It’s beginning to look (and smell) a lot like Christmas in our house.
Christian and I took advantage of Cole spending some time with Grandma this morning. We got presents wrapped and things prepared for Christmas morning.
Cole got home right after lunch, and we got to work in the kitchen. The first two rounds of cookies are done: Peanut Butter Blossoms and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookies. We have two more batches of cookies to bake tomorrow and maybe one more this week based on my energy levels after work.
Let’s hope I can keep the boys away from most of the cookies until Christmas (by boys I mean Christian, Cole and Chet – because if I eat one it is only because Chet really wants it!). We do have a plate to enjoy while we watch our family movie tonight.
The past few days I’ve been feeling like I have everything under control. I haven’t been stressing about Chet’s due date. I’m anxious to meet him, but I’ve been feeling confident that he will get here when he gets here. Our house is ready. His nursery is good enough. My hospital bags are packed. We have a car seat. The baby swing is in our living room.
And then I realized Christmas is next weekend….
And then I went to the doctor for my weekly check-up….
Last Friday I was 1cm dilated and only slightly effaced. Today I am 2cm dilated and my cervix has thinned out A LOT since my last appointment. The baby is also A LOT lower than last week. A LOT is in all caps on purpose. The doctor put A LOT of emphasis on those two words. I didn’t ask for numbers or percentages because sometimes numbers can make me anxious. I almost considered not being checked today for that reason (and the fact that I didn’t feel like getting undressed). I went into the appointment expecting no progress. Yes. I’ve been experiencing pre-labor symptoms, but Chet has also been feeling very cozy in my belly. My pregnant body is not so cozy though.
When we were leaving our appointment, the doctor said to schedule for next Thursday BUT he didn’t think we would make it to that appointment. I know it’s just the opinion of one doctor, but it is enough information for me to transition back to the “must get stuff done” mode.
Baby to-do lists are done, but Christmas to-do lists need some work. I need to:
Finish shopping (Hello online shopping. I love you! In-Store shopping is not a favorite of mine during anytime of the year)
Bake. I normally spend an entire weekend baking cookies for the holidays – peanut butter balls, peanut butter cup cookies, Hersey kiss cookies, and vanilla shooter cookies. It’s been on my agenda for Saturday. I think we should be good.
Wrapping
(Okay – maybe my list is more manageable than I originally anticipated. Thank goodness!)
If Chet does surprise us by showing up before Christmas, it would be absolutely wonderful to have a new baby in the house on Christmas morning. Someone better run out and buy a Baby’s First Christmas ornament and Christmas outfit (hint! hint! Mom or Sister!).
Since we decorated our house for Christmas, I have had visions of laboring at home by the light of the Christmas tree. There is really something magical about the twinkle of Christmas lights. Never in our wildest dreams did Christian and I anticipated getting pregnant one week after going off of the pill. We had hoped we would have a spring time baby. I’ve slowly fallen in love with the idea of a Christmas Baby. He may or may not like sharing his birthday with the holidays, but I love associating everything Christmas with the birth of my child.
Chet may or may not show up this week. He might stay cozy until is due date. He may even stay put until New Years. If he stays put until January, I might just have to leave my Christmas tree up so I can labor at home by Christmas lights anyways!
While settling in to do Cole’s homework with him this evening, a paper airplane landed on my lap. Cole instantly appeared before me with a huge smile on his face. When I unfolded the airplane, I found a sweet hand written note from Cole:
12-14-11
Dear Chet,
I cant wait in tell you are born! I bet you are going to be so so cute! Chet I hope you are going to be a good drawer like me. When you are born I hope you read this Chet. I cant wait for you to be born.
Your big brother,
Cole
Add that letter to the list of things that gives me happy tears. I am a very lucky mom.
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….
It’s been 5 weeks since I’ve run. Five very long weeks. Although my body does not miss it (right now), my brain most certainly does miss it. Give or take a week, I imagine that I’ll be running again in about 6 weeks. One 12-week break from running thanks to my stress fracture and one 11-week break due to pregnancy in one year hasn’t helped me set any new PRs, but it really isn’t that bad considering what I have accomplished this year. I am, after all, growing a full size baby right now!
I arrived at work this morning. Checked my email. I hit delete a few dozen times. And then I got really excited about one email sitting in my inbox. I got into the Cherry Blossom 10-miler. The lottery opened up last week. I entered, and I crossed my fingers. It worked. My name was selected. I will be running 10 miles in DC on April 1, 2012 among the cherry blossoms. Let’s hope there are no repeat souvenirs this year. Last year after a weekend filled with biking and yoga among the cherry blossoms, we came home with a baby much to our surprise. I had only been off of birth control for 1 week.
Next year I can pack running shoes too!
Later in the day, I was doing my daily Facebook check. The Shamrock Marathon posted that it is about to sell out. There are 1500 spots left. Last year it sold out on December 16th. I knew that if I wanted to run this race this year, I would need to sign up NOW. When I went to the website to register, I remembered something. I don’t have a check card; therefore, I don’t have access to the money in my bank account. Christian’s truck was broke into last night. Whoever did it was mean enough to rummage through everything and throw everything around his car, but they were nice enough to leave everything behind. My check card was in his car, and they kindly left it on his front seat along with our GPS, iPod, and tons of other things. To be safe, I cancelled my check card this morning. The last thing I need is for someone to write down the number and our address so they can go shopping. Fortunately my mom came to my rescue. She paid for the registration fee, and I can pay her back once my card arrives in the mail. THANK YOU MOM!
This race is another full-circle race for me. I missed out on running the full marathon last year due to my injury. That injury lead to buying road bikes. The road bike purchase inspired Christian and I’s cherry blossom trip. That trip created Chet.
Getting Cole ready for his 1 mile run last year during Shamrock Weekend
In one day, I’ve registered for 2 races. Merry Christmas to me!!!!! It feels so good to know that racing and running is right around the corner.
On March 18, 2012 I will be running the Shamrock half-marathon. 13.1 miles 11(ish) weeks post baby is slightly ambitious for me. 4+ weeks to recover. 7(ish) weeks to train. Eek! I’m pretty sure I’ll be run/walking this race. Time to start coming up with a training plan. Suggestions are MUCH APPRECIATED at this point!
On April 1, 2011 I will be running the Cherry Blossom 10 miler. This races gives me 13(ish) weeks post baby to recover and train. 4+ weeks to recover. 9(ish) weeks to train. I’m hoping I can run the whole thing. Again, training suggestions are gladly welcomed.
Here’s to hoping 2012 is a year full of healthy running!
Shamrock Weekend 2011 - I need to add "feed baby" and "change diapers" to my shirt for 2012
Kristy Maute 