I was 37 weeks yesterday! Woo hoo! So this little guy/gal can come at anytime now and hopefully not need medical intervention. I've been thanking God all week for letting this pregnancy go so well. I feel like my body has adjusted easily and I'm still moving and shaking. I guess the first trimester is a little like birthing -- you don't remember how awful it is once it's over. Haha! I can say "yes, there were several times where I threw up 3 times/day or felt nauseous 24/7", but I don't have any negative feelings associated with it. Weird, because I know at the time I was thinking this may be the only time, regardless of how many kids we want, because it was pretty tough.
Yes, I'm still throwing up about once/week (brushing my teeth in the morning sometimes triggers it) but other than that I'm feeling great. There have been a couple of days where I've really wore myself out but I think of it more as working off the junk food I'm consuming daily (hello Krispy Kreme donuts and Reese Blizzards!). Friday I walked about a mile round trip to a market research study and then did a one hour line dancing class with some other folks in HR. One of my colleagues walked in to the gym and said "Well if Ashley's here, then I can definitely do this". Haha! I even did the wobble! :) Yesterday I conquered Hancock Fabrics, Walmart AND Target. Go me! My plan is to walk this baby out! Mobility is getting harder and it's tough to get into a standing position from sitting, get out of bed, roll over to my other side laying down, bend over to get the dogs' plates to feed them, etc. but this shouldn't be surprising being that I'm as round as a basketball!
Now that birthing classes are over (which I'm sure Tad is thankful for) and I've finished reading Birthing From Within and Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth, I've been taking it pretty easy on the preparations. I am listening to the Hypnobabies material every day (whether it's a hypnosis script or affirmations track that I can do in the car). Although I started them later than you're supposed to, I think it will keep me grounded and relaxed. I just can't imagine not doing the reading and research that I've done to get ready for this. No wonder women have all this apprehension and fear surrounding childbirth if they're just going off of tv/movies and what people around them say. Geez. People still tell me "just get the epidural" or ask "when will they induce you?". Bottom line is I can honestly say I feel no fear or nervousness when I think about birthing naturally. All that's there is excitement and anticipation to find out how it will all play out. I WILL admit that I'm hoping it's quick since Mom and Abby had really quick labors, but who knows. A high school friend labored for 28 hours all together... 6 hours in the birthing tub and pushed for 2 hours. Jackson's little hand was up by his cheek so it made things a lot harder. The midwife said afterwards that if she had been anywhere else, she would have had an episiotomy or maybe even an emergency C section. But Margaret was patient and let things happen the way they're supposed to and you know what? She didn't even tear. Another thing I've constantly thanking God for -- connecting me with this wonderful midwife practice! The lack of fear also comes from knowing that Margaret and Anjili are such pros and they will let things happen the way God intended them unless it's MEDICALLY NECESSARY to do otherwise. And a quick shout out to my doula - Shari. I can't wait to see her work her magic on me. She's a Godsend and has a natural ability to make everyone in the room relax and "just be". She has also made both Tad and I feel like such a priority already (and she's one of the busiest chicken raising, garden growing, massage giving, baby birthing people I know).
In other news, Tad got my car detailed Friday to remove the 1,345,508 particles of dog hair so I would feel good about putting the car seat in. Go Tad for installing it in true firefighter fashion! :) We'll see how long it takes before the pups take a ride, but for now I'm really enjoying a clean car!
The nursery is pretty much done, except we need to hang some shelves and pictures. I keep saying Tad and I will tackle it, but I end up watching Wheel of Fortune and vegging out on the couch. Hee hee. I was just thinking how I can run all these errands, go swimming, get a sewing lesson from Aunt Martha and be busy, busy but the second I walk in the house I become very unmotivated to do anything, even though it has started to cause me some stress. (Reality has hit that this baby could be here at any time!) So my goal is to finish this stuff TODAY. It really won't take more than an hour and Tad and I have no plans after church besides volunteering at Meals on Wheels with small group. We need to make it happen so it can sit completed for at least a couple of days. Don't people normally get the nursery done weeks and weeks in advance? I thought I would be one of those people, but I guess not!
As you can see from the time stamp, it's early morning. I've been awake since about 5:00. This is happening randomly so I'm appreciative of the nights where I get up 3-5 times to pee but can go back to sleep pretty quickly. Other times, I come back to bed and then my mind starts running. That wouldn't be so bad but when I start feeling hungry I know it's over and that I'll be up for a while. I've been drinking a soy/whey protein powder mixed with soy milk right before I go to bed which has helped a ton, but some early mornings it's just not enough to get me through. I'm a great Vitamin Shoppe advertiser these days by the way... I'm drinking floradix/iron and taking vitamin D, my pre-natal with DHA and a probiotic. The probiotic is probably unnecessary because I do eat Greek Yogurt almost every day... and tested negative for Group B Strep (no IVs for me, yay!) but as Dr. Sears says, "You're only as healthy as your colon" and I"m trying to be as healthy as possible (minus the junk food -- don't judge) for this little bun in the oven. :)
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