29 week itch

I wish I could count the number of times in the past several weeks that the words "Great" or "Can't complain" have come out of my mouth. Every time a coworker or friend asks me how I'm doing, those are my go to responses. My Mom, Will, and friends who are pregnant themselves or recently have had children of their own get a more candid answer, but do all those other people really want to hear how I feel? About how my shoulders feel like I haven't stretched or moved at all for that matter in decades? How it's impossible to get comfortable, my lower back is in knots, I am constantly afraid of wetting my pants, and how it takes more effort to get from a sitting to standing positing (forget laying down to standing) than it would take me to run up and down the stairs 10 times pre pregnancy?

Blah.

Basically, I am hitting that point in pregnancy where I'm just over it. I am obviously so thankful for this experience. I love that I get to be the one carrying our little girl and bringing her into this world. I love that I get to feel the kicks and be there for every single second of this journey. Seriously, the kicks and feeling her move are THE best ever. I am most of all thankful that it was so easy for me to get pregnant in the first place, and Norah and I have both been pretty healthy every step of the way. But even though all that is true, the pain and discomfort and sleepless nights and haywire emotions eventually start to ware on a person. And for me, that time is here.

To me pregnancy is kind of comparable to planning a wedding. You find out the big day is going to come, be it a baby's birth or the ceremony. And once the date is determined, you have x amount of months to prepare for it. The first few months are joyous and celebratory. The next few are filled with tons of planning and research and decision making. But then there comes the final stretch. For some people, this final stretch might be calm, exciting, and just a time to savor before everything changes. Not for this girl.

The last few months of my engagement, I was over it. Over people asking me millions of questions. Over hearing unsolicited opinions on this or that. Over the waiting for the climax. I just wanted to be married to my husband and start that chapter of our lives. That is where I'm at now with pregnancy.

While it's a little more important for a baby to grow and develop and thrive in the last few months of pregnancy than for me to get my way about just wanting the whole thing to be done, it's the same concept. These last few months, while important for Norah, are just giving me too much time to think. Too much time to dwell on things that really don't matter. Too much time to be physically uncomfortable and lose sight of the prize- our daughter. I know there is a reason pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, but good grief I hope the  final quarter of this marathon isn't as tough as some of my more recent days have been.

While this is my blog and I can complain if I want to, I feel bad even venting. I am healthy. I am a mere 60 days (EEK!) from my last (scheduled) day in the office. I have a supportive family and husband. I don't have to worry about how I will support my child. There are so many things that could make this final trimester so much more difficult, I know that. But regardless, the third trimester is just a bitch. And I hope it eases up on me a little, or this is going to be a long almost three months. At least it's warm and I have a few options to help me relax. Even if it did take me an hour to find a comfortable position.

As I sit here in the rocker in baby's nursery, trying to find a location where I can be comfortable for more than 30 seconds at a time after my couch and bed have completely turned on me, I know this is just the beginning. I will be 100 times more tired, and perhaps in more pain, than I am right now. The difference is that by then, there will be a little person here to remind me it's all worth it. I can't wait until that day comes. Heres to a healthy home stretch and delivery for me and N so we can get to the good stuff :) And to staying positive and surviving the third trimester.

goings on

--So I failed pretty miserably at the 28 week pregnancy update. I never took a picture, and I'll be 29 weeks tomorrow, so pretty sure that ship has sailed. More power to those of you that can keep up any type of blog post every week, let alone one requiring a picture of something specific. I just don't have it in me.

--I'm kind of dying to go to the beach. There is no vacation in the cards for us in the year 2014, but I'm hoping next year we can make it to Napa or Rosemary Beach, FL. Maybe even a quick weekend trip to South Carolina. Our trips to Key West, St. Lucia, and Rhode Island in the year or so surrounding our wedding totally spoiled me. I am ready for a vaca!

--In other news, I was joking around with some co-workers today that work was going to put me into an early labor. We are busy, busy, busy, which is wonderful- but also crazy stressful when you're 7 months pregnant. Two of my closest cube neighbors are single guys, and I am pretty sure they were appalled and disgusted at having to help me to get to the hospital should my water actually break at the office. It was quite hilarious. That conversation has me excited to pack my hospital bag. It's still pretty early, but I've got most other things crossed off of my baby to do list. I can't wait to get packing!

My diaper bag. This baby will also serve as the hospital bag for Norah's things, and whatever else doesn't fit in the bag(s) Will and I bring.

--For some reason I ended up on Bloomingdale's website looking at baby clothes today. I actually ordered 3 outfits for around $40! I am obsessed with shopping for baby outfits. I know they say not to go overboard, but how can you not when you are literally creating a wardrobe from scratch. Plus babies are messy, and I hate doing laundry, so can you really have too much baby clothes? Especially for the Fall in Ohio. It could be 40 degrees out, it could be 90!

here

here

here

--My dogs have been acting pretty sketchy lately. I wonder if they sense the baby is coming? Disregard the hot mess hair below, but seriously, what is she doing?

Our dogs totally the type to be standoffish and pretend the baby doesn't exist. They have made NO acknowledgement of my bump or that they know there is  a person in there. Pretty sure they're in denial. On the bright site, they are pretty calm and relaxed in the nursery.

--I had my first middle of the night pregnancy leg cramp. Talk about the worst pain I've experienced probably ever. That I can remember at least. Worst. Ever.

That's all for now. TGI almost F!

Pregnancy Update: 28 Weeks

Picture coming soon!

How far Along: 28 weeks. Hello 7 months, and third trimester. It is so surreal being in the final leg of this journey. We've come so far, but it seems like there's still so much time to go.

Size of Baby: Baby girl is the size of a head of cauliflower or a coconut. About 16 inches and 2.5 pounds.

Gender: Baby girl. Norah Paige.

Weight Gain: Approximately 25 pounds. Slowed down from what I was gaining in months 5 and 6 thank goodness.

Feeling: Still back and forth on this one. For the most part, I'd say I feel great. But there are a few times a day where exhaustion or joint pain hits me, and it's pretty tough. Not to mention walking around my pretty large company at work all day, or trying to bend over, or do housework of any kind, is getting harder by the day.

I also had a bit of an emotion breakdown the other day. I am obviously thankful and EXTREMELY happy with the whole pregnancy experience, but I am kind of hitting the wall for lack of a better term. I am ready to get my body back and start our life with our little girl. Of course I am sure the next 11 weeks or so will just fly by, but right now- it seems like an eternity. People who say they love being pregnant? I do not understand them! As wonderful as it is to be able to bring a person into the world, the act of actually being pregnant is just not doing it for me anymore.

Maternity Clothes: Loving them, just like last month. Also like last month, the only non maternity clothes I can fit into are leggings, athletic shorts, and a few shirts that were too big to begin with, or are very long in length.

Nursery: We've added a decoration here and there, but I won't be adding anything else to the nursery until I see what all we get at the rest of our baby showers.

Movement: So much excitement in this category. I actually had a bit of a freak out because I didn't feel her move much at all one day last week, but besides that, little Norah has been on the go. I can feel distinct movement multiple times a day. This weekend also marked the first time I could see her move from outside of my stomach. It is so awesome to be able to see my tummy make little vibrating motions, and see the overall shape change as she moves positions.

Symptoms: Issues getting from a laying down to sitting up or standing position. Difficulty bending over to put on shoes, get dressed, pick things up off of the ground, etc. Joint aches and pains. Luckily I've begun scheduling the pregnancy spa services Will got me, so I hope those help!

Sleep: No major complaints here. Still going to bed around 10pm and waking up around 6:30am.

Cravings: Still loving cereal and ice cream.

What I Miss: Mobility. Alcohol. Soft cheeses. Pencil skirts.

Best Moment This Week: Entering another month, having a positive doctors appt (I passed my glucose test!), and feeling lots of movement from Norah.

Looking Forward To: Baby showers. More frequent doctor appointments! I just love going to the doctor. It makes me feel like everything is more real.

Thankful For: Entering the third trimester, where baby is able to make it outside the womb if she needs to. Passing my glucose test.