Summer Fun and Gratitude

Thanks to great friends, my kids are still enjoying their summer, even with an invalid mother.

This morning, Emily showed up and took Corbin for a walk at the lake and to play at the sand park.  He was happier than a pig in poop. Reese and Quincy cleaned the bathrooms and then I set them up with a painting activity at the kitchen table and went to bed.  Knowing that my children were all doing something fun, rather than watching tv or something, really helped me to not feel guilty about lying down, and I was able to really relax and sleep soundly for an uninterrupted hour and a half.  When Emily brought Corbin home, she had Taco Bell and a fat cup of ice for me and she swept my kitchen floor while I ate. So nice!

I went to bed and slept another 2 hours during my kids' nap time. I can't believe how exhausted and out of breath I am all the time. I'm sure it is a combo of the horrible heat, not sleeping well at night, my low blood pressure, being anemic, and just pregnancy in general, but wow. I'm suuuuper tired, and even with all of the time I'm spending off my feet, it seems to only make me want to sleep and rest even more.

Kasey built the kids a pvc sprinkler tunnel and brought over water blast tubes and a bag of water balloons that we busted out this afternoon.  The kids LOVED it!  (Don't worry, Mom, I pulled a stool up to the counter and sat while I filled the water balloons.  The only "water breaking" here was the yellow balloon that Corbin dropped on the bathroom floor.)  Thank you Kasey for spoiling my children!  I tried to sit outside with them, but it was just too hot and uncomfortable to enjoy without getting in the water. Katie came over and our kids ran wild in the backyard together for 2 hours while we sat and watched from the (air conditioned) kitchen and did a craft at the table.
Sweet Jill brought a great dinner and Terri Hansen and her family surprised us with homemade ice cream, tonight. I think Aaron has finally gotten used to the fact that I'm not cooking (like, at all) right now, and he was shocked that there was food waiting for him when he came home from work tonight.  He never complains that I'm not cooking, of course, but it made a noticeable difference in his mood to have dinner ready.

I've been put on bed rest with every single pregnancy and this is the first time I have actually been able to listen to my doctor and actually do it. This is also the first time I have legitimately been terrified that our baby would come before he's cooked and I know I need to listen to my dr.'s advice and sit sit sit.  I have a play date set up for the kids on Wednesday afternoon, and another dinner coming this week. After today, I am fully confident that I'll actually make it another week of rest without going crazy or going into labor. I really hate being idle, and I'd much rather be the one giving service than accepting it.  I am so grateful to my friends who are not only taking care of us, but just showing up and doing what needs to be done, rather than waiting for me to have to call on them or ask.  This pregnancy has not seen a single easy day (seriously, I threw up all night thursday and again friday afternoon) and again I find myself at a point where I just can't do it without the help of others. I am blessed to have such a compassionate ward with people who know I'm stubborn and would rather put myself at risk than admit that I need help. 

So hooray for service, for dinner, for water balloons and sprinklers, for play dates, for company, and for the amazing girls who stepped in when Aaron was out of town to bathe children, join us at the movies, switch laundry, take my children to church, take out trash, and sweep my kitchen floors. I owe you all so much and I hope each of you know how full of gratitude I am for all that you've done to help me keep this baby cooking.

Contractions have been 15-20 minutes apart since 6:30 tonight.  From past experience, I know that around midnight, they'll mellow to one or two an hour.
I'll know more after my appointment tomorrow, but I think if I keep off my feet this week, I'll be able to make it another week or two before the baby comes.  We have waited so long for this little boy to join our family.  I can't wait to meet him.
37 weeks cannot come soon enough!