The Baby Waiting Game

Well, it’s been a few days since the random contractions started adn there’s still no sign that things are going anywhere. From the initial little rush of concern on my part, it’s now down to a bit of sitting around waiting.

As I was teasing her earlier, it’s a matter of waiting for her to ripen sufficiently. Little Peach has become noticeably larger and definitely in the proper head-down, facing Mom-to-Be’s back. Peach is pushing against Mom’s belly now so that it’s bulging at the front like she’s got a bow or something vertically inside. And little Peach’s butt is up against her diaphram – it’s funny to watch as when Mom-to-Be massages her belly, Peach will press her butt or back against her hands enjoying the massage.

But more to the point, nothing’s really happening. So we wait and kind of talk to each other about what we’re going to do the next day and so on. We’ve been out to dinner an awful lot lately because we know we won’t have that freedom once Peach does show up. And we’ve also been to a couple of movies as well. As the clock ticks down it’s a little mental race to enjoy what time we have left to go out and just worry about ourselves.

The baby room is ready – crib is all done up and waiting for an occupant. Car seat is prepped and tested in the car. Stroller ready by the door. Hospital bag packed full of things for Mom and Dad. Another hospital bag full of foods and snacks prepared as well. And Mom-to-Be cut up a whole lot of squares of flannel cloth to use as baby wipes, all nicely arranged in little boxes next to the changing table.

The fridge is also filled with food – as is the pantry and freezer. For the past week or so we’ve been cooking up a storm, freezing pots of chili, beef bourgignon, casserole, curry chicken and Mexican-style spare ribs. If we had a bigger freezer we’d probably have put away enough to eat for a month without doing more than warming things up… but as it is we have at least a week’s supply. And lots of quick to prepare ingredients around the place to go with it.

So what’s left? Not much at all, and it’s mostly due to Mom-to-Be’s efforts. As for me, I’ve got my bike helmet at the ready. Why? So I don’t give myself a concussion when I pass out as Peach is being delivered.