My embarrassing story of the day: I woke at 2:30 last night and my contractions were off the charts ouch. I called the midwife and she said come in right away. I checked into the hospital and everyone agreed this baby was on its way in the next couple of hours.
And then the contractions stopped.
At 6:00 AM, I made the walk of shame back to my car. You can imagine my embarrassment as Ben Blair and I came into the house sans baby and sent my brother-in-law home (he had graciously come to watch the kids at 3:30(!) in the morning). I’m still blushing. : ) Random contractions are happening now and again. Do you think I’ll have the baby today? This weekend?
Even with no baby, this is bound to be a great weekend. We’ve got Mother’s Day — and sweet Betty’s birthday is on Sunday as well. Are you doing anything special? I hope all the ladies in your life feel loved and honored this weekend.
While I wait for this baby, here are a few things I’ve been wanting to share with you:
- How-to make a French hand-tied bouquet (like the one above).
- Clothing line, Kayce Hughes, is based in Nashville. They are donating 50% (!) of every order to the American Red Cross to aid flood victims. Kayce Hughes makes the most adorable, traditional layette items. (I’m in love with the infant “bubbles”.) Go buy something cute for your favorite baby. Also. I wish this polkadot overnight bag wasn’t sold out. I would snag one and pack it up for my hospital stay.
- Check out my CafeMom column. This week’s post is all about an abandoned shed turned rad playhouse.
- A temporary outdoor kitchen. Dreamy.
- Aaargh! A cute pirate party — plus completely free downloads so you can throw your own.
- More barn house envy.
- Hey Dads. Here are some sweet coupons that will make your wife smile on Mother’s Day. Print them out on behalf of the kiddos.
- A sneak peek of a new line of maternity clothes launching at Target. Do you like?
- We installed our hammock last Saturday. It’s hanging under the apple tree which is in full blossom and the kids are in it constantly. Here’s a DIY if you want to make your own inexpensive hammock. (via NotMartha)
- Like cooking? Like drawings? Meet They Draw and Cook. (Thanks Damaris!)
- Don’t miss my DownEast Basics giveaway. It’s a great chance for a wardrobe pick-me-up. The winner will be announced on Monday.
-My darling friend, Becky, has been pampering me like crazy for the last month. She brings over a warm loaf of homemade wheat bread every week. And this morning, she arranged for a housekeeper to come by and get the house clean and shiny, so it’s ready to greet a new baby. Isn’t that the nicest gift ever?
Happy Mother’s Day to you and yours. Have a wonderful weekend! I miss you already.
kisses,
Gabrielle
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
Aww! We are in the same boat! I had my baby on April 24th but all day on the 23rd I was having regular, painful contractions. So we did the SAME thing! Went to the hospital and got sent home (that’s never happened to me before!) But alas- baby was born less than 24 hrs later. I bet your body is just doing the prep work and delivery is nigh. And maybe it knew you had a bunch of awesome stuff to post before you could go have the baby ;)
Good Luck, Gabrielle! Maybe she’ll be born on Mother’s Day, as well. : ) I’m sure it’s hard to wait, but it won’t be long now. Happy Mother’s Day!
hold out for mother’s day!!
Oh G, you are such a doll. Whenever it happens, it will be a gift to have another little Blair enter the world! Hugs, Christine
I’ve been sent home before! Labor usually progresses the longer you’re at home so maybe today is the day!!! Can’t wait to hear!
Steph
I always loved these days of maybe or maybe not. Wish you good luck.
jessica
Awww…I hope your baby makes an appearance soon! Have a great Mother’s Day!
My oldest son and I will be sharing Mother’s Day and his ninth birthday this year. When he was born he came home from the hospital on my first Mother’s Day. It was very special. Good Luck and Enjoy your Mother’s Day.
I say there is no walk of shame when it comes to labor. Happy Mother’s Day!
I think your baby is totally on the way this weekend! Love that Target link, too!
Best of luck with that baby!! The Mother’s Day proximity is totally charming.
Best of wishes!! It sounds like it’s going to be a wonderful Mother’s Day for you and your family.
Best of luck! I’m glad to know even a seasoned pro can be fooled by fierce contractions. I think the baby will arrive this weekend.
Enjoy your clean house (indeed, the best gift ever) and happy Mother’s Day!
Thanks, Gabrielle! I hope your baby comes soon. Good luck!
Good Luck Gabrielle, what a GREAT Mothers day you will be having! Sounds like that baby is ready to come this weekend [hopefully for your sake]! Happy Mothers Day
xo
can’t wait to see this baby girl!!
eep! reminds me when i had lillie kate {my first} and raced into the hospital weeping and clutching anyone near. i mean ANYONE. even bandaged anyones.
the nurse was so disgusted. “honey? you’re barely dilated to one.”
i thought one was the end. should’ve taken those darn classes.
have her today. please. it’s uncle sugar’s birthday, too. xoxo.
I think when you’re on #6, and the contractions are off-the-charts-ouch (and who would know better, frankly?) you go to the hospital — no shame!
Hope Baby Blair makes an appearance very soon and in the meantime that you take it easy and put your feet up!
(many thanks again for the thumbs up on the coupons!) xo
My baby girl arrived last year on Mother’s Day after many, many false alarms. She had kept us wondering from the end of March until the day she was finally born. I was in the hospital twice for pre-term labor, then when the time came that she was considered full-term my husband and I spent many evening debating whether or not we should go into the hospital. At that point, the contractions stopped before we made that late night phone call. Don’t feel ashamed for going in to the hospital… cause you just never know!!
Good luck and I hope you get to see your little girl soon!!
I’m betting on Saturday, although it would be sweet to deliver on Mother’s Day! Wishing you the best!
I’m betting Saturday also. Aren’t Ralph and Olive’s birthday’s a day apart? I think Betty and her new little sister will have birthdays a day apart also (How fun!!). That’s my guess! :) Best wishes and Happy Mother’s Day!
What a wonderful selection of eye candy!! i know that you will once again be a new mom this weekend! May you also have a great Mother’s Day!
Your story sounded way too familiar. I was certain my #5 baby was coming when I had ultra-stong contractions early the morning after Christmas. Almost as soon as they got me all hooked-up at the hospital, the contractions just stopped. We went home to relieve my PREGNANT sister, who’d come at 4 am to be with the other kids and began the wait to New Years Day (2 days overdue) for my little girl to make her debut. I thought by #5 I’d have it all figured out, but I was humbled once again :-). I had always been so afraid of going to the hospital and being sent home that, in some ways, it was a relief to know that it really isn’t all that big of a deal.
Here’s hoping your wait will be short, and, most importantly, that all is well with you and Little Girl.
Oh that’s nothin’. With my second baby, I thought my water had broken and I went all the way (40 miles) to the hospital without my husband to find out. There was some amniotic fluid so they said yes, it probably had. I called my husband and he drove out and met me there. Then they did an ultrasound and decided it HADN’T and I had just peed my pants. Seriously. Now THAT is a walk of shame. Good luck with baby this weekend!
Wouldn’t it be grand if the baby was born on Mother’s Day??? No need to be embarassed… that happens all of the time! Soon, very soon!
Gabby that happened to me too. In fact, I didn’t go back to the hospital for another 3 days due to Prodromal Labor Syndrome (look it up). You may be having real contractions…just no action yet. My doctor finally induced when I was 12 days late although it was still a slow labor even with all the drugs. Hang in there! Hope it goes smoothly and try to relax and let your blog take a VACA so you can focus on that baby ;) Good luck!
Blessings to you and baby! :o) I have to brag on my friend (and Godmother to my little boy): She made meals for week (like breakfast, lunch and dinner!) and brought them over when I got home from the hospital! On top of that she and her husband offered to watch Caleb 1 night every month so that my husband and I can have a date night. Awesome friends are such a blessing!! :o)
It would be so designmom-eque for baby to be born on Mother’s Day! Hang in there.
Thanks so much for the mention. No baby for my sister either.
xokc
Oh, Gabby, don’t blush :) I’m sure the baby will be here by tomorrow. TFS all those fabulous links. Best Wishes and Happy Mother’s Day.
My mom had her seventh baby on our couch. the doctor asked her “don’t you know by now when to come to the hospital?”
So sorry for the false alarm. I’d been holding out hope that maybe you’d make it to Cierra’s wedding this weekend and I’d get to meet you, but I’m sure you’d rather have the baby instead. Best of luck to you and yours.
On one hand I am super excited for you to have this new sweet little one join your family, but on the other I really want this pregnancy stories to continue on Wednesdays. They are so sweet. Have an amazing mother’s day.
Don’t feel bad, I had false labour on my 5th baby–you’d think by #5 you know labour! But babies (and life) are full of surprises! And that is what makes the journey worthwhile. Good luck on your birth–maybe baby wants to be born on Mothers Day. Blessings!
Lisa
Oh – you and babe have been on my mind this weekend. I keep checking in to see if she has arrived yet. Maybe you’re there now!
Love, love, love that barn house!
oh my goodness………it is the walk of shame back to the car…..that is sooo funny…
i guess not when you are doing it…..i have done it for every baby…yikes..
Just read your sidebar(tweet), CONGRATULATIONS!
What a wonderful Mother’s Day gift to have a precious little one to hold. We are due on Father’s Day… I am so excited. And what a blessing to have such precious friends and family who care/love you! A brother in law who watches kiddos, a friend who cooks and cleans… God’s blessings are such a precious gift! Have a joy-filled Mother’s Day.
Your story sounded way too familiar. I was certain my #5 baby was coming when I had ultra-stong contractions early the morning after Christmas. Almost as soon as they got me all hooked-up at the hospital, the contractions just stopped. We went home to relieve my PREGNANT sister, who’d come at 4 am to be with the other kids and began the wait to New Years Day (2 days overdue) for my little girl to make her debut. I thought by #5 I’d have it all figured out, but I was humbled once again :-). I had always been so afraid of going to the hospital and being sent home that, in some ways, it was a relief to know that it really isn’t all that big of a deal.
+1
Congrats on baby girl Blair…hope she doesn’t remain nameless for long:)
Happy Mother’s Day!