31 Weeks

We had yet another doctor’s appointment yesterday, but we were disappointed because they didn’t do an ultrasound. We thought they said there would be one last time. Oh well. She did palpate my abdomen and said she definitely felt the head where it was supposed to be, so that is good news. She also monitored him for 20 minutes. I told them I hadn’t felt anything but a few very weak movements in 24 hours (and I KNOW this because I was awake ALL night!), so they just checked him out. They warned me before putting the monitors on that they tend to get excited when they put them on. I thought…”whatever, I spent the whole night poking him hard and he never budged. We’ll see.” Sure enough, he went wild. Nothing like kids and pets not to act the way you said as soon as you take them to the doctor! So, I asked why he’d move constantly and vigorously one day, then not move AT ALL the next. She said “he’s a boy – they never do what you want!” I find myself asking the same ridiculous questions that don’t have good answers of my doctors that I hate my clients asking me. The answer is “just because”.

Since it rained all day, Jacob and I did some Josiah shopping and hung out all day. It was nice. Jacob was well behaved despite the shopping, so he got some stuff, too.

Prepared Childbirth???

I’m a couple of weeks late getting this picture up since it was from 28 weeks and now we are at 30. Now that we are getting to where the end is in sight, we are doing more of a countdown than count up of the weeks. Only 10 more if Josiah is “average”. That makes me a bit sad, though. I will miss enjoying him the way I do now, but I’m sure I will enjoy my time with him later, too, and then I’ll better be able to share him with Jacob.

Last night we had our first “Prepared Childbirth Class”. I wonder just how prepared you can be. Part of me dreaded it and preferred to just read about it because a class seems so grown up and scary, but there was no way Jacob was going to sit down and read it, so a class was the way to go for him – especially if I wanted him to have a clue when things get tense! Besides, he reminded me that we ARE grown ups! As it turns out, the class is very relaxed, the couples are all our age, and the teacher is entertaining. Much to our relief, we will not be sitting on the floor with our legs spread, practicing breathing techniques, despite the pillows and blankets they had us bring! Apparently those are just for our comfort while we sit and listen. Jacob was very amazed by some of the things he learned. I even met someone from Jasper (a very small town one hour north of here that has no good hospitals) that knows several of my family members.

On another note…those of you that have been to my house know that we live down a long dirt road. Jacob has always been the one to maintain it, but since we have not lived here for over a year, it has become quite bumpy (this is on his long to-do list). Our neighbors act like they are happy we are back because they like us, but really they only like us for what Jacob can do with his John Deere! Anyway, the other day while we were bouncing down the road my mom commented that if we did not leave early enough for the hospital when I am in labor, then Josiah was going to bounce out of me before we even got to the end of the road! I thought it was a great idea, actually, and I might just drive up and down it until that happens! In fact, we could advertise it and charge a fee for this therapy for pregnant women. Of course I’d let my friends ride for free.

So, now I have Jacob worried that the hospital is too far away to make it in time and my mom is afraid (jokingly) that the baby will practically fall out before we even get on the road, and I’m thinking, I hope they are right! That sounds much easier than hours of labor in an unfamiliar room surrounded by people I hardly know. Somehow I’m guessing it won’t be that easy.

Next week we have another doctors appointment complete with an ultrasound to check his position. Jacob is beyond excited, but I can tell you that with all the movement I feel now, Josiah is NOT staying in one place! At any rate, I look forward to seeing him again.