Thinking, Waiting, Wishing

When your doctor tells you on a casual Tuesday morning that your baby will be born "within 48 hours" it does something to you. Even though you know that she actually doesn't know and couldn't possibly predict such a thing unless she plans to surgically remove the child, it still makes you wonder. and panic. and get impatient. and hope. and make your mom feel guilty for being gone for the next 96 hours which means she will miss this event. Well its been about 74 hours since this prophesy and no sign of baby! My mom is on the long drive home so she will be here in time. With 4 days until due date it is all waiting. And being a child born 6 weeks early, I seriously never even fathomed the fact that I could quite possibly be OVERdue. I've had a suitcase packed for 6 weeks. hahaha that seems so foolish now!

But with all this waiting has been a lot of special times I'm glad for. I have been so thankful for the friends and family in my life and I've been able to cherish these last times with them as a non-mother. The last of life the way I know it!

This is a picture. We've had at least one meal with all sets of parents. Said goodbye to our sister. Had a friend we rarely get to see spend some days at our cabin with us. I had a date with my mom, spoke with an auntie I rarely see, called my grandma, celebrated a grandpa's 87th birthday, had lunch with a couple friends and their new little babies, had a walk and a movie date with a dear friend, had lunch and a cupcake experience with another, watched my basketball team's playoff game and visited after at the usual. (sure made me miss playing!), spent several afternoons catching up with my cousin and her not so little little one, visited a friend's new business, had a lovely email from a friend overseas, watched my man play hockey with some of my favorite girls that are bubbling with excitement for us, had company for supper, had many many 'could be our last date before baby" dates with my hubby, texted and talked with friends that in the bustle of life I just don't get to see. We have a full weekend with some couples planned that I'm so excited for I won't be too sad if the baby doesn't cancel those plans.

I feel at peace. A bit anxious, wondering when my baby will want to make its debut into life, but I am enjoying this slow pace of visiting and doing things just for me. Thanks for all the fun times everyone.

I know I have complained of being bored..... But actually, when I think about it......I have a full life and I'm pretty lucky.....Come when you're ready baby.....Until then I'm going to stay happy.

And don't worry dad, mom, momma P., we will NOT Forget to call you when things start happening!

neither here nor there

Well. Not much to report. 11 days until due date. Doctor says things are looking good but really it could be weeks, although it could also be in an hour. I definitely don't like not knowing. However, not having to work and knowing that I don't have to for a year is the coolest feeling! I have absolutely no stress. I nap when I'm tired. I have time to just take it easy. Today I went and watched a mom and baby salsa dancing class my cousin goes to. O I can't wait to do that class. It is absolutely hilarious. It should be a commercial or something. I wish I had a camera. 20+ moms with little babies slung on their chests bobbing around. I have never seen anything like it! The babies LOVED it! Some motored their legs like they were driving a bike in the air. The music and the little rattles or maracas banged to the floor and were picked up constantly, babies giggled and shouted, some slept, and NONE cried. The music and the movement and all the things to look at had these kids tickled! I just can't wait for stuff like that. Well I think everything is in order. We're packed. We've done classes. Stuff is set up. I baked muffins and made soup one day and made lasagna's yesterday. No I don't feel a "nesting" urge.... I just forced myself to cook. Life is at a stand still. I walked with some girls this week and it was the first time I had something like contractions that were significant. Chris says don't do that at least until Monday because of stuff he has to do yet at work before taking some time off..... lol..... If only we had a say in this!

First comes love.... then comes marriage.... then comes?

WOW TIME FLIES!

There is so much to look back on, considering the last post I made was now over 1 year ago. I can't begin to encapsulate an entire year in a simple blog post. But there is one amazing reason to begin blogging again. This little life inside that we get to meet any day now is the inspiration. Our trip to SE Asia was so rich with memories that we still sit and recount today, I am so glad I wrote about some of it as the details fade with time. At least the feelings inside are lasting. The feeling of fading memories has prompted me to try to get down at least somethings from this new beginning in our life. As Chris often says in excitement, "I can't wait.... we won't just be a couple... we'll be a family..." I tell him "our amazing little family is just growing bigger!"

Baby Popplewell can come any day now, and I realize that I have so much more of a control freak nature than I ever knew, as the prospect of not knowing when or how this "experience" will go down causes me much anxiety. I have prepared and contemplated for this child more than I have for anything; totally contrary to my behaviour up until now in my life. It makes me wonder what kind of parent I will be. I thought I may be the one that forgets her child in the car..... but then I have had exactly 6 undershirts that the baby packing for the hospital list calls for.... like if having only 5 of them would mean something tragic......I think that a whole new part of me is showing itself and will bring many surprises....Not sure if they will be good or bad..... But this child will be LOVED nonetheless!

I still remember back in July having to show Chris a test that actually said "pregnant" because the "plus sign" test was a little too faded for him to be certain! It's been amazing to see excitement grow in him along side my growing belly. How he really listens to all the things we learn. Hearing about colostrum and the benefits of breast milk has him all geared up for breast feeding and it has totally surprised me but i find it sooo cute! Seeing him patch walls and put together the room. Sitting patiently and debating things that are really pointless in the grande picture but to me are vitally important at the time (fabric colors on a stroller lol) shows me in new ways how he can love me. He is a great dad already! Seeing the ultrasounds has been the coolest thing ever....I can't wait to see if this little person really has big lips like we think!

I could go on forever..... Its hard to think of anything else these days as my body has new aches and pains that remind me each waking day...and my plethora of baby dreams remind me every sleeping night (well more like sleeping hour between pees these days):) I just hope the baby is healthy..... So many people are waiting to love you... Welcome to the world soon!