The Countdown is On!

Last week my induction was scheduled for December 21 and it's so wonderful to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's also been tough because time seems to c-r-a-w-l along since we've known. These last two weeks may be the toughest. (Especially now that college football season is over.)

Though Riley continues to do well, this is taking a toll on my sweet little boy. He said this week, "Mama, when I see the doctor, I'm going to say, 'When can my Mommy come home?'" So darn cute, but breaks my heart at the same time. I told him the baby would be here in two more weeks and he's been chanting, "Two more weeks, two more weeks, two more weeks!"

Physically I feel like I've doubled in size in a week. I'm having to use the handles on the bed to get up. Ugh. When Russ is here, he pulls me up. They need cranes in these ante-partum rooms! How did I ever get out of bed 9 months pregnant with Riley? Roll off?

Christmas is out there, I know it, I just don't feel the Christmas spirit like usual. Christmas is going to be different this year, pretty bare boned, but I fully expect to really feel the Christmas spirit in a different way this year. Not overdone with gifts, parties, cooking, wrapping, shopping, and trying to fit it all in, but appreciating the finer things in life--a new baby--a Christmas blessing, being home with my family, and treasuring every moment of my boys that I've been missing. I absolutely cannot wait to walk into my home, see Doak, cook dinner for the 3 of us, take a bath in my bathtub, and most of all, put Riley in his pajamas and snuggle with him as we read books together in his bed.

Dr. DeStefano came tonight for our weekly sonogram. Fluid is down to 4.25, but she said it was normal at this point because baby is getting bigger and taking up more space. We saw baby opening and closing it's mouth, practicing breathing, moving, and a very large, full bladder (are you sure that wasn't MINE?)! Baby's weight measurement this week is 3 pounds 15 ounces!! Wonderful news!! We saw baby's face from an underneath angle--the eyes nose, and mouth opening and closing. The view is even more odd laying down in bed, trust me. Remember the Friends episode where Rachael feels so stupid because she can't see the sonogram? I feel like that often. Even after it's been spelled out to me...(the first step is admission, right?)! I'll blame in on the angle, not my intelligence!

I'm feeling the baby move in my lower belly lately. I'm still enjoying that little but sticking out on the right side that I can pat. Feeling larger movements, more often, in more places, not just the same couple of spots. Russ has seen some pretty large movements from across the room. That's been fun!

I'd like to visit NICU again the next time Russ is here with me. The last time we visited, I was still in the daze of arriving here, paralyzed with fear, not knowing what was in store for me/us/baby. Just plain terrified. Too terrified to blog and actually post anything, afraid to wear my heart on my sleeve. I want to go see NICU again from the perspective of 32 weeks and 4 days (today). Maybe now we'll have some actual questions, not just the blank stare of being admitted to the hospital and the possibility of delivering our baby 15 weeks early. I'll never forget Russ wheeling me in there for the first time and the nurse saying, "So you're the 25 weeker?" That was me. 7 weeks ago. I'm so thankful to still be here cookin' this baby.

Tonight was busy with the sonogram and Brian and Julia's nightly visit--we look forward to them popping in. Tonight was all about laughing, which is so tough for Julia because she just had a c-section and me because of my enormous belly. We all needed a good laugh though. Even if it was inappropriate laughter! We're both laughing while trying NOT to--you know, the kind you get in trouble for in class or church--Julia's pressing her green polka dot pillow to her belly and I'm holding mine with both hands. Painful, but in the best way!