somebody is late for a very important date

I'm overly gestated so bear with me, pretty please.

Most things that are due come with due dates. Those due dates have meaning. If you turn in a library book past it's due date then you get fined some pocket change. If you turn in a term paper after the due date then your grade goes down. Unborn babies aren't hip to these rules yet. That means that today, which is Henry's due date, there is really no promise of his arrival. This situation is beyond my control. I have not an ounce of leverage here. There is nothing to hold over his head. Plus I want him to like me so I won't be laying down rules within his first precious hours of life outside the uterus.

Yes, I know his arrival is impending but I'm uncomfortable with this waiting thing. I don't much like a surprise. I have unwrapped and re-wrapped Christmas presents and manipulated friends and family into disclosing anything closely resembling a surprise. I want dates and arrival times and itineraries. I want to make plans and back-up plans and emergency plans for when all other plans fail. I demand charts and graphs and phone lists. And cooperation!

Instead I am making a grocery list for the week full of sandwich-like meals that can be put together with or without Henry. I am yielding to Henry and his unannounced arrival. As it probably should be. I managed to control Eli's birth so this surrendering  is truly a lesson I need and am reluctant to learn. Sometimes I am relaxed and open to the mystery of his birth and embrace all the unknowns of it. Then I get caught up in how he really ought to be born on the 17th or the 20th as homage to my friends who were born on those days. Also, if he goes past the 21st then he'll no longer be a Gemini and I just don't want that to happen. I want a Gemini son not a Cancer. I just don't want any kind of Cancer in the house. These are petty details but in my weaker moments I cling to them and think that I should push for an induction to get Henry out on a day that I desire in a birth sign that I desire. And it all seems fairly reasonable until I type it out.

Hi, I'm controlling and selfish.

Comments

[Mrs. S]

Hi! I'm controlling too! Our baby is due October 25th - A SCORPIO! I am PRAYING, BEGGING and WHINING to her that she please, PLEASE, be a few days early and thus a Libra, which isn't quite as bad.

Also... I have two "important Canerians" in my life - my father and my mother-in-law - and oh, honey, I feel your pain in not wanting one of them in your life. I SO FEEL YOU.

I also use too many caps, but I'm hormonal and pregnant, surely you can understand :D

So... I'm all for planning and rushing the Henry-child, regardless of his own plans, just to make him be a Gemini ;) I'll keep sending the "go into labor" vibes whenever I can. Best of luck!

[UT]

My dear sis....

Im thinking of you lots these days. I wish I could be as useful to you this time around as I felt during the furious cooking days surrounding Eli's birth.

Im glad he was not born on the 6th or the 8th, so those two landmark dates have passed. Wishing you, Joe, Eli, and the Ball the best of luck and good times over the nest few weeks.

Lots of love from the Keystone State.

UT

[Marie]

I can relate to the past-due part! My boy was "due" March 1st and arrived March 10th. Of course they say the due date is an estimate, but then why isn't it called the estimate date??

Funny, I never even noticed the astrology bit... in fact, I don't remember my boy's sign!! How very un-Virgo of me!

Come on Henry! You can do it!!

[Leanne]

I've always looked at the due date as sort of the timer on an oven. "Ding!" Stick a fork in me, that kid is done.

However, our littlest was 4 weeks early. That was entirely unexpected, and ended up being one of the most gut wrenching times in our family. That put a new perspective on the whole "Get This Kid Outta Me!" mental state during the last trimester for me.

So, here's to Henry - who's just about done cookin' and will make his way out just as soon as he hears The Ding.

It sure would be nice though to hear it, too. I totally agree, and there's not a dang thing selfish about that!

;)

[Mom101]

Where were you with this awesome post about a year ago when I was 10 days late and ready to take the kid out of my uterus myself? All I can say is, the day I scheduled the induction was the day my water broke. Sort of like the bus coming just as soon as you light a cigarette. Worth a shot?

[alison]

Hi I'm a new reader brought here by Amalah's Club Mom blog. Just curious - where do you live in Japan? I used to live in Kobe... Good luck inducing/not inducing a Gemini :) My mom played ring around the rosie with me for hours to "induce" my younger brother. Could be worth a try...

[raehan]

He'll be a Gemini.

Of course you're controlling. You are the landlord and your tenant isn't paying rent. Tell Henry it's eviction time.

And then your body says, "No, sorry, It's my house lady."

[carrie]

have you made the demand on the boy yet? see, when the sonogram people and the midwives told me he was coming out around april 11th, i said no way. he's coming out the 5th. it was a good date in my mind. so, then i had talks with him, telling him he was coming out on the 5th, no exceptions. i willed him to come out on the 5th for weeks and weeks. got the 5th stuck in my head. and then he came on the 4th and said "screw you" to all of us who had made predictions and demands on him in the first place. when i look back, i like to think i was making good use of reverse psychology. or something like that. make your demands, i'm telling you. YOU'RE the mom afterall and what you say goes! love to you guys. xo c.

[maria]

You all have been in my thoughts, Meredith.I know it has to be hard waiting and anticipating. I was induced with the twins but Maeve and Aidan came all on their own. There is just some kind of wonder in that.I know whenever he comes, however he comes he's a blessed boy.He's got a whole family that loves him like crazy already.How lovely is that? Love to you
Maria

[LadyBug Crossing]

Waiting is the hardest part!!
Hang in there!
LBC

[Joanne]

I can't believe you're at the end! Time flies when you're not pregnant, I guess. I remember waiting and waiting for Edwin, though he was only 2 days late. We can't wait for details and pictures. Hang in there!! xoxox, jo, chris and edwin

[Melody]

Come on Henry! But Meredith, try and be patient. He'll arrive when he is ready to enter this big wide world. I don't blame him for wanting to stay within you... Good luck, best wishes are being sent your way from Monet and I!!!