just about everyone who sees a woman who is nine-months-pregnant naturally asks "how are you feeling?" And I know that different people are implying different things with this question.

Some might mean, "How do you feel physically? Exhausted? Hot? Uncomfortable?" Others might mean, "Are you feeling ready for this baby? Is the nursery ready? Do you have your car seat figured out? Is the crib set up?" And some others may even be wondering "How are you feeling emotionally? Are you ready for the most enormous change in your life? How do you feel about going from a family of two to a family of three?"

So of course, I usually just answer, "fine."

Because to really dive into all the physical and emotional feelings that I'm experiencing would probably take a lot more time than the question-asker was anticipating.

So here is my real answer, to all those who want a little insight into the mind of someone who could have a baby any day now...

• Physically... I actually do feel pretty fine. I think I feel much more comfortable than many women at this point in pregnancy. No swelling, no achy muscles. Even the Texas heat (yes, it has been about 105 degrees every day this week) hasn't been too bad because I just stay in air conditioning all day. I try to exercise as often as I can, and the only time that I experience a lot of discomfort is when I walk for more than 20 minutes. My tailbone begins to hold all the weight of the baby, which is not a great feeling.
• Emotionally... Maybe you should ask my husband about this one. He may have a different answer than me. :) He has certainly had to deal with my emotions running a little out of control throughout the pregnancy. And now, as the due date approaches, I am more emotional than ever. Most days I am incredibly excited about the arrival of this baby. I can't wait to finally meet him/her. I want to see that little face, and finally know this person that is currently kicking me in the ribs. Yet to be honest, I also have worries. I think my biggest concern is how our family unit is going to change so drastically. I am very blessed to have a husband that I am deeply in love with. I love spending time with him, I love quiet evenings together, I love having time with just the two of us. And while I know that we can still have date nights, and we can still make each other a priority in our lives, things are bound to change. Having a baby means that the way we relate to each other will inevitably change somewhat. Over the last few months, I have probably spent more time in prayer over this issue than anything else. I pray for contentment in my circumstances, no matter what they bring. In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he states, "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." (phil. 4:11) I love that he specifically states that he has "learned" his contentment. It didn't necessarily come naturally. Motherhood may not come naturally. I pray that as I make this transition into a new stage in life, that God would help me learn contentment with my current circumstances; and that even though things with Austin won't ever be the same, perhaps they can be even better.

37 Weeks.... Almost there!

We officially reached week 37 of pregnancy! This is exciting because it means that the baby is now officially "full term." I can go into labor any time now, and the baby is no longer considered premature, however I do have three more weeks until my due date.

For the next three weeks, the baby continues to put on weight, and practices using its systems to prepare for life outside of the womb. The average baby at 37 weeks weighs about 6.5 pounds and is 19-20 inches long.

Austin and I are finally starting to feel more "ready" for the big day. We bought the car seat and practiced putting it in the car, the crib is assembled, and baby clothes have been washed. Next on my to-do list is packing my bag for the birth center (change of clothes, outfit for the baby, snacks, etc.)

Below are two pictures from our most recent sonogram (taken at 34 weeks). The sonographer said that everything looks great. The first one is a profile picture, and the second one is the baby with its mouth wide open (can you see the huge lips??)