Week 38

Just a couple weeks left to go and our hopes of an early arrival are beginning to dwindle for me as I see the days go by.  Less than 2 weeks until our actual due date and I am ready, car seat bases have been installed into both vehicles, hospital bags are packed, Junior’s clothes washed, freezer is organized (aka I now know what we have in stock), one package on its way and I shopped this past weekend for a date dress when we get to go out on our own.

I can now see and understand what people say when they are ready to be done with this part of the process.  Feet being swollen, exhaustion, trouble sleeping, everything feels ready but we are missing the most important person to make it come full circle.  I probably walked around 3 miles Sunday and no give on showing up.  Earlier this week I just wanted to bang my head against my desk, due to realizing that carrying a person is quite tiresome and the excitement is slowly becoming paranoia as we wait and let Junior take his/her time to meet us.  

Junior’s room is ready, everyone seems to be awaiting their call to see if we have been blessed with a girl or boy to raise and love.  I think Junior knows what is going on and is having fun playing games with me, a lot of kicking around today as if to say "I am here and I am not moving."  

I had a fresh mango yesterday in hopes that it would help as a pineapple was not available, but instead I had a delicious and sticky treat.  Yes, I am resorting to trying a couple things in hopes of coaxing Junior to join us on the outside.  Off to find some pineapple this week and keeping my walking feet in search of some signs that Junior is ready to make his/her grand appearance.

Finishing up week 37

This is the most exhausted I have felt this entire time, mostly due to the lack of great sleep and being able to breathe well while I am sleeping.  We are almost to the finish line and if all goes the way we feel and think Junior will arrive a little early and I do pray it is so, just even a couple of days.  Not only because we are all so eager to meet our little one and share him or her with our family but because we are as ready as one can be and I for one am willing to give in to the next stage of tiredness and exhaustion that is not associated with carrying a live being but holding.  I will get to be exhausted at home and not everywhere else I am like the office where I should be the most productive.  My stomach is more tight than not with Braxton Hicks contractions written all over it.  I have been staring at what needs to be done this week and today I will get to do all those things that I so much have been dreading but once I get started we should be okay.  The couch always looks better but let me say I have been wanting oh so badly to lay on my belly, just collapse and lay face down, someday I guess just not the next few weeks.  Staying as hydrated as possible, making time for the little things that may be more work after baby is here.  Knocked out some one on one dates with girlfriends and now onto making more time for Darren and I.  

This weekend will be a busy one with us but its all the busy we like: food, friends and the race.  I realized the other day that it has been 6 years since we first met on Memorial Day Weekend at the race.  6 whole years, so crazy how fast time goes and how much we have done since we first met.  And just after we celebrate (or just me reminiscing) all the growth we will be celebrating a blessing of a child and growing our family.  Our transitioning from up and go people will change and that alone will  be interesting. 

Just have to

I just have to brag a little bit, at this stage in my life I cannot imagine bragging about anything/anyone else than the amazing support that I have from my family and friends.  But of course Darren has been the biggest reason to brag about these days.  He makes me so happy, all the hard work that he puts out from his career to our home and marriage.  Darren has worried himself about my feelings of pain and has done all he can to make life at home easier.  He really took a big one this year with tax season.  He made almost every meal for those 3 months, rubbed my feet and back and so much more.  Being on this journey with him makes for great days and even more it makes for an easier pregnancy.  Although this may feel like an easy pregnancy compared to others I know or have read, there are times when the emotions just want to run, he has always been forewarned as to not catch him off guard.  He constantly supports us, makes us laugh and has taken the time to cuddle and talk with me even if he was not ready for bed.  All the small things that make it about us.  A couple weeks ago I got to take care of him in preparation for a half marathon, but with an illness taking over him it made my job a lot easier.  It reminds me to serve him and of course it is easier when he is down as we usually do it all together or individually.

Almost a month ago I got to spend some time with the family and close friends to celebrate Junior.  Needless to say my mom put a lot of work into it but as always others come around to help in preparing and wrapping it all up.  Good food, a lot of games and cake.  It was so great to be surrounded by the noise, jokes, conversation and laughter of my people.  The ones who have watched me grow, supported and celebrated so many milestones.

A week later we did it again, went out and celebrated Baby D one more time.  With college girlfriends and amazing women/friends that I have made along my journey.  Sarah threw a party centered around food and conversation-my kind of party.  She made it easy for everyone to enjoy themselves and hosted like no other, even for her first baby shower- she made it amazing!

Thanks to Amy, we were able to take maternity photos to capture this moment in our lives.  And in her procrastination of studying she gave us a sneak peek.  Looking forward to seeing some more of what she caught of us, hopefully some of Darren looking relaxed.  The hard part will be figuring out what will be displayed and how.  Amy, like most the people I know, is amazing!  In every way possible.

I am looking forward to sharing our little one with all of these amazing women.  I have been so blessed with family and friends that have made this journey so much more enjoyable and memorable.  Just under a month away from sharing the little squirmy child that we are so blessed to see move everyday.