Baby Bump Wednesday: Week 35

So....5 weeks? Suddenly I'm confused because as of Thursday, the 9th, I'll be exactly a month from my due date. And the last time I checked a month was 4 weeks. So. Whatever. The entire pregnancy counting thing is off anyway, because we say we're pregnant for 9 months, but that we're also pregnant for 40 weeks, which is really 10 months. So whatever, there's not a lot of time left, is all I'm sayin'. Suddenly when I tell people when I'm due I can drop the month, tell them "the 9th" instead of "November 9th". Totally momentous...or something.

Ohmigosh, I'm almost done baking.

The baby this week is over 5 lbs (or thereabouts) and 18ish inches. This is supposedly large enough that they're not able to roll around and do somersaults and all sorts of acrobatics, but I'm here to tell you that this boy is still doing all those things, I swear it. Also, the uterus is now officially under my rib cage and I can also say that yes, yes it is. And he quite enjoys letting me know this, especially after a meal when there's not much room there anyway. If I have to bend forward for any reason, it feels like the food I just ate will slide right back out.  There's been a few times where I've actually tried pushing on him to get him to squish on down a bit, mommy needs a little more room for her ORGANS. There's only so much that esophagus can take, you know? As much as I enjoyed lunch, I'd really love to not have to taste it again, thank you.

The food comparison for the week is a honeydew melon, but I think I'm going to imagine a small pumpkin, because I'm in the Fall mood. This would also help you visualize what it's like to have an arm or a leg stretch your stomach out to one side, just imagine that pumpkin rolling around in your stomach, the stem being their appendage. Sometimes it's strong enough to knock my arm off as it rests on my stomach. I am constantly amazed at how much he moves, and the strength of his movements. In fact, it's going to be strange to not be pregnant anymore, to not feel him moving at all hours of the day. It's comforting I guess, to know he's doing well and healthy, but after 10 minutes of constant jabs, kicks, rolls, and stretches, I'm like DUDE. KID. GO TO SLEEP. And I know, I know, just wait until he's here, then I'll really be saying it.

He gets the hiccups quite a bit now, and they sometimes last for a long time and come at such frequent intervals I start to wonder if he's okay or not. Like, no one could possibly hiccup that quickly and for that long. It must wear him out, because after they finally stop he doesn't move for awhile. Tuckers him right out.

As far as any developments with me, the only thing I can think about is the cankles. They're back, and they're not going anywhere. No amount of water consumption or rest seems to make any difference. My back is suffering, as is expected. I think I'm most bothered by how stiff I feel when I stand up after sitting or laying down for long periods, it makes me feel very old and decrepit. Like I need to invest in a cane and a pillbox. It reaches down into my upper legs, making me limp a bit for a few minutes afterward, especially when I first wake up in the morning.

This weekend we spent all day Saturday cleaning in preparation for the three sets of guests we have this week. By the end of the day I was completely worn out, and it was the first time I've really noticed how much this pregnancy takes a toll on your body. Caleb had to leave for a meeting before we were finished, and I stayed home and mopped the floor. It took me forever because I had to stop every few feet to straighten my aching back and rest. And people, my house is not that big. I had plans to make pumpkin bread after, thinking it would be nice for Caleb to come home to a house that smelled of warm pumpkin bread instead of thirty different household cleaning products, but by the time I finished mopping the only thing I could think of was the tub. So that's what I did. And then he came home and we went and got some Thai food, because cooking was out of the question. (Partially because I couldn't possibly mess up my spotless kitchen...)

Speaking of which, I have a funny little story for you. We'd just finished eating and were walking to our car. We passed by a man and as we got close he sung out, "Sheeeee's havin' a babyyyyyy!" in a very show tune sing song voice, and then followed it with "Congratulations!" including a wink while pointing both fingers at us. I'm not kidding. It was very quick, neither of us stopped, and he finished right as he passed, not even waiting to see or hear our reaction. The funny thing was, I don't think he was drunk, he wasn't crazy, I honestly believe he was being genuine. And that's just one incident. People are always asking me when I'm due, what I'm having, if it's my first etc., it's like an entirely different world when you're pregnant. While California is a pretty nice place as far as the people go, most of the time you keep to yourself. I think largely because there are so many people here from different countries, many of them speaking very little English, but when  you're pregnant that doesn't matter. If they can't speak, they'll make motions to show they're asking about it. It's nice actually, I don't mind it. Tonight one woman told me to always "enjoy the stage you're in". Don't worry about the next stage, or miss the previous one, just enjoy the one you're in because it all goes so quickly.

I'm starting to tell that already, this last trimester has flown by, and I can't imagine how quickly it will go once he's here. I hope I do always enjoy the moment I'm in, the little things that happen each day.

 

Because soon this bump is going to be a baby in my arms.

Comments

[sensiblysassy]

oh wow, you really are so close! I can't wait to see your little one in your arms!

[Sarah]

In my personal opinion this is the worst part of pregnancy (sorry for the bluntness) because you are so close you can smell it but you are so uncomfortable that every day seems to last like a whole month! Whoever said the 3rd trimester was the easiest never had feet in their ribs and someone using your bladder as a trampoline at all hours of the day! But I promise there is light at the end of the tunnel! And you still look way too tiny to be 8 months pregnant! :) I also feel for you in the name department. It takes us the whole 9 months to come up with something. At least Caleb gives you names. Eric just shot down all of my ideas but had no ideas of his own! As far as I'm concerned naming your children is one of the most nerve racking things! Ok...well, now that I've turned this comment into a novel...

[Sarah]

In my personal opinion this is the worst part of pregnancy (sorry for the bluntness) because you are so close you can smell it but you are so uncomfortable that every day seems to last like a whole month! Whoever said the 3rd trimester was the easiest never had feet in their ribs and someone using your bladder as a trampoline at all hours of the day! But I promise there is light at the end of the tunnel! And you still look way too tiny to be 8 months pregnant! :) I also feel for you in the name department. It takes us the whole 9 months to come up with something. At least Caleb gives you names. Eric just shot down all of my ideas but had no ideas of his own! As far as I'm concerned naming your children is one of the most nerve racking things! Ok...well, now that I've turned this comment into a novel...

[becky]

I remember having some of those exact same thoughts when I was pregnant. I thought I'd miss the movements, too, but you're too busy feeding, diapering, and sleeping to notice much. And yeah, all kinds of people stop you when you're pregnant. Constant questions. One month left - good luck!

[Britanny]

So true! When I was pregnant I got a lot more attention when I was out and about. I especially liked all the perks--like people letting you go first in line in the bathroom or opening doors for you. It all changed when the pregnancy was over. The key to extending that sweet period of perks is to always have your baby with you. People tend to like tiny babies.

[Heather]

How cute that guy would do that. I guess I don't picture that sort of thing happening in CA. It really is funny how people are all the more willing to talk to you when you are with child. Baby bumps are such the ice breaker. Wait until he's here then you will have the epitome of a conversation starter. by the way, you look great!