Maute Moo Update – Week 38

There is power that comes to women when they give birth. They don’t ask for it, it simply invades them. Accumulates like clouds on the horizon and passes through, carrying the child with it. ~ Sheryl Feldman

As my body slowly prepares itself for labor, I’m doing my best to make sure that my mind, my emotions, my boys, and my household are equally as prepared. Last week I had a long list of things to get done before I felt like I was ready for labor.

• Washing Chet’s clothes – DONE
• Install his Car Seat – It’s in my living room. One step closer to the car.
• Clean and Wash his swing – DONE
• Get Moses basket from my mom (My sister is letting me borrow her basket until she has her next baby at the end of March!!! And my mom washed everything for me yesterday. Thank you both!) – DONE
• Buy Nursing Bra (one for day and night until I know what size I will really need), Lansinoh ointment, Breast Pads – DONE. Thanks to my friends recommendation, I’m holding off on buying any actual nursing bras until I know what size I will be. I’ve bought a nursing night-gown, nursing tank tops, and night-time nursing bras.
• Buy Baby soaps and Lotions (I only have one bottle of lotion. Oops!) – DONE. Thanks to my mother-in-law who dropped of a HUGE bag!
• Buy Baby Wipes (We don’t have any. Oops again!) – DONE. Thanks again to my mother-in-law
• Preregister at the hospital and figure out where we are going once we get there – DONE

What’s left now? I’m making sure I answer any questions Cole might have about the process. I want to make sure he feels comfortable and secure going into this next chapter of our lives. In the next two weeks, two days, two hours, or four weeks (gasp!), I’m making sure I sneak in as many Cole snuggles as he will allow.

While I’m waiting for Chet to be ready for the real world, I’m also doing my best to visualize the birthing process. I know I’ve done this once before, but it feels so different this time. I’m much more aware (and knowledgable) about what is going on in my body. I’ve been feeling irregular contractions for a week and a half. They are gradually changing from noticeable to being noticeable enough to make me pause along my path. I’m feeling nauseous again. My stomach has been upset for a few days. First trimester eating habits are back. Food just doesn’t sound good anymore. I know these are all signs of moving into labor. I’m trying to be patient with the fact that I have no idea if these symptoms could last for another day or another few weeks.

Call me crazy, but I’m really looking forward to laboring with Chet. I can’t wait to experience his delivery. I really can’t wait to bring him home. (and I can’t wait to remove the bowling ball from under my shirt, but I do think I will miss pregnancy!)

14 more days until Chet’s due date….

…..And then I will have another boy in my house. Oh geez! I love being a boy mom. I really do! This picture will probably give you a better idea of what a house full of boys feels like to the only girl in the home.

Even the dog is a boy. And even he tries to claim as much space in my lap as he possibly can….