Just Six Weeks To Go

I can't believe I have a month and a half before this baby comes out. Where does the time go? I have had some moments recently of pure panic - whether I am ready or not, this baby is coming. Yikes. It's funny. No matter how many books you read, how many classes you attend, how many videos you watch... you just don't ever "feel" ready. I better get used to it!

Here are the latest pictures of me and my not-so-little bump. 

I have heard the last 6 weeks is when you grow the most. I guess I have that to look forward to.

I have a confession - I love reading pregnancy/baby blogs these days. Even if I barely know the person, I just can't help myself! I love reading about the experiences of others during this crazy phase of life. I recently realized I haven't really blogged much about my pregnancy or my symptoms. I decided to dedicate this post to how this pregnancy has gone for me for all you expecting moms out there who are as pregnancy-blog obsessed as I am.

1. Pregnancy nausea - I have been really lucky and haven't had a lot of nausea during my pregnancy. For about four weeks in my first trimester, I went through a period where nothing, absolutely nothing sounded good to eat. That passed, though. I haven't thrown up once - unless you count the one time I threw up during a migraine. Speaking of which...

2. Pregnancy headaches - I have always had migraines in my life. Before pregnancy, they occurred maybe once every month or two, and even then, I'd just down a couple Excedrin Migraine tablets and call it good. Since I can't take medication during pregnancy, though, that wasn't an option for me. I didn't have any headaches at all during the first trimester, which was awesome, but come the second trimester, I was getting one or two a week. And I couldn't take anything for them (except Tylenol, which my fellow migraine sufferers will understand does nothing), so I had to suffer through them. Sometimes, the migraine would last two full days and not go away after a good night's rest. Not fun at all! I decided to try to shake things up in my diet and tried cutting out any and all caffeine and artificial sweeteners. Luckily, this seemed to work. My headaches were drastically reduced. I had been drinking some caffeine with the Tylenol because my doctor recommended it, but I think I was drinking it too often and then becoming dependent on it. Once I cut it out, my headaches decreased to about once a month - a vast improvement!

3. Pregnancy cravings - I haven't really had any noticeable pregnancy cravings, to be honest. The only thing I can think of is that chips and salty snacks appealed to me a lot more than normal, and I wasn't as attracted to cakey-sweets like I had been in the past. Other than that, not a lot of cravings. Just a more intense kind of hunger than normal. This kind of hunger is the type where, once it strikes, you have to eat.  It's pretty powerful!

4. Pregnancy pains - The only real pregnancy aches I've had have been after a long, busy day or weekend - that is, up until a week or so ago. Before then, my lower abdomen or round ligament area would ache once in a while, but then would go back to normal after some rest. This past week has convinced me that the aches are here to stay. Every time I get up to walk, it hurts a little. My hips, pelvic bone, and lower abdomen are really sore and tender and I feel it with each step I take. I full-on waddle these days! It's really cute - or not. I guess that's just what happens when your body adjusts to all that extra weight up front!

5. Pregnancy kicks - The baby started really kicking a lot around weeks 20-25. These days, he moves all the time! It's a lot of fun. I can honestly say it doesn't bother me. Yes, he sometimes sits right on my bladder or nudges my ribs, and that's not too fun, but most of the time he just wiggles, moves, and tickles me from inside.

6. Pregnancy sleep - ...or lack thereof. I slept really well up until about week 30. Then I started getting some insomnia and restless legs. Not fun at all. I have noticed, though, that if I do not take a nap in the middle of the day and am sure to exercise for at least 45 min, I am able to sleep much better. Having to get up 2 or 3 times a night to go to the bathroom doesn't help things, but I figure I'll have to get up 2 or 3 (or more) times when the baby comes, so I better get used to it!

7. Pregnancy weight gain - This has been an interesting one. It's definitely not easy to see your body change so much in such a short period of time. At the same time, it's been really freeing to allow my body to grow a human being and not be too harsh on myself. For the most part, I've been eating normally, exercising daily, and trying to stay as positive as I can. I definitely have my days (or weeks) where I just don't have the energy for things to go according to plan, but I feel that I've been relatively forgiving of myself afterwards. Pregnancy is kind of liberating that way. You can just step back and let your body dictate what to do! Because it will tell you what it needs. According to my doctor, my weight gain has been great and that's all that matters to me. I can't promise I'll be as calm after the baby comes, though! As Scarlett O'Hara famously said, "I'll think about that tomorrow."

Overall, pregnancy is not as bad as I anticipated it being. Don't get me wrong - I have openly vented to my other pregnant friends on some of the hard days. It is tough, a lot of aspects are really less than fun, and it's a new experience to adjust to, but at the same time it's really cool. The bond you form with that little person inside you is absolutely indescribable. No matter where you are, you're never alone. I can't wait to meet my little cutie!