Tick Tock

Sometimes I feel like a ticking time bomb (or at least, like I’ve swallowed one, as my belly expands on a nearly daily basis). I think Jim considers me to have a detonating device implanted somewhere in my midsection. I often catch him eyeing me suspiciously whenever I’m gripped by a strong contraction or find myself struggling to catch my breath after flipping from one side to the other. I can almost hear the “tick…tick…” in his head as he critically assesses my potential for immediate delivery. The poor guy is probably worried that if he blinks too long, he’ll open his eyes to find that his family size has doubled!

Especially now that my contractions have been more uncomfortable for the last few days, we both get the feeling that our pre-parent days are drawing to a close. However, judging from the doctors’ apparent nonchalance at even these stronger contractions, I still very well may have another month in me. It’s amazing to think that, whether or not I deliver spontaneously as a result of the pre-term labor, or end up getting induced or sectioned at 38 weeks, we will be parents very soon! The nurses are also catching the “time bomb” bug, although they seem to think I have the remote detonator in my possession, as several have humbly requested that I not deliver until they have returned from their respective vacations so they can be a part of my big day. I would be happy to oblige, if only I had any say in the matter! Once again, I am struck by my lack of control. I will be just as shocked when the time comes as the rest of you! I’m so thankful that none of this is a surprise to the Lord, whose timing is always perfect.