The last couple of weeks have been a little crazy. Last week, I was out of work most of the week, because I was having quite a bit of contractions and for 2 days I had a horrible migraine...which warranted an extra trip to the doctor. Last Thursday the doctor had me go in for my migraine, because she wanted to make sure I wasn't having any blood pressure issues. Everything was a-okay. I went back the next day for my normal visit and she said I was dilated to a 1, with no effacement.
Sunday night I started having really horrible, close contractions, but they fizzled after about 2 hours. Monday I was still having them fairly regularly, but also had a couple of other symptoms that were worrying me, so I called the doctor and she advised that I go ahead and check-in to Labor & Delivery at the hospital. They checked me out (Still dilated at a 1, but had moved up to 50% effacement) and after about 3 1/2 hours, they sent us home with a bedrest order. Boo.
Today I had another regular appointment, still dilated at a 1, but now effaced at 70%...so at least something seems to be progressing! The doctor also said that my belly was measuring a bit larger than last week, with no weight gain. So, she sent me next door for a sonogram to see how big the baby was. Dear God, I was hoping she was too big so we could schedule an induction! No such luck. She's perfectly normal, with a weight of 6lbs 6oz...which is actually a tiny bit under the average weight for 38 weeks, but only by a couple of ounces. I guess it's just the way she's positioned that's making my belly look bigger. Poor thing doesn't have anymore room in there! I'm just happy that it looks like she's going to be a fairly small baby....she'll fit in all those tiny cute clothes longer!
In the abundance of alone time I've had lately, I've had a lot of time to think about all of those last little things that need to be taken care of. Mostly the practical stuff, like putting the final touches on Harper's room, doing some last minute shopping for things we may need, making sure all of our bills are paid in advance (Lord knows Brad does would not even know where to start!) and making sure everything around the house is caught up. I've literally washed every piece of laundry in this house....even the things that were already clean. I'm in a laundry craze right now. Brad has been such a huge help too, I wash/dry/fold/hang, he runs it all up and down the stairs! It's a good deal :) I've also had LOTS of time to get familiar with Lifetime Movie Network! I can't decide which day is my favorite: Pick-A-Flick Monday, Tainted Love Tuesday, Women Who Kill Wednesday, True Movie Thursday or New Movie Friday. I'm watching a movie called Cyberstalker right now!
Aside from the household tasks and all of the Lifetime movies, I did have time to think about some important things also. Mostly about how blessed I've been and how I do not have one complaint about my entire life, but thinking about all of that made me realize how much larger Harper's abundance of blessings is going to be. I've lived my life as an only child to a single mother who's worked harder than I'd think humanly possible to always make sure I had everything I needed and wanted. Sometimes she gets a little down on herself for me growing up without a father, but I can honestly say that never once in my adolescence did the thought even cross my mind and now, in my adult life, it's still not really a thought in my mind. I just always knew that I had a mother who cared for me and knew that was all I needed.
Not only am I an only child to a single parent, but I'm also an only niece to my Aunt and I'm, well, was, an only grandchild to my only grandparent. Obviously, the whole no father thing also meant I never knew my paternal grandparents...I honestly don't even know if they were alive at any point during my lifetime. As for my maternal grandparents, my grandfather passed away on January 13, 1986...exactly 1 year and 1 day before I was born (January 14, 1987), but through my large extended family of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on, cousins and great-aunts and uncles (another blessing I'm grateful for) I've had the pleasure of hearing numerous stories about what an amazing man he was and it makes me feel like I do know him. Luckily, I did have the opportunity to grow up knowing an amazing grandmother. Unfortunately, we lost her when I was a freshman in high school, but I am so thankful for the years I had with her. Although, I must admit, losing her at such an awkward stage in my life wasn't the easiest thing I've been through.
Now, I didn't say all of that to make you sad, but to put emphasis on why, exactly, all of those little details make me so much more excited for Harper to be here. My point is, if I turned out good (I like to think I did!) even with having so few close-family members in my life, I can't even fathom how awesome Harper's little world is going to be! She's going to be born to a mommy who has been praying for her since she, herself, first started dreaming of growing up and getting married, and a daddy who she doesn't even know is already wrapped around her little finger and we hope to, God-willing, give her siblings to grow up with. She'll also have THREE amazing grandmas to love on her, one really amazing grandpa, and she's even going to be able to know her great-grandparents! She's also going to have FIVE aunts who are all dying for her to make her appearance and 2, soon-to-be 3, uncles, who I'm sure will help spoil her. She already has a few cousins waiting on her, and hopefully in the next few years she'll have a few more!
I will admit, it does get a little exhausting having so many people to keep updated every time we have additional news on the pregnancy, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I'm just so thankful to have an amazing family by blood, by law and by the grace of God <3
