Let the countdown begin!

So we're officially 39 weeks and two days into this pregnancy today. And still here! Official due date is 07/01.

Truthfully, I can't complain, even being this far along. (And especially in this June heat). Heartburn continues to be killer. I can still sleep through the night like a champ, which I can't believe. Ava has been sick with a cold bug the last few days, so she has been in and out of our room at night. She seems to be getting better today, and her fever has gone away, thankfully. I took her to the doc yesterday, trying to avoid the potential of two sick kiddos.

I'm not swollen yet (although I FEEL huge!), my blood pressure and weight have been great, so far. I don't have any indicators that the end is in sight, though, which is a bit disheartening. (That, and hearing that two people I know with due dates 3+ weeks after mine had their babies last week!). I'm ready to get this show on the road.

The baby does seem to be dropping, which has been made evident with more frequent bathroom visits (he must be sitting directly on my bladder!). I have been drinking more, too, as one of the Nurse-midwives said that I "probably went so far over" my due date last time due to the lack of amniotic fluid level surrounding Ava. (Everyone has their theory, though). Although not normally a water drinker, I am chugging liquids these days.

I continue to knock small tasks off my "to do" list. After completing each one, I inevitably say "Okay, the kitchen floor is clean, I can go into labor now." "Okay, that load of laundry is done, I can go into labor now." Finishing these tasks don't seem to be doing the trick, though!

I continue to say big prayers that I will (a) go into labor on my own SOON or (b) I will be dilated enough that they will induce me. I want to at least give natural childbirth a go, if doctors say it is okay. The docs agree the baby won't be over 8 lbs when he's born, but we'll see about that! :-) They will let me go to 42 weeks, after which time they will decide if I am "favorable" to induce. Pray they at least give me that chance.

I have to share a cute story about Ava.... She KNOWS she is sick. She has woken up from naps saying "I don't feel good," or "I not sleep good," "I sick. I need may-cin" (medicine). It's been amazing to see how well she has been communicating, lately. I was rocking her before her nap the other day and told her it was time for her nap. She was laying her head on my chest. She said "No, I rock. I wee-wax. I cumba-bull." When I said "What? Grandpa Bill?" She repeated what she said again. I FINALLY figured out that she was trying to tell me that she wanted to RELAX (wee-wax) because she was so COMFORTABLE (cumba-bull). I chuckled out-loud at that one. Such a big word for such a little girl! :-)

Another of Ava's word pronunciations that is absolutely hilarious is "watermelon". We need to be sure to catch her saying that one on video soon! ("Thermometer" is a close second).

Please keep us in your prayers. Pray this little guy makes his grand entrance soon!

With love,
Shelly