When I started this 100 day countdown during my pregnancy with Henry, I never really thought about not making it all the way to my 100th post. That is, until I was in labor with six entries to go. I was determined then to blog that day and not miss a beat. I still don’t know if that was rash, or sensible, or just a good distraction for me between contractions. Regardless, I love having the account of that day on record, and it’s still a funny story to tell when J and I relive Henry’s birth if someone asks.

Now, I’ve been sort of teetering between just hoping and then somewhat expecting this second baby to arrive early…not just because H did, but because he was nine pounds when he made his entrance. I think it’s been easier for me to imagine that baby #2 would be early and no bigger than his or her older brother, but I know there’s not really a science to it in the end. Some second babies follow suit after their siblings. Some, not at all. Some subsequent babies are bigger, some are smaller–it’s just too hard to know for sure. Even so, I’ve been hopeful that I wouldn’t be twiddling my thumbs trying to drown out curiosity on days six, five, four…minus two. Besides, I’m just dying to know if we have a little brother or a little sister tucked in here, and the waiting is wonderful but SO hard.

As I look at the above eight day countdown, I can’t help but wonder whether baby no. 1 or baby no. 2 will carry the record for longest number of days in utero. I’m not trying to tempt this little one, but it will be interesting to see what happens. Labor and delivery seem so tangible now, and yet so far away. Every day I’m just trying to plan something that’s a distraction or a good use of time–to keep my mind off of things, and also to fit in little projects and such that I’ll be glad to have done already when I’m toting a newborn and trailing a toddler. The days ahead are sure to be marvelous and memory-filled, but probably also a bit hazy and sleepy and overwhelming at times. I know that regardless, my heart will be very, very full.

So the race is on. Will baby no. 2 outstay Henry’s residence in this belly of mine? If so, by how many days? Will I be blogging into negative numbers next weekend? Only our good and gracious creator knows, and there’s no doubt He has a plan better than any I could think up or envision on my own.

have patience, mm. have patience. maybe this will become my labor mantra 😉

molly madonna