Closing In

Tomorrow we are going to be 38 weeks pregnant. At my last appointment, the doctor said Lenore can come anytime and that I should probably make sure my hospital bag is packed (it's not) and that the carseat is in the car (it's not). The good news is - we have a carseat and I'm going to be packing my bag today. It's just hard to wrap my head around the idea that she could be here any day. I feel like I'm not ready, but that I'll never truly be ready so, I guess I'm as ready as I'm gonna get?

The swelling in my feet has gotten out of control. It feels like sleep is a distant relative that I see maybe once a year at a family reunion. My hormones are off the charts. I'm a raging bitch one minute and then crying the next. Bless my husband's heart for putting up with me because I am far from the easiest person to get along with right now.

My doctor has thrown around the bed rest word a few times because of how swollen my feet are. I told him that I wasn't going on bed rest unless it was medically necessary. He said it wasn't and that it would be more for comfort than anything. I figure that I've made it this far - I can handle another two weeks (give or take). I'm praying that I'm at home when I go into labor though. Not sure how I'm going to deal with my water breaking at work. Awkward.. I guess it's good that I work in an office full of women all of which have kids.

My nesting feeling has kicked in. All I want to do is clean and organize more than I have ever wanted to in my life. I just keep feeling like I'm running out of time and want everything done now. Having a three day weekend is nice because I can get a lot of stuff done. I've gotten a ton done today already, which is nice.

Other than that (which is a lot if you ask me), not much is going on. Prepping for Lenore has taken up all of our time. I had my second baby shower last weekend, thrown by my mother-in-law and aunt-in-law. It was great and the weather held up, which was awesome considering all the rain we've had. We got lots of great stuff and now I just have to figure out where to put all of it.

With that - I'll leave you with two photos. 32 weeks and 37 weeks. I'll be glad when my weekly photos are of Lenore and not me. Not that I don't love documenting my growing belly, but I don't like documenting my growing double chin.

29 Week Update

How far along? 29 weeks + 4 days.

Total weight gain/loss: 25 pounds gained.

Maternity clothes? Going shopping this weekend! The belly band isn't cutting it anymore.

Stretch marks? Lots on my thighs, butt, and knees. A few on the girls now. 

Sleep: Last week I was sleeping better than normal. This week I'm struggling. She wedges herself up into my ribs and squishes my diaphragm which makes me feel like I can't breathe.

Best moment this week: Finishing Lenore's closet

Movement: TONS. My belly rocks and shakes with every kick.

Food cravings: Apple sauce

What I miss: Wearing my wedding rings :(

What I am looking forward to: Our one year wedding anniversary

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button in or out? OUT! Like a fat girl in dodgeball.

Random Things

Every day, pregnancy introduces me to new experiences. They range from significant to trivial to serious to silly. I thought I would post about some of them.

Bra Shopping - Having a substantial rack is something very new to me. I had to say goodbye to my modest sized chest about 8 weeks into my pregnancy. And apparently - they're only going to get bigger. Especially after the baby is born and my milk comes in. Now that I've welcomed a fuller bosom, bra shopping has completely changed. Full coverage, no padding, light lift bras are a whole different animal to me. Finding cute bras has suddenly become a little more difficult than it used to be. Comfort is starting to climb the priority ladder and will soon surpass cute. Thank God for Victoria's Secret or I don't know what I'd do. However, with no telling how big these things are going to get, spending $50+ on a bra that may not fit in 3 months seems silly.

Bending Over - Minds in the gutter aside, I'm being very serious with this one. Bending over has become one of the hardest things to do now that my flat belly has been replaced by a watermelon. Whether it be shaving, putting on my shoes, or picking something up off the floor, everything has become a chore. Never been pregnant? Put a basketball under your shirt and try to reach your feet. It's not easy!

Intense Sense of Smell - I walked into the cafeteria this afternoon and thought to myself, "It smells like mashed potatoes and gravy in here" and sure enough, there were mashed potatoes and gravy on the grill. Bloodhounds can eat their hearts out for real.

Swelling - Every part of your body swells when you're pregnant. Why I went into this thinking I was going to be an exception to the rule is beyond me. My legs, my feet, EVERYTHING is swollen. I think the worst part about it is not being able to wear my wedding rings anymore. I either wear just the band or both rings on a necklace. I can't wait to be able to wear them on my fingers again. 

Mama Bear Mentality - My baby girl isn't here yet, but I already have an overwhelming urge to protect her. When random people try to touch my belly, I move away, not so much for me, but for her. The thought of anyone doing anything to hurt her makes me see red. I haven't even met this little girl and I wouldn't hesitate to rip someone's throat out that posed any sort of threat to her. It's a wild feeling.

Every day it's something new! I look forward to what's to come next.