The Waiting Game...but it's worth it!

Warning:  This pregnant mama is getting SUPER cranky.  This sentiment has a good possibility of showing itself within this post!  But I promise, it gets less cranky!

The Waiting Game...oh so fun!  Three weeks ago when I had my first, as Ryan and I like to call, "violation" appointment, the doctor was shocked that I was already 80% effaced.  In fact, I had people tell me to be careful, because I could sneeze, and my water could break!  Well, it's not easy to be careful when you are working and taking care of a 2 year old!  But, I made it to the next appointment...2 cm and 80% effaced.  Progress! She could come early!  We talked about when to go to the hospital-I was officially full term, and my Dr. let me know when she'd be on call just in case!  Then the next appointment came...3 cm and 80% effaced.  At this point, I have all of my friends who have had babies tell me that they were not even near this far along when their contractions started or when their water broke!  My lovely doctor stripped my membranes for me because I told her I'm in pain all over, even when she touched my stomach, and that I am SO ready for this baby to get here!  Friends tell me I could go in anywhere from 8 hours to one day, which was great! 
My sister surprised me with a one day "layover" here in Phoenix-best surprise ever!  I didn't think I would get to see her until November 2nd, when she is set to come visit for a week for Connor's birthday and to meet her neice!  I haven't seen her since June in Montana, and it was such a great treat to get to spend the day with her.  We got manicures and walked the mall, talking and laughing and catching up.  I LOVED the thought of her getting to be here when the baby came, but no such luck.  It worked out great because we got to focus on her, and celebrate her 25th birthday with her at Babbo!  (Her birthday is October 7th, and we joked that her neice would want to steal her thunder...longtime joke that it's something I always do!)
I went to work on Thursday which was Professional Development Day.  Translation: the students leave early so the teachers can sit for 3 or more hours in a meeting.  (side note: the great part about it is that I got to spend all morning with just Connor.  We went for a long walk and played at the park for over an hour!!)  I could not get comfortable!! I was up and down, and stretching out my back and moving my legs.  She's just getting so big in there-she's running out of room and taking it out on me! :)  
Yesterday (Friday), Ryan had the day off with Connor and me.  We had a great lazy day.  The weather is beautiful, and we can finally go outside after 9:00 am!  A little before lunch, we went for a walk up to the park.  They took out Connor's favorite slide, but that didn't stop him!  He took his ball (I swear, all I'm getting him for his birthday is raquet balls-they are his absolute favorite toy!) and spend an hour throwing the ball down and waiting for Daddy or Sammi to find it and give it back to him.  Then he'd run back up the steps and do it again!  The only slide was the gigantic twisty slide that, to a mom of an almost two year old, might as well be as tall as the Empire State Building!  Luckily, my son is only somewhat of a daredevil, but also thought it was too tall to do by himself.  Ryan went down with him, which is hilarious because his legs are so long.  It wasn't long before two other little kiddos came to the park, ran up the steps, sat down, and started going down the slide!  Connor was FASCINATED!  He was giggling and babbling to them, and made instant friends.  The next time they ran up the steps to the slide, he followed right behind, and went down ALL BY HIMSELF!  It was the cutest thing we have ever seen.  I wish I had my camera, but I just didn't think I'd need it.  (Plus I'm going to look at an XT on craigslist later, and can't wait!) A minute later, Ryan came and sat down beside me and we watched our suddenly independent son go up and down on the playground equipment.  We both looked at each other, and realized how it's the little things that make you so proud to be parents.  Something as silly as Connor learning how to go down a slide on his own made me beam with pride...

Suddenly I let it go.  I let go of the fact that I'm uncomfortable, have to pee all the time, am tired, in pain, can't stand up or sit up on my own, etc.  I am enjoying whatever time I have left as a family of three.

That doesn't mean I have completely stopped being anxious or ended complaining.  I still have my moments, but I'm just reminded that life is about to change in a very big way here soon.  New adventures, trials, tribulations, and memories to make.  But for now, it's just Ryan, Connor and me, and that's perfectly fine!