The Last Pregnancy Update and Lots of Prayer Requests

Tedious medical details and TMI aside, I just wanted to stop in and let you all know what is going on with baby bee and me. I had my final pregnancy visit and sonogram today. Here are the updates, my notes, and some prayer requests:

* The baby may or may not be 8 lbs and 1 oz. Last week he measured 8 and a half pounds, so either last week was wrong, this week is wrong, or the kid put himself on a diet for a week. Mom didn't lay off the cokes or the Tex Mex, so I know it was not my fault he 'got skinnier'. I was expecting him to be over 9 lbs today, so I was thrilled to hear he wasn't that big. They told me Morgan would only be 7, though... and she was 8 lbs, 13 oz. Machines and doctors fib. Don't trust'em. Please pray that baby is the perfect size for mom - and that I don't have to have a C-section or any other cutting or stitching of body parts. Ick. I shudder to think.

* My body is already preparing for pregnancy with nearly 3 cm of progress made so far (which has been one cause for my lost sleep lately as most of my contractions seem to happen late at night). Prayers that I can get some rest tonight (and for my family to be able to rest, too) would be appreciated.

* I calculated my own due date out and really think that I'm 5 days ahead of what the doctor has down. That made me feel better about a 38 week induction. However, there's really no telling what goes on in there - in the darkness of a uterus... so I'd appreciate prayers for the baby to be healthy, fully developed, medical-problem free, able to nurse and bond, and able to go home with me when I leave after delivery. Prayers for him to be insanely handsome, noble in character, patient and understanding, genuinely kind and good-natured, and blessed with a double portion of wisdom and tender bigheartedness are also greatly appreciated. A mom has high hopes for her prodigy.

* He'll be born on St. Patrick's Day (and hopefully the labor and delivery will be short and sweet). Contrary to the sloppy drunks, smoky pubs, and other sordid images that seem to have taken over the holiday, St. Patrick's story is one that is truly inspiring. He was enslaved in an Irish prison for six years before studying to become a missionary. For instance, did you know that the Irish offer prayers for missionaries worldwide on each St. Patrick's day? Green isn't so bad a color, either. I did paint his nursery walls key-lime green, after all. My little 'Irishman' may even end up with red hair (we have some in the family). No matter his hair color, though (and it may take some time to figure that out since all my babies are bald for nearly 2 years), I'm praying that he'll be a great man one day - one that will be unafraid to serve the Lord with all his might in the face of oposition (much like St. Patrick).

* I'm going in to the hospital at 6 AM to be induced. The bags are packed (have been for quite some time) and the car seat is installed. I've got plenty of chocolate to take with me, too. Don't you worry about me. I'll be the lady playing cards with Godiva Raspberry filling dribbling down her hospital gown from sneaking a bite of her dark chocolate bar that she snuck in with her purse. Cards, you ask? Yes - that's what women who have good anesthesiologists do while in labor. Prayers for a good anesthesiologist is at nearly the top of the list (after all the baby's health stuff, of course). The less pain the better. I know some of you have said that you felt great after a natural birth and could "plow a field"... but I don't own any property and I loathe sweating in the Texas heat... so I'll just stick to painless birthing and take an extra couple of days to recover fully in the air conditioning.

* FUN STUFF: I drove down to the camera store today after my doctor appointment (in sheer panic that I wouldn't get this done before the baby came if I didn't do it today) and bought a White Balance Lense Cap made by BRNO. I can't wait to take photos of those wrinkled feet. I should have ordered one a month ago when Dawn did her review, but I work much better under pressure (unfortunantly this time for my wallet). Thankfully Kev was there to stop me from drooling all over their 500$ Tameron Macro Lens so I wouldn't have to pay for it after it was soggy and broken. While I may not have perfect macro ability, at least I can flex some new White Balance muscle with my Canon 40D and see what kind of hospital shots it can crank out. Prayers that I don't botch this one-time photo event would also be appreciated.


So now that you know what is up with me, you can get on with the rest of your blog reading and homeschooling. I may be outa-here for a while, but I'm going to see if some of my Homeschool Post buddies can stop in for a post or two while I'm away. If I get a chance to twitter or check email, I'll gladly do so. Not sure if the hospital allows too much of that sort of thing. I heard their postpartum rooms are not wifi equipped.

Unless the 'Viking'... which if under 9 lbs might be more of a cute little "hoot-owl"... comes early tonight in a surprise attack, I'll be up at the "crack-o-don" (Morganism) tomorrow getting fitted for my pitosin IV drip. Hopefully you'll be thinkin' of me now and then tomorrow while wearing your token 'green' and will remember to pray. [Green undies don't count, ya'll.] I'll be sure to take you a few hundred shots of the wee one to share the next time I log in!

A Very Happy Early St. Patrick's Day!

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

~Irish Blessing

Love in Him,