Life As Lou :: Not A Birth Story :: February

In the afternoon on the 12th my contractions went from irritating to uncomfortable to painful and every two minutes. I decided that rather than wonder all evening if this was it, I’d just drop by the doctor and get checked so I would know if I should go home and make dinner or if I should get excited about childbirth.

In the first hour at the hospital I went from a 3 to an “almost four” and from 50% effaced to 75% effaced. The nurses were excited for me! I was excited for me! I went for a walk around the hospital, called Chris, called my parents, and then everything stopped and there was no baby born on the 12th. There was also no baby born on Friday the 13th, and I’m not particularly hopeful about Valentine’s Day either.

I am hopeful about February 18th. This is the date I have been telling my doctor since I conceived this boy. You see, Jonas is June 18th and Maggie is December 18th, so another 18th would be quite fitting and very easy to remember. Since having children has pretty much eaten up all the spare information storage in my brain, I think having all three kids on the 18th would be a great way to streamline the information. Right now my son has two different drop off times at school in the mornings and three different time to pick him up during the week. Add the answers to questions like, “Where’s my toothbrush?” and “were those the same socks my son wore yesterday?” into the mix and I could use some simplicity.

Lasting until the 18th would also set a major record for me. It would be the first time I carried a baby to term. Term is not the same as due date. Term means 37 weeks and not having to check the “preemie” box at every pediatric and school visit until the kid is 25. Having never been within a month of my “due date”, I’m not entirely certain what that means, although with the rate my ankles are swelling and the amazing pain in my pelvis that is preventing me from getting back up after I bend over, I can only assume it means you get a very special place in heaven. I don’t need that place. I’ll be happy in the place reserved for people who just go to term once in their life.

As it is with all moments of my life, things are cropping up right and left that need my attention. The biggest is that Jonas will be having oral surgery on the 25th. Apparently, shoddy teeth and issues requiring surgical intervention run on my husband’s side of the family and Jonas got the short end of the stick. Of course, because I’m hormonal and a mother, I’m freaking out about the scary general anesthesia and the fact that I could go into labor on the same day my son is having surgery and wouldn’t that be just ducky. Or I could have the baby the day before, be in the throes of postpartum hormone soup, and be completely useless while he is recovering. Or. . .or. . .or. . .I could just imagine some happy, positive scenarios where I somehow float through the whole she-bang in perfect peace and harmony. . .find a happy place find a happy place find a happy place. . .

My mother said it will all work out. I said, “So what you are really saying is, this will all happen how it happens and I will deal.” Which is life, is it not? Anyone with a reasonably forward moving attitude will have it all “work out”, despite the total frustration of the moment. I just wish I could somehow plan all of this to where I could be 100% there for a newborn and 100% there for a recovering six year old, and keep a perfect, lovely, peaceful and clean home on top of it all. Ha! Yes, I know this is not possible. And I do know it will all work out. If I were less hormonal, I would probably handle this better.

Anyway, this is what is going on at our house. I’m still working and still sleeping during every spare moment. I’m still very pregnant. And it is ok. Right now, it’s ok.

14 Comments »

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I like the way you describe your situation!!! And by the way, don´t try to organize too much. Having children is in my opinion like managing the chaos and somehow it works in the end. Everything turns out ok! Hope you´ll make it to the 18th.
Greetings from Germany
Sabine

Comment by Sabine — February 15, 2009 @ 2:21 am

Don’t you feel better just having expressed your frustrations to all your readers? You must. You go through this lovely calming progression in your writing. I know you’ll do great with both the baby and with Jonas (and keeping Maggie happy in between). You are just that sort of mom. I’ll be hoping for the 18th for you. Not to put any pressure on you, but I’m looking forward to more newborn layouts done by Leah over the next several months. You’re so awesome. Hold on - you’ll be holding Gabriel soon.

Comment by Jill — February 15, 2009 @ 4:27 am

I’ve been wondering! You’re usually so diligent about posting, that I’ve found myself mentally pacing back and forth on your behalf, wondering if you’re okay.

Four more days, my friend. You can do it. Hang in there, and love for all of you this Valentine’s Day! Oh, and when it’s my turn to have my first baby and FRRRRREAK OUT, can you be sending me all this sane advice then, too? I’ll need it, I don’t think I’ll handle it as well as you do…

Comment by Mome-rath — February 15, 2009 @ 6:10 am

Prayers are going up for you and Jonas, Leah. Just think, one day you’ll look back on all of this and laugh D . SEriously, you will. I know this is hard (I’ve had premies, pre-term labor that did NOTHING, etc.,). I will be praying for strength for you to deal with whatever happens. Keep your chin up - by this time next month, you will be so busy cuddling your baby and enjoying him that you’ll forget all about this stuff. Big hugs to you!

Comment by Marti — February 15, 2009 @ 7:34 am

“This will all happen how it happens and I will deal.”

Thanks for writing that. It’s something I needed to hear and something I will be refering to over the next few weeks. We have sold our home and have to be out on or before the 28th. Still not sure of the exact date. The house we wanted to buy sold to someone else and we currently don’t have anywhere lined up to move into. On top of everything, as of yesterday I am 32 weeks pregnant with our second child. And, the hormones, they are not helping me keep calm. Nor are they helping with sleeping. LOL! Just got to keep my sense of humor and now, I have a little mantra to help me relax.

Thank you.

Comment by Erica Hettwer — February 15, 2009 @ 10:07 am

I was going to come on and tell you I was betting on today- but after reading your story- I think it would be wonderful if you made it to the 18th, probably a better birthday for Gabriel anyway…I’m cheering for you!

Comment by Dianna Torgersen — February 15, 2009 @ 5:13 pm

Heh, i’m an 18th baby too, but I’m not about to suggest you hold off till july 18th.

i hope all goes well for you, baby, and your little ones so you can feel that you’re where you need to be when you need to be. it’s neat to see how grown up your kids are getting, btw. i’ve stalked your blog/postings on 2peas/pics for a long long time when you were just the mother to one.

i’m very excited for you!

Manda (from 2peas)

Comment by Manda — February 15, 2009 @ 10:17 pm

Each time you post, I say to myself “This is it, the baby has arrived” and I pop in to see photos, but you are still here. LOL We all know that this little guy will come when he is good and ready and I wish you a speedy and healthy delivery.
Cheers, Irene