Friday, January 22, 2010

The Final Countdown

I just got home from the OB where he told me I am 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced. Baby is getting close. He said she could come tonight or in a couple more weeks. I was induced with the boys so this is really exciting because I have never really "gone into labor". Although, I was dilated to 4 for weeks with 2 of the boys so it may still be a while. God knows. I want the movie version this time (meaning I say, "honey, I think it is time" and Tim freaks out and we jump in a stolen taxi because our car won't start and drive really fast over lots of San Francisco hills. Then Tim wheels me in as I am breathing through contractions JUST in time to deliver in the hospital. Oh, and mom needs to be pregnant and delivering at the same time.) LOL. C'mon, mom!!! My OB says it may not happen exactly like that. :)
I am uncomfortable and not sleeping well these days. My pelvic bones are screaming.
But, I am not in a hurry to have her because of all the sickness going around these days. So, we will wait on God's perfect timing for our little girl to arrive.
Tim is not the best "birthing coach". He keeps making me watch this clip on youtube because he wants me to get an epidural...
LOL.
I am trying to get thank you notes written, keep my legs shaved and my house clean just in case we have to run out of here. I am still going to attempt to do this whole thing naturally. I am scared out of my mind and totally unprepared but am going to give it my best shot. I told Tim to just knock me out with a 2x4 if it gets really bad.
I had a beautiful shower on Sunday that was over-the-top amazing. I can't believe people will actually continue to come to my baby showers! I have had quite a few but this one was really special because of the color... pink! And because of God's faithfulness in my life.
I got some gorgeous gifts...



You can't really tell but those are 2 beautiful canvas's for her room. I LOVE them.
























That is my mom and me opening, washing and folding. That was a job! This baby can change clothes 10 times a day... until she is 3 months old and then she is out of luck. I am sure she won't go naked! Lol. I am getting into this whole "shopping for girl's clothes" thing.
















My gorgeous friend Suzy. She is miraculously single. We are pretty sure Tim Tebow is her husband. :)























































Sharing how Hope got her name...


























































What an absolute blessing each one of these girls is to me!























































I will keep you updated! Please be praying for my health as I walk into this very uncharted territory. The doctors are doing some different things this time and we are praying that they will work and I won't get insanely sick again. But, God is with me and He upholds me by my right hand. I will fear no evil for He is with me.
I will try and have Tim do updates when I go into labor! Stay tuned!!
Love all you out there in blogville!
Steph

12 comments:

Julie said...

Steph - beautiful pictures - thanks for sharing! I've been thinking of you often and praying you are feeling well! I cannot believe it's almost time for you to meet Hope! What at gift! I pray for a safe and easy delivery and for your health after Hope has arrived!!

Thinking of you...always!

Julie from Indiana

Carrie said...

Wooooo....I can feel the butterflies of excitement right now! What a beautiful shower...and wonderful friends! Will be thinking of you and pray for a smooth labor and delivery...and it's everything you HOPE it to be :)

{love the picture of you and your mom and one in the crib, LOL! It is going to be so much fun!}

Unknown said...

Praying! I am so excited for you! Her room looks absolutely adorable!!!!
-Melissa

Anonymous said...

I don't think they have taxis here. but I will drive as fast as that mini-van goes! or the truck, you pick. this is going to be so much fun!! I can't wait to watch the whole thing! no 2x4. Clubber, do you have a prediction for the fight?...Prediction?...pain
(Rocky) Tim

Lindsay Rose said...

I grew up with ALL BROTHERS (4 OF THEM)! I loved having brothers to take care of me. They were and are so gentle and loving towards me. I think it is always good for brothers to have a sister!
I am so excited for Hope to get here and to see pictures! Praying for you and your family!

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed my non medicated deliveries better thatn my medicated. 2 of each

Ruby Red Slippers said...

This is so exciting to see all you are expecting!!!
God Bless, and I can't wait to see pictures of Hope, and her wonderful arrival-with or without an epidural! :)
God Bless!

Farah said...

You and Hope are in my prayers. I love reading your blogs...so nice to read God centered thoughts and ideas.

Anonymous said...

"Clubber" & "Rocky" -

Francis Chan has a great sermon titled, "How Weird do Christians Have to Be?" -- after reading Tim's comment and reading your blog over the past year+, it's clear to me you are one of the rare Christian couples that is hilarious and real -- not weird or stuffy.

Anonymous said...

Stephanie- I visit your blog occasionally after "stumbling" onto your page through another blog I found (can't recall which one!). Anyway, I wanted to encourage you tonight in your desire for a natural child birth. After not being able to resist meds with my first sons birth (7lb 15oz), and then successfully delivering a 9lb. 11 oz "sunny side up" baby naturally the second time, my best advice is this: ask a friend who has delivered naturally (and believes in it) to attend to you during your delivery. I would NOT have made it through the temptation of getting pain meds had it not been for the gentle encouraging support of my sister in law cheering me on and seeing me through. Our husbands tend to not like to see us in pain and seem to find it hard to encourage us to push on through. :) Our bodies were made for childbirth and the victory I felt after my second sons birth is inexplicable. I have prayed for you tonight for inner strength to do what you need to do to bring your baby girl in to the world. If Hope is already here, then congratulations. :) Her nursery is GORGEOUS by the way! Best wishes- Erika

Erin Southwell said...

Steph! Your shower was just gorgeous! Wish I could have been there! I'm so excited for you-the picture of you sitting in Hope's nursery with Bubba in her crib brought tears to my eyes.

(and I LOL'd at the 2x4 comment)

Love you!

Lisa B. said...

Hey Stephanie! I want you to know that I'll be praying for you and that my first daughter was born naturally (and induced). I had a great CD of Christian music that I made my wonderful husband and the nurses play over and over during the hardest contractions and pushing - it was very calming for me! I didn't do a special class, but read about the Bradley Method and prayed A LOT! It was such a wonderful experience and so worth it :)(The second was by c-section out of necessity.) I know you know this as you've seen it in your own life even, but just an encouraging reminder that our God still does miracles daily and He will see you through in whatever way is best for you and Hope!
Blessings to all of you!