40 Weeks

When you find yourself waiting for something really, really good, it’s hard to be patient. And that pretty much sums up my mood today, 40 weeks into this pregnancy.

Yesterday I kept thinking 2/12/2012 would make a cool birthday. But our baby girl is apparently content to stay where she is a little longer. I’m thankful I have good friends around to remind me that my due date is just an estimate. They say women who deliver naturally go into labor on average at 41 weeks and 1 day (for first-time moms) and 40 weeks and 3 days (for experienced moms), so I’m trying not to obsess over timing or dwell on the way my first two births began—with drugs at the hospital. My friend Brandi says that if I really want a home birth I should remove the word “induction” from my vocabulary and trust that this baby will come when she’s ready.

So there you have it. My last use of the “i” word for a while.

It is hard to wait, especially when I’m so big and uncomfortable. But it’s really not that bad. (I reserve the right to change my mind if I’m still pregnant two weeks from now.) We had a fun weekend as a family of four, stocking up on beef at the Farmer’s Market, grilling hamburgers later, and cleaning/organizing the house. We even moved Sky and Micah into the same room to make space for the baby, and they actually slept. It took them a while. But eventually they did fall asleep.

The kids are very excited about the baby. Micah came up to me yesterday and said, “Baby come out now?” And when I said, “Yes, I hope she comes soon,” he said, “Miss baby.” Sky gives my belly lots of kisses and cuddles and talks about all she’s going to do with her sister. Yesterday she even sat “on top” of her. (Hey, if anything triggers labor at this point, I’m more than okay with it.) I tried to hold Micah for a photo too, but apparently his late night party with Sissy had caught up with him because he was too busy having a meltdown on the floor to participate. Oh well.

The Bible talks a lot about waiting, mainly because following Christ is all about waiting— for justice and peace, for the new heaven and the new earth, and for God to save us from our own awful sinfulness. Those are the big things. But a baby is important too, and I know God understands it’s not easy to be patient. I sense His encouragement every day. And I know He doesn’t want us to put off joy until the future, when we have what we want. It’s for the waiting time too.

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” – Psalm 27:14

  12 comments for “40 Weeks

  1. Catherine
    February 13, 2012 at 4:15 pm

    each of the 6 days past my “due date” felt like an eternity. thankfully, you forget all about it (almost) after she comes! thinking of you – you can do it!

    • linnea
      February 13, 2012 at 7:56 pm

      Thanks Catherine! I sort of wish we didn’t know our “due dates” because each time I’ve felt a mental shift once I passed that specific date. This time it hasn’t been as hard. I think I’ve been more mentally prepared for it from the beginning. =)

  2. Brandi
    February 13, 2012 at 5:27 pm

    I love you dear friend! I cannot wait to hear of baby Curington’s arrival! I know it will be a blessed, beautiful delivery. I am daily lifting you up.

    • linnea
      February 13, 2012 at 7:57 pm

      Thanks for being so supportive! It was fun hanging out this morning. And wouldn’t it be cool if our babies were born on the same day? I think our midwives could handle it. =)

  3. Mom
    February 13, 2012 at 9:26 pm

    I love your statement that joy is for the waiting time, too, not just for after we get our heart’s desire. A good reminder for all of us!

    • linnea
      February 14, 2012 at 7:20 am

      4 days till you get here! We can’t wait!

  4. Aron
    February 14, 2012 at 12:49 am

    You have been in my thoughts and prayers today. Hope you can enjoy some extra long bath time between now and baby day, whenever that is. Love you much!

    • linnea
      February 14, 2012 at 7:21 am

      I’ve been thinking of you a lot too Aron! I hope you’re having a great time with Beth and enjoying all the excitement of Yale. =) I can’t wait to hear about it when you get back.

  5. February 14, 2012 at 2:49 pm

    I can not not wait to meet her. Great blog!! Happy Valentine’s Day! She will be here SO SOON!!

  6. Katy
    February 15, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    Linni, I am thinking about you so so often at the moment!! Your waiting will soon be all over :)
    Lots of love from England x x

  7. rachel pierpont
    February 15, 2012 at 11:45 pm

    I can’t wait to here about baby’s arrival! I am praying for it to be just what you want…positive thinking…everything will go just as your heart has planned…I know it!

  8. GG
    February 18, 2012 at 11:51 am

    JOYFUL ANTICIPATION is probably the BEST expression….for the waiting of a ‘gift’ from God. We’re all there with you! I call her ‘ our newest little angel’. What is it His Word says – “Wait upon the Lord and in due season He will exhalt you” – I can’t seem to remember the exact scripture…but Micah 7:7 pretty much says the same thing., along with many others…the rewards of ‘waiting on God’ are beyond camparison.
    Loving you and ‘excitedly waiting too’
    GG

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