(Week 37) Friday August 28th, 2020
Yesterday I had my 36-week appointment. It is really getting down to crunch time! At the appointment, the doctor stuck her finger up me and was able to feel the baby’s head… that was wild! I am 1 centimeter dilated at this point. The doctor told me most women are not dilated at this point yet but she said being active really helps. This whole week I’ve been finally feeling really pregnant. The doctor’s response when I said that was “Well good! It’s impressive that you were able to make it to 36 weeks and say that. Most women have more struggles much earlier on.” I feel so grateful to have a healthy body and a positive outlook on this experience. In addition, I have a wonderful support system that makes this pregnancy a breeze as well.
My orders from the doctor were to keep moving and keep being active so that is exactly what I’ve been doing. Walking, cleaning the house, working out, mowing the lawn, yoga, and all kinds of movements! Sitting still is not a preferred activity of mine so to keep moving is a task I’ll be good at.
The discomforts are definitely starting to set in. I need to sit with my legs further apart. Bending over is not very comfortable. My stomach is starting to constantly feel like I am bloated and ate too much. My legs seem to be swollen on a daily basis. It could be any day now.
(Week 38) Monday, September 7, 2020
The due date is exactly 2 weeks from today. However, you know what they say about due dates….it doesn’t really mean anything. I could go into labor now, in a day, a week from now, or past the due date. It’s all anticipation from here on out. Living in anticipation has some challenges but it also has a layer of beauty. It gives us time to sit at the moment and realize all we truly have is the now. This particular maternity photo (cover photo) is symbolic of anticipation because it seems all summer we’ve been living in a slowed-down world, one different from a pace were used to, a world of pandemic and pregnancy. The anticipation of getting out on big adventures one day again with this baby is one we are so eager for. But for now, we wait, and simply enjoy the presence of the now.
I definitely feel like going back to school last week helped reset my mood. This summer was like no other, mostly due to the pandemic and pregnancy. We stayed home a lot. Typically we are on the go and adventuring constantly. With being home so much this summer, I had plenty to do, I always find things to do. However, there is something about getting into a new environment to reset us. I’ve had bursts of energy ever since I went back to school and it feels so good.
Baby, we are so ready for you. We can’t wait to meet you. You are already so loved by us, and many around!
Saturday September 12, 2020
As I sit here with the smell of the fall festival candle burning, and a birthing meditation playlist going in the background, I am at peace. I am feeling so peaceful and ready for the next chapter of life I am about to enter. Knowing this could be one of the final days where I am not responsible for a little human, knowing this could be one of the final days where I am not awoken by the sounds of crying baby, knowing this could be one of the final days where Daisy is the only “child” in the house. It’s all bittersweet but I am so ready for this baby to come into our life. I am ready for the season of parenthood. I admit it took me a long time to be in the mindset of being at peace and ready for this season, but I am ready. Accepting that your life is going to change dramatically is tough, especially when you are so comfortable with and love the life you’ve created already. I’ve heard from so many parents how the day their child was born was the best day of their lives. I am ready to experience this day, I am ready to see how that moment will change me.
The odd thing about becoming a parent right now in 2020 is that we are dealing with the circumstance of Covid. I had to get a Covid test yesterday, and now I am in quarantine until I go into labor (with the exception of any final scheduled OB visits.)
Andy and I are also trying to navigate the rules we will have regarding visitors and Covid. The considerations we need to make as new parents during the time of Covid is so strange. Who will be allowed to visit the baby? Do we require people to quarantine before they visit the baby? How long will the visitors be allowed? Will we allow people in our home to visit or are the visits to be strictly outside even though it’s starting to get cold in Minnesota?
The other thing that saddens me is the fact that our baby will be seeing most family and friends with masks on for the first part of the baby’s life. At least that is one decision that has been highly suggested to us.
