Brenda’s Pregnancy Journal

It’s my last day of work! I can’t believe it’s finally here. I’ve been working for the past 9 years and it’s just crazy to think that I’m done. Of course, I fully believe that my new job as Elliot’s mom will be much harder work, but also more rewarding. I do hope he holds out at least one more week & gives me a chance to do some things at home & get some extra rest. I will miss my co-workers, but I don’t expect to miss the commute to City Hall or the work. It’s been a good job that God graciously provided, but I’m ready to move on to a new phase in life.

The day ended earlier than I thought it would! There was a gas leak in the building & we had to evacuate so I just decided to go home! I’d packed everything up & so I got on the train & my mom picked me up. It was great to go home early - I had finished up at work & was just going to be clock watching the rest of the day. To celebrate my parents took me to Old Town Covina & we went to a little candy shop & got our favorite candies. I came home & started organizing & cleaning….WOOHOO!!!!!

Doctors appointment yesterday went very well. Elliot passed the non-stress test easily & I even got a contraction while on the monitor so it was fun to see that line go up! I weight 161 now - a bit more than I ever expected, but I’m sure some of it is water weight since my hands & feet are swollen much of the time. That and all the sweets I’ve been eating….  Anyway, the doctor checked & said that Elliot is at 0 station which means his head is engaged and has fully entered the pelvis! The doctor said that gives me a 95% chance of vaginal delivery! He thinks I’m pretty far effaced, though he explained that the way God made the cervix, it’s opening is behind the head right now to prevent the head from forcing it open & for him to check it it may hurt me & it’s not necessary right now, so he wasnt’ able to tell how far effaced or dilated I am.

Sunday we were introduced to the church along with the other new members. After the service they had us stand in front & the congregation could come & greet us. I thought it was neat, so many people came & introduced themselves to us. Charlie said he felt a little akward, and I may have, but being pregnant is such a conversation starter & everone asks when I’m due or something like that so it’s much easier to just talk to people. It just feels so good to have settled down in a church, and it’s rather special that we became members before Elliot arrives. We prayed for a little boy with downs syndrome in the congregation who is going to have open heart surgery on Thursday, and it’s possible that he won’t make it. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have to put Elliot through surgery like that. Having him in our lives has made us so much more sensitive to all the pain parents can go through.

In the evening we went to a special rememberance communion service. It was an informal time of sharing & praising God around the Lord’s table. The more things we attend the more I am grateful for this church. We haven’t been there long, but I already feel a part of the family.

Last Wednesday we attened our small group & felt just as at home there. We had a great discussion on 1 John & the rewards we will recieve (or not recieve) at the judgement seat. Afterwards I got to chat with some of the other women & they were all really neat. I think I’ll be making some good friends there. Many of the couples have young children/infants so we’ll fit right in.

God has placed us in a congregation that is above & beyond what I had hoped for when we began searching for a church a few years ago. Praise Him!

If I could pick the day for him to arrive my first choice would be May 5. I think 05/05/05 would be a very cool birthdate! My second choice would be May 8 ~ What sweeter mothers day gift could there be? The only day I don’t want him to arrive is the day after my due date, Friday the 13th - not b/c I think it would really mean anything bad, it just sounds creepy.  As long as he comes before May 19 I will be thrilled, at that time if he hasn’t arrived on his own I’ll have to be induced.

Today I’m considered full term & they wouldn’t try to stop labor if it began today. Wow!

We had a tiny scare at  the doctors appointment yesterday - when the nurse checked for the heartbeat with the doppler it sounded slower and different than usual. I commented on it & she said that she thought so too, so they put me on the electronic monitor for a while. He did just fine on it, so they think the doppler was picking up my heartbeat instead. It was definetly scary having to go on the monitor - wondering if something was wrong with Elliot. The doctor was as patronizing as ever ~ but did say that I’m dilated to one & continuing to efface. We showed him our birth plan & he said it was fine, but we get the impression that he’d prefer us to ignorantly go along with whatever he says & wants rather than have our own opinions & desires. We won’t be dissapointed if he’s not on call when we deliver.  He did say that by how I’m progressing he doesn’t think I’ll go past due - I know not to take his word for it, but one can hope!