Sweet Friends,

Cannot tell you how much you encouraged me with your comments!  Thank you so much.  I can tell the Lord is gently leading me and transforming me.  I want to stay in a humble position before the Lord.  I am really going to need His help.

So, we reached the 38 week point yesterday.  This is the longest I’ve ever been pregnant.  Weird.  I’ve only had Braxton Hicks contractions still. I feel like I’m just waiting for the big moment & am kind of jumpy thinking my water is going to break.

A little story from this past weekend.  So, Friday I had a great nap! I woke up even before all the kids woke up.  I walked down the stairs, stepped down 2, and skied down about 4 to the carpeted landing.  I fell on my knees and caught myself with my hands.  I told my sister I don’t know how I didn’t topple over. I felt like angels helped steady me.  I’m so thankful I didn’t hit my belly, but it was a really hard fall. I hurt my left shoulder from catching myself.  I called my Mom to ask her if I should call my Midwife.  It was after hours at the office, and I just didn’t know what to do.  I was worried when I didn’t regularly feel baby girl…but, it was her ‘nap time.’  She doesn’t move much in the late morning or late afternoon. 

Through a couple of phone calls to friends & a mom of a friend who is an RN, I was convinced to call.  By this time I had felt Haven move.  Sooo thankful. I was sure the midwives wouldn’t want to see me, but I called anyway. Well, boy was I wrong!  I had to go to the hospital to be observed for 20 hours! Good grief! It was very reassuring to me of how the Lord cares for us. Chris had a 6th grade retreat scheduled for Friday – Saturday, but had lined up everyone & everything in case I were to go into labor.  I called him at 6 pm and told him everything that happened so he was able to work on wrapping things up and joining me. 

My dear friend, Arica was already on her way to stay with me and the kids that evening, so childcare was done.  And my precious friend, JoEllen, picked me up and drove me to the hospital.  Chris was able to get there around 9 that night.  We hung out, and I was monitored relentlessly (oh how I love the sound of her heartbeat!).  The next day, I was finally allowed to eat (hadn’t eaten since about 4pm on Friday), and then had an ultrasound to check the placenta.  What the midwives were so worried about (especially in late pregnancy) is placental abruption.  A fall, a car wreck, a hit to the belly can cause the placenta to tear away from the uterus.  Sometimes, it can go unnoticed.  Sometime it won’t show up for 72 hours. I just passed 72 hours, and all is still well!  Yay!  They were very very cautious.  I’m thankful for that. 

Over, the course of the hospital visit, I was able to process a lot of stuff.  Things I had been holding up in my heart – fear about the delivery, how big baby is,  getting everything done off my to-do list, if anything is happening at all (or if I will be the only women to stay pregnant forever – doesn’t every pregnant woman hit that point sometime?!).  I had a lot of time to think and pray.  I realized that I need not fear anything (why can’t I get this?!)  The Lord took care of this little weekend, and I know He will care for us when Haven arrives. 

I had a good talk with one of my midwives about the size of the baby.  She told me Haven was measuring in the 60th percentile at 30 weeks, and it is very unlikely she is going to jump to the 90th percentile in a matter of 8 weeks – especially because I’m not diabetic (thank you Lord!)  Ultrasounds (as some of you encouraged me, too) can even be up to 2 lbs off toward the end of pregnancy, so that was comforting, too.  And, she also told me, that I was not special (:-)) and I would give birth. 

We arrived home Saturday evening and had 2 precious friends come and feed us dinner and bathe the kids.  Since Chris and I were woken up on the hour, every hour at the hospital, we were both exhausted.  This was such a blessing to us!  We love you, Arica and Christine!!  I was so thankful to be at home, in my bed, with our sweet little lovies all around us.  I woke up Sunday with a new resolve and all fear gone.  I have some great plans this week for us – bake cookies, finish decorating the house, Harper’s Christmas program, etc.  I’m ready to welcome Haven when God says it’s time.  I pray she comes on her own.  And, if she doesn’t and she grows to be over 10 lbs, then I am at peace with a c-section.  (Can’t be induced because of previous C-section) 

So, I wait!  We will update on her arrival, but appreciate your prayers soooo much – for a healthy mom & baby, for an easy delivery!, for no throwing up (if you’ve read my blog for a while, you know how much I hate this :-)), for no issues with antibiotics/group b strep (I tested positive this time), for me to contract well after delivery (I had a bit of trouble with this after my c-section with the boys), for other kids to be taken care of, for health of everyone in our family, and anything else the Lord may lay on your heart for us. 

I greatly appreciate your sweet comments and love for our family.  Wish I could hug each one of you in person!  Maybe someday!!

Oh, and Shannon asked if I have a doula – I do have a doula!  She has been so helpful and encouraging already.  I know she is going to help immensely during labor and delivery!

Love to all!