Waiting. . .

Well, I had my membranes stripped yesterday (ow!) and I was really hoping that would send me into labor last night or today, but so far nothing new is happening. I'm having my usual contractions. People keep telling me that today would be a great day since it's leap day, she would have a unique birthday. Ryan thinks that might be a good idea then he could tell her she could date on her 16th birthday (she'd be 64!).
If nothing starts happening with our little Anna banana, then we have a fun evening planned (not that labor wouldn't make for a fun evening). We are going to our good friends Book Signing party! I have written before about their other book, Gid the Kid. Tonight, they are signing the second in the Heroes of Promise Series, Ten Gallon Sam. We have already bought the book and Rylie loves it! She also loves that they signed it for her, she always shows me where it says her name! Everyone should check it out on Amazon or other book retailers, or on their website!
After that, we are planning on going to a Wii party! Maybe that will get labor going! At the very least, I should prove quite amusing for my friends as I try to bowl, etc with my rotund shape!
I also can cross one more book off of my list, The Great Divorce, by C.S. Lewis. He is one of my favorite authors. I will work up a review of this book as well.
Hopefully the next post will be the announcement of our baby girl!

Aren't these the cutest shoes ever?! (Thanks Kristin!)

Wordless Wednesday (the sign I made for Anna)

A New Baby. . .

but not ours! Congratulations to my pregnancy buddy, Becky and Noah (and big sis Lindsey)! Haley was born today at 12:59 pm. She is 5 lbs, 6 ozs and 18 1/2 inches long. We went and saw her at the hospital tonight and she is absolutely beautiful!

When Manna Isn't Enough

In my Bible reading, I was in Numbers 11 and came across the Israelites whining in the wilderness. If you remember the story, God had been graciously providing them with Manna for their daily sustenance, but they started complaining. God had provided for them in a miraculous way and still they complained and wanted something different. How like us this is! God always provides for us in a myriad of ways in life, but we want something different, depending on the craving of the moment. It is a wonder that God remains patient with us! When we are wanting something different than what God has provided we are lacking in contentment and gratitude. These are two of the hardest things to obtain, but they are the things that will really make us happy/joyful. I need to learn to be content and grateful for what God has provided and stop thinking that my cravings are more important than what He has provided. I am thankful that He is so patient with me!

Cross One More Off The List

I finished book two in my reading challenge, now only eight to go by the end of the year! This one was, "The Inheritance" by Louisa May Alcott (the author of "Little Women"). It was her first novel she had ever written, at age 17. It had gone unpublished until some researchers found it in her family archives. I will write a review of it later, but for now, it's crossed off!

Progress!

My doctor gave me some hope today! He said I am now dilated to a TWO!!! I know that's not a ton, but after weeks of painful contractions with no dilatation, a two is wonderful progress! He also had me on the monitor for a non stress test and her heart was doing great and not in any distress. He did another ultrasound and my fluid levels remain the same as last week, in the high normal range. We were able to get a glimpse of her adorable face and the top of her head. Ryan thought maybe he saw hair! (When I had my last ultrasound with Rylie they were able to see hair on the ultrasound and she was born with a ton of it!) I have another doctor's appointment on Thursday, when he is going to strip my membranes (moving the bag of waters off the cervix). Usually people go into labor within two days of having that done! He said we would also discuss induction at that time. Things are progressing and we might have a baby this weekend! My sister-in-law, Pam, is very excited because she's been predicting the whole time that Anna will be a leap year baby, and now there is a real chance that may happen.
After my exam today (in which he tried to push her head down some), I started having stronger contractions, so Ryan and I went and walked a mile to try to get her lower. I'm not sure if it worked but I'm still having some contractions. If nothing else, then we're getting good exercise!