40 Weeks

Well, we've made it to 40 weeks and still no baby.  I can say that the hope of Matthew coming early based on me being so progressed from 35 weeks on has been broken.  It's honestly a little disappointing since I had so many people telling me he would come early.  I've basically just been sitting around waiting to feel my first contraction for the past month.  While I'm almost halfway dilated, this sense of false hope has made the last few weeks extremely emotional.  I was looking forward to having my baby at home once teachers started back to work and getting some extra time with him.  Now, I'm wasting sick days not going to professional development instead of loving on my baby.  Having people constantly text or call me asking if I've had him yet has gotten old.  Feeling bad to call family for any reason because I can hear the excitement in their voice thinking "It's Time", only to carry on a normal conversation.

With all that said, I am still so looking forward to meeting this little boy.  I keep telling myself whenever I feel down (everything from the previous paragraph) that the Lord has a plan that is so much bigger and better than I can even imagine.  He has proven that to me in the past, and He is proving it now.  I know I'm only frustrated because MY plan is not working out.  I want Matthew to come when he is ready and that is when the Lord has planned for him to come.  We will be excited no matter what.  My prayer now is that I don't have to be induced.  I know it's a safe process, but I want Matthew's arrival to be as natural as possible (no, that doesn't mean I won't get an epidural - if I need one, I will be asking/begging for it).  I'm telling myself to use this time to spend with Mike before we are no longer just 2.  We go back in on Monday and that is when we will discuss the need to induce.

Okay, enough complaining.  Here are my stats:

How far along: 40 weeks and 1 day

Baby's size: a small pumpkin - Matthew weighs about 7.5 pounds and is about 20 inches long!
Maternity clothes: always
Sleep: on and off - getting up again every 2 hours and will typically stay up for about an hour at some point in the middle of the night (watching a lot of paid programming).

Best moment this week: hearing Matthew's strong heartbeat at our appointment Wednesday!  Spending quality time with Mike.

Miss anything: sleeping on my stomach, being able to do simple tasks without getting exhausted, just feeling comfortable, not feeling pain somewhere every time I move
Movement: He's still kicking and stretching!

Food cravings: anything cold, water, chocolate milk

Anything making you queasy or sick: onions and veggies
Gender: BOY - Matthew David Fleisher

Labor signs: more frequent and stronger Braxton Hicks - I was checked again this week, and am now 4.5 cm and 90% effaced!  I've learned not to get my hopes up that this means he's coming.

Symptoms: pregnancy brain, heartburn, fatigue, major hunger, hip pain, nose bleeds (again, ugh)

Belly button in or out: in - it's really only enclosing, not moving out
Wedding rings on or off: off - again, stupid heat

Happy or moody most of the time: I have been way more emotional this week.  It definitely did not help to have my due date come and go without a baby :-(

Looking forward to: Matthew's arrival!  I can't wait to hold and love on him :-)