105 Days

105 days to go until we meet our bundle of blessings.  We are at week 25 today, last week hitting the 6 month mark was very exciting.  I am not certain just why as there is still a lot more in front of us but maybe it was knowing that I was into another month of carrying our very active little one.  It has been a bad week for heartburn, after some calmness it has riled up to its usual self and that is quite uncomfortable.  I did get to see externally the movement that is going on inside, just sitting waiting for the bank teller to give me my slips and as I was looking down there it was, the kick or punch that our wee one desired to share with me in the moment of calmness.  We have an appointment in 2 weeks and get closer to seeing her more often as the pregnancy winds down.  I never even thought about all the questions that concern the birthing process and thankfully those have been answered or will be asked, there is a relief when you hear an answer and just know that it is going to all work out somehow with minimal surprises.

Baby's room has not had much progress and still sits at about the 45% completion but other things are getting taken care of and even more I have had some energy after a long day at the office to get around to items that I keep ignoring.  Next step is to build our cube organizer, clean what is left from office use and decide which books stay or need to be donated from my collection and that will get us another 10% closer in the room being finished up.  Vinyl letters, are the most horrific thing to put up.  My arm was getting a real workout that day as we kept seeing letters not stick completely but the good news is that it has stayed up since then, glad I did not buy 2 phrases for the house.

Photo to come soon.

Let me tell you

How happy I am that we are about 45% ready for baby to enjoy its new room.  Things are put together with only one more to purchase and one to put together before I try to call it quits on buying our baby essentials.
I am still in my regular clothes, with only one maternity shirt that my sister in law passed over.  Thank goodness for owning so many dresses and loose blouses, so glad that style suites me.  I even have one pair of jeans that button completely and actually have to wiggle up as they move around as the day goes on.  This makes me so happy because I am dreading having to shop for clothes that I will only wear for a little bit before baby comes.
Like I mentioned above, babies big needs are almost completely rounded out and I got to spend some time today with my wonderful, wise SIL.  Founds some great deals and had some ladies time as we perused the baby store.  I have this thing about being in charge and getting things done in a timely manner and Darren has been a great help in making it all come together.
As of tomorrow I will have made it through 4 weeks of intramural volleyball at 23 weeks pregnant.  Darren seems to be the most paranoid, asking how I am feeling and if I can handle that weeks competition.  We are still lifting and on the bike, although I am now keeping steady at certain weights way below where I was prior to being pregnant but I am happy that I can keep it up.  Last week I had to squat with my barbell and there was no hiding baby, it was so empowering!  I can do this.  And thanks to my SIL, she has given me the encouragement to know that after baby comes I can make it all work to get back in shape.  She is a true testament of someone who works very hard to take care of herself while raising her family.
Baby has been moving around a lot, how amazing it is to feel all these kicks and punches.  What a feeling that I am so blessed and grateful to feel.  Darren finally felt baby kicking around last week but there are definitely times when baby knows what we are up to and stops while Darren is feeling for movement.  I believe we are all very excited for our little one to join us.  I am very much looking forward to seeing Darren be the amazing father I know that he is, he has so many great qualities and I know that our child will pick up on those.  I have many prayers for us in raising a child to walk in faith and even more to raise one that will be guided not only by us but also the great people that have surrounded us and have shown great example of how it is to invest in our child and marriage.  This is the journey I never knew I would love and I am so ready to see how it unfolds with each day that I am given.

Reality

Every time I talk to someone or read about any part of the baby process a very small part of me freaks out, very small.  It is a great way to prepare, I know that I may not have the exact same experience as others but it is very awakening.  I have checked for the obvious signs of change in my skin waiting for the inevitable or maybe what I believe is going to occur, my face is the part of the worry but part of the ah we are okay.  I know that I may never be fully prepared for the entrance of our child's life into this world but sometimes reading the scary things and thinking on them helps me feel a little better, not certain why exactly but after initial shock of "my body is going to do…" I just think about the fact that we will become a family of three and how great of a dad Darren is going to be every day.

I am learning my boundaries, cannot bend over like a normal person and having to make adjustments in order to be comfortable and not feel like I am squishing the baby.  I cannot take too long between my snacks and meals, continuing to keep a well rounded healthy lifestyle from foods to exercise.  I can hide under my layers at the gym but when it comes to most activities I realize that my legs do not come up as high on the bicycle due to being stopped by my belly, not going to do a few things because they felt awkward just 3 months in and being bigger would only make me more uncomfortable.  Most of all the sleep, getting enough sleep makes me a much happier person and even more ready to take on the day but my weekend naps are still getting fit in whenever possible.  Waking up from that sleep to use the restroom, not my favorite part.

We are just over the halfway mark and so much more will come to light as we hit additional milestones.