Five Things I've Learned From Pregnancy (So Far)

1) At some point, no matter how hard you fight it, the pregnancy waddle will happen. What I've discovered is that it is due to the fact that the baby "drops" into (feels like onto) your pelvis. Or in my case has dropped three separate times in as many weeks; even my OB has been surprised at my weekly appointments.

2) Morning sickness is a huge misnomer. Not only does it refuse to restrict itself to mornings, coming and going as it pleases throughout the day, but it also can come back for the second (and third) trimester. No one tells you that little gem until you're asking why the puking has returned... at week 23.

3) There are three distinct stages in pregnancy:
-The "You're annoyed by someone assuming you're pregnant as soon as you have a hint of a baby bump" stage. Seriously, people, such a bad idea.

- The "Someone not realizing you're pregnant is equally irritating" stage. My 35 week reaction to a, "Wow! You've been pregnant this whole time?!" comment was, "What exactly did you think this (gesturing to belly) was...? Lunch?"

- The "Frustrated by strangers assuming that they have a right to know any and every detail they want" stage. Birth plan, feeding preference, co-sleeping, parenting style, and how dare you not share the name you've picked!

4) Hormones and mood swings - they weren't kidding. A few weeks back, getting in the car after work and seeing a tear-stained napkin from an emotional breakdown before work was enough to start the waterworks all over again.

5) As uncomfortable as the kicks, rolls, and punches make everything, it's still amazing to stop and think that the baby in there is the same one that you'll actually hold once he decides to make an appearance. And yet after nine months it seems so normal to have another being just doing his own thing and dancing among your internal organs. I'm going to miss that part.

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart do walking around outside your body."
Elizabeth Stone

Ready to Roll

Despite my rigorous napping schedule, I've managed to check off everything on my pre-delivery to-do list a few days earlier than anticipated - with the last two items being prepping our "night-time" diapers and packing the hospital bag.

Hopefully these work out as well as their reputation indicates!

Nearly every hospital bag "essentials" list that I've found seems over complicated, and most actually need two bags just to fit everything in. Keeping that in mind, my main goal was to pack relatively light using only one carry-on size bag. That mission has been accomplished, and now I'm just hoping that I haven't overlooked an actual essential in my quest to keep it simple.

For me:

Basic makeup and toiletries, chap stick, lotion, basic nursing supplies, lounge pants, tanks, and an extra long sweater which doubles as light bathrobe.

For Chris:
Comfortable change of clothes, toiletries, nicer shirt for pictures, snacks, and electronics.

For Baby:
Onesies, pants, hat, socks, receiving blanket, swaddle blanket, and baby book (for hand and foot stamps).

Elephant theme, of course!

And now we wait...

Updates

How far along: 39 weeks

Maternity clothes: Yep...

Sleep: Ha!

Best moment this week: Friday was my last day at the office - maternity leave has begun! Originally I hadn't thought it would make much difference whether I was at work or not for the last week(s), but I discovered that it's actually rather challenging to have the same conversation every five minutes for eight hours at a time. "Yes, I'm due soon. It's a boy. Yes, I'm rather uncomfortable. No, we aren't announcing the name yet." (Cue awkward personal questions/TMI labor stories.)

Missing anything? The ability to bend at the waist. And having a waist...

Movement: Holy. Smokes. There isn't much room for either of us at this point! We watched 'Prometheus' a while back and I think someone was taking notes for an escape through my ribs à la 'Alien'.

Cravings: Nectarines - I can't get enough of them!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing that stands out, but then again I have been using a lot of my breaks at work to sleep because priorities! Nearly all of my food is fresh and/or not heated so I can discretely snack on it just about anywhere. Naps, not so much.

Gender: Boy, oh boy.

Labour signs: The occasional contraction, a lot of Braxton Hicks, and nothing substantial in the way of progress.

Symptoms: Still puffy, and it's kind of everywhere now. Good times...

Happy or moody: Rather moody, but I have a feeling that will improve shortly. I don't feel terribly grouchy, but I've been told (repeatedly) how uncomfortable/awful I look which is, of course, fantastic for morale.

Looking forward to: Meeting our little man!

Funny moments: Apparently there is a point of pregnancy when you call your husband in the middle of the afternoon and the first thing out of his mouth will be, "Is it time?!" And then you will feel bad and start every following conversation with, "Nothing is happening, I was just wondering if you could stop at the store on your way home..."

"A baby is a blank cheque made payable to the human race."
Barbara Christine Seifert

So Many Freezer Meals, So Little Time...

I may have gone a little wild on the freezer meals over the last week, with recent additions including chicken taco chili, Italian baked ziti, and sour cream noodle bake. Currently we are at nine meals and counting! It's just so satisfying to watch the freezer stack up with items that I know will make the first few weeks at home easier. Aside from that, we are nearly finished prepping the baby gear - onesies, sleepers, socks, hats, sheets, and organizing all of the stuff that comes along with them. Next on the list are prepping the diapers once they arrive (we're going with cloth - wish us luck!) and the hospital bag.

Life currently: Extra caramel macchiatos, baby prep, and freezer meals.

In other news, construction on the house is finally moving! Foundation poured, plumbing roughed in, decking on, and framing/walls in progress. I've been told that we are expecting to have the roof on by the end of the month!

It's almost starting to look like a house...

Updates

How far along: 36 weeks

Maternity clothes: Mostly maternity, I just don't have the energy for anything else!

Sleep: Still missing... Oh, well.

Best moment this week: Realizing that we are just about three weeks out from D-Day!

Missing anything? Fruity beverages.

Movement: A lot! He seems to have shifted down from my ribs though, which makes things a bit less painful.

Cravings: Iced caramel macchiatos and fruit. I've perfected my at-home version and my poor wallet is breathing a huge sigh of relief.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Ketchup and the microwave meals everyone seems to be enamored with.

Gender: Boy, oh boy.

Labour signs: Good ol' Braxton Hicks, but nothing new to report from the OB.

Symptoms: The dreaded limb swelling has hit, but mostly contains itself to one leg/ankle/foot - definitely bringing sexy back over here. The pregnancy brain is getting worse, but I try to roll with it. And by roll with it, I mean put everything on post-it notes and texts/emails to myself as soon as they cross my mind - who knows when (or if) they will be back!

Happy or moody: Mostly happy, but the countdown is definitely on for the number of days until maternity leave starts. Members of the general public are rather awful, and I've received a fair amount of downright nasty remarks.

Looking forward to: Maternity leave, meeting our little guy, summer, normal exercise, watching our new home take shape. There are so many exciting things to choose from - I think it would be easier to just say life in general!

Funny moments: Apparently I am losing my grip on the English language, or at least the ability to utilize proper terms for items. Two of the more recent examples would be referring to an elephant as a giraffe and a dishwasher basket as a diaper basket. This pregnancy gig does wonders for the ego...

"People are giving birth underwater now. They say it's less traumatic for the baby because it's in water. But certainly more traumatic for the other people in the pool."
Elayne Boosler