Sunday, February 28, 2010

Yes! That's me in your Reader!

Image here

So I said that my next post would have a baby picture attached to it - this isn't my baby, but if it was I'm pretty sure I would never stop kissing it.

So - HI.

I'm still, surprisingly, here. I'm still, surprisingly, pregnant. It's a good surprise. I think.

The best part? I am off bed rest.

(insert riotous fanfare)

Story: The doctor confirmed last week that I've had zero progression - I'm still the 2-3 cm dilated, 50% effaced that I was when I left the hospital. I'm still having pretty doozyish contractions, but not regularly or frequently. It's kind of unfair, because the contractions hurt, dang it, and I feel like they should be doing SOMETHING. But I digress. So since I'll be 36 weeks this week, I'm far enough along that they'll just "let me go" once labor actually starts.

I am now a paranoid hypochondriac, second guessing every tweak and cramp. Is it labor? Or just an upset stomach after my sixth cinnamon roll?

I also, strangely, feel ... gypped? (I don't think I've ever spelled that word. I had to look it up. Really? A "Y"?)

They had me convinced I was going to have this baby a month ago. We met with doctors and neonatalogists and I was prepared. It was nerve-wracking. It was frightening. It was stressful - but I was ready. There was the rush of steroids and the crossing our fingers to hold off labor til they were effective ... and ... nothing. We waited. And ... nothing.

A month of nothing has gone by, and now - DANG IT - I feel like I'm overdue. Even though I'm most definitely NOT. I also forgot how uncomfortable 9 months pregnant is. Is it bad that I catch myself missing bedrest occasionally? Maybe just a little bit?

I constantly tell myself that this line of thinking is stupid and unhealthy. Unfortunately, I never listen to myself.

(Just watch - I fully anticipate having to be induced at 42 weeks. It would just figure.)

So now I've got a month's worth of nesting saved up, and suddenly my baseboards and cupboards are vile and disgusting. There's a million things left to do. And my children are suffering from Extreme Park Deprivation. I recognize the symptoms. I also haven't signed in to my Google Reader or done any emailing in approximately, oh, three eternities.

This week is going to be BUSY.

I LOVE BUSY.

On a random side anecdote - while I was in the hospital, I got several visitors. One of which was the bishopric - the local priesthood leadership for our church. I was feeling all flattered that they took the time to visit little ole me, and after a few minutes of chit chatting about how much I hate magnesium, I thanked them for coming. They got all red and stuttered, "Well, that's not the real reason we came ...."

Then they extended me a calling - as the first counselor in the Relief Society presidency.

I think this is utterly hilarious. Half my ward (including the new RS president) is appalled by it and razz the guys constantly.

What do you think?

And perhaps more importantly - do you really think this belly has FOUR MORE WEEKS of room to grow!? Maybe we should take bets on how long I last ....

And hey. I'm glad to be back. Thanks for keeping me in your prayers - I felt every single one of them.

41 comments:

Kristina P. said...

Wait, wait, wait. You are on bedrest, 9 months pregnant, about to have a new baby, and they issued a major time sucker calling?

What in the world did you say? Listen, I have never turned down a calling before, but only because I haven't had them issued at a ridiculous time like this.

Julie said...

I'm so glad to see that you're still alive and kicking! I've been thinking about you a lot. Here's hopin' for a delivery in the near future!

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Umm...yeah...I should be doing happy dances for you right now but I am just TOO stunned. I'm with Kristina, if there were ever a time to doubt a calling was by inspiration (but then again, would they have dared to ask if it WEREN'T). Oi!

Truly, so so glad you and your little one are okay. I know that gypped feeling though because I was so surprised to make it to 36 weeks too. They thought I might go at 25 so 36 was a shocker. TOTALLY get where you're coming from on that one. Don't you just feel so silly thinking thoughts like that? But it's pretty much impossible not to.

Really hope 42 weeks isn't in the cards though. That'd just be wrong!

Head Nurse or Patient- you be the judge said...

Congrats and condolences? :) I just love men and their lack of thought- seriously. Bedrest and major calling- nice combo. I hope you don't go over- they pulled the same garbage when I had my oldest. They told me anytime in July- come September 12th- they finally let me deliver- nine days past my due date! (my son had a heart problem in utero)

Best wishes that all that nesting makes things move right along

trublubyu said...

so glad to see you are still pregnant! is that crazy to hear someone say to a pregnant woman, or what? but, you know-- glad you are able to grow that baby a little bit longer.

that would be a mental doozie- thinking you were going to have a baby and then not having one.

best of luck with your long to-do list!

p.s. word verification is "nesti"
didn't you mention you were a little nesti this week?

Kim L. said...

SO GLAD YOU ARE ok...and baby is still growing. I was contracting like MAJOR contractions for 2 months...where I would wake up almost every night thinking I was IN LABOR...and as a fellow non-medicated child birth woman...I KNOW what real contractions are. I would think to myself...based on past deliveries...by the size of these contractions, I HAVE to be dilated to at LEAST a 5 now. They would go ever 3-5 minutes ALL NIGHT LONG ALMOST EVERY NIGHT. Yet that baby ended up being ALMOST 3 weeks late...and I ended up having to be induced. ARGH! HOPE he doesn't last THAT long, but glad he didn't decide to come too early. SO GLAD all is well...and congrats on your new calling. ONLY men would come to the hospital to extend a calling. HA! And only pioneer woman Bex would not even blink over it.

Jill said...

Wow! What a fantastic "how I got my calling" story! I love it. Mostly because you strike me as a fairly drama free, down to earth, knows how to prioritize / say no / ask for help kinda gal. You'll be great in that calling. So happy baby is still cookin'!

Kazzy said...

Look at your huge.... BATHROOM! Man! And the belly is a good size too. You are a cutie.

LisAway said...

Oh my! What a sensitive bishopric. Makes for a great story, though. And they obviously know you're superwoman extending that calling when you're about to have a baby.

And I'm not sure most Americans know that gypped comes from gypsy? It's sort of a racist thing to say (like people used to say "jewed", which sounds much more obviously bad). Unless you live in a place where there are lots of gypsies and you know many people who have been mugged by them and everyone is afraid of walking past them when they're standing in a group. Then it only makes sense. (there are lots of gypsies in Poland)

You look cute and I'm so glad you're doing okay. Let those hard contractions start working for you, as long as they're going to come anyway!

Sarah said...

So glad you are 'back' and healthy and the little boy is still swimming happily around.
<3 <3

Unknown said...

First, neener neener to all of you, because I, DeNae, was the first recipient of an e-mail from That Girl in over a month.

Second, you still look adorable, big tummy and all.

Third, having been a RS president, can I say, there isn't a ton of work involved in being a councilor? As with any calling, you only do what you can do.

And I guess I'm in the minority here, regarding the bishopric coming to see you while on bedrest. To be honest, the last thing you need is to be told that there was no revelation involved. These guys have wives. Does anyone really think they just played "pin the tail on the ward member" over this?

Again, speaking as a Relief Society president, you really want your people called, sustained, and set apart, if for no other reason than now they're entitled to revelation for the work you're all trying to do.

Don't let doubt complicate the situation. Just do what you can do, baby cakes. I promise, it will be enough.

Margaret said...

It is good to see you are back. I am glad that you made it until 36 weeks. That is so good for the baby and for you as well!!!

Stephanie said...

Happy baby is still healthy and cooking :) Im sure you cant wait to meet her though! Keeping you in my prayers and can't wait to see pictures of little one! And congratulations on your calling! Before I moved to Brazil I was secretary in the RS and I LOVED it! The Presidency really involved me in everything and I learned SO MUCH (since it was my first time with a calling in RS- im pretty sure you've been this route before..in Brazil right?) Anyway happy to hear all is good :) I've been waiting for an update!

Jocelyn Christensen said...

That is so funny about the calling thing...and I'm so glad you are still pregnant...for the time being! Take care of yourself!!

Unknown said...

Glad to see you are back...and healthy.
Gotta love those hospital visits...:)

Jenny P. said...

I thought for sure you had a baby by now!! That's awesome news. I remember when I was carrying my twins and was so completely miserable being so very pregnant and SO huge, I just thought about how wonderful it was going to be to have two babies, full term, that could come home with me after a few days in the hospital rather than weeks. Full term is agony in how uncomfortable we are, but well worth it in the end. ;)

And just think... even if you go absolutely full term and a week past your due date, I'll still be pregnant when you're baby is born. Awesome for you... not so much for me. But this post wasn't about me, was it? :)

Tobi said...

That's a calling I would have said no to. I cannot believe they came to the hospital to ask you. Seriously was that the most appropriate venue? I think not.

Okay I'm done being all huffy and offended on your behalf.

Glad you are home. Hope the baby makes his safe arrival soon.

Joni said...

Yeah, I gave up on callings having any bearing on logic long ago.

Sorry you are going through the discomforts of late pregnancy, but you're doing it beautifully. So happy to hear you're healthy.

elesa said...

All bishoprics are special in their own way. And I think it is a proven fact that people don't say no to anything if you ask them while they are in a hospital bed. They knew what they were doing.

Katrina said...

Coming to the hospital to extend a calling is a one I have never heard! Wow.

Congrats on making it this far. One more week until you are full term! When I went off bed rest at 36 weeks I started having way more intense contractions and we went to the hospital sure the baby was on its way. Nope. I had two weeks of on and off labor until he was "finally" born at 38 weeks. 2 weeks early is perfect. I hope you don't go late. I remember my doctor warning me that sometimes happens with preterm labor patients. Talk about a mind trip after expecting a premie.

Perpetual Mommy Exhaustion said...

Yea! You're back!

On your Bishopric: Boys. This story is going down in ward legend. I strongly suggest you find the ward historian and make sure this is passed down to future generations.

On your new calling: Hooray! I can understand wondering briefly if there inspiration involved here, but I don't think that matters. Its the Lord's work and He'll help you do your part.

On your continuing pregnancy: I hate preparing for something and being all ready and having it switched on me, even if its better!

Blah, blah, you rock!

Lara Neves said...

Since bedrest stinks I am very happy for you, but I totally understand how you feel. Here's hoping that the baby will, too. :)

As for gypped, it comes from gypsy. It's probably not the greatest thing to say, but having served my mission in Romania, where there are plenty of them, and having been pick-pocketed myself a few times by them and being married to a man who was out-and-out mugged by them, it is a bit fitting. :)

Can't wait to see that baby boy!

Stephanie said...

You've been on my mind for a couple days, so I was happy to "hear" from you and know you're well-- as well as an overcooked pregnant woman can be. :)

And I'm with DeNae, I can't think of any calling I've ever had that has come at a convenient time or has been a perfect fit with my stage in life, but it's always been right. The hospital visit makes for a funny story, but as the calling plays itself out, it will make for lots of wonderful stories.

Keep up the great work, you cute little baby cooker.

Stephanie said...

p.s. When I was YW president, I called my 1st counselor just a week or two before her 4th child was due, and I apologized to her and felt bad about it, but I KNEW it was right. And it was. We're still dear friends.

Stepper the Mighty said...

HOO-RAY!

Man! I've been worried about you! Glad to see you up and about.

And yes. Your bishopric is hilarious. Hi-LAR-EE-OUS!

Kristi said...

I agree - you must be super duper amazing to get such a calling at 36 weeks after being on bedrest! WOW!!! Good thing we know the church is true right????

Congrats on still having that cutie inside of you - everyday in is a blessing!

BTW - you got an award over on my blog! Yay! Like you don't have enough to worry about right???

http://ohgloriousfood.blogspot.com/2010/03/blog-award.html

Kristen said...

Yes, you're amazing doing all you have to do at 36 weeks! I hate the last month of pregnancy, it's the worst.
Glad you're doing it with a smile on your face, which is why you got an award on my blog today.

TheOneTrueSue said...

DELURK

OH, I so get this. Not the calling thing, but the paranoid pregnancy hypochondria - every month I was sure I was going into premature labor, every twinge was surely exploding uterus. I drove my OB completely insane, I know it.

My sympathies. Glad you're doing o.k.

RELURK

:)

Nikki said...

YEAH!!! I'm so happy to see you! I have missed your updates. But I completely understand. You look great, by the way. I am so glad he's still in there.

Deb said...

That is great news! That you're still pregnant, I mean. I have no idea what to say about the calling. I would be very tempted to say, "They know I'm pregnant, right? And about to deliver my fourth child, right? And my oldest is just barely in school, right? And they still want me?"

A dear lady in our ward was called to be RS president once just after she'd given birth to her sixth; her oldest was around 8, I think. She was utterly confounded as to why they called her when there were so many other, more experienced ladies with so much more time to devote to the calling. She said, "I guess it was just the time for me."

I'm with Kristina, though. I've never turned down a calling, but that would really test me.

melissabastow said...

Glad you're still pregnant. Glad you're off bedrest. Glad you're busy - and that you like it. Glad you excepted that calling without chucking something at the Bishopric's head while laying in a hospital bed. (Did you at least laugh? It at least deserved a nice long laugh and a, "Oh wait, you're serious?" before answering.)

Rachel Sue said...

1. Yay for being off bedrest and STILL pregnant!

2. HAHAHAHAHAHA! I can't belive they came to the hospital! That is too much.

3. There really was a number three. . . .

Oh, yeah! Is that really your bathtub? Oh, I am so jealous. . .

janae said...

Baaaaaa. Aren't I a little sheep, following the whole crowd and commenting. But I like you, so sheep or not, here I am.

I just wanted to share something funny. Although it probably won't be funny to you. I'll cross my fingers you don't follow suit. So my mom was put on bedrest when she was about 32 weeks pregnant with me. Same story as yours. At 36 weeks they turned her loose, expecting a baby any day. Four weeks later, she was still pregnant. I came two days late. Okay, so it's not funny at all. Maybe I shouldn't have shared. I'm crossing my fingers the baby comes three weeks early and super healthy!

amber_mtmc said...

Just thought I'd give you a bit of light in all these icky going over stories.

With my last, I was contracting from 30 weeks on. Every. Single. Night. I went to the hospital and they sent me home on a bit of bed rest. I didn't bother mentioning it to my doctor, I would just lie down as soon as the contractions started up.

Anyway, I was at about 36 1/2 weeks when I had had enough. I called my doctor crying because the contractions had been going on for 2 days straight. I mean STRAIGHT. No breaks. Nothing. He said to come in. I went in expecting absolutely nothing. Much to my surprise, I was at a 3. Hooray! But, I didn't progress.

So, I was sent home. Well, I went home, took a dose of Castor Oil (gag me now), walked a mile or so, and tried to sleep. The contractions remained. They got stronger and stronger until I told my husband to get his sorry butt out of bed because a baby was waiting to come.

We had my little guy a few hours later.

Reason for this comment? There's still hope!

InkMom said...

O, happy day!

That is all.

(And I blogged you. But not by name. And it's for real. You were out. Probably missed it. But still. Go read!)

Annette Lyon said...

I guess the good news is that 1st counselor has the easiest job in the RS presidency? (Trying to look for a silver lining . . .)

(In that picture, the camera covers the bottom of your face, and your eyes look just a bit like Pam from The Office. Just an observation.)

The Prices said...

wow! That's a big calling to extend to someone in the hospital! I would think they probably had some notion of how ridiculous that sounds to everyone, so they must have felt inspired. However, the counselor in our bishopric recently expressed that while they try to follow the spirit, sometimes they need members to speak up, too. I guess that leaves it to you to be prayerful about it. Good luck!

Stephanie said...

YEEEAAAAAA!!!! Now we can stop praying for baby to wait and start praying for baby to come!

BTW, have you "blog-named" him yet?

TOTALLY understand what you mean about feeling ripped off, by the way. Waiting for a baby that was supposed to come one, two, three, five weeks ago....it's blech. I must admit that by the time Brandon came, I can't tell you if I was more excited to meet my baby or to be DONE being pregnant!

As for the calling....Bless you. You are amazing.

kd said...

I'm a little bit crazy so I'm going to admit to being about equally relieved that 1) everything's okay w/ you & bun-still-in-oven and 2) someone wrote in already to explain about gypped.

My #4 is 2 mos old now and we are going on a date tonight! Life really does go on...

Just SO said...

So happy to see you here and still with a baby bump.

I'm utterly speechless that they would extend that calling to you...that just seems....uh...really not right.

Christa Jeanne said...

It's good to have you back, friend. :) You truly have been in my thoughts and prayers. Wow, that's a heck of a calling for a soon-to-be mother of four!!! But you're all kinds of amazing - I know you'll be up to the task. You wouldn't be given it if you couldn't excel in it, after all. Keep powering through! Love ya lots!