Waiting game

I almost feel like the OB telling me I'm 2-3cm dilated and "could go early" is a mean, nasty little trick. I left the doctor's office feeling on top of the world and while I know he could still come early, I guess I had known that even before she said it. But having the doctor tell you that and how dilated you are plants visions in your head of night feedings, snuggling on a rainy Sunday afternoon, FINALLY using the changing area and crib you've had set up forever, gazing at your baby for hours, dirty diapers, seeing how cute he looks in all those outfits you've bought him.....as if I don't daydream about all that stuff enough already. And Jake is beyond ready for this baby to make his grand enterance. Every day Jake tells him, "you can come out now, buddy!" I've decided that if he's going to come early, he'd better do it this Thursday or Friday so I can get out of working my last weekend in the ER. :) Otherwise he might as well just aim for his due date.

My comfort level hasn't really changed. The occasional low back ache, bending over and getting comfortable in bed remain my biggest challenges but everything else seems to be okay. I got 4 miles in at the gym the other day and I'm trying to balance getting plenty of rest with going to the gym and keeping the house clean on my days off. We even had some sun shine last week so I ventured outside for a couple walks.

Some days I work seem more challenging than others. When the department is crazy, I'm crazy. That's when I get more stressed and feel like I just don't have the energy to keep up. I have, however, {as Julie has} made sure I keep a full workload so my pod partners don't have to pick up my slack. On the "slower" days {really, did I just say the "s" word when referring to the ER?"} life is good, the job is less stressful, and I'm less likely to get overwhelmed or stressed. I apolgoize to any of my co-workers who have seen me get all worked up over something minor in the past few weeks....really friends, it's the hormones! :) And I'm sorry to any of my patients who have had to wait a couple more minutes for their pain meds or a warm blanket because I had to pee first. I just can't help it!

So while we wait patiently...er, not so patiently, for Baby Soll to make is grand enterance, Jake and I have enjoyed feeling him kick, punch, move and react to us. I frequently grab Jake's hand to feel the sliding and moving of little body parts on my left side/hip and quite often, this baby will react to us by kicking back or moving his body part to somewhere else on my stomach. I often feel him stretch - I'll feel feet on my left side at the same time his little butt moves up. It's a very cool feeling. Identifying body parts and feeling gliding movements rather than just the occasional kick is so neat. I will definitely miss this constant connection with him and carrying him with me wherever I go.

I'll also miss the natural conversation starter this big belly has given me with patients, friends, and people in public or at the gym. People that recognize me from work, church, or the gym often ask how much longer, how I'm feeling or feel the need to comment on my appearance {thankfully I haven't had any negative comments!}. Maybe our natural conversations will just switch to the baby and how he's doing....I really do love having some type of connections with these random people. :)