Thirty-Seven Weeks

On Friday morning, everything shifted and I suddenly became VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. The pregnancy aches and pains have been so much milder they were during my first pregnancy (minimal sciatica and NO leg cramps—thanks, I'm guessing, to being in better shape going in and getting regular chiropractic adjustments), but my body has reached its pain-free gestation limit. Walking and standing get old fast, and sitting isn't much better. My low back is achy in that I'm-about-to-get-my-period way.


"Maybe that's it!" I exclaimed to Rob. "I'm going to get my period!"

"It's been a while," he agreed. "You're overdue."

This is how we amuse ourselves while waiting.


We also sit around speculating about who the baby will look like. When Westley was born, he was the spitting image of Rob for about three hours. Then he looked exactly like himself. And as he gets older and less baby-like, Westley resembles me more than ever. With all the ultrasounds (I've actually lost count), you'd think we wouldn't need to speculate about this little girl. However, at every recent ultrasound, she's been upside down and hiding. I know what her brain looks like (gorgeous!), but I haven't seen her face on the screen in weeks—which makes me that much more curious to see her live and in person. Based on one particular 3D picture from two months ago, I'm still guessing she'll look exactly like Rob.


I like the idea of having one "mini me" and one "mini him," but it would be hilarious if we ended up with two blue-eyed, left-handed blondes. Children of the Recessive Genes.


Despite being newly achy, I'm still energetic. I can't squeeze into tiny spaces anymore (no more parking in the very compactest of compact spots), but I'm still going strong in the errands and chores departments. Rob flat-out refused to let me mow the lawn yesterday, so I moved a bunch of things around in the garage. And I still insist on carrying my own groceries.

I really should accept help, though, as I've started grocery shopping for two—or twenty. Yes, I'm hoarding food. It's not exactly a conscious thing, but since I'm at the store already, and buying one bag of brown rice pasta already, why not pick up, like, five more?

Baking is one of the most satisfying things I can imagine right now. Chocolate-chocolate chip cookies, strawberry-plum crisp, banana-bread muffins...I can't stop. I recently spent something like $80 stocking up on gluten-free flours and starches. Baking is usually a necessary evil in my world, like driving, but these past few days it has just felt right. Baking is what I'm doing and what my body is doing.


After a much, much-needed haircut this weekend, I'm feeling surprisingly attractive for the first time in months. I'm not in an all-fire hurry for this pregnancy to end. I mean, yes, I'd like to be able to wear pants again and not sneeze-pee all over myself daily. But looks-wise, this isn't too bad.



Which brings me to a not really baby-related question: what mascara do you use? Finding a mascara I like almost guarantees that they will have stopped making it by the time I go to the store for more. Mascara is one cosmetic I never ever leave the house without. (Blond eyelashes, holla!) I anticipate that caring for a newborn will reduce my "face" routine to mascara, blush, and lip balm, so I need the good stuff. Preferably the cheap good stuff. What are your favorites?

For those who are curious, my search for a diaper backpack has ended. Stylish lady and mama-of-two Autumn pointed me towards the bag she carries. I love that it's unisex and handmade, and that I would totally wear the model's outfit.


P.S. Olive green goes with everything.


Every time I take Westley out somewhere, it occurs to me that this could be the last time. The next time, there might be a baby. That seems insane. Didn't I just hit my stride as a mother of one...last week? And now there's going to be another one?! There's something surreal about this time: watching Westley's days as an only child tick down, while not really knowing where the last edge is.

In a similar vein, Rob has started ending all his plans with "unless I'm on paternity leave."

Have I mentioned that Rob gets four whole weeks of PAID leave? And that all of the filling out of paperwork and getting approval for that went off without a hitch? Such a relief!

I've been getting major Braxton Hicks contractions for the past few days. They're much stronger than in weeks past, and my whole pelvic area feels kind of twinge-y, like things might be shifting around down there. I think the baby may have dropped a little, since my "belly shelf" seems to be further below my bra-line than it was last week. It's all very exciting.

My chiropractor, who is also a shaman (natch), thinks the baby is coming on Thursday.


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