31 weeks

7 weeks ago I was admitted to the hospital and put on bed rest. I didn’t know at the time how long I would be down, or when this little baby would be born. Each week that has gone by though has been a better week than the one before! Today I have been able to make my own dinner, walk around the house, and even sew a curtain for the bathroom. There is still a lot I can’t do, like exercise, walk around a store, or take out the trash – but the great news is I am up and contracting less. The official test came back from the midwives this week as well and it too has confirmed I won’t deliver in the next two weeks.

YIPPIE!

The time at home has been hard at times, but looking back, I don’t feel as though I’ve been on bed rest too long. Perhaps that’s because I’ve been able to sit up to eat for a few weeks now. ; )

Last Friday I saw the first real jabs and punches everyone talks about. I was lying on my side watching Sander pack when I saw the arm/foot drag across my stomach. I yelled out for Sander to come watch and our little boy kept up the show for about 15min! He hasn’t been as visible since, but it has been fun to start to see him in action and not just feel him. And, after our early scare, it is such a comfort to know he is strong enough and big enough to make such ‘waves.’

In some ways I am grateful for the bed rest period. Overall it has made me so much more appreciative of this little life inside of me and makes the aches and pains that have begun minor in comparison to the alternative. The pain of a baby wedged under my ribs is nothing compared with the potential pain of seeing the same baby in NICU for months.

With the scary time behind me and the important benchmarks ahead (34 & 36 weeks), I have been able to start working on my registries. Could they make any more things for a baby?! I am talking to all my mom friends, but it still has been difficult to figure out what I really need v. what the world wants me to buy. Amazon has been my best friend though as they have a baby registry now and it lets me add lots of different items you can’t find at the typical baby stores. Yea internet shopping, I have always loved thee.

Onward and upward to week 34 – the week I am released from house arrest!