No longer counting down...

We'll start with the good news- though my body is carrying around an extra _(you've seen the pictures... its a lot!)__ pounds, I feel really well and am able to sleep pretty well at night. I am waking up feeling refreshed and excited to start my day. My days are still spent in the math classroom from 7-3 and for the most part things haven't changed. I borrowed a stool but found I simply cannot SIT and teach- I just feel weird and would rather be standing and walking around the class. I truly feel that when I am no longer comfortable that I will stop- but right now I feel fine. I will teach the rest of this week and then if he isn't in my arms by Apr 26th I will stay home and focus on encouraging him to come meet us. My doctor won't let him stay in past the 29th so it will just be a few days at home to catch up on some sleep. I used to have a countdown on my board of how many days left. I changed it today to "who knows how many days"

As mentioned before, I love- and also get annoyed by the waiting game. My friend posted on my facebook page some very true words "...Oh the waiting game. Pregnancy is just filled with those. Waiting to find out if you are pg. Waiting to hear the heartbeat. Waiting to have the sono/find out the gender. Then waiting for labor. But I suppose it does help prepare us for the huge amount of patience it takes to raise a child! I hope it is soon..."

So- I will just continue to wait. I have not really dilated any since last week. We did get to see him quickly in an ultrasound because the doctor was afraid he was no longer head down. He still is and I was able to see his face! I had remained SO patient until I had some false labor (Braxton Hicks contractions) on Thursday. I thought they were real and started mentally preparing for the arrival of my son in the next 24 hours... but the fake contractions stopped and he didnt come. We are all getting very impatient- tired of planning our lives with all the back-up plans being made that are not being used. I keep organizing my lesson plans and then just teach them myself. Andy keeps planning the youth group so he doesn't have to be there... only to be there. A. goes to bed every night asking if I will be there when she wakes up- and I keep responding with some sort of answer about how I probably will be home unless I go to the hospital to have her brother. Her dance recital is this Saturday which is still a concern of mine though whatever happens will be fine.

Also- I can't wait to finally tell everyone the name of our son! (Blogger friends- you will have to receive an email since I wont be posting it on here or on facebook). I wait and wait and know that he will arrive at JUST the right time. He continues to move around a lot- it is fun to know he is with me. I am not uncomfortable for most of the day and am thankful that he is healthy and on-time/late. I have had many friends over the years who gave birth weeks and months before the due date. I read about the struggles they face and the battles the child has to fight- and so I can be thankful that my son is on-time... and I can be thankful even if he comes late.

I am really hoping to be able to experience going into labor naturally. I was finally induced with A. after 30+ hours of unproductive and very uncomfortable labor. Perhaps I will not go drug-free, but I want labor to start naturally and not be induced. He has ten more days to come out on his own or the doctor will make things happen. I will continue to pray that he is born on just the right day... whenever that day may come!