Perfect Timing and Peppermint Pajamas

Waiting for the arrival of a baby is an exercise in uncertainty. I didn't have any idea how much the uncertainty would bother me. I did not know what to do with an entire month in which, well, I don't know, I might be having a baby that day.

So when my friend chose to have labor induced for her seventh born, after six natural births, I could see where she was coming from. "I'll know my husband will be there, not stuck in Los Angeles, fighting traffic to get home. I'll know my doctor will be there."

Waiting is all so uncertain, kind of like wondering if you'll ever meet that special someone you are meant to share your life with, or like hoping to conceive a child.

The second time around, I anticipated it would be a bother, and prepared for it.

Then out of the blue, whammo, I was struck with a sore throat... and a runny nose... and a fever... and a sinus headache... and my eyes turned black and blue. I was better in a couple of days. The next weekend my husband was sick. Then my son caught it. The week after that, I got sick again. And then they got sick again.

And my baby "dropped". I understand not all babies do this, but two of mine have. All of the sudden I can no longer walk. I am reduced to an awkward waddle. I become slow, very slow. Actually, I was already slow, but this is ridiculous.

But as I bend around my belly over my toddler's crib each night to wipe his nose, put chapstick all over his irritated face, and brush peppermint oil on the front of his pajama suit, I breathe a little prayer. "Lord, I don't know when we're going to be well again! Then we might get sick again! I'll be happy to keep carrying the baby until You say so. You pick the day."

A few days before my baby dropped, in a phone call with my grandma, she pointed out that with three premature births, she never had the foggiest clue when her babies might be coming! My hat's off to all those whose blessings came early, late, or without a due date, or came two or three at a time without any prior warning. Maybe we have less control over life than we thought we did. Maybe it's better that way.