38.5 Weeks: Still Getting Ready for Baby...

I was up until midnight last night with labor pains. False labor pains that is.

Of course, I didn't know they were false until sometime around 8 am when I woke up to discover I was still pregnant.

Talk about a disappointment (not the being pregnant part, but the still being pregnant part).

We went to the doctor yesterday, and he told us we were "sitting on go" as I like to say :) The baby really could come anytime, so much so that he offered to give me a little push and induce me at only 38 weeks. Since my husband and I have already decided against inducing early (even for a tax credit!), I opted to wait for her to come on her own.

So instead of having a baby today, I spent the day getting ready for one. Since she'll be sleeping in our room for quite some time, I wanted to make a special place for her.  I still need wall decorations for above the shelf, but I've not found anything that I'm in love with yet (at least not at the right price!).

I also took the time to pack an overnight bag for the hospital. I've been putting it off because I used very little of what we took to the hospital when Rooster was born, but today I decided it might be time to get a few things together...just in case.

My hospital bag includes:
1. Comfy pajamas that I probably won't wear.
2. House shoes
3. Toiletries-toothbrush and toothpaste, contact solution and case, glasses and shampoo.
4. Hairdryer
5. Pony tail holders
6. Chap stick
7. Nursing bras and tank tops
8. Comfortable maternity clothes to come home in
9. Pillow
10. Camera

My bag for Teacup has been packed for a few days now. I most definitely didn't put off packing those cute baby things!

The baby's bag includes:
1. Three going home outfits for me to choose from
2. Several bows, hats, and headbands
3. Socks and baby mittens
4. A Boppy Pillow
5. Two swaddling blankets and a thicker cold weather blanket

I even went through our cloth diaper stash and re-sized some for our new little one. We were able to get some new-to-us diapers from a friend who decided to stop cloth diapering her little girl. I doubled our diaper stash in one fell swoop! Talk about a blessing! (Wanna know more about cloth diapers? Check out my posts on why we cloth diaper and the ones we like!)

I also spent some time writing out my favorite scriptures on index cards. Most of them are verses I've memorized in the past, but taking the time to write them out was really relaxing and helped me regain my focus after spending a little bit of time this morning moping and complaining. I packed the cards away in my hospital bag, just in case I need another reminder!

"I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies." 

Psalm 18:3  (My enemies being worry and fear!)

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."  Psalm 61:2

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength."  Isaiah 26:3-4

"For God hath not give us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  2 Timothy 1:7

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13

And of course, my favorite verses...

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice when God's timing isn't your timing. 

Pray when you are worried and afraid. 

Give Thanks when you just want to complain.

Talk about needing a reminder! 

So while I didn't get to have a baby today, I did get more practice in waiting patiently...and productively. It wasn't my first choice for today's activities, but then learning to wait rarely is! Hopefully, we won't be waiting too much longer, but if we are that's okay. I still have a lot to learn.