Patience

Well, we are still playing the waiting game with our new little one. Apparently, he/she is just too warm and cozy in Mama's belly to wanna come out and meet us! But the Lord is faithful to provide, and we know this baby will be here in His perfect timing.

Here is an update of my weekend:

At my 40 wk prenatal appt on Friday, my iron level was showing to be quite low. It's been something I've known about and have been working on, but we thought for sure it would've come up by now. So, I've been taking blackstrap molasses (yuck!), more Hematinic (iron supplement), chlorophyll, and upping my intake of spinach, red meat, and greens to get my iron up quickly. For those of you that aren't aware, when your iron level is low you have more of a tendency to bleed more, so this can prove to be dangerous during labor. With my levels being so low, I am really glad the baby has decided to hang out a little longer until I can get everything up. I know that God is doing something great in this process. I am so glad that He knows what is going on and is always in control! **update* today I went to see my midwife to check on my levels again, and they are steadily going up. yay! So, just have to keep working hard on it!**

Saturday my wonderful sister came over and helped me get a few things done and clean around the apartment. I truly enjoyed her company and we were able to be pretty productive. What a blessing!

But yesterday proved to be yet another test for me. My skin has flared up, yet again, and I have just come off of oral steroids and antibiotics. The relief I was finally able to feel while taking it was short lived to say the least. As usual, almost the minute I came off of it, I started to break out again. I almost feel sunburned because my skin is so dry, itchy, and inflamed.

So, yesterday I woke up feeling ok (minus the skin issues). I didn't have time for breakfast because we were running late for church. So all I had was some apple juice on the go. By the time lunch came, I was with my parents at a local restaurant, and I was feeling pretty crappy. My symptoms: achy, feverish, mild headache, earache, and my spirits were just a little down. My back was hurting and my ab muscles were tense, and I didn't know what to do. I thought it might be from not eating all morning but I couldn't put a finger on it.

Then came the emotions...oh boy! I have to say that I am an emotional person to say the least. It doesn't have to be "that time of the month" or a sign of pregnancy for me to have a good cry about something. It's just the way I release I guess. However, during pregnancy those emotions are always heightened from good ole' hormones. (yay)

So when my mom asked me if everything was okay, I had a minor meltdown. We were just about finished with lunch so I excused myself to the car to wait on them to pay. I felt like such a baby, as I always do, but I know I wasn't being one.

So I visited with my parents at their house all day since J was at work. I didn't want to go home and I welcomed the help with the kids while I was feeling this way. As the day pressed on, the kids took a nap (major victory as they never sleep anywhere but home!) and I tried to take one too. But I never fully got the rest I needed. I kept waking up and just never got comfortable. At one point, I was going to get up but just couldn't move because I was so exhausted. But my mind was totally alert. Hate that! My parents were awesome though. They fed us and let the kids watch tv and Mom even took me grocery shopping. I went to bed with my whole body aching and another headache and prayed that the baby would just come on already! ha!

But this morning, I felt better. Not 100%, but most of the symptoms were gone. Hmmm...don't know what it was, but I'm hoping it means the end is sooner rather than later! ha!

I know that God is teaching me patience and His timing through all of this. I know from experience that once the baby is here, my skin will at least improve a little and I will have some relief, so in a way I am anxious for him/her to make their appearance. But in another way, I am really trying to savor every extra moment I have with just Rebekah and Noah. They are both doing things lately that never cease to amaze me and make me proud of them. They are growing up so fast!

Rebekah's birthday is this Thursday...that's right - my baby girl will be 3 on April 1st. Where has the time gone? Seriously. We have still yet to make plans because we thought that we'd already have had baby #3 here, so it's hard to know how to plan when everything is contingent on baby's arrival. We have such a small space that it would be near impossible to have a party here. Even with just family, it makes for a big party. So, we shall see what we can come up with to celebrate our girl.

Also, for those that are wondering - I have a biophysical profile (basically a high tech sonogram) scheduled for Thursday this week to check on baby if he/she hasn't come yet. This will just check to make sure baby is still healthy and comfy with fluid levels, etc. and it will let us know that we can still play the waiting game or what to do next. I am praying we won't get to Thursday! ha! But, if everything is okay, then we will wait til next Tuesday (two weeks past due) to discuss further options.

So now, we just wait. I am trying to get more stuff (neverending laundry, dishes, cleaning and organizing) done around here to keep me busy and I'm enjoying this great weather we've been having! Thanks for your continued prayers for us with everything that is going on!

And thanks for sticking with me through this very long post!

Happy Monday!