Pregnancy

Picture by Erin Armstrong

Well I've made it 28 weeks. I'm to my final trimester- the final stretch. I'm writing this post not to complain or get sympathy- but more to remember my thoughts.

1st of all, I must say, I love being pregnant. I really do. This baby is SO ACTIVE. All day long she is reminding me with kicks and flips that she's in there. I love the little relationship that begins between us before she even takes her first breath. Regardless of all  pregnancies craziness... the good out weighs the bad...and I would...no I will.. do this over and over again. I feel so blessed to be pregnant.

That being said...
Knowing that being pregnant will probably be a major part of my life for the next 10 years (yes-I plan on having a large family)...I didn't want the pregnancy to slow me down. I was out at the gym, ballet, mowing my lawn, sorting through attics and closets, lifting heavy boxes, deep cleaning on my hands and knees for hours at a time...

Then I went to Mexico a few weeks ago (post will come soon). It was hot there. Very hot. The heat got my  Braxton Hicks started and as the week went on they came  more and more often. (Braxton Hicks were very common with Adaliah so I didn't worry about it too much). Then on the plane ride home it all started to catch up to me.
By Monday morning (May 7th) I was having contractions, full contractions ( curl in a ball wanting to die...can't breath) contractions every 5 mins. Scared to death for my baby I went to the hospital to talk to my doctor. He hooked me up to some machines and confirmed I was having contractions but luckily I was not dilated or softening. Whew. At least my baby was safe.

It's been a full week now of my new life of "taking it easy". One week down- 10 maybe 12 more to go. To be honest- my heart is broken...mainly for Adaliah. I wanted to spend this last summer of just me and her having the time of our lives. Trips to the park every day, Swimming, Zoo, every parade we could find within 30 miles, camping, hiking, playing in the sprinklers together..

But as of right now, the craziest thing I can do is unload my dishwasher...but only if I sit for 30 mins after I'm done. The bending and putting away starts my contractions right up. I use every bit of my energy getting Adaliah dressed and doing the bare minimum house cleaning. Even then by 8:30 pm I'm usually in so much pain I have to lay motionless on the couch breathing through contractions.

I tried to venture to the park last Thursday and after 5 mins of pushing Adaliah on the swing I spent the next 20 mins wondering if I was going to deliver a baby  at the city park  while Adaliah was winning and begging me to play with her. Needless to stay- we didn't stay much longer.

And this is the contraction part of my pregnancy. Add Heart burn, restless leg, headaces/migrains 3-5 times a week (thank goodness for my prescription that is still helping), nausea.. It's always something exciting going on.

Poor Adaliah. She's getting sick of me telling her I can't pick her up, can't dance around the living room with her, can't go for a walk....sigh. And as my floors are left un mopped, my toilets un scrubbed, my summer projects and to do lists get thrown in the trash...I'll just try to be grateful for every day that this baby can keep growing and developing because goodness she is NOT READY to come out yet.

But wow- I have a lot to be grateful for. Pete wakes up early and lets me sleep, then comes home at lunch and runs around with Adaliah and helps her get her wiggles out.  Then at night he helps me catch up on house stuff I wasn't able to do. Poor guy- it's only been a week of being super dad and he his already getting warn out. He was asleep by 9:00 tonight.

And my neighbors have been amazing. One in particular has two boys (ages 2 and 3). Everytime they are outside playing they come and knock on the door and ask if Adaliah can come play too. It does my heart good to see her out running around and having fun and so nice to have an extra set of eyes to watch her and chase her down when she goes too far. 

But again- all of that being said...I was reading through my journal tonight...reading the entry's of how frustrated I was when I wasn't getting pregnant as quickly as I wanted and reading about how Pete and I both burst into tears when we got a positive, and I realize I have NO REASON to complain. This too shall pass. 2 1/2 short months will go by and my baby girl will be here. All of this craziness will be a blur replaced by a warm bundle from heaven, first smiles, and lots of added joy in our home. I can't wait.