Overdue

Well, we have crossed the finish line BUT we're still going.

People don't talk much about the mental and emotional aspects of going passed your due date. It might be comparable to running a marathon - and then crossing the finish line and being told you have to keep running. You aren't prepared to keep running - physically, mentally OR emotionally. You are done. We feel done but we have to keep going.  It's 2 days passed our due date and Erin is still pregnant.

We both felt a little sick on our due date. And I was super emotional - I felt  so excited to meet baby and frustrated it hadn't happened yet. I was homesick. Easter is a special day at home - and more of my family is in town because of grandma (she ended up passing away Thursday morning). Erin has been pumping herself up for 3 weeks now. She's been mentally preparing for labor. She has stayed positive and upbeat. It's been hard to keep that up for 3 straight weeks. We both crashed a little on Sunday. But feeling better now.

We've tried all the little tricks imaginable. A LOT of walking, certain teas and oils, spicy food, acupuncture, acupressure, pineapple - you name it. We even made Jette a birthday cake (check it out).  It's looking like we just have to wait it out.

Oh, I forgot to mention the squats! Check this out. I swear, I'm married to wonder woman! This is 39.5 weeks pregnant.

A couple 5 mile hikes the week before our due date 

Friends tried to sing her out

We were sure hitting a bucket of balls would help

Pedicures help everything

About to have spicy thai food! 

Getting a non stress test. Baby looks great. 

Apparently the Belly Booster tea is supposed to help start labor. And carrot cake, obviously.

We were able to spend our due date with friends and family which helped. Oliver had his 1st birthday party and Cameron and Jackie prepared Easter dinner. Erin and I got home early to relax and ended up having a special evening together. We talked all about our pregnancy. We talked about the day we learned we were pregnant. We were away for the weekend for our friends wedding. Erin peed on the stick at like 5am. She called my name and I jumped out of bed. She showed me the stick and I think I blacked out for a couple of minutes. I freaked out. I cried and laughed and pumped my fist. We had a little dance party on the pullout sofa and then tried to get a little more sleep or at least stay in bed until Lisa and Karen woke up - who we were sharing a condo with. I knocked on their door once I heard them. Karen answered, I showed her the positive pregnancy test, she cried and told Lisa to come to the door. Lisa had just gotten out of the shower and was in her towel - she gave me the biggest hug almost losing her towel. haha, such a fun memory.

Hanging out at Oliver's birthday party on our due date

We didn't have a baby the day after our due date so we decided to do yard work 

Yesterday was much better. It started with an appointment to get Erin's membranes swept. Horrible name for a procedure. During the procedure the doc or midwife separates the amnionic sac from the cervix. It's supposed to jumpstart labor. Erin couldn't get the procedure completed because her body isn't far enough along. We know Erin will be induced this weekend if Jette doesn't make her appearance before then. We were able to reset our expectations, appreciate that Erin and baby are healthy and commit to having a happy and positive week.

Up until the last few days the pregnancy has gone fast. The fact that Erin has felt great has helped make it go fast. Our lives have carried on as usual. We have gotten closer, have had conversations we never had before, have gone on a handful of vacations, had a health scare, gained a(n ADORABLE) nephew, and a lot of things I'm not remembering.

One last thing that feels so important to highlight. We have gotten spoiled from family and friends. People we haven't talked to in years have sent packages. A stranger at the gym saw Erin's pregnant belly and learned we were having a girl. After the workout the stranger walked us to her car and gave us bags of BEAUTIFUL baby girl clothes. It's incredible. Perhaps the most special is a package we received yesterday. We received a handmade quilt from Julie, Kolby's mom, with the most beautiful card. We'll keep the quilt and the card forever - they are symbols of the love that made it possible to create Jette. The love and support that Julie has for Kolby will be reflected in the life of our baby girl. Kolby is amazing - that's why we asked him to help us start our family - and after hearing more and more about his life it is clear that his parents, particularly his mother, shaped him. Erin and I haven't talked much about how she might be doing with the anticipation of our baby being born - a baby that is apart of her but her not knowing how/where she fits in baby's life. The card she wrote gave us insight.  One thing is for certain, we want Jette to know Kolby's family. It might take time to figure out how it'll all work out but I am confident it will. I want to wrap my arms around Julie and thank her again and again for her love, support, kindness and graciousness through this unusual and unexpected process.

Look how beautiful! Julie named the quilt "Who Love You."

Anyway, any day now. For sure by this weekend!