I meant to post last week at the 32 week mark. Oops. I will post a link tomorrow that is to an article that a local newspaper is doing on Cristi and I. I haven't seen it yet, but I think it will provide even more insight to this situation.
What is exciting is that because we're now going with an induction, I have SIX weeks to go!! That is SOOO very exciting for all involved. That is...if I make it to the induction date. I'm skeptical at this point. My blood pressure is often too high, but if the dr/nurse can get me into a resting position, it usually drops. I don't have any protein in my urine when they test that, so that's a good sign. I have to go in every week now because they're keeping a close eye on me. I've had a lot of swelling, (more so than with my past pregnancies), so they're just monitoring me closely. My goal is to at least make it to 36 weeks. My little boy was born at 36 weeks, and was just fine, so ideally, that's what I want for this little man.
I have very typical late pregnancy aches, pains, and complaints at this point. I'm not sleeping well because I can't get comfortable, and because I'm not sleeping well, I'm on a short fuse. It's amazing how lack of sleep can transform a personality. My husband is amazing, and will tell me to go lay down when he's home, or go put my feet up. He has been my ROCK through this, and I don't know what I would've done without him. This baby moves A LOT, and sometimes the movement is really uncomfortable. He will stretch out on my bladder, and a foot will be under my ribs. Not pleasant. I am happy to say that I haven't even gained 15 lbs yet. That is THRILLING for me, because my weight was a concern for me BEFORE I started this whole thing. I think genetics have to play some role in this (considering he's not biologically mine)--he could be a small baby. Also, I'm chasing around 3 small children of my own, I work from home, and I just don't eat that much during the day. I'm guilty of being an after dinner snacker though. Also, indigestion is my constant companion at night. You would think I'd learn not to eat, but I just can't help it. It's like having an elephant sit on my chest, and sometimes it will wake me up at night (another reason why I'm not sleeping well).
Now that we're all so close the finish line, it's fun to be reflective on the past year. I had just barely met Cristi and her husband this time last year, and within a year of knowing them, we're about to see the efforts of all of us involved. It has certainly being an exhausting, trying, and a difficult experience at times (scary first trimester and 16 weeks of morning sickness), but ultimately, it has been rewarding. I have learned so much about the Savior's Atonement, the power of prayer, family, and my faith has been strengthened daily. When I first met Cristi and her husband in the nurse practitioner's office, I remember their shocked faces when I told them I didn't love being pregnant. The driving force for me was that I loved being a mother. Motherhood transformed me into a better human being. Even with my children being in difficult (we have two that are in the "terrible 2's and terrible 3's") stages, I wouldn't change it for anything. My family is my life, and I am eternally grateful for the crazy, non-conventional, and out of the box prompting I had to pursue this. I'm also so grateful for Cristi and her family because I can't imagine doing this for anyone else. They are why this is so worth it.
Anyway...I appreciate all of you who read my ramblings, and post sweet, supportive comments here on the blog, and on Instagram. I suspect the next time I write we could all be very close to getting this baby here, or maybe he will already be here. We'll see...
xoxo
