Bump Update #3

Today is my first official day of maternity leave and I have now reached Week 39 of pregnancy. As my weekly pregnancy newsletter noted, 'It is all about watching and waiting now.' It is a bit surreal to think that the Tiny One could arrive any day now, but at the same time I am eager to meet this little one and finally see his face, fingers and toes.

Despite feeling hippo-like (it is tough not to when even your maternity clothes are getting tight!), my mood has been up a lot more and I've been feeling healthy. I took my friends' advice and used today to rest and treat myself- I wandered outside for a bit, enjoying the first warm, sunny day in ages, went to my midwife appointment, and spent the rest of the day reading my book and leafing through magazines. It was quiet, unscheduled and refreshing.

The waiting game is an odd one because it makes planning anything, even our next grocery store visit, difficult. Any plans we make are now inevitably followed up by 'unless I go into labor...'

Ross is now avidly checking that his phone is charged, to make sure I can reach him at work if necessary and people are now starting to greet me with 'well, still with us I see'. It is only a matter of time before all my texts and facebook messages are asking the same question- 'has the baby arrived yet?'

My next midwife appointment will be on my due date- 14th May, and if labor hasn't started by then, I'll have the option of having a membrane sweep, and I'll also get a date scheduled for induction (should it come to that).

Despite all the practical chaos of preparing for baby (packing my hospital bag, organising the flat, washing all these tiny person clothes), I often find myself stopping to mull over this simple and profound thought: one day, quite soon, the little boy currently hiccuping in my womb will be born and he will be ours to take home.