5:25 am

Tish here.

I had to go to the airport to drop off my husband. While I was gone, Sarah and Kevin rested some. Sarah had some intense contractions and got in the tub.

They have slowed, but seem longer to me than earlier in the night. We are waiting hopefully. Labor is a beautiful picture of Advent.

Sarah is doing great. She is in good spirits and doing an amazing job breathing and leaning into the contractions. I think she is going to try to get some needed rest.

1:18 A.M.

This is Sarah again. Tish is resting and I wanted to capture a few thoughts between contractions.

Kev and I just took a vigorous walk around the block, in the rain. It rained like this on our wedding night and honeymoon. I'm very grateful that it is raining. The sound is soothing and cool water falling from above felt wonderful. The contractions are coming closer and closer together now, but they aren't quite as strong as they were before. I wonder if this is my body's way of getting me ready for a new pace before a new intensity.

Kev is being absolutely wonderful. Tremendously present and supportive, as I knew he would be.

And Tish is fabulous. I am so grateful I went with my instinct and invited her in.

And, of course, it continues to be a great gift to have Katherine here. She's giving good practical tips in light of the results of the internal and exam and is getting ready to make more chex mix... mmm...

Kev asked how I was feeling emotionally while we were walking and my answer was "grateful, excited, and unsure". The unsure part is related to the fact that this STILL doesn't feel real to me. I can't actually imagine that soon and very soon we're going to have a baby, a real baby. I can't get my head around it. No matter how long, strong, or close together the contractions are.

But... it will be real soon enough. Soon and very soon.

Midnight

Well, December 4 has arrived, but baby is not quite here yet.
Marecha, the midwife, has arrived and gave Sarah an exam. Everything looks good. She is in active labor. We have about 6 cm to go.

Katherine is hanging out and she and Sarah just began singing. They sound great and Kevin is filming us.

11:25 pm

The midwife and her apprentice are on their way here! Contractions are closer together (we're at about 5 minutes apart now). Tish (that's me) was called over to write on this blog, sing harmony (yes, there is singing as part of labor), and just be around (and hopefully helpful).

Sarah is doing an amazing job! She is breathing, focused, and calm. Kevin is also rocking it. He's taking pictures, loving on Sarah, and generally being a great Dad.

We'll keep you posted.

6:55 P.M.

Contractions seem to be coming a bit closer together now and I have to be intentional about my breathing through most of them. So... slow and steady progress... but progress indeed.

Thought you might appreciate a pic. Kev is well documenting these days and when Katherine checked the heartrate at 6 so we could give the midwife an update we asked him to capture the moment. It is a belly shot of sorts, Aunt Debbie.

Pretty lucky to have a sister midwife, eh?

5:09 P.M.

We took a half hour walk and then returned to decorate our tree. We videotaped the tree decorating, reflecting on the source of various ornaments along the way, and musing about future trees to be decorated with a child in the house... which ornaments that we find to be "meh" will the child find gorgeous? And will an annual birthday tradition be the decorating of the tree?

Definitely still seem to be in early labor, but I remembered that first time moms often have at least 24 hours of early labor. And I feel o.k. about this. My midwife was a bit anxious earlier in the day given the leaking fluid yesterday, but the leaking has been minimal today and I'm just content to let this baby come when he or she is ready. One of Katherine's dearest midwife friends said to her "I want to remind you that your sister is having an entirely normal first birth. Everything is fine." Yes. It is.

I have invited Tish, one of my newest and dearest friends, to join us when active labor begins and she has been very sweetly checking in throughout the day. She said that when her husband woke up this morning he said "the baby is not coming today". I think he's right. She remains on call.

I think the baby is intending to prove Aunt Katherine wrong, Aunt Katherine who has said repeatedly "You do know this baby is NOT coming on the due date, right?"

Kev stayed home from work today, but he's off the next four days anyhow so this baby is well timed, a most cooperative baby indeed.

2:40 P.M.

Sleep remains elusive, but I rested calmly for four hours... that is something at least, right?

I just took a hot shower and I'm heading out for a walk with Kevin.

The leaking amniotic fluid has ceased, but the bloody show continues.

My midwife seems a bit anxious about the fact that I haven't progressed further... but... I think it is o.k.. And Katherine agrees. So we're going with that for now.

I thought Ali was going to win the bet, but perhaps this a due date baby and Aunt Debbie B. will claim the prize!