There are baby girl and I right at the 30 week mark. In the background, a ready and waiting crib. In the past few weeks, we have gotten a lot of things checked off the "before baby" list. Big things like move Vada to a big girl bed, check! Rearrange the upstairs to make room for the crib and dresser, check! Potty train Vada, check! The last big amazon order came in last week to finish off the changing pad, crib, and bath tub. Her clothes are washed, folded, and put away. And now we wait.
I don't think anyone is as anxious for Miss Hunter's arrival than Lucy. She asks every, single day if the baby is going to come out today. Last week she said, "It takes so long. I don't want to wait anymore." Yes, I hear you Lu. Vada has finally started making some acknowledgements of the baby and will lay down and kiss my belly throughout the day. Thankfully, baby and I are both healthy and growing and got the news last week that she is head down and in proper positioning for her eventual exit. Although the third trimester has brought with it total exhaustion, I am happy to say that in general I feel pretty good. At this point with Vada I was making weekly chiropractor visits and not exercising at all. This time around, no chiropractor and up until a week ago, was still practicing pilates. The contractions rage on daily and her movements are getting more and more frequent and strong, to put it nicely. She has a fairly predictable schedule of being awake when the girls are sleeping, usually at nap time and always after they are in bed.
James is preparing for baby girl much like he did for the other two, by starting a huge home project. With Lucy, he began her nursery at around 34 weeks, by ripping out all the drywall in the room and starting fresh. With Vada, it was our bedroom with the same process at 30 weeks. This time, he demolished the old garage at 29 weeks and is working on beginning construction of a new one. Nesting is a funny thing.
The mom guilt is really starting to press in hard as I get larger and have less and less energy, especially in this heat. Playing outside most days is just not an option unless we do early mornings or late evenings. I am trying to keep us booked with play dates, library events, and as many chances to be in water as possible. The girls start swim lessons in two weeks and I am so excited for this opportunity for them, as well as the chance to be in a pool at least once a week! Vacation is in three weeks and we are all anxious for a week at the beach. Both girls love the beach and I am so looking forward to the simple entertainment it will provide us all. Trying to give the girls opportunities to enjoy summer and the last few weeks as a family of 4 is a huge priority these days.
I have set a few personal goals for the last ten-ish weeks of this pregnancy since most other preparations are done. I really want to enjoy this time. I think it is a blessing in disguise to be due at the end of summer so I can still do things with the girls through September without worrying about a baby being in the heat. I am trying to embrace not being able to do my hair because of hot flashes and wearing a bikini without worrying about what my stomach looks like. I always thought I would be uncomfortable wearing a bikini while hugely pregnant but pulling a one piece up over this belly is far more uncomfortable. I love when James rubs my belly and all the "interesting" questions Lucy can come up with about delivery ("can I help the midwife catch the baby when it comes out of your v_____?") I am finding joy in the little things, like finding a ring I can wear as a wedding band, a pair of shorts that actually fit, and this recipe for salted caramel ice cream.
So close, yet so far away.
