Operation Labor Induction

Every mother understands it.
The excruciating wait at the end of 9 long months for the Big Event to occur. The discomfort is wearying. The uncertainty is tormenting. The anticipation is building.
With our dates being a bit unsure this time around, I have been trying some unorthodox methods of labor induction: First there was 6 hours of back-to-school uniform/shoe shopping with both my 4 and 6 year old. In Langley, on a hot day, with no air con in the vehicle. No luck.
Yesterday all three kids had dental visits first thing in the morning. That didn't turn out to be nearly as stressful as I thought (it helped that Nana and Grandpa were there for an appointment as well and helped supervise). Failed again.



Today I really thought my plan would work.
Grocery shopping at the biggest pack-your-own bags store in town, with all three munchkins in tow. I don't do this often and there is a good reason for that. To up the anty a bit today, not only did we get groceries, we looked through the clothing section, where child #1 insisted on trying on and pleading for various shoes and boots, and we went where no mother shopping with children should dare to go: The Toy Aisle.
We had to get a birthday gift for a friend. Child #1 took her time picking up every box and examining it to find just the right gift, finally settling on the 35$ Barbie that rollerskates and has a pet puppy. Nope! Not going to happen.
Meanwhile, Child #2 was whining for every cool truck, figure and watergun that he saw and having a BIG problem understanding that horrible word: No!
Child #3 was placated by holding a baby doll in it's packaging, and didn't have any difficulty letting it go back to the shelf. Child #3 was really the star of the show today at the grocery store.
With a reasonably priced Barbie chosen (it even talks!), we exited the toy section with promises of cookies at the end of the trip for 'best behavior.'
But my children were determined to help me with my Operation L.I. They knew that my stess level would have to be raised in order to realize my objective. Have you ever felt like 'that mother' at the grocery store? The one every one is politely averting their eyes from, while thinking horrible judgmental thoughts about? Or pitying secretly? I felt a bit paranoid today. The resounding thought being, what in the world is that mother doing have another child when she obviously has more than she can handle already?!!
The rest of the trip entailed:

- a huge apple juice 'FLOOD!' as Child #2 put it, after I (having a momentary lapse in judgment) asked Child #1 to pass it to me from the bottom shelf. The pass was fumbled and our feet were sticky the rest of the trip. It was great that it was one of those huge 4L containers too. Amazingly the whole aisle was empty and noone witnessed this event. So this day officially marks the first time we have broken something that made a really big mess in the grocery store.

- many reminders to Child #2 to stop hugging/crushing/poking/hitting/tackling Child #1, and to Child #1 and 2 to stop climbing on the sides of the buggy or stopping directly in front of it.

- when Child #3 was finally let out of the buggy to walk (as she had been asking since the entrance to the store), she instead joined in a skipping/jumping/chanting/josteling game with the other two, which resulted in her collision between another child, a produce bin and the floor, which then resulted in her being placed back in the buggy. It was the sheer grace of God that she did not complain and insist on coming back out like she usually does, but was happy to snuggle her blanket. Yes, I know she's almost 3. I like her blanket almost as much as she does. It comes in handy, ok?

- a precious bead bracelet was broken as one child did an illegal manoever on the shopping cart, spilling beads all over the produce section floor. My two older kids did a great job picking them all up, and the man who had to wait for them to get out of his way was very patient. He had a very kind face, I think he might have been an angel. Although there is something about a woman who looks like she's about to pop shopping with 3 young children who are obviously not being totally cooperative that induces a bit of compassion. Too bad it doesn't also induce labor.

We got through the lineup and out to the car fairly uneventfully. Except that I touched Child #2 and shocked him by accident twice, and he responded by poking me back and saying he didn't like me anymore, which he had to be reprimanded for in the van.
It was the perfect end to the perfect shopping trip.
Which was a total FAIL on the labor induction goal, but did succeed in giving me a headache and some back pain, which has gone away now that I've vented (and had a wee bit of caffeine).

Next on the list:
1. More raspberry leaf tea (so much more pleasant than stressful shopping).
2. A fun-filled weekend with a girls' night out, date night, and birthday celebrations for Nu (though I doubt these things will induce labor).
3. Washing the floors on my hands and knees.
4. Weeding all the gardens.
5. Moving a garden shed or other heavy object...does anyone need anything moved? I hear this works.

For those who've been praying for me, thank you! My blood pressure is borderline, and a bit up and down. It was totally normal after laying down for an hour at my non-stress test. I'll be going in for another of those on Friday, then seeing my doctor next Wednesday. Other than that, who knows what will happen? Thank you for praying that it will be soon and go smoothly.