A week later and still waiting....

I'm still waiting on Baby Girl to make her arrival.  In the past week I have walked a bunch (thank goodness for nice weather these past few days).  But obviously, it hasn't helped.

On Weds. Doc told me I'm 4cm dialated and 80% effaced.  He seemed confident that the big day would come soon.  I was really hopeful that St. Patricks Day would be this little one's birthday.  Especially since our last name is very noticeably Irish.  But as the day stretched on, it was evident that it just wasn't going to happen. 

Today there has been a mood of defeat in the house.  I am just done, tired of the waiting, and becoming increasingly worried that she won't arrive before the scheduled c-section date of March 24.  Hubby is tired of the waiting as well and ready for life to move ahead.  And his parents, who have been here for nearly 2 weeks, are tired of the day-to-day life of 2 kiddos under the age of 4.  They are missing their other two grandkids, which they are used to seeing nearly everyday.  And they are missing their home, I'm sure. 

It's discouraging to wake up each morning thinking this is the day and then going to bed at night without any change at all.  If she doesn't arrive this weekend I think I am just going to accept the fact that I'll end up having a Cesarean.  If I do that then I might be mentally prepared for the surgery and recooperation that follows. 

I'm trying to remain positive because I know that no matter what, in the end we will have a beautiful baby girl to hold and the only thing that truly matters is that she is healthy.

Walk a mile, or two, or ten

If you've ever walked a mile in the shoes of a pregnant lady, then you know exactly how I feel tonight.  Tired.  A deep down in my bones kind of tired.

Today I walked through two different malls, plus trekked from the fabric store to the grocery store and back again. 

I am really hoping that all the walking gets this baby moving towards the exit.  But I could really use a nap first.

Best of intentions

Yesterday Doc told us there are two things that I can do to help bring on labor...."walking and intercourse".  Lovely.  I feel like I have a basketball straped to my middle, so any type of manuevering is difficult.

Last night we tried one of Doc's suggestions, but it obviously didn't work since I'm still here at home.  Tonight we headed to the mall to try option #2, walking.  We started out at LL Bean and unfortunately, we didn't get any further. 

For over an hour we scoured the sales racks and found some great buys.  Hubby got a few sweaters, running shirts, and a pair of waterproof hiking boots.  Our daughter ended up with a parka, matching hat and leather clogs.  The Little Man got boots, a hat, mittens, and an adorable Norwegian-style sweater.  And for Baby Girl; pajamas, a hat and mittens.

And for me?  Nothing.  Not even the much-desired walk I was hoping for.  Looks like we're back to option #1 tonight. 

Waiting....

Waiting, waiting and waiting some more.  My due date is 8 days away but I thought for sure this baby was going to be early.  Now I'm beginning to wonder when this Little Gal is going to make her appearance. 

Doc informed me yesterday that I'm 3cm dialated.  Last week I was at 2cm.  At this rate I just might go overdue, which is the last thing I want.  If I don't deliver before the 24th, then a C-section it will be.  Induction is too risky for a VBAC so surgery is the only option.  That is my biggest worry at this point.  I don't want another cesarean if I can avoid it.
This baby just has to come soon because I don't think I can take the waiting much longer.  We've had family here for almost 3 weeks, and although it's nice to have an extra set of hands around the house, I am ready to have the house back to ourselves again.  I don't mind the extra cooking (aside from dealing with pickiness) and the extra laundry but feeling like I need to keep them from getting bored, gets old real quick.

I think what I need is a few quiet days in the hospital.  If only this baby would feel the same way!

Makes Me Smile Monday

These little kitties are bringing a smile to my face today.  My brother picked them up in Chinatown while he was here visiting. 

They are perched on my kitchen windowsill where there is a steady stream of sunlight, which causes them to rock back and forth.  I think they are just adorable and that of course, makes me smile!

What We're Reading Wednesday

My daughter loves this book.  And I think it's pretty good too but after reading it 100 times I am getting a little tired of it ;-)

Violet the Pilot by Steve Breen

This book is the story of Violet and her love of building flying machines.

She endures ridicule from her fellow classmates because of her different interests and her greasy coveralls.

Because her family runs a junkyard, Violet has a never-ending supply of building materials. 

 This results in some pretty creative inventions.

The picture above is a plane that Violet created to enter into a flying contest.  In the end, she never makes it to the contest but saves a troop of boy scouts and becomes a town hero.  I really like how this story shows that it is okay to be a little different, to be a girl and have an interest in things that are typically thought of as "boy stuff", and that helping others is more important than serving your own interests.