"On the Long Ride Home"

I can't believe it's been almost 5 weeks since I first came to the hospital! Thankfully, I am still pregnant, but soon I will be on the ride home. They are going to induce me on Saturday and by Saturday night, Jeff and I should be parents! It will be early, but most babies born at 36 weeks do very well. It is encouraging to know that. As my time at the hospital comes to the end, I thought I would reflect on the great things about the hospital. I'm sure you can all imagine the things that are annoying and frustrating, but the hospital may not be as bad as you think.

Why staying in the hospital just ain't so bad.....

1. Room Service. If you really close your eyes tight, you can imagine you are at a bed and breakfast. You call, and they bring you the food. Breakfast in bed for 5 weeks!

2. Clean sheets on demand. No more struggling to get those sheets washed and on the bed. The nurse comes in and changes your sheets while you just sit there and watch. It makes me feel a little guilty!

3. Housekeeping everyday. They come in and mop your floors, empty your trash and leave more toilet paper. How great is that!

4. A baby heart beat monitor. Have you ever seen those monitors at baby stores that enable you to listen to your baby's heart beat while you're pregnant and all in the comfort of your home? I don't need to buy one. I've got one hooked up to me almost all the time. I think I am going to need a womb bear to help me sleep when I get out of here because I'm so used to hearing Graham's heart beat all day long.

5. The call button. If you need some medicine or if you just have a question, the nurses come running to your aid. I thought about pressing it when stumped while watching "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," but decided the nurses probably have to be more important life lines to the others in the hospital.

6. Wheel chair rides. It's like a trip on the Zippin Pippin when Jeff takes me for a ride. I've even fallen out a time or two. Who knew the hospital could be as fun as an amusement park?

7. And finally..... a bed with stirrups! Honestly, how many people go to sleep every night on a bed that has stirrups attached. Man, I am living the high life!

All joking aside, it really hasn't been as bad as I anticipated. The nurses and doctors have been so encouraging and informative, and I might just miss them when I leave. Nonetheless....I am still on the countdown. Just 3 more days until Graham arrives!!!