THINGS I DON'T WANT TO DO

Now that Junior is VERY close to being here, I've thought about certain things that I certainly do NOT want to do with my little man. Some of them.. well.. many women do, many of my friends do and it completely doesn't bother me, at all. It's just something that I don't want to do with my son. ALL of which could change later out of sanity or survival, lol. These are just my thoughts, now.

• Once my son is born, I don't want to NOT shower everyday because I'm too busy sleeping or taking care of him. Afterall, who wants to eat off a sweaty stinky plate? NOT ME! Therefore, I hope I can at least shower, or spongebath, enough to de-stink this new Mama. I wouldn't want to eat on a dirty plate and I'm certainly not going to make him do the same.
• I don't want to be one of those moms who doesn't do something because SHE doesn't feel like it. I want my child to have many different experiences and be able to explore the world and I don't want to hold him back because I am to lazy or don't feel like doing it.
• I don't want to be one of those moms who is afriad to let their children participate in life. I want him to get dirty and be happy. If it means ONE more bath during the day, then so be it. I don't want to hold him back from what could make him happy, even if we do have to sacrifice a few skinned knees and a few hundred boxes of band-aids. It's all part of being a kid and enjoying yourself.
• I don't want to be one of those moms who doens't let their child participate in activities or sports because she's afriad that he's going to get hurt. Now.. I know. This one isn't going to be easy, letting him go and be a rough and tumble kid.. but I want him to experience all that he can.

Did you have any thoughts on what you didn't want to do that maybe didn't go as planned?

Stephanie M.
jrsmama2009@gmail.com

A BIT BEHIND: NINE MONTHS

Dear My Handsome Little Rockstar,

This month has been quite a month for you and Mommy! Things have seemed to fly by, without warning and some how I find us at 37 weeks, now, and I can't seem to put my finger on where the time has gone.

I want you to know that these last 9 months have truly been the best, EVER, for your Daddy and I. The funny thing is... I know how perfect they've been and yet I know that they'll be a trillion times better once you're finally here.

Now that we're getting into the last few weeks, it seems as if time has stopped on us. We're so excited, for your arrival, that often times we can't contain our excitement. Daddy and I often look at each other and talk about how we can't believe that you're going to be here in just under 2 weeks. I can't wait to see how handsome you are!! Daddy can't wait to hold you and finally see his son. He often talks about how he can't wait to teach you things, show you things, take you places and just enjoy having you as his son. You are our child of GOLD, already!

This month you and Mommy spent 3 days in the hospital. Mommy wasn't feeling too good so she called our doctor to get some advice. Dr. K wanted us to come in to get checked to make sure everything was okay. When we showed up, Dr. K was quite worried about Mommy, so she sent us over to the hospital to get monitored. After 3 long days, Mommy started to feel better and now we're back at home, until your arrival.

So now, here were are: trying to wait, ever so patiently, to see your face. Hold your little hands. Count your precious toes. And show you off to the world! You are loved so much more than you know. Everyone is waiting, on edge, for my call that you're making your appearance. Until then, they just about have a heart attack everytime I call because they're wondering if "this is it"?

Grammy is on edge, waiting for you. Everytime I call, I swear, she answers it before it even rings. Daddy has been doing much of the same, lately. I'm almost afriad to call anyone until after your arrival.

Well, my little man, there's not much more that I can say about how Daddy and I feel, right now. It's complete BLISS and amazingly indiscribeable. WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

Mommy will be waiting... waiting for her son to come and greet the world. You can come anytime, now. :)

We truly love you with everything we have AND MORE!

Love,
Your Mommy and Daddy

THE FEELING OF PROGRESS... IT'S SWEET!!!

So last week, when I went in for my appointment, I was 2cm dilated (3 if she put a TON of pressure on it, but 2 at a standstill) and was thinning out but not quite effacing yet. Junior was very high in my pelvis so she didn't qualify him as any "station".

This week, we've made progress! This week I am easily 3cm dilated (at a standstill) and am 75% effaced! Junior is also head down and at -1 station. She said that he had moved down QUITE a lot and I have to agree because it didn't feel as if she had to shove sooooo much of her arm up there to check, this time. My blood pressure has resumed it's normal healthy self and we both seem to be doing MUCH better! YAY! His heart rate was an active 174bpm even though he was quite calm but my belly is measuring a good 37cm which corresponds with my 37w gestation. She also took me off "strict bed-rest" and put me on "light duty". "Strict Bed-rest" means I am flat on my back and the only time I can get up is to use the restroom or take a QUICK shower. "Light Duty" means that I can resume most of my "normal" activities, HOWEVER, I need to take it easy and not do a few things such as she specified; NO vacuuming, NO sweeping, NO vigorous cleaning of any kind. I can do light dishes and such but otherwise, she wants me to take it easy.

You don't know how much relief this brings me. Now I'll be able to do things to keep myself busy throughout the day so it doesn't seem like my days crawl by. YAY!

She also reiterated that if he's not here by 39 weeks, (14 days from today), she'll be inducing. I am HAPPY to hear that!