30 weeks down, 10-12 more to go. :)

Can't believe I'm 30 weeks already! God willing I will make it full term so that's why I put 10-12 weeks more! A doula I spoke with told me that the average first time pregnant woman goes until 41 weeks and 2 days. I'm reminding myself of that stat often so when September 10th comes around (or the 18th for that matter) I won't be disappointed that there are no signs of labor! My widwives will let me go to 42 weeks (but after 40 weeks I'll start seeing Dr. Bootstaylor for fetal monitoring to ensure the baby is still doing well).

We're in full blown preparation mode, in terms of birthing this baby anyway (I need to get my butt in gear with finishing the nursery - the tree wall decal is NOT on the wall, I still haven't decided on bedding for the day bed, I need to buy a crib mattress, the amazing crib skirt that Tad's mom made isn't on yet, I need to go back to Michael's to finish my bird houses, order prints from etsy that I want, and on and on and on). But what I HAVE been doing is signing up for an independent birthing class (8/13 is the big day), reading books and articles to prepare (currently tackling Birthing From Within, with Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Ricki Lake's Your Best Birth to follow). I even have one on the way from the library for Tad to read: The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas and All Other Labor Companions. Of course, he doesn't know it yet but I look at him with sweet eyes and say it's important to me maybe he'll look at it. I'm kidding.

We've also met one doula that I REALLY like. She came over last week and talked to us for almost 2 hours. I promised myself I would meet at least 2 before making a decision so I'm still looking at folks... So not too shabby on the preparation side. I know planning an unmedicated birth with no preparation is silly because I'm not trying to fool myself that this will be the hardest and most empowering thing I've ever done if it works out. (Which is another thing I've realized - I can make all the plans in the world, but at the end of the day, the baby determines what will happen and that may be a cesarean delivery, who knows!)

But Tad and I are getting excited and most of our conversations are around the baby, how we envision labor, life changing when the baby gets home, the dogs adjusting, maternity leave, childcare at GP for Kids, etc. etc. etc. It's kind of hard not to talk about when you have this massive belly around, a baby flipping and kicking 24-7, peeing 20 times/day, and my hips hurting from the ligaments stretching and preparing. :)

One thing I am super excited about is our baby growing up at Buckhead Church and having them dedicated there. When Tad and I started going there 5 years ago, I remember thinking I couldn't wait to have a baby so they could go to Waumba Land (the pre-school space). :) We are blessed to go to such an awesome church, no doubt. Speaking of being blessed, I really want to put the lyrics of this song in the nursery:

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us oh
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.


We are His portion and He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy, wet kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way He loves us.
(David Crowder Band)