I’m still here.
I’m huge, but I’m here.
For those of you who guessed that I would have my baby by now—I think the earliest prediction was Sunday—thank you and I love you. I’m sorry you didn’t win but you did earn big time brownie points with this blog hostess and that has to be good for something.
The response to the baby lottery in general has been very fun and I’m sure it is due in no small part to the prize of Karen Edmisten’s new book. I received my copy in the mail yesterday and wow.
Just wow.
And that is all that I will say about that for now.
Because you know what?
It kind of hurts to talk.
It hurts to think.
And it definitely hurts to laugh.
How sad is that, that it hurts to laugh? This is not to say that I don’t laugh, necessarily, only that every time I do I have a contraction.
Which is good, right?
Anyway, I don’t have a whole lot to report at present but I thought that I would pop in to say “Hello” and tell you what I’ve been up to, which is a height of 5’0’’ and a weight of…
I’m sorry. Did you just ask my weight? Forgive me, but I am not at liberty to share that information at this time. What I will share with you is this, though:
And I titled this post as I did because…what else can I do but look up right now?
My mother used to have a saying, which was “Just keep looking up and trust ‘til you bust.” All things considered, this seems an extremely appropriate adage for me these days.
None of us know the wheres and the whens and the hows, do we? We do, however, have this moment…this hour…this day to sanctify, and that’s become my focus.
(Until I need to focus on other things, that is, like breathing and not going cross-eyed with pain. I have never tried an epidural before but I’m thinking….maybe….this time….)
(Hey, I’m 42, okay? I should hope you’d cut me some slack in that area.)
So yes, I’m looking up and I’ll trust ‘til I bust because you know what? God always provides. Last night John had the boys at the first baseball game of the season and I found myself home looking—sadly, alas—at my three little hens. I found myself giving way to melancholia over how I wasn’t “stimulating” their little minds at the moment—no kitchen table crafts, no hide-n-seek, no chess games—and so…
I called up Emily freshly home from college.
She swooped over in an instant and took the girls for two hours. They biked and they played and they potted a plant…
…and then she dropped them off freshly bathed and happy.
Oh, and she also dressed them in matching shirts & headbands.
Little girls like to match, I’ve found. It makes them giddy and very giggly.
They also like to collapse in a heap on the floor.
To which I say,
I should never get up again were I to join them.
All for the greater glory of God,
May you never lose your amazing sense of humor, dear Margaret!
And my girls are totally all over that picture of your girls and can’t wait to see them.
I’ll keep you posted….
Prayers and hugs and many many blessings!
🙂
Margaret, it has been ages since I’ve commented but just wanted you to know you’re in my prayers today during this final stretch. One thought I like to remember during these last (woeful) days of pregnancy is quite simple, but very helpful–“No one has ever been pregnant forever. It will come to an end.” Isn’t that great? You can do anything as long as you know its finite, right?!
Blessings to you. I am rejoicing with you in your anticipation…
Our baby sitter uses those pink headband stretchy things too, I think it’s athletic tape, right? My girls love it and for the next few days after she’s here, there are bits and pieces of it all over!
Beautiful girls!
I have 3 months and 15 days and am already feeling a little of the end…with that warm weather yesterday, that takes so much out of us prego mamas, and this darn bum leg of mine….
I know at the end, I can’t even go shopping as pushing that cart makes me have contractions too!
God bless, love you!
What a precious post! I love your writing anyway but this was GREAT! It isn’t east finding humor at this stage of pregnancy!!! (at least it wasn’t for me!)
You have an angel of a college gal! You can tell they had so much fun! Your little hens are adorable in these pics!
Since I was wrong about Sunday, may I guess again (lol) just kidding!!!
Blessings to you and your soon-to-be-here baby!!!
~Betty
I am continuing to pray for you during this time…I know you are tired, but it is exciting, isn’t it? Like Jamie, I have only a couple weeks longer than she does, but I am already seeing the beginning of summer-time being pregnant…Lots of prayers and hugs!
As a woman who waited until my fifth ~ and last ~ baby to have an epidural, I just want to say this: HAVE THE EPIDURAL. I felt a little guilty about having it until it started to take effect, then it was a Godsend. I wish I’d had it with all of them – SO much more enjoyable, and SO much easier.
Prayers for a little baby soon!
Now about that Emily…does she travel out of state?! Can we clone her? It’s people like her that are angels in disguise during our tired times!
You get all kinds of slack! Go for the epidural if you feel like you need it!
Loved this post, Mags, and those girls…oh my! So very adorable.
Hang in there, Sweetie. I’m praying for you. Everyday.
PS I did give in to an epidural with Charlie and did not like it one bit. No pain but no feeling whatsoever. Very weird. Jim really hated it because he felt he had no purpose as my coach. I will say that I was more alert at the time of delivery. But if I am ever blessed again (please, God), I will try my best to go natural. Just another pov. You do what feels right. You’ll know.
What gorgeous photos.
Best wishes for new little addition.
Rosemary
I’ve given birth 8 times, 7 w/o pain relief, the last one with a wonderful epidural. What happened with #2-7, was I actually asked for something and was turned down. Repeatedly! It seemed to have something to do with the culture of the (Catholic?) hospital. Our parish priest was convinced that they were trying to “punish” me for having a whole lot o’ kids. I went to a different hospital last time. Epidural? No problem! They were amazed that I had had 7 natural deliveries and said, “We had one pt. here who did that once, last year it was, or maybe the year before…hmmm.” God bless!
de-lurking to say–you can do it Margaret!
keep us posted, we are praying for you!
All I have to say is “Cooooome ooonnn baaabbbby!”
Go epi! Go epi! GO GO GO Epi!
(Epidural that is!)
I have had my fair share of: 3 epidurals, 2 c-sections and 1 natural. No thanks natural. those epi’s are awesome. They hurt when you get the meds but afterwards…lovely.
Just pray on it and see what God calls you to do 🙂 of course you will! everyone has a different pain threshhold.
God bless, Mary @ Cheerios
Epidurals are awesome! If it were possible, I’d recommend getting one tomorrow. First thing. In the morning.
Although, nothing beats having a baby at home and going to (your own)bed with him/her directly after delivering.
What a blessing it is to have your college helper. I’d give my right leg (or something to that effect) for that kind of help when I’m preggers. I love you, and you’re not as big as you think. And if you think you are, you’re nine months pregnant! Give yourself some slack, or you will get no chocolate-themed gift in the mail. 🙂
Bless you Margaret – I share your pain – I am in pain too – have been in prodromal labor for over a week – can’t sit, can’t stand, can’t walk, can’t sleep!!! Each night I make sure everyting is left tidy – wondering…is this the night…
Do you have an induction date?
I am praying for you