I know everyone's labor story is a little different, but these past two days have been kind of a roller-coaster ride.
It began Saturday evening after dinner. I started experiencing some weird feelings that were like contractions that I had been having, except they were all over. It was like a warm sensation that was not indigestion, but not regular enough to be contractions.
This continued all through Saturday night, and into Sunday morning all throughout Mass, when these sensations did take on more of a labor-like pattern, with peaks and rest periods.
These even continued after Mass until about 1 in the afternoon. Now, they were not fulfilling the requirement of "longer, stronger, and closer together" which would indicate labor, but they were enough for me to think pretty confidently, "Hey, we may be looking at delivery either today or tomorrow because this has kept up for hours and hours!!"
Wouldn't you know it, but they stopped around 2 pm. Here we were, starting to get all excited that this may be "it" and it was just that false labor stuff again.
See, this is why we won't be calling anyone until the contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute for at least an hour. Because the last thing I want is droves of family, excitedly coming down, only for these silly things to stop and everyone gets to turn around and go back home.
So, Baby Michael seemed like he was wanting to come this weekend, but alas, he must have changed his mind. What a tease!!!
In the mean time, I am almost displaying first-trimester degrees of tiredness!! I have just been sleeping all the time...in fact, last night I went to bed at 9:30 and didn't wake up until 7:30 this morning! Maybe that is a sign that I am getting close and my body is accruing sleep for the "the Big Day."
I am just trying to keep patient but it is so hard to do when every person I see at Church asks "When is the baby coming?" "Not here yet?" "When are you due?" "Oh, he is still really high up..." or if I come in to work a little later than normal because of a doctor's appointment, an explosion of "Oh! I thought you weren't coming in because you had the baby..."
It's like being under a microscope!! I am really working hard to be as patient as can be, and trying to be especially aware that this might be going on for two more weeks! As the tabloids dub it for the celebs, this "Womb Watch 2008" from Church is not making it any easier! phew!
I am totally loving Michael's response to it all: "Oh!! The baby hasn't come yet?" and Michael says to them, "Well, he did, but we put him back. We saw the hospital bills and decided to put him on lay-away till we could afford him better."
Awesome, honey, awesome! It's a great response to all the Captain Obviouses out there! It keeps a smile on the face while communicating, with the same degree of satisfaction, what pointing to my stomach and announcing "Duh!" would do...without the bite, which would no doubt be received as "Oh, she's just in a bad mood because she's 9.5 months pregnant...you know how those hormones can be...."
One good thing can come of this...I have learned from first-hand experience several important lessons on etiquette to a pregnant lady:
1. Always say they look good. Even if it isn't true...it's the best feeling to hear it.
2. Never comment how big they are getting. Unless you are under 5 and one of my nephews, and even he will follow-up quickly with, "Baby Michael is getting big" as he recognizes that my growing big is a consequence of the baby getting big. Not that bowl of ice cream I just ate.
3. Always call the ever-expanding tummy "cute" or something like that. "Big" never works.
4. When the mama's belly is about to explode, and she's so pregnant that it really literally looks like she has a basketball or watermelon (or as Thomas pronounces it "waller-mello") stuffed under her shirt...DON'T state or ask "Oh! No baby yet?" When encountering a pregnant woman in this condition, please refer to Etiquette rule #1.
As this goes on...I may add a few more things to my Pregnant Etiquette list.
3 comments:
I am so sorry that Michael is teasing you so much. I guess he is just so comfortable in your tummy that he wants to stay there until the very last minute.
It must add to very long times when he plays these games with you. I can certainly understand not wanting to "upset everyone elses schedule" with these misleading feelings you are having. I am just sorry that at this point in your pregnancy (any day now)that you and Michael have to endure this "trickster".
It is, I am sure, Michael's way of getting ready for the big day. It is nice to know that you have Michael there to share these feelings and experiences with you, and I'm sure put a smile on your face.
I know it must be frustrating, not really knowing when Michael will arrive, but also know that it can't be too much longer than two more weeks.
It is also very nice to know that you will have family there to help you whenever you need it, or want it.
Keep strong and rest while you can.
Always our Love and prayers!!
I think the Pregnant Woman Etiquette will be a best seller.
You are indeed gorgeous - literally full of life. What a miracle!
As for being teased, get used to it. Kids do it quite well, as do little dogs.
Love ya Kiddo!
Daaad?
Yikes -- rollercoaster is right! You're in my thoughts and prayers every day, almost constantly. And Jack has been remembering to pray for baby Michael to come soon, too! The good news is that all that contracting is doing *something*, even if you're not in labor yet. And it's a great indicator that baby Michael will make his own exit, rather than having to be evicted by an induction. Hang in there, Wheetah, not much too much longer!!
Sounds like some of the people who've made these pregnancy comments have foot-in-mouth disease :). I'd love to hear more of your rules of etiquette -- those are hilarious (and so true!!)
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