The Waiting Game

So we've started the waiting game....Our due date is tomorrow and for the past week I've had people wondering when our little one will arrive. Mentally I was a bit mixed up because my mother in law got here last Monday so I was "ready" to give birth. But it wasn't even the week of my due date yet...and this baby seems to think he or she will follow suite with his or her siblings and show up past due date (unless he/she shows up tonight?!?). But at least the little one is healthy.

I got checked today by one of the midwives and I'm 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. But that doesn't necessarily mean anything...if I remember correctly I was 2-3 inches dilated for a week or more with Malachi and I didn't give birth for 4 days after being dilated 2-3 AND having my membranes stripped with Anneliese. But we're all praying this baby will show up a bit earlier than the past two deliveries.

Any other prayers would be greatly appreciated. Honestly I'm more nervous for this birth than I was for the last two. For Malachi's birth I didn't really know what to expect, but felt ready due to taking the Bradley Method birthing class and most importantly I felt spiritually prepared as I prayed for that delivery every day all day it seemed. Then for Anneliese's birth...I half-heartily did our breathing practices from the class and prayed but not as persistently as Malachi's but I wasn't really nervous for it. Well her birth started off so incredibly intense I really didn't think I was going to be able to handle it all...however the entire labor and delivery was only 3.5 hrs so that was a blessing. But it left me with little confidence for this birth because I truly didn't feel like I was going to be able to handle the contractions...I felt panicked but was blessed with a short delivery. I can't help but think I'll have that same feeling of not being able to handle the contractions but the labor will go longer! I'm hoping I can "get in the zone" like I was able to with Malachi's birth. Anyway, that's where I stand right now regarding giving birth for the 3rd time.

But I'm praying to St Gerard who's feast day is Oct 16 and he is the patron of Expectant Mothers and Unborn Children.

 

One day short of 40 weeks

 

Meanwhile, the kids are LOVING having Andrew's parents here to play with them. Here are a couple of pictures that Andrew's dad took of the kids playing in the leaves.

 

 

Also, Guack Guack and Malachi made an apple pie from the apple trees in our yard!