March of the Penguin

A couple of posts ago, I mentioned that I was experiencing quite a bit of pain and discomfort from my sciatic nerve, since Rhys has been growing this final month of pregnancy. He's averaging a weight gain of an ounce a day these last couple of weeks, which should put him at about 7 pounds right now, and it shows!

38 weeks tomorrow!

Thankfully, the Lord awoke me one night last week with the pressing desire to send out a prayer request via email. I was in so much pain that I couldn't even sleep. The replies, prayers and phone calls have been so encouraging...to know, more than anything, that I am not in this alone. "THANK YOU to all of my girlfriends and family who responded! I love you and praise the Lord for you and your hearts of compassion!!!"

The pain went on and got progressively worse for about 2 weeks, all of my holiday time! :) God has a plan for everything. He allowed for me to be on vacation from work so that I could rest and take naps during the day, since I was not sleeping well at night. He helped me to really embrace resting and relaxing...if you know me, you know that I would have been ON THE GO all of those days...walking, exercising, meeting with girlfriends, go, go, go! God had a very different plan for that vacation time. It was much like a long Sabbath, and, although it was a struggle at times, He gave me the grace to genuinely enjoy and delight in Him and in the rest.

I've been back to work since Monday, when the sciatic issues started to subside! How amazing is that!?!?! Now that my vacation time is over, I'm mobile again! Two days ago, I was able to walk on our treadmill for 20 minutes, the first time to exercise walk in over 2 weeks! It was hard, and it hurt for the last 5 minutes, but I pressed on, and it was great! Yesterday morning, I walked for 25 minutes, and it felt even better than the day before! Then, I went on an afternoon walk yesterday, too! It was a sunny day, and I couldn't resist. I'm so encouraged, and I'm so refreshed!! I do praise Jesus for what HE has taught me these last few weeks, for the friends and family who took time to pray for and encourage me, for my sweet husband's accountability and support in going at my slow-as-a-snail pace and making me take daily naps and for the peace of mind that the Lord has given to me in awaiting Rhys' arrival, even if he incubates for the full 15 days till our due date.

I'm still hurting when the Extra Strength Tylenol wears off every 6 hours or when I've been lying in bed in one position for hours through the night and I have to grunt and groan in pain to make my frequent trips to the potty. However, Rhys will be here soon, and the lessons learned have been and will continue to be priceless!!

One final note (and I really should take some video footage of my current walk!), I overheard Russell sharing with a friend over the phone a few nights ago, "She walks like a penguin." He quickly realized that he said this in my presence and sheepishly looked over at me for my response. I just laughed, and I totally agree!!! I've been noticing that I certainly waddle these days, and it is just like a penguin! So, now, we just laugh, and Russell calls me his little penguin! :) {Of course, I only laugh because I know this should all be over soon!!}