Baby isn't ready yet!

Bags packed – check

Arrangements for kids made – check

Baby gear out and ready for #3 – check

House cleaned and in order – close enough

Weeks of false contractions – check

Weeks of daily texts and phone calls to ask if baby is here yet – check

Due date come and gone – check

Looming “I” word (Induction) – check

Surprising calmness – CHECK!

From the moment we found out we were having another baby and everything in between there has been great anticipation for the arrival of our third child. My four-year-old has been asking if it’s July 18 for the past 6 months, and now that July 18 has come and gone, she doesn’t know what to do. Just like me.

I really don’t know what to do…I’m a bit ahead on my .famvin work, the house is as “clean” as it’s going to get, and everything is ready for baby to come. But apparently, baby isn’t ready to come yet! Friends and family are so great, offering lots of help and honestly, I feel better than I have in months.

I recently told a close friend of mine that baby was too comfy in mama’s belly, to which he replied, “given the world situation, I can understand that.” I laughed right out loud but sat and thought about that for a minute. As much as it made me laugh, all I could think of to respond was, “I agree, but I also feel it's my duty to create life to change that situation.” Why? Well, because shouldn’t that be our goal as parents? To do whatever we can within our power to raise good, honest children who will grow up caring about others and the world around them? Who although they are only one person we can encourage them to help make small changes for the greater good? (If you can’t tell, a favorite of mine is St. Mother Teresa and I’ve been reading a lot about her lately). And, even if we aren’t parents, shouldn’t we set good examples for the youth and young adults around us? If there is one thing I’ve learned as a parent of a whopping 4 years is that little eyes are watching and little ears are listening. It’s amazing how early that starts. Be the example! Be the change (not Gandhi)! 

So back to my checklist…surprising calmness…this is something I attribute directly to my trust and faith in God. I know some who read this may roll their eyes or even stop reading right now. But for someone who is 8 days overdue, has never been this far overdue before, and is not thrilled about the idea of any medical intervention, especially induction, my calmness comes from trust that Jesus, Mary, St. Therese, St. Mother Teresa, St. Gianna Molla, St. Gerard and numerous other Saints, have my back and things will work out and be fine. Maybe some would call that overconfidence. Or maybe some think I’m nuts. Either way – whether you agree or not – indulge this overdue pregnant lady and, if you’ve never done so before, learn about and pray to a saint sometime. You may find it will help put your anxieties, stress and worries aside, even for a little bit, and give you the peace to focus on what lies ahead. For me…newborn sleep deprivation!

Things I am grateful for today:

1. Having full term babies – we have been very blessed to have big, healthy babies. Prayers always to mama’s who go into labor early and have preemies.
2. Having a calm, patient husband who basically ignores my texts now when I tell him I’ve been having regular contractions and to stay near his phone. God love him! (Me too – a lot!)
3. The myriad of texts and phone calls checking in to see how I’m doing. Thank you all, and thank you for your prayers!