Well, we are officially “Full-term!” I can’t believe I’ve been pregnant for almost 10 months! And it certainly blows my mind to think that a full-sized BABY is still in my belly. This week Jedi’s the size of a watermelon or a pumpkin. Since we’ve already done pics with a pumpkin, we decided to go with the watermelon (that and I’ve already used our pumpkin in every possible way I know how… two loaves of pumkin bread, several pumkin-based meals, failed roasted pumpkin seeds, and I STILL have pumpkin left over). Jedidiah is probably between 7 and a half to 8 pounds now and is over 20 inches long. It’s crazy to think that someone that big is INSIDE OF ME.
Last week we watched as my due date came and went, eagerly waiting and hoping that each new day might be “the day,” but alas, 40 weeks have passed and no baby yet. Ironically (or not), all throughout the Bible, 40 signifies probation, trial or testing. Jesus fasted and was tempted for 40 days in the desert, the Israelites wandered for 40 years in the desert before getting to the Promised Land, Noah’s flood rained down for 40 days and 40 nights, Moses was up on Mt. Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights, Goliath taunted the people of Israel for 40 days before David decided to fight him, after Jesus was resurrected, he remained on earth ministering for another 40 days before being taken up into heaven (Acts 1:3). There are many instances of 40 in the Bible. Anyways, I certainly feel that I can relate at this point to the trials and tribulations of 40 gestational weeks. This has been a time of trial and testing, of waiting and hoping, and of anxiety and anticipation.
One thing we did learn at our last visit to our midwife is that I am Strep B positive. Apparently this is extremely common- 1 in 3 women have the Strep bacteria in their vaginal canals and it remains asymptomatic. It can come and go (which is why they try to test as close to the actual birth as possible) and is not harmful to the woman. It can cause complications in delivery though if it is passed on to the baby. Most hospitals make you take antibiotics for it both before and during delivery, but I really don’t want my baby to be on antibiotics (which would also happen if I was put on antibiotics). Baby’s systems are very delicate when they are born and their immune system is basically non-existent at birth. Breastfeeding helps build their immunities and also helps develop the natural gut flora that will help them with digestion (this is the same gut flora that antibiotics destroy). Some people might think I’m crazy for not wanting to put my baby on antibiotics “just in case,” but I’m praying and trusting God that my baby boy won’t be affected during or after delivery. I hope you’ll pray for him too!
This week I kind of did myself a disservice by not really scheduling anything to do. It wasn’t really intentional, although in my mind I certainly thought we’d have a baby by now, but it just so happened that nothing really came up last week. It made for a LONG, agonizing week for me. I lost my mucus plug on Wednesday morning and had some “warm-up” contractions Wednesday night (sorry if that’s TMI). This really got me excited! I thought, “This is it, it will be soon!” …and then it stopped. Nothing more has happened since. I tried naturally inducing labor using every trick in the book, but to no avail (you can read about all the things I’ve tried in my post “Trying to induce labor… naturally”). I pondered and questioned the accuracy of my due date(s). I questioned my body. I painstakingly waited for labor to start. And I did so with no other distractions to keep me occupied or busy.
People have been texting, Face-booking and calling on a daily basis now, wondering whether our little guy is here yet. I love that so many people care, but it makes it hard for me to focus on anything BUT the fact that he’s still not here. Trust me… you will KNOW when he’s here. Social media will be BLOWING UP with photos of our little man. But thank you for your concern and please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!
The good thing about last week is that we were able to spend a lot of time with Trent’s family. We spent Sunday afternoon with Trent’s sister Katey, her husband Nathan and our nephew Cohen. They spent the afternoon at our house, helping us fix up some things and then sharing dinner together. It was nice to hang out with them. We also spent a lot of time at “Nana” and “Popo’s” house- mostly watching their TV because ours no longer works but we don’t have the money to buy a new one or fix the two broken ones we have. We were over there several times this week catching up on shows or watching the Spurs (or the Aggies). On Friday we went to see Katey and Nathan’s new house. Cohen gave us the grand tour and seemed very excited about the move (good job Katey and Nathan). We hung out and ate very EXPENSIVE pizza (that’s what you get for moving to Stone Oak) before each heading our separate ways. Saturday they actually moved in, although we couldn’t be much help (obviously, a week past my due date makes me pretty useless as far as moving goes). It is sad for us to watch them move… they’ve been about 5 minutes down the road from our house since we got married almost 5 years ago. Now they live about 40 minutes away. But it is good for them. Nathan has been driving over an hour each way to work and back and it has really worn down on their family time. Since they are expecting too (only a few weeks after us), they really needed this move to make sure that they will have sufficient time together as a family (and especially with a new baby). It will be an exciting new chapter for them.
Symptoms this week: I lost my mucus plug and had some erratic contractions but then nothing at all. Obviously at this point I feel VERY big and pregnant and I have to pee all the time. I waddle because literally this kid’s head is sitting in my pelvis feeling like he’s going to fall out at any moment. I’m tired and cumbersome, and I’ve given up on picking things up off the ground… there are few things that are worth bending down for at this point. But I still have a good appetite and haven’t had any problems eating! We are just SO READY to meet our baby boy!!!
Logsdon's big adventures! 