Well, I have 4 weeks left...more or less. It's hard to believe! When I said that to Steve last night, he remarked that of the two of us, I should be able to believe it more since I've had the kid kicking and moving inside me for the past few months. True, but I think he's adjusted to the thought of becoming parents a lot better than I have. A part of me keeps thinking I'll wake up and find this has all been a crazy dream.
Here's what's been going on lately:
1. Swollen Feet. Luckily, it isn't too bad, not as bad as some people I've seen comment on baby and pregnancy websites. Hotter days definitely make my feet swell more than cooler days. And, the days I don't work I don't have any swelling at all. At work, I try to get up from my desk every hour or so and drink lots of water, and it seems to help a lot. It's those times when I can't get up and move much and can't put my feet up that really get me. When I had my hair cut and colored a week or so ago, my feet really became quite swollen, making me grateful it's not that bad all the time.
2. Wedding Ring. I've stopped wearing my wedding ring on my finger, just in case. I can always get it on and off, but there have been a couple days when it was more of a struggle to get it off at the end of a long day, so I've decided to err on the side of caution and wear it on a chain around my neck. I've heard about women who have to get their rings cut off their fingers because of swollen fingers and I definitely don't want that to happen to me!
3. Maternity Clothes. I miss my regular clothes. Mostly, I miss my regular pants. My maternity pants don't fit me at all! The problem is that my belly isn't as big as a lot of pregnant women's, probably due to my tummy tuck last year. However, I've gained weight everywhere else, especially my hips and thighs. My pants are constantly falling down because my belly isn't big enough to hold up the stretchy part that is too big in order to go over my larger hips and thighs. Fortunately, all my dresses still fit great and are very comfortable, as are my shirts.
4. Baby's Room. Right before Steve got his new job, he painted the "office" a wonderful shade of blue. While we were down in Cedar for the baby shower (which I totally need to write about!), we picked up two of my old dressers from my condo. Steve painted them a dark blue and put white nobs on them for handles. They turned out great! He then put up a really cute sports border around the top of the walls. We received some sports decorations from my mom and sister-in-law who threw us the Cedar baby shower, so we put them up, too. We set up the crib my mom gave us and bought a mattress and sports-themed fitted sheets for it. The room looks pretty dang good, thanks mostly to my wonderful hubby! I'll post pictures...someday. And yes, we love sports and hope that our son does too!
5. Car Seat. Yesterday, I went to the hospital for their free car seat installation service. We've had the car seat for months now - we bought a combination stroller/car seat - and it's nice to finally have it installed and to know it's done properly. Another thing we can check off our to-do list. I installed it myself, with the technician watching, so that when we buy a 2nd base to go into Steve's car, we'll know how to do it right.
6. Baby Supplies. Last Friday, we went shopping for the few items we had on our list that we didn't get from baby showers. (Thank you so much to all our very generous friends and family!!!). It feels good to have everything we think we'll need. That said, we're both fully aware that there are probably items that we haven't even thought of yet that we don't have and will need/want. So...all you mothers that read this, please please please comment on items you think we should have! Hopefully, we'll have them, but if not, I'd appreciate knowing! Thanks!
7. Sleep. What is that? I keep telling myself that my body is doing me a favor by getting me ready for waking up a lot to feed the baby, but I'm not buying it. Why not get a lot of sleep now while I can? I wake up every 2 hours or less to pee and it takes me a long time to get to sleep because I can't get comfortable no matter what I do. I'm not sure how I'm continuing to stay on my feet. God must be blessing me with strength beyond my own, because I know I need more sleep than this.
8. Walking. I am sooooo glad that I can still go walking every day! I hope that I can keep walking right up until I go into labor. It lifts my spirits and energizes my body. It's my favorite part of the day. We go around 8pm, when the sun is getting lower and the temperature is cooler. This is the time that Steve and I really get to talk and we talk about everything. Or, we don't say much at all, just hold hands and enjoy the weather and the outdoors and each other. These times are so precious to me!
9. Weight. I don't know. I haven't weighed myself in a long time. I know I'm a lot heavier but I'm almost past caring. My maternity clothes fit (more or less - see above), so at least I don't have to buy new clothes. And my blood pressure and vital stats are still in the very healthy range. I know it's going to be a long road to lose the weight I've gained, but so be it. I'm done with making myself miserable because of my increasing size. When the baby comes, I'll worry about it then. Eventually, I'll get my band filled again and will be able to exercise a bit more. Eventually. I'm a 36-year old, 8-month pregnant woman and I'm giving myself some slack. Yay!
10. Work. I just have a few weeks left! They finally hired my replacement and she's starting next week. My last day is going to be August 30th unless the baby comes earlier than that (hoping he doesn't!) or if I feel okay enough to work a little in September to keep training my replacement. It's been a good job, made lots better by the wonderful people with whom I work, and it will be sad to leave. However, I'm looking forward to being home with the baby. I may not get any more sleep than I am now, but at least I'll be able to take naps during the day, which is more than I can now! :)
11. Baby's Name. We don't know. We have two top contenders and one is Steve's favorite but I can't make up my mind. I really like both of them, but which one it will be will probably have to wait until baby is born. And, no, I'm not going to tell you what the two names are. Sorry! His middle name will be Andrew, I'll tell you that much. It's tradition for Steve's family; Steve, his dad, and his grandpa all have Andrew as a middle name.
I really am grateful that this pregnancy has gone so smoothly to-date. I can't say I've loved being pregnant the last few weeks, but at least I've been healthy and have had no complications. I know what a blessing that is, and I am truly thankful. Just a little longer to go and then little baby will be here!
Here's what's been going on lately:
1. Swollen Feet. Luckily, it isn't too bad, not as bad as some people I've seen comment on baby and pregnancy websites. Hotter days definitely make my feet swell more than cooler days. And, the days I don't work I don't have any swelling at all. At work, I try to get up from my desk every hour or so and drink lots of water, and it seems to help a lot. It's those times when I can't get up and move much and can't put my feet up that really get me. When I had my hair cut and colored a week or so ago, my feet really became quite swollen, making me grateful it's not that bad all the time.
2. Wedding Ring. I've stopped wearing my wedding ring on my finger, just in case. I can always get it on and off, but there have been a couple days when it was more of a struggle to get it off at the end of a long day, so I've decided to err on the side of caution and wear it on a chain around my neck. I've heard about women who have to get their rings cut off their fingers because of swollen fingers and I definitely don't want that to happen to me!
3. Maternity Clothes. I miss my regular clothes. Mostly, I miss my regular pants. My maternity pants don't fit me at all! The problem is that my belly isn't as big as a lot of pregnant women's, probably due to my tummy tuck last year. However, I've gained weight everywhere else, especially my hips and thighs. My pants are constantly falling down because my belly isn't big enough to hold up the stretchy part that is too big in order to go over my larger hips and thighs. Fortunately, all my dresses still fit great and are very comfortable, as are my shirts.
4. Baby's Room. Right before Steve got his new job, he painted the "office" a wonderful shade of blue. While we were down in Cedar for the baby shower (which I totally need to write about!), we picked up two of my old dressers from my condo. Steve painted them a dark blue and put white nobs on them for handles. They turned out great! He then put up a really cute sports border around the top of the walls. We received some sports decorations from my mom and sister-in-law who threw us the Cedar baby shower, so we put them up, too. We set up the crib my mom gave us and bought a mattress and sports-themed fitted sheets for it. The room looks pretty dang good, thanks mostly to my wonderful hubby! I'll post pictures...someday. And yes, we love sports and hope that our son does too!
5. Car Seat. Yesterday, I went to the hospital for their free car seat installation service. We've had the car seat for months now - we bought a combination stroller/car seat - and it's nice to finally have it installed and to know it's done properly. Another thing we can check off our to-do list. I installed it myself, with the technician watching, so that when we buy a 2nd base to go into Steve's car, we'll know how to do it right.
6. Baby Supplies. Last Friday, we went shopping for the few items we had on our list that we didn't get from baby showers. (Thank you so much to all our very generous friends and family!!!). It feels good to have everything we think we'll need. That said, we're both fully aware that there are probably items that we haven't even thought of yet that we don't have and will need/want. So...all you mothers that read this, please please please comment on items you think we should have! Hopefully, we'll have them, but if not, I'd appreciate knowing! Thanks!
7. Sleep. What is that? I keep telling myself that my body is doing me a favor by getting me ready for waking up a lot to feed the baby, but I'm not buying it. Why not get a lot of sleep now while I can? I wake up every 2 hours or less to pee and it takes me a long time to get to sleep because I can't get comfortable no matter what I do. I'm not sure how I'm continuing to stay on my feet. God must be blessing me with strength beyond my own, because I know I need more sleep than this.
8. Walking. I am sooooo glad that I can still go walking every day! I hope that I can keep walking right up until I go into labor. It lifts my spirits and energizes my body. It's my favorite part of the day. We go around 8pm, when the sun is getting lower and the temperature is cooler. This is the time that Steve and I really get to talk and we talk about everything. Or, we don't say much at all, just hold hands and enjoy the weather and the outdoors and each other. These times are so precious to me!
9. Weight. I don't know. I haven't weighed myself in a long time. I know I'm a lot heavier but I'm almost past caring. My maternity clothes fit (more or less - see above), so at least I don't have to buy new clothes. And my blood pressure and vital stats are still in the very healthy range. I know it's going to be a long road to lose the weight I've gained, but so be it. I'm done with making myself miserable because of my increasing size. When the baby comes, I'll worry about it then. Eventually, I'll get my band filled again and will be able to exercise a bit more. Eventually. I'm a 36-year old, 8-month pregnant woman and I'm giving myself some slack. Yay!
10. Work. I just have a few weeks left! They finally hired my replacement and she's starting next week. My last day is going to be August 30th unless the baby comes earlier than that (hoping he doesn't!) or if I feel okay enough to work a little in September to keep training my replacement. It's been a good job, made lots better by the wonderful people with whom I work, and it will be sad to leave. However, I'm looking forward to being home with the baby. I may not get any more sleep than I am now, but at least I'll be able to take naps during the day, which is more than I can now! :)
11. Baby's Name. We don't know. We have two top contenders and one is Steve's favorite but I can't make up my mind. I really like both of them, but which one it will be will probably have to wait until baby is born. And, no, I'm not going to tell you what the two names are. Sorry! His middle name will be Andrew, I'll tell you that much. It's tradition for Steve's family; Steve, his dad, and his grandpa all have Andrew as a middle name.
I really am grateful that this pregnancy has gone so smoothly to-date. I can't say I've loved being pregnant the last few weeks, but at least I've been healthy and have had no complications. I know what a blessing that is, and I am truly thankful. Just a little longer to go and then little baby will be here!