It Has Begun

Up until the past few days, I had been feeling very comfortable.  No body pillow needed to sleep, no swollen feet (except during the high heat and humidity we recently had - even Matt had to take off his wedding band), decent sleep (Okay, I have insomnia once or twice a week that is quite bad - but, I've had worse issues in pregnancies past - so, I've tried not to complain too much), no horrid stretch marks, the reflux hasn't even bothered me too badly.  It's been, pretty much, a breeze.  A bit tiring overall, but, not too much to complain about.

Until now.  I'm up at least seven times a night to use the bathroom.  Walking the girls to school is okay - but, by the time I walk home, I feel the baby so low, I'm either stopped in my tracks or wishing there was a bush to jump behind to relieve myself. My back hurts, my feet hurt, my hips hurt, my outer thighs and even my pubic bones ache. It has begun.  Baby is obviously heavier and, ever so slowly, baby and body are preparing for his entrance.

I'm just under two weeks away from full-term.  Until then, I'm just going to relax, read, and not get too excited.  Beginning next weekend, however, it'll be time to wash cloth diapers, linens, baby clothes, order final baby-things, and finalize the birth plan with my midwife (Not that there's much to it, as we're planning a home birth - but, a hospital back up plan will have to be put in place, numbers of friends handy in the event we need someone to take the girls during labor and delivery.


Oh, and then there's meal prep.  I plan on making and freezing bagels, muffins, and a couple dinner dishes. I'm going to have to stock up on a few things I don't usually - like spaghetti sauce (unless I make that in advance too - but, my freezer only holds so much), and (gasp) a few boxed meals (organic, if possible). My dear husband cannot cook to save his life. He needs help - so I will have to have a few things ready for him.

I was back to my normal self, almost entirely, within a few days after Lila's birth. I don't even remember being overly tired. After a few days of breastfeeding HELL (Seeing an infant spit up blood from your bloody nipples is always a bit frightening), breastfeeding went smoothly for the next 22-months.  But, that was then, this is now - and one can ever know how the labor, delivery and recovery will go....So, I best be prepared and best start soon...In the mean time, baby better stay in for a least a week - my midwife does not deliver babies at home prior to 37-weeks (and I wouldn't try it anyway)!