The start of the Olympics....

....will it be the start of the labor Olympics for us? We are definitely hoping so! I have had 2 contractions this afternoon, but they are about 1.5 hours apart. Unlike the braxton hicks I experienced a little over the last month, I now feel the difference. These were very strong menstrual like cramps and my entire abdomen got rock hard for about 45 -60 seconds each and did not ease up when I sat down and put my feet up.

As most of you know, the Olympic games kick off at 7:30 PM tonight, 6:30 PM CST...we are hoping for a Divine coincidence and perhaps labor will "kick off" for us around that same time today, 08.08.08. The news reported that this date will not roll around again for more than one hundred years!

Of course, if today is not the day, we will enjoy a Friday night together having a nice dinner and conversation - may be the last Friday night like that for a while....

Still approaching the finish line....

We had our doctor's appointment this morning and as expected, there was no need to take our bags with us. Not much has changed - I am not dilated but effaced to 80%. The baby sounds very healthy and I am measuring fine at 37 - 38 cm, just a little smaller than 40 weeks. No complaints from my stretch mark free belly here! My blood pressure was back to normal at 119/68. Since today is the official due date, the doctor said not to be concerned that I am not dilating as it is not uncommon, especially for first time mothers.

I am having cramping and back pain, etc. but no real contractions or anything like that yet.
Dr. Gallagher says it could all change in a moment's notice, so we will take it day by day and pray for a healthy and safe delivery soon. 08/08/08 would be a pretty cool birthday....

Nerves and Anxiety getting to me..

Today is the day before our due date, and since my posting last week, I have really been more relaxed and peaceful about the impending birth of Baby Boy Tinker. We had a fantastic weekend with lots of walking and yard work and some good movies.

Then, I woke up feeling nauseated and just generally weak this morning. I decided to focus on work and get my mind off the nagging wondering of when the heck labor will start. I worked all morning from home and then around 11:45 a friend called and asked me to go to lunch. Andrea and Sheri have both had kids - Sheri has a four month old....When I just ordered a salad and did not eat much, they asked what was wrong and I told them how I have been feeling nauseated all morning and they started asking questions, which made me realize I had not felt the baby move since I got out bed. Upon their prompting, I called the nurse at Dr. Gallagher's office and she told me to come in immediately to make sure everything is okay.

As soon as I got there and they hooked me up to the fetal monitor, we heard a strong heart beat and I began to notice movement. They monitored me for 25 minutes and assured me everything is fine, but I did have a slight fever (99 degrees) and my blood pressure was a little higher than usual (130/78), which is likely because I had gotten nervous about the baby. They actually suggested I go home, have a glass of wine with dinner and take it easy!

We have our regular appointment with the doctor in the morning at 8:30 AM. The nurse said today that if I am dilated, the doctor will probably send me on over to labor & delivery, so we should come to the appointment with our bags in the car.... the way things are going so far, I am not holding my breath, but we will take our bags just in case.

Please pray for continued patience and confidence in ourselves as we wait for the joyful event!