I feel like the person in that ketchup commercial, just waiting for something to happen. The anticipation is killing me!

I feel like the person in that ketchup commercial, just waiting for something to happen.  The anticipation is killing me!

Well we missed the chance to be the New Year Baby.  That's okay though, I've heard from many people who have their birthday around the holiday and the general consensus is it's not great. They've told me sometimes it's like getting the short end of the stick. So I guess  I don't mind putting a little distance between our daughter's birth and the holidays.

On the other hand, I'm getting impatient! Our due date is Friday January, 2nd.  Depending on when you read this blog entry it's either tomorrow or the day has come and gone.

I thought we were there New Year's Eve morning.  Around 4:00 am I was having labor like contractions in my lower abdomen.  They would come about every 20 minutes and have a peak.  But after about an hour and a half they went away. Hmmm, what does that mean?  Is she close?  Can anyone tell me, how do I know if she's close?

I told Joe, if she's anything like her Dad she'll be at least a week late .... his family will totally understand that comment. ;)

We will keep you updated on KSPR News and here on the website and as soon as she arrives, I'll be shouting it to the world.

Hope you have a great New Year!!! 

But at the same time I can't believe we're already here.

Two weeks until D-Day.  Our due date of January 2nd is fast approaching. But it could happen any day now. 

At my doctors appointment on Tuesday she said I was 1 1/2 cm dilated and 75% effaced.  With my first child I didn't dilate or efface until after my water broke.  But I know every pregnancy is different, even if it's the same woman. My OB also said the baby has dropped a little.

All good signs that labor is not far off.  I think it kind of spooked Joe a little bit to realize we are so close. We haven't even packed our bag for the hospital, I think we really are tempting fate.

I guess I believe I'll have time to kill even when labor does start.  Although my OB warned second labors go quicker. People I work with and even out in the community have asked me "what if you go into labor on the air?"   I guess it will be a pretty exciting newscast :)

The baby feels bigger than ever, which is good.  Everytime I feel a cramp in my stomach I think "is this it?" 

Joe said he's worried we've forgotten the lamaze training we took the first time around, all the breathing techniques. It's funny, I haven't thought much about the actual labor, just more about what our baby girl will look like after she's born.  I'm really anxious to see her now.

TIME OUT!

Okay- Joe here.  Christine says she's running out of things to say.    I know that may seem unusual but she's been faithfully writing on this blog for months, and I'm surprised she's had so much material.

We are playing that "last minute" waiting game.   When you're trying to go about your daily life as usual, but you know that at ANY SECOND you may shift into emergency mode and the countdown clock starts ticking.

She wants to wait around a little after the water breaks (if it breaks again).  I'm sure I will be a nervous wreck during those minutes or hours.   We were talking tonight about who takes care of Joey if we need to go right now.  She's thinking her mom and dad will make it down in time.  That's IF they leave as soon as we call, and still that's 3 hours!!!!!!!

Okay- deep breath now....  I'm going to insist we pack a bag tonight!   And I'm going to ask the neighbors if they can be on stand by - just in case.  So Ralph if you're reading this - expect a courtesy call in the morning.     

This is such a great time!   Filled with anticipation, hope and just plain nervousness (and that's just me!).

I want to personally thank the dozens of you who have responded on this blog, by phone or personally to us.   This has truly been an amazing experience to feel the warmth, prayers and well wishes of the Ozarks.   It's why we live here, and why we care so much about the people in southwest Missouri.   Thank you for your support.  For making us feel so loved.    I'm not sure about the baby blog's future, but I guarrantee you - we'll keep you posted on Joey's baby sister's progress.

Have you ever heard of the Navajo traditon called a "Blessingway"? Neither had I.

I am blessed to have a close group of girlfriends whom I cherish in my life.  They are all amazing women who juggle motherhood, careers, marriage and yet still managed to get together for me on a Sunday night to throw me a "Blessingway". 

Blessingway ceremonies create a sacred and safe environment where a mother-to-be can explore the challenges and joys that lie before her as she approaches birthing and mothering. Surrounded by the most important women in her life, she gains a sense of power, confidence, and support that will help her rise to motherhood.

That's the definition I found on the web. 

For my Blessingway we all gathered at my friend Shawn's house, sat on pillows on the floor and went around in a circle and each friend wrote something, read something or even sang something that gave me inspiration, hope and love as I venture into motherhood for a second time. It was really amazingly peaceful. And my baby girl was moving around during it, as if she were feeling the love, no joke!

I had to write on the Blog about it in case any of you were looking for an alternative for someone's baby shower.  When it's not the first child, many say you should not have a baby shower, the assumption being you already have everything you need.  A Blessingway is a non-materialistic alternative.  No gifts...lots of good energy.

It was such a great experience, we've talked about doing another Blessingway soon.  Maybe for one friend who's having a particularly rough time or for all of us... women who need to know they're special, worthwhile, deserving people.

Oh yes and afterwards, we ate yummy food.  Some parts of the traditional Baby Shower, you shouldn't mess with!

Now that we're so close, most of my thoughts about the baby are "How will her brother react?"

 I need some advice.  As we get closer to this new arrival, I keep wondering, how will our son take it? 

Joey just turned 2.  The sun pretty much rises and sets on him in our household.  Joe and I change plans, juggle plans and make plans around him.  Don't get me wrong, he's not spoiled.  We just try to figure out ways every day to maximize our time with him.  He's a priority over all else, with the exception of our marriage, and I think that's the way it's supposed to be, isn't it?

Now though, he's going to have some competition.  I mean let's face it, you still love them just as much, but with two children and especially with a newborn, you just don't have the same time to give when he was an only child.  I hold Joey on my lap a lot, cuddle with him.  When I'm carrying around his baby sister or nursing her, there may not be room on my lap for him and I don't think I'll be able to carry him and a newborn at the same time.

How will he handle this?  Part of me thought, maybe I should start putting some space between us now, before she gets here.  You know, let him play on his own more. I would still be in the vicinity, but not necessarily an active participant.  Or do I smother him with as much love and attention as possible now before the baby gets here only to have it drop off after she's born?  Which is the right approach?

We keep talking about his "baby sister" to him.  But I think it's more of a concept than a reality to him.  I don't think he can really understand that this thing that keeps growing in Mommy's tummy is going to come to our home in a few weeks and stay for good.

I really want to minimize the impact on him. I don't want him to resent her. The biggest red-flag I forsee is when I nurse her.  I know he will want to disrupt or he will want me to hold him too.  Joe will be a big help, but eventually it will be me by myself with both of them.  How do other nursing mothers handle a toddler who wants Mommy's attention? 

Any thoughts or hints you have would help.

I heard a girlfriend say she was so worried about her first child when her second child came along, the second child's milestones weren't as celebrated or noticed.  I certainly don't want to short change our daughter in anyway.  How do Moms spread themselves out to make everyone feel like they're getting enough love?

We went in for our last ultrasound before she is born and I have to say, I think our miracle is happening.

Honestly.  It was good news, maybe great!  I'm hesitant to get my hopes up too much...I'm always scared of a disappointment.  But here's what we saw.

She's gotten pretty big at this point 5 pounds, 8 oz according to the ultrasound.  Our Doctor thinks she will be over 8 pounds when she's born....Oi!

Her right leg bone, that has looked very bowed in previous ultrasounds, looks a little straighter now.  There's just one part in the middle that kind of looks bent or broken, we're not sure what it is or what it means.  They measure the bones with the ultrasound and her left leg bone measures at 34 weeks, which is where we are, but the right leg bone still measures around 29 or 30 weeks.  So we just don't know the significance of this or what to expect.