I stayed up late last night, 12:30. Shouldn’t have had that iced tea at dinner. Woke up a little after 2 from a bizarre dream: I was in labor, in the hospital, a doctor was trying to put her stethoscope down my throat for some reason. As I woke I realized that the labor part at least wasn’t completely a dream I was in the midst of a very strong contraction. Continued to toss and turn till after three, had several more very strong contractions as I drifted in and out. I started obsessing about the stuff left undone, especially the bassinet linens and car seat cover that were sitting in the basement waiting to be washed. At least I didn’t try to get up and do laundry in the middle of the night!
I’ve had more contractions all day, mostly minor twinges like strong menstrual cramps that come and go, a few pretty heavy when I was laying down for a nap this afternoon. Nothing regular really. It could still probably be weeks before the baby comes. Still, I’m amping up preparations a bit. Did that load of laundry, will probably start rearranging furniture tomorrow and maybe clean out the car. I’m realizing we’re in the home stretch and she could come any day now.
There’s some kind of Lenten significance to that last bit: you never know the day or hour, be prepared. As true as that is for the coming of a baby, it’s even more true of course for the coming of the Lord. But somehow the impending arrival of the baby makes it harder for me to focus on Lent and preparation for Easter. And so I don’t think I’m going to try to spin it out into a more profound meditation. I think I need to go to bed instead.
