Week 34

I received two comments from strangers on the size of my belly this week. One of them was innocent enough, I suppose. I was buying some Packer baby booties (I know this baby will be born in Minnesota, but I couldn't resist), and the shopkeeper said, "So you're having a summer baby?" Well, no. At least, not if all goes as planned. The OTHER comment though. Ugh! While I was shopping at Kohl's, a man came up to me and said, "Is this your first? I think you need to buy a one-year-old outfit for that baby! Trust me!" I wanted to tell him to F off, but I didn't because Clare was there. Really? You think a child the size of a one-year-old can fit in here? Give me a break!

The Baby: Is about 4 and 3/4 pounds; the size of a cantaloupe. 

Weight gain: About 19 pounds. And it is all out front, which may be why SOME PEOPLE think I am carrying a one-year-old.

I’m Feeling: Same as last week. Just tired, etc.

What I'm enjoying: Watching Orange is the New Black on Netflix. So good!

What I'm worrying about: How I am going to handle everything once the baby comes. I am not ready! I doubt I'll ever be ready.

Movement: The baby is quite the late night party animal, which keeps me awake, but since this might be my last pregnancy I am trying to enjoy the kicking.


Clare: She has been on my last nerve the past few days - my patience is low with the heat and my just generally being uncomfortable. Nap time has been particularly trying. In fact, she is upstairs screaming at the top of her lungs as I write this. I hope she'll settle down soon. I CANNOT have her giving up naps. 

Despite being annoying at times, I have to laugh at her accessorizing. She is just such a GIRL about some things.

And yes, she still has that pacifier. That is not a battle I am ready to fight just yet.

Week 33

I am tired. I am huge. I am ready for the baby to be born. I am not ready for the baby to be born. It is a mixed bag over here.

I was pretty energetic during the first few days of our trip to the cabin, and then all of a sudden my body remembered I was pregnant. A canoeing day trip and two short hikes did me right in. I decided I better take it slow for the remainder of the trip. Although, I have to say, my back felt better than it has in weeks, so maybe keeping it loose is the answer.

At my last appointment, the baby was head down, but I have been experiencing some of those lovely cervical kicks the past few days, so maybe it has moved, or maybe it is just punching me, I don't know. I didn't have those with Clare, and all I can say is OUCH. They hurt.

I don't think this baby is as active as Clare was, but maybe it is just that I am more active this time. When I was pregnant with Clare I was sitting at a desk five days a week and commuting an hour a day, not chasing a very energetic (and somewhat bratty) 2-year-old around the park.

When I was pregnant with Clare,  I went on a Harry Potter kick. All I wanted to do was reread Harry Potter - I had no interest in reading anything else. This time it is Jane Austen. I have been rereading my favorite Austen novels and watching my various Austen DVDs. Oh, and my sister and I went to see Pride and Prejudice at the Guthrie. I didn't think Pete Campbell could pull off Mr. Darcy, but he did.

My goal for this week: finally set up the baby's room. It is still not unpacked. It also occurred to me that it might be a good idea to have a diaper changing station downstairs as well so I don't have to constantly walk up and down the stairs to change the baby. I know! I am a genius. Because duh.

Ben and I finally had a real discussion about names. (Sidebar: before our discussion, every time I mentioned the topic he would insist that we name the baby George. He doesn't really like this name, he was just trying to irritate me. Well, you can imagine his glee when the royal baby was named George. Sigh.) Anyway, I don't really have a favorite of the names we picked out. I like them all, but I am not super excited about any of them. Anyone have any cute name ideas they'd like to share? Maybe I should be one of those people who puts a poll on Facebook and decides on the name that way. Or not.

So in summary, 33 weeks: tired, fat, not ready, ready. Oh, and Ben thinks I am going to walk around the State Fair in a few weeks. HAHAHAHA. Ha. I would like someone to bring me a Pronto Pup and some Sweet Martha's Cookies, though. I'll be here on the couch watching Sense and Sensibility for the 50th time.

On the Gunflint Trail

Family time, canoeing, lakes, hiking, flowers, wild blueberries, wild raspberries, lemonade, hot chocolate, fudge, Grand Marais, Lake Superior, Grand Portage, BWCA day trips, ice cream sandwiches, World's Best Donuts, girls lunch out, Cribbage, Cranium, relay races, tacos, hamburgers, chicken kabobs, s'mores, millions of stars, loons, eagles, overly friendly chipmunks, swimming in ice cold water, reading, talking, napping, repeat.