Sunday, August 23, 2009

Bed rest learnings

It's been forever since I've posted. I chalk it up to two things.
  1. My space bar on the lap top doesn't work (a wine accident last year) which makes typing anything beyond a paragraph absolutely infuriating. If I didn't go back and individually add spaces beside every word myblogwouldlookalotlikethis.
  2. I've been funneling my creative efforts into something else. I started my own little WAHM (that's Work At Home Mum for you non-anagram savvy folks) business making sock stuffie animals. It's done wonders to keep me sane and it earns me a few dollars (and I do mean only a few).
I'm still officially on bed rest. According to the scratches on the wall, I'm now into week eight. I'm 35 weeks though, which is past the real danger zone so I've been slowly weaning myself of my horizontal life. Every little chore or outing leaves me exhausted and breathless but also filled with a weird sort of pride for getting something done (other than completing another successful womb day for the belly bean).

I've made some interesting observations while being a shut in.
  1. I crave face-to-face human contact and go a little crazy if I go more than a few days only talking to Adam.
  2. I can't watch TV. I mean, it's often on but I can't focus on it for any length of time during the day. So many wonderful people have given me movies and seasons to watch, but they sit unopened on the shelf.
  3. If I let myself, I could nap for an hour or two every afternoon. The Mexicans know what they're talking about with siestas.
  4. I miss Hayden like crazy all day but am often short-tempered with him only three hours after he gets home. I hate the "edge" that pregnancy hormones give me.
  5. My husband is a damn fine cook.
  6. My neighbourhood rocks. It reminds me a lot of how a neighbourhood would have looked 60 years ago. Back when you knew who lived next to you and watched out for them.
  7. The National Do Not Call registry doesn't work worth a crap. I get at least three unsolicited telemarketer phone calls a day.
  8. Pending labour signs cease to be interesting or even noted after you've been having them for over a week. I think the baby will have to actually fall out for me to believe it's the real thing.
  9. I'm ready to have this baby. I know that two more weeks in utero is optimal, but my mind, my body, and my marriage would be better off if I didn't have to coddle my cervix any longer. There's only so much any of those factors can take and I think we're there.
  10. Hayden is going to make an awesome big brother. Every day he sings to my belly, sometimes making up songs for the baby. Today as the baby kicked and rolled in reaction to his voice he told me "Baby's bigger now mummy. He's ready to come out." He still believes that my belly button is the baby's exit route.
And so, that's the deal. I've been in labour with this little one for over seven weeks. And don't think I won't use this fact to my advantage when he/she becomes a lippy teenager!

2 comments:

Sarah said...

I'm so sorry to hear that you're on bed rest! You're in the homestretch though! I just had my first one 6 weeks ago! Yay babies!

The W.O.W. factor! said...

Oh you two Mamas! You and Elliemae just don't know how much I wish I could meet you both! ...and wrap my arms around your babies...and each of you too!
Yep...you are the two I was talking about!
I'm so sorry you have been on bed rest...but thankfully you have an awesome hubby and special little "big brother"!
I have missed you and this weekend I'll come back and do some catching up!
WM...I sure hope everything gets easier now for you before the wee one arrives. I can't imagine being on bed rest! But you have a wonderful delivery coming to your arms to hug and love for a lifetime, so I'm sure all this time will soon be forgotten!
I'll be back in a few days...to check in on you and catch up!
Sure have missed you!
Barb