Day 4: Planning for uncertain days

Basically every meal from here on out is something that can wait if Adara decides to come and I don't get a chance to make it. Next week I planned meals like breakfast for dinner, pasta, and pigs in a blanket-all things that can sit in the fridge, freezer, or cabinet and won't go bad for a few days. Also, they are all super-easy to prepare. Our freezer is full of food for when she comes, but I'm trying to not use any of those meals/pieces of meals until Adara is born. If she isn't here before Thanksgiving, I've just planned leftovers and freezer food for next Friday and Saturday. I hope she's here by then!

I've had a continual challenge: "How much do you really trust Me (God)?" He's got it all under control, and I have absolutely nothing to worry about!

How I'm feeling today: I'm actually feeling great today! Last night after showering and blow-drying my hair, I slept better than I had in a while! I still had sore hips and had to get up a couple of times, but I slept really well in between the ups and downs. Usually I wake up ready to go back to sleep, but I have way more energy today. I'm really glad, because I need to get one more grocery shopping trip in. Then I will feel all set for her to come!

Day 5: Trusting God's timing

So we decided that we are not going to schedule an induction. We didn't have God's peace about inducing. We've been trusting God with this whole pregnancy, and we are going to trust Him with the delivery. He knows the perfect time for Adara to come.

I'm still going to be stretching, exercising, and yoga ball-ing. I'm still going to talk her her daily and tell her how incredibly excited we are for her to come.


Last night I think we tried almost everything under "natural induction" other than things like castor oil and herbs. Rolling over during the night=cramps and feeling uncomfortable, but no contractions yet. That okay-God has a reason for everything. At some point we decided that the best time for her to come would be sometime Friday or Saturday. It would give both Alex and my mom the perfect window for time off, since Thanksgiving is next week. We'll see if that is what God has on His timetable too!

My next doctor's appointment is on Tuesday, November 20th-the day after her due date. I hope and pray that she comes by/before then, so that we don't need to revisit induction. Please pray with us!

Day 6: Hopefully my last doctor's appointment

Blood pressure, weight, urine sample, and baby's heartbeat are all great. Tiny bit of swelling. I told the doctor I haven't been checking my blood sugars this week since they were fine before and I haven't been feeling bad. She wasn't worried. The doctor measured me and then felt for where the baby is positioned: head down and but "way up there." I did let her check me this week-I was super curious! She said that the baby's head is right where it is supposed to be, that I'm about 3 cm and 80% effaced. She said something about my cervix being ripe or ready.She didn't say anything about stripping my membranes, so I'm glad that's a discussion I didn't have to have.

She then said I have two options: I can go ahead and schedule an induction for Friday or Saturday-Saturday being the best day for her, or I can wait to go into labor naturally. She said that if I haven't gone into labor naturally in a week when I come in for another appointment, then we will schedule an induction. I said I think I want to just wait for now, and she said that's fine. She said that I will probably go into labor naturally.

But it's so temping to call the office back and say I've changed my mind-that I do want to be induced by Saturday if I haven't had her yet. The timing would be perfect, and it would be a relief to know that we'll have our baby girl by sometime this weekend.

So right now we're praying and praying and doing more research and praying. We want to do God's will in everything, and we want His peace in every situation. He's taken such amazing care of us so far. I know people who have been induced and still have healthy babies. The planning and scheduling me loves the idea of a deadline and knowing when to be ready. But I don't want it to be my selfish decision. 

So if y'all would just pray for us, that would be great. Comments are fine, but please be nice.

Day 7: Week 39 Photo

Week 39

Exactly one week left until my due date! So far no sign on contractions or anything else that might indicate labor. I have a breastfeeding class at the hospital tonight, so I'm glad Adara's waited to come so that I can learn more about feeding her. If I started having contractions sometime tonight after the class, I wouldn't be complaining....

Day 8: Ready to drive her home

We installed Adara's car seat today. And by "we" I mean Alex put it in and showed me how to snap it in and out. I now realize that I need to read the manual so that I know how to adjust the straps and all that. I'm so excited to use it!!

Day 9: Another day down

Less than 10 days! So that's exciting. No contractions or anything yet. I have a breastfeeding class Monday night, and my last doctor's appointment on Tuesday morning. If I'm not in labor by that appointment, I suppose it will be a pretty short one. I keep telling myself that it's okay to be a little stubborn and avoid any kind of medical intervention-I have a healthy baby, and God's timing is perfect. She will come at the right time for her, and I don't need to try to rush that.


Still, I am so incredibly excited for her to come, and feel ready for her to come at any time :)

Day 10: The Final Countdown

It's the final ten days before Adara's due date! In no particular order, here are 10 reasons why I'm excited for her to be born:

1. I'll get to see what she looks like.
2. I'll get to sleep on my stomach/back if I feel like it.
3. Alex will take time off work just to be home with me and Adara.
4. I will have the experience of birthing a child.
5. We will get to dress her in her super cute clothes.
6. After holding her for nine months, others will get a turn to hold her.
7. Baby cuddles.
8. I'm ready for my belly to feel less like a watermelon-even if it takes a while to be more normal.
9. Baby photo shoot with Bethany.
10. Adara will be the center of attention.



What are some other reasons to look forward to the birth of our child? Help me build up even more excitement for her coming!

Day 11: Getting Labor-Ready

I got a yoga ball! It's called a "Stay Ball" because it has something in the bottom of it to make it weighted and not roll away! Which is great, because I plan to sit on it during labor. It's supposed to help with pain and position my hips correctly. Click here to see the one I got. I had never been to the exercise section of WalMart before. I didn't even know WalMart had an exercise section...

Now I just need to take it out of the box and figure out how to make it ball-shaped instead of box-shaped.

Day 12: Thankful for Christ

"who did not become a priest based on a legal command concerning physical descent but based on the power of an indestructible life."
-Hebrews 7:16

Christ is our Intercessor and Ruler. He is both of these forever. He is the superior Ruler and the superior High Priest. He is "an indestructible life", and nothing can take that away from us.

I am thankful for His salvation and His ultimate authority over everything. I put my trust in Him, for He holds my future for eternity.

Day 13: Two Appointments Today

First, thank you all so much for your prayers! They mean so much, and it is evident that they are effective.

The ultrasound went really well! Adara's estimated weight is 6 pounds 11 ounces, and the ultrasound tech says everything looks great. She also said that Adara has lots of hair! She said to go ahead and let the office people know that I was done, and that they may call me back to see the doctor.

I did, explaining that my next appointment wasn't until 1pm. Thankfully, my doctor's nurse practitioner offered to go ahead and see me! Urine sample looks great, blood pressure great. Weight at 147 lbs-I explained that I was super full of water last time I was weighed, and that may be part of the reason why it looks like I've lost weight. She encouraged me to keep drinking water, and I said I would.

I briefly saw my doctor, as she looked over my ultrasound to make sure everything looks okay.She said that everything looks great, just as she expected it to be. She said unless I've progressed any, she'll see me next week. I asked if there wasn't any other reason, if I could just skip being checked this week. I confirmed that I haven't had any contractions. She asked how far away I live from the hospital (two minutes) and said it is fine to not be checked this week. She said that since I was at 2cm last week that I "may be one of those people that doesn't feel contractions right away." I think that sounds awesome.

I started to explain to the nurse practitioner that I don't want to be checked, and she said that she heard me talking to the doctor. I'm glad I didn't need to explain again. All she needed to do was measure my belly-right on track-and ask a few questions. I have checked my blood sugars a couple of times, and gave her a brief range of numbers-all of which are fine. She emphasized coming in as the contractions get stronger, even if they aren't always 5 minutes apart. She said that she tells people to come in if they are 10 minutes apart, as long as they keep getting stronger and stronger.  She said to call when labor starts. I nodded and said okay. We'll see what actually happens when I go into labor.


I was so nervous about telling the doctor that I didn't want to be checked this week. I was afraid that she would act like I didn't know what I was talking about, and insist that it is medically necessary. When I actually said something IT WAS NO BIG DEAL AT ALL. I had a short appointment-which is what I was hoping for-AND there was no issue with not getting checked, since I'm not in labor! I was all worried for nothing. So thanks for all your prayers, and please continue!

Day 14: Week 38 Photo

Week 38

Two weeks until my due date! Alex and I told Adara that we're ready for her to come anytime now.

Day 15: Celebrating Fall

We celebrated Fall time with Pumpkin Spice Kisses on chocolate chips cookies. I actually didn't make them-Belle and Jasmine did! I think they enjoyed them:

Day 16: A place to rest her head

We built this today! Called the "Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeper", this is where Adara will be sleeping most of the time. Thanks Mom!

Day 17: More baby shower photos

Not a whole lot to report today, so I thought I'd share some more pictures from the baby shower at Alex's work the other day:

Day 18: Celebrate Alex's birthday!

A while ago, Alex and I signed up to get offers from various places, and they gave him coupons for free stuff on his birthday! He shared one with me so that we could have a free meal together. Fun celebration day!