32 Week is here

32 weeks has arrived! The weeks are yet again flying by. This is a flash back to when we were getting married, the first portion of all the planning dragged but as we neared the date time seemed to just pick up week after week. Isaac has been moving more than ever, I think he is getting a bit cramped in there. That is a scary comment to make because from here on out he is going to be adding on the pounds week after week. Many nights on the couch Eddie and I are both shocked by how strong he is and how much he likes to move. The movement is a great thing and means that he is healthy so really no complaints from me.

I am proud to say that we are still making progress on the nursery and baby proofing of the home. We still have quite a few projects to complete but squeezing our little man into our small condo is really working out great. The hardest part of all the reorganizing and moving around has been letting go of stuff. It is no big surprise to me that Eddie and I are having a hard time letting things go considering we both come from families that save everything!! It truly has put us to the test parting ways with the big things and the small things, however Issac's arrival has made it somewhat easier. Easier in the sense that it is a must do and not something that we can just save for a later time. Fitting a baby into our small space has been an experience, after all we are adding another human being to our living space. My motto in all of this has been if I haven't used it recently its time to let it go. Eddie's motto, I'll make room for it to fit somewhere...yes in the short time that we have been married I have well learned the lesson: "Pick your battles". This is a battle that I just have to let go of...because I trust my hubby and he always will find some room somewhere!

Another accomplishment this week was that we finished our birthing classes at Kaiser. I really do feel that the 4 classes gave us much needed information and have better prepared us for the journey that lies ahead. Our instructor Donna was awesome, and I am really going to miss being able to ask her my weekly questions but overall I feel that she did a wonderful job preparing us for labor. Before taking that class my main goal was to begin to nail down my birthing plan and that is accomplished. I brought my birthing plan to her to get the input of a 25 year L&D R.N. and she looked it over and said, this looks perfect! But before we all left she was quick to remind us that our bodies know what to do and we CAN DO IT! Yet, to keep in mind will all the planning etc. things can get unpredictable in labor and our birthing plans may just go right out the window. That is the perspective that I am keeping, even with my in control attitude that can develop. I can do this...and it's going to happen.

Some may call me crazy and say that I don't know what I am in for and that I will begging for an epidural but as of right now in my birthing plan it is to delivery without the epidural. Before taking the classes Eddie was one of those people that just thought I was crazy and that I couldn't do it...but after taking this class he has more confidence in me than ever and that is another large factor in my decision. Of course there is also the medical benefits to a natural birth that have also helped in making this decision and that is what I looked at first before really considering what I wanted. I wanted to consider what is best for Isaac, and what will make the labor progress as best a possible. Also, to be clear I am not just saying no epidural to be a heroic brave woman that wants to experience as much pain as possible. The decision was made after more reading, video watching, and talking with our instructor I feel that no epidural will suit me and my labor best. That is something that I loved about Donna's she kept saying, "This is YOUR labor not anyone else's!". However, will all that being said I would also like to mention that I have somewhat of a disclaimer to the birthing plan. It simply states in bold underlines writing: I plan to use the epidural as a last resort but, OVERALL give me whatever I ask for at the time.  I do also know that at certain times there may be no turning back, it may be to late for them to give it to me when I start to 'beg' for them to give me something and that is also the decision that I am good with. I do like to think that I know my body well enough that before I get into that point I will have already asked for the epidural with plenty of time to spare.

More that anything though, I know my faith is preparing me for this new journey into motherhood. God has chosen me to be Isaac's mommy and bring his precious soul into this world. That blessing alone inspires and encourages me to no end. I also know that Christ is right there along with me to help me though labor and most of all through out his entire life. Today I am reflecting on a passages from Romans, talking about Christ's love for us. It starts out with one of my favorite verses Romans 8:31 if our God is for us then who can be against us? This verse has always inspired me that no matter where or what I am doing Christ is for me, he is there through it all. The passage then ends with the verse that I have chosen for my focal point Romans 8:37 Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. I love how this verse speaks to my heart. God loves Isaac more than I could ever love him, and in labor despite the anxiety, pain, anguish, or torment that I will feel it will be an overwhelming victory when my little boy is her with me!