41 Weeks!

Today I am 7 days past my Estimated Due Date

The Belly: Well, the past few days I think the baby has dropped down more, and my belly feels a little bit smaller. Though, clearly from the picture, it is NOT smaller and I look like I am smuggling a basketball under my sweatshirt.

Physically: I am not sleeping well at all, and woke up praising God for the 7 hours of sleep I got last night, only having to get up ONE TIME during the night. It's the best sleep I've gotten in weeks. 

Weight: Back down to 150. I attribute that to the crazy amount of walking I have been doing the last week. I'm trying to log a couple of miles a day, but apparently the baby doesn't know that walking is supposed to help start labor. Oh well, at least it's good exercise!

Food Aversons: Basically all food. Eating just doesn't sound fun. Unless it's dessert. In which case, bring it on!

Food Cravings: Cold things and sweet things. I made a cheesecake and banana bread already this week!

Feeling: Sooo anxious to meet my little one. Jason was talking about holding the baby yesterday, and I almost broke down into tears because I just can't wait to have him or her in my arms. Also, even though I have no reason to be, I am feeling a little nervous about my non-stress test and fluid-level-check-sonogram on Thursday. I have a "gut" feeling that absolutely nothing is wrong with baby, but I am nervous that they will find something "slightly concerning" and start pressuring me more for an induction. I'm so thankful for my own doula, Trish, who will be coming with us to that appointment! But, the midwives all know how against induction I am unless there is an absolutely positively clear problem with baby, and so I am hoping we won't have to discuss it much.

Baby: is still snugly in there :) He or she has been definitely moving down a little bit more, but is still wiggling his or her butt and legs around pretty consistently. It's still really fun to feel, even though it hurts sometimes. S/he has also been getting the hiccups less, which I am so thankful for. It's not my favorite feeling in the world. 

Other: We/I have tried basically everything that anyone has suggested to me to get labor started, to no avail. I'm pretty content with just waiting for this little one, but here's the list of things we've tried:

• spicy food
• pineapple
• raspberry leaf tea
• evening primrose oil
• trying out the breast pump (wow, that is quite interesting...)
• "the way you got the baby in there in the first place" 
• walking
• walking a LOT
• bouncing on my yoga ball
• squatting
• listening to the hypnobabies track, "Come OUT baby!" 

Honestly, even though I get uncomfortable at times, I really am okay being pregnant still, and would be for a few more weeks if that's what my baby needed! My only anxiety is caused by the discussion of induction, but I know that I'm going to decline it assuming that nothing is wrong and the midwives are okay to still deliver me. If there are problems, of course I will consider an induction. But I really feel in my heart that this baby is just not ready to meet the world yet, and that's okay.

My friend Wendy shared this website with me: www.haveyouhadthatbabyyet.com. I love it! As much as I do appreciate all of my friends and family checking in on me, I promise promise promise that you will all know when the baby comes. And, I will not be broadcasting my entire birth on facebook. You will know when the baby is here, and that's probably about it...no play by play from me! (or Jason. I've already told him I will take his phone away if he is on facebook or words with friends while I'm in labor).

Prayer Requests: If you're the praying type and would like to join us in prayer, here is what is on my heart this week...

• That we would have a healthy mom and a healthy baby on Thursday at my NST/sonogram
• That labor/delivery would be fast and natural (I know, it probably won't be "fast," but a girl can pray!!)