37 Weeks

As I was leaving the grocery store recently, a lady stopped to ask if I had a light. Now I don't know about you but if I needed a light, stopping an obviously pregnant lady for one would not be my first choice. : ) She appeared disappointed when my answer was no.

As my belly seems tighter and Baby B is getting bigger, it's been amusing to watch my belly. I can put my hand down and feel body parts. I'm guessing they're feet and legs. It's especially amusing when my belly takes on a lopsided look with a mound of baby picking different areas to hang out in.

I've been appreciating my years here and different connections made in the community. After moving every 3-4 years as a child, it's nice to have established some good relationships and put down some "roots" over these past 11 years. Recently, when I stopped at a store to pick up an order, I turned around to say something to C then heard the cashier say my name followed by a question wondering how she could help me. I was surprised that she knew my name. When picking up prescriptions at a local pharmacy, the ladies there mentioned that they feel like their customers are family. As often as they see me, I can imagine why they feel that way. They've been having fun coming up with C names for us and are excited about our upcoming new addition. When C and I were walking at our nearby college recently, one of the security guys stopped to tell me that he knew who I was and that his wife worked at the pharmacy. He shared that they'd had fun discussing C names at the dinner table. He also shared that his wife's hair wasn't really blonde. : )

In attending zillions of meetings last week, there was one I felt especially honored to attend. A group of local women puts money into innovative approaches to help the community and in particular, they like to impact women's issues. The group not only gives money to projects but they like to volunteer to help with the projects as well. Anyways, thanks to a connection made from being on a church committee a few years ago, I was asked to participate in sharing information about what I see in schools related to their current topic. One representative from each of our area school corporations was asked to attend a discussion group and I was excited to be asked to participate. After a board meeting tonight for a local youth agency, I and a few others had fun hanging around and talking about summer travels, family, and of course, baby info. I thought back to how I got to know these ladies years ago thanks to joining a swim aerobics class. They're so much fun and have become like family. Again, nice to feel some "roots" here and fun to look back at different connections that have led to more connections. I'm very thankful for the encouraging, wonderful people who are in my life.

Baby Update: The non-stress tests have continued to go well. Baby B does not appear to be stressed. Yippee! My numbers are all still looking good with less than 3 weeks to go! Baby is likely to come in the next couple of weeks. It's really almost time!!! Next week, I'm scheduled for an ultrasound that will give an approximate weight for baby. I'm curious to find out how much he has grown since the last ultrasound a month and 1/2 ago. I am really pleased with our doc and feel baby and I are in good hands.

And now I'll end by sharing some special words with you that hang on the wall of the room where our non-stress tests are done. I'd been in the room several times before I finally took time to read these precious words below... Quite a cool moment to read the words while listening to Baby B's heart thumping away and feeling his kicks.

Expectations

It is important to me
that I spend a part of
the next few hours here
alone with you
in the darkness-
You and I will never
be this close again
by morning you will be
a tiny person
all your own-
No longer the kicking-
demanding bulge
in my body that
I have grown to love so well
I pray that God will safely
guide you on your journey
and I ask Him for the strength
to help you all I can-
Again-you signal
your impatience to be free-
time to wake your daddy.