"Full Term" - I Need My Mommy!!

I am officially 39 weeks pregnant with the twins!  If you'll remember with me WAAAYY back in August when we were told the big news of the TWO babies, we were also told many "wonderful" facts about what happens with twin pregnancies and births.  Among other things the most common/general concern was preterm labor, low birth weight (makes sense that these go together).  I was told that the "AVG" twin is born at 35 weeks and weighs 5.5 lbs. and medical professionals (and those "medical professionals" at walmart...) began to let me know as soon as I started looking really big, that I would not make it to my due date.  Of course, our midwife had the usual concerns about me taking it easy to prevent pre-pre-term labor (around 32, 33 weeks) and it did make me slow down a little with how much I picked up and carried my now almost 18 month old! But I still sorta stood on the side of -- I am not going to "throw myself into labor" unless it was going to be time anyway...

You see, about 20 weeks prior, we (my husband and I), or course, starting praying for these twins and this whole unknown process we were about to go through.  I asked and believe the Lord told me that I didn't have to buy in to the "facts" that these babies were going to be born early just because they are twins (because twins do not develop any faster than a single baby, so what is good for one, is good for two... and FULL TERM - 40 weeks is good for one, or in my first son's case - 41 weeks).  I was lead to pray and ask that they make it full term - 40 weeks and that they both weigh at least 6 lbs.  My hubby joined me, and some friends and family joined us.   And it was oh so easy to pray for 40 weeks when i was barely even showing...

Now...  these past few weeks have been CHALLENGING, in that; tests show the babies weighing over 6 lbs. each (and estimate which could be off by almost a full pound) and I am... let's just say... I began feeling physically ready to not be a whale pregnant several weeks ago...  I began, thinking... "hey! 37 weeks could be considered full term even for a singleton...  i would be ok with that!"  I justified looking forward to the 37th week and definitely started letting people know I was ready (even though our house/nursery etc. were not ready!)

Just when I thought "it" (the belly) couldn't get any heavier or lower... it did (has) and it did begin taking its toll on what I could physically get done in one day... I just couldn't keep up with what I was used to being able to get done... but I sure did try... like I said before, I hadn't really ever thought "I better be careful not to work my body into labor!"  But my prideful self was definitely becoming more and more open to the idea of receiving help whenever offered! (advice that multiple twin moms had given me!).  There had been talk/plans that this time around my mom would come to help and be here BEFORE I went into labor (which none of us knew when that would be), but whether they were coming immediately or not... I was moving slower and needing help keeping up with daily maintenance and cooking dinner every night, not to mention I couldn't even begin to start organizing closets, washing baby clothes, getting all of those things you want done before you have to go to the hospital done! So my awesome mommy was thinking and praying about in what timing she should come stay with me and Tater while Hubby worked.  One night when I was 36.5 weeks along I was awaken by a VERY intense contraction, the kind with the back pain very much involved! (I could tell baby A was "sunny side up" his spine on mine).  Not a huge surprise to me since I have the sort of uterus that practices contractions starting around twenty-something weeks and slowly prepares for labor over time. I only expected that one... but 15 min. later... another one... and 15 min. later...  for almost 2 hours.  I knew my doctor would have been completely fine with twins making it to 36 weeks (like I said the avg is 35), but I knew it was too soon!  I wasn't sure where this was going, but if it was going to turn into full blown labor, I did not want it unless it was the Lord's timing.  So, still half asleep in between the 15 min. I placed my hands on my stomach and asked the Lord to stop this labor if it was not supposed to be happening yet.  They Stopped.

The next morning my mom called and asked if she could go ahead and come that day... I was like "YES"  We are so grateful to have her and she is the perfect example of a servant's heart.  She came prepared to stay for as long as she needed to (until they came, at this point we thought could be anytime in the next 4 weeks..!)  She has done laundry, dishes, all the cooking... helped me organize baby stuff (when I say helped, I mean she pretty much did it, seeing as how I had to sit down every 5 min!), allowed me to rest and enjoy these past couple weeks with my husband and first born!  She expects nothing in return!

Just a few days ago she shared with me that the night before she came, she was awaken in the night to pray about when she was supposed to come and help me... (no doubt, she was awaken the same time I was having those contractions) and when she got up the next morning, she knew she was supposed to come that day!
And because of her help, now for about the past week we have been ready, I mean really actually Ready in all the ways you wanna be... House ready, clean, organized! and of course there's still my flesh that is ready to find relief! So it has been very hard and I will admit I have prayed to go ahead and go into labor already!! But this week I find peace and am reminded of what the Lord had me praying for when all these physical circumstances were not an issue!... 40 weeks!

My Prayer Journal entry dated Aug. 21st, 2012

So here I am saying... Sorry everybody, you gotta wait one more week!  Because our God is FAITHFUL!