I am currently in one of the most stressful times in my life.

I just started my eighth month of pregnancy and we moved into a house that needs so much work. My 16 month old needs constant activity and trips to the park are getting harder and harder (the back yard will soon have to become our "park"). I just started singing in another professional choir and have forgotten twice to go to rehearsals due to scatterbrained-absentmindedness that according to my pregnancy book is on the increase at 32 weeks. I have 5 nights in a row of Bach Society, with 2 concerts, 1 rehearsal and two recording sessions. It's a good thing I'm paid to be there. There's noone but me to clean the upstairs apartment to get it ready for Juanita and this one still needs lots of organization. Will needs winter clothes, Eva has no clothes and I'm on the verge of tears (all of this with Rodney's Africa trip in 2 weeks). This is a raw post, I know.

So, where is all this stress getting me? Apparently a visit to the hospital. I need to start by saying that everything is fine, but I definitely need to take it easy.

Some background information is needed: Last Monday at my OB check-up Dr. Turner asked if I was having contractions and I casually replied "yes." She asked about frequency and some other things and seemed concerned. I was not concerned (until she was) because I remember having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions with Will. After doing a cervical exam she determined that I was "thin" and that my cervix was at the midway point. She warned me that if I had an episode of 6 contractions in one hour that I needed to come in to the hospital. She debated whether or not I should come in the following week (instead of 2 weeks) but said that if anything happened between now and then just to come in. Fast forward to Friday night. I was singing in Alton with Bach Society and had consistent contractions throughout the concert and even well after I got home. I decided to eat, drink and sleep and go in to the hospital the next morning. They checked me and said that I'm definitely thin but not dilated, so they sent me home with some instructions to stay hydrated. I still need to speak with Dr. Turner, but it's definately shaken us up.

So, what now? After this week I don't need to go to Bach Society rehearsals because I'm not singing in the Christmas concert due to baby arrival. I've also decided that I MUST rest when Will is resting and pare down my commitments as much as possible. If this means sleeping in on Sundays and missing church, then I've decided not to feel guilty (as was the case this Sunday). I'm accepting/asking for more help from Rodney and trying not to get worked up over the "little things." I'm very grateful for the encouragement I've received from family and friends and look forward to having Nancy around in a few weeks and after that family to be around when the baby is born. I have to remind myself that I am not alone.

I said it was a raw post.

On a more positive note, Rodney was able to paint Will and Eva's room this weekend. This provided me with some tears of joy and a respite from my stress. Thank you, Rodney.