We are officially on the final countdown. The last week! Only 3 days until our due date!! I know we could go longer, and I’m prepared mentally and emotionally for that, but I’m also trying to stay positive and plan that she’ll be arriving this week!

As I prepare to give birth to my first child, I thought I’d take a trip down memory lane and where I was this time 25 years ago.

My lovely mom a few weeks away from giving birth to me! I must say, I have an all new respect for my mom and all she went through to bring me into this world. Thanks mama!

People often tell me things to help move along labor and help the baby come.

Castor Oil. Walking. Spicy Food. Hanging upside down.

Ok, maybe not hanging upside down, but it wouldn’t surprise me.  I can’t help but wonder if these things REALLY work, or does it just seem like they work because you’re in the last days of pregnancy anyway? I could paint my toenails and go into labor an hour later and then claim that painting my nails brings on labor?

So tell me, do these things actually help, or does the baby just come when she’s good and ready? I would really really REALLY love to have this kid this week, and I’m willing to try anything to get her out of me, but not sure if it really matters.

What are your thoughts? Did something “work” for you?

I am VERY pregnant.  I want nothing more than to be un-pregnant. However, this could possibly be the worst week for Baby Girl to make her entrance.

Today the hubby is getting his wisdom teeth yanked out.

My doctor is on vacation all week. Ouch.

It’s the first week of my maternity leave, and I selfishly want some more time to myself.

Still don’t know how to put the car seat in. Yikes.

And that’s just a few of the major things.  So baby girl, get cozy. None of this coming a week or two late, but none of this coming 3 weeks early either.  Give mommy two more weeks and then you can come a week early! She has started to drop quite a bit and the contractions continue to prepare my body.  All is very exciting, but we don’t need a baby this week.

I’ve talked many times about how I’m not a huge fan of pregnancy. I often wonder what pregnancy and childbirth was to be like before the fall of man.  Was it going to be perfect and painless? Would people have had way more children because there was no pain? Would the world be extremely over populated because no one died and all women just wanted to have babies because it was such a blast? 

Genesis 3:16 Then he said to the woman,
“I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy,
and in pain you will give birth.

I find myself a lot of times wondering what pregnancy and childbirth was like for Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Did she get a break? Did she have 9 months of morning sickness and all the wonderful “joys” that many women face in pregnancy? She didn’t get an epidural or any drugs, but did God feel for her and lessen the pain as she gave birth to the Savior of the world?

So many questions I will ask when I get to heaven.  I imagine there will be a long line of women waiting to meet Eve.  That poor women messed it up for all of us, and frankly she’s not my favorite person right now as I am very uncomfortable and dealing with all kinds of pains in my 35th week.

Well ladies….get in line.  I’ve got a bone to pick with Eve.

Just when I think my pregnancy will never end, here are a few things I try to keep in mind:

Elephants are pregnant for 2 years.
I’m only pregnant for 9 months.

A lot of species give birth to a dozen or so babies at one time.
There’s only one inside of me!

My baby will not have hooves.
At least until she turns 13.

So yeah. It COULD be worse.

Before getting pregnant with our little “oops” baby, I didn’t think much about all that goes into building a little life and how amazingly detailed and out of our hands it is.  I was in my little bubble of thinking I wanted to be a mom, and have lots of babies and pregnancy would be perfect and wonderful.  It never crossed my mind that some women can’t get pregnant. I never thought about all the women out there who have carried babies, and lost them.  And I had no idea how much you fall in love with a tiny little life when it can barely be seen with a microscope.  The second that pregnancy test says “pregnant” or shows a plus sign, you are forever changed.

From the beginning, I promised myself I would never let the fear overtake me, knowing that God is completely in control.  If he wanted me to have this baby, I knew I would.  He gives and He takes away. I just prayed that I would be the best mother I could be and the best influence on this little life, even if anything were to happen.

We have had no scares in this pregnancy.  We are immensely blessed.  Yesterday at our check up, the doctor said we have a “textbook baby” and she is absolutely perfect. I pray that she continues to grow for another 6 weeks, and is perfectly healthy.  And I pray that this continues to help me see how blessed we are, and do all I can to pray and love on those who have not had the easy ride we have.

My heart breaks now every time I hear of a sweet mother who has lost or miscarried a baby. If you have been on the joyous side of motherhood, or hit absolute rock bottom – know that God is in control.  He is the maker of all things, and the ultimate comforter.  For all you moms and soon to be moms, I am praying for you today and my heart is full for the blessings that God gives through the gift of children.

I’m working to start getting things ready to pack for the hospital.  Yup, I’m a planner and this must be done soon as to not stress me out!

I go on maternity leave in  a couple of weeks (at 36 weeks), and want to pretty much have everything ready to welcome baby into the world by then so this tired mommy can rest and relax for a few weeks.  That’s the goal at least. So I have starting thinking about what I’ll need to pack to take with me to the hosptial and thought I’d ask advice.

What are some “must haves” to take?

What should I get to wear post-baby? I’ve been told a robe & pjs, but what is best and will be most comfy for me?

Anything I should prepare for that they might not tell me?

I don’t want to pack up our entire house as if we’re taking a 3 week trip, but I do want to be fully prepared.  I always appreciate the help!

From the eyes of my hubby….I figured it was a much more entertaining perspective than mine! ENJOY!

I really wasn’t sure what to expect from Childbirth class.  Being that this is my first child, I have never been before.  So when Kara-Kae told me that we had to go and it would cost us $80 I wasn’t thrilled.  I am a product of the digital and internet age so I assume that almost anything we need to learn we can find on the internet.  But after some threatening convincing, I decided that it would be ok.  I guess we should be as prepared as possible for our first born.  Little did I know all the things that I would learn from this class.

For those of you that have never been before, be prepared to learn!  If you have been before, maybe this will just bring back some fond memories of lamaze or other child birthing class.  So, without further ado, here are the top 10 main things (+ two bonus) I learned from our child birthing class in the order in which I learned them.  The best part is that I did not make up ANY of this.

Everything was recorded exactly as it was said.

1. Pregnancy is normal. – I’m extremely glad we covered this.  I was a little worried that we were the only people that had sex to bring about a baby.  The rest must have been from the stork.
2. When in pain, vocalizing (moaning and groaning) may help. – Would you like some Tylenol Extra Strength or Advil Moan & Groan?
3. During early labor, you (mother) may get excited about having the baby. – I guess that’s a good thing.  If you aren’t excited you probably should have been a little more careful when having sex in the first place.  Plus, the pregnancy is almost over!
4. The baby may be stressed during labor for some reason. – Really?  For some reason?  I would think my skull squeezing through the birth canal or getting tangled in a random chord while trying to get out might stress me out a bit.  Oh, and the kid is about to take his/her first breath.  Possibly stressful?
5. Mom, don’t pay attention to the monitors.  Let your husband do that.  He needs a job.  You are there to relax or whatever. – Relax or whatever?  Yeah, you know.  Just sit back and relax or whatever.  After all, it’s just a day at the spa.
6. Husbands, during active labor she may not like you. – Here is where you insert phrases like “I hate you”, “this is all your fault”, “beep, beep, beeeeeeep” or “did I say you could leave your corner?”.  This will be interesting.  For the one dude asking all the ridiculous questions like whether or not it is appropriate to be spontaneously humorous in the middle of labor.
7. Don’t watch the epidural process. – If you have a weak stomach at all or don’t like needles, this especially applies to you.  Apparently some dude around Orange County recently died because he was watching and fainted and hit is head just right.  Hmmm…
8. Being tired is not a good medical reason to induce labor. – I guess this rule keeps us from having babies months too early.  Every female in the room will disagree with this assessment.
9. According to our instructor, when it comes to delivery units, Kaiser Permanente is the best place in Orange County. – I am not really sure how to take that considering we are NOT at Kaiser Permanente and she works for our hospital.
10. Since it is birthing class, they will show you videos of actual birth.  You will see more than you wanted to. – Hi!  Would you like to put your entire birthing process on video so that we can show it to the world?  Oh, no.  You won’t be covered up.
11. Birthing class costs money and meets in the basement of the hospital.  If you haven’t paid yet, they are not going to be able to break a $100.  Sorry. – Who brings a $100 and asks for change?  The instructor is not a cashier.  There is no cash register.  Could you not follow the rules and pay before you show up?
12. At the end of the class, if the instructor asks you what they forgot, it is OK to not have an answer. – Really it’s ok.  Don’t worry.  That is why you are paying to take the class in the first place.

All in all it was a pretty good class.  I had my doubts, but we did learn a lot of the things we need to know.  Now we will just see if we can remember in all in the heat of the moment.  Are the “he he he who” breaths during active labor or transition?  Can’t forget the deep cleansing breaths.  Most of all though, ask her before doing anything.  Keep the chapstick to yourself unless she wants it.  When she feels like the gown is choking her, it might be a good time to listen and move it.  So now we are ready for the birth of our baby.

30 Weeks!!!!!!!! I really can’t believe we are this far along! Today we took maternity pictures at Laguna. My mother-in-law took them & she did an incredible job.  They turned out great! And despite the fact that I don’t like to look at myself much anymore, here are some of my favorite shots.

30 Weeks!!! Only 10 to go!