So my estimated due date has come and gone. I joke that my current babe is making up for the time I lost while pregnant with Annabelle (she arrived 3 weeks before her edd). I won’t lie to you; even with all the positive labor vibes that folks are sending me, I spent much of yesterday in a big heap, just sobbing and feeling all sorry for myself because I so badly want to meet my baby boy, and I am, admittedly, so selfishly, wanting for this pregnancy to be at its end.
The good news? Yesterday evening my mother-in-law arrived to help out with Annabelle while we wait for baby boy to make his move . . . my hubby and I took full advantage of her presence by bringing her and Annabelle home and leaving them for 2 glorious hours together to see the Time Traveler’s Wife. Since I’d read the novel, I anticipated that the film would be a tear jerker and I have to admit that I wasn’t sure that would be the best remedy for my day (already so full of tears and longing), but as it turns out, watching Clare wait for Henry, wait and wait and wait to have a baby with him, and ultimately finding acceptance with her whirlwind fate as a time traveler’s wife gave me a bit of perspective (even if her story is just a story).
That said, I think that something else might have mended my aching, (mother’s) heart: I held my husband’s hand for the entire 2 hours we watched the movie, a simple gesture really . . . though nowadays, with our 2 year old jumping between us whenever we try to hug each other (not to mention that another little one is on the way and will soon join her in her shenanigans), I happily held my husband’s hand as though I were 15 years old again . . . feeling all sorts of tingles in my fingers and not wanting to let go (sweaty palms and all).
When we came home from the movies, Annabelle was waiting for us, and I have to say that after being away from her for 2 hours, I couldn’t wait to hug her, nurse her, cuddle her; funny how just a year passes and your little baby is not a baby anymore but a little girl taking on the world. It felt good to be reminded (by her calling my name and running for me when I walked through the door) that she needs me now just as much as she needed me last year at this time (and now I’m wondering if she needs me even more . . . even when her words, moods, actions seem to say, “Let me do it, mamma. Let me be, mamma.”)
As I fell asleep last night, I felt more at peace with our baby’s continued residence inside my belly . . . I envisioned all the light and love (that so many people are sending me) surrounding my baby, keeping him happy, helping him feel at peace . . . I also sent him my own feelings of love (and longing too), and yet, I let him know that he can stay right where he is until he is ready to be born.
This morning I woke up with new energy, focused on finding fun ways for Annabelle, my mother-in-law and I to spend the coming week(s), and I asked my mind to stop thinking about being pregnant. I exercised at the Y, laughed when folks pointed out that my baby is taking his time, and managed to talk matter of fact, when asked, about the logistics of how his birth may unfold over a 2 week timetable (at 42 weeks I have to transfer care from my midwifery practice).
So I plan to be “around” in the coming days, week(s), what have you till my baby is born, and since I’ve got more planned to do with Annabelle, I’ll be sure to share it here. In the photos below, Annabelle is working on a foam beaded necklace and key chain, which is a great intro sewing craft for wee ones with tiny hands.
Last thing, I’d love to hear ideas for how to fit handwork (sewing, crochet, knitting, felting) into a week of play for a toddler . . . right now her crochet needle (the largest kids’ version I could find) frustrates her (she tosses the needle aside and declares that she “can’t do it!”) . . . and I would love to find a craft that is in line with her ability and interest at this age . . .
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{ 13 comments }
I’ve just read the comments too. Sewing cards are a great idea. We have some and sunnyboy really enjoys doing them.
Annabelle looks so engrossed in the necklace :)
Thank you to everyone for the encouragement, light and love, :-) I am feeling good thanks to spending a great weekend with family, getting rest, and lots of one on one time with my husband (so grateful for my mother-in-law’s help this week). Hopefully we’ll have a baby by the end of August (which is probably a better way of approaching one’s edd anyway . . .)
Also, I think we’ll try the sewing cards, looms (a childhood favorite of mine), the plastic canvas grids (and I’m even thinking of making felt ones?), and more . . . I suppose this will be a good opportunity for her mamma to learn more about sewing too, :-)
So I was thinking about the craft thing, and was thinking about those little looms that you can wrap the stretchy loops around to make potholders. I think it’s a great way for children to see how fabric is really just twisted threads (be it sewing, knitting, or crocheting). As a kid, I sewed lots of dolls, clothes for them, and animals. I even had a little working real loom. But I’m certain I was older than Annabelle, finding a simpler way to teach the concept (like the potholder thing) then moving up to more complicated ways of twisting threads. Or if she wants to play with yarn, some simple braids as friendship bracelet type things might do the trick! Good luck waiting for the baby! Our thoughts are with you.
Jessica my dear,
Now that you’ve relaxed and resigned yourself to the fact that your due date has come and gone (as my first one did), your little boy will surely make his entrance!
How nice that your MIL is there!
I echo Abbie’s words on sewing!
You are such a wonderful mother, you thoughts brought me to tears, as they often do! Thank you for sharing your feelings and just keep on doing the marvelous job you do!
Much love,
Ruth
I am glad you are feeling better about waiting :) My son was born two weeks after his due date. I would have been induced the next day if he did not come on his own so I took castor oil and it worked like a charm :P Hang in there. For crafting try plastic canvas. I also remember loving making things out of felt when I was younger.
I’m glad that you are more at peace with the waiting game today. I was going to say sewing cards, too. We have insect ones and my mom has shapes ones, and my son loves them. Although the strings have now gone missing for other uses.
Sending you lovely peaceful birthing vibes. :)
more love and light to you……..
our blunt plastic needle was too big for the plastic grids, so I used a hoop & put felt in it. I had to ‘prepunch’ holes using a kebab skewer & then E did an amazing job sewing different colored threads through the holes. THanks for reminding me – I need to set another felt up :)
I bought my 4-year-old a knitting tower, but she isn’t as interested in it as I am. I haven’t tried actual sewing, but I’m feeling inspired since reading ‘The Creative Family’. I need to get some embroidery hoops I think. We’ve have mixed results with sewing cards. Mostly she likes to draw and paint, and wear the things I make her.
Your attitude is great. I am keeping you and your baby in my thoughts, and I know that he will come when his time is right. Hang in there!
I’m glad you’re finding peace. Waiting is so hard. He will come at exactly the right time and, when on the other side of it, you will wonder how any other moment could have been as perfect. :) Wishing you continued peace…
I remember my first sewing projects were with pieces of clear plastic mesh, embriodery thread, and a big blunt yarn needle. I’d just put the needle through the holes of the mesh, making rainbows or whatever other designs I liked. Annabelle is probably too little for crochet.
My brothers and I also loved “mending” quilts, just sewing old torn quilts at my grandmother’s house. It often resulted in sewing the quilt right to the mattress, though. When Annabelle’s a little older and big enough for a sharp needle, I bet sewing or embroidery would be fun.
But the bulk of my childhood sewing projects were Barbie doll clothes. I had the best-dressed Barbies.
this post made me very happy which i very much need today so thank you for sharing. we just started doing “sewing cards” with the bean and he loves them. i put a pic up on my blog today..