This kid is big... but slow

Janet's due date isn't technically until July 23rd, but because the baby is bigger (he is now measuring 8.12 lbs.) and Janet is not, we thought surely he would come early. And he still might. He's so active sometimes it's as if he's already here.

Last Saturday night it really seemed like the Hoodlet was on his way. Janet started having contractions the evening before and all through the night and all day Saturday. After dinner the contractions were getting more painful and much closer together. We made sure the bags were packed, the van full of gas, and enough card games to last through 2-3 days in the hospital. Around 10:00 Janet's contractions were about 5-6 mins. apart. She called the doctor and we were told to come on into the hospital. So we did. Once we got there the stubborn little kid decided he wasn't going anywhere and the contractions spaced back out to 10-15 mins apart... then even longer. So we walked the halls of the hospital for a couple of hours, staring longingly at the sweet little bundles in the nursery and wondering when our little lamb would be in there. However, it seems not any time soon. We came home early Sunday morning and crashed into bed. I told Janet not to wake me up unless she was screaming in pain!

The contractions are still continuing. We had yet another doctor's appointment today and the doctor told us this period is called "latent labor". I think they sometimes make these names up on the spot to pacify anxious and annoying parents. Anyway, "latent labor" can last from hours to weeks depending on mom and baby. So... no baby... not yet. We did decide today, though, that if the baby doesn't come by the 23rd, we will induce on the 25th. That's seems like good news; at least we have some goal, other than eternity, in sight. I did ask the nurse if scheduling an induction was kind of like going to bathroom when you're waiting for a table at a restaurant. You know how that goes: you put your name on the list and the hostess tells you it'll be 30 mins. At about 10 mins you excuse yourself to the bathroom and return to find the rest of your party has been seated. It's magic. Maybe the same thing will happen with this delivery. Now that we're scheduled for an induction Janet has to go into labor any minute....