(Almost) 9 months Pregnant

That's right-- 36 weeks this week.  Which means, although I'm 9 months pregnant, I still have a month (from today) to go.  Who started the "9-months" vernacular anyway?  40 weeks = 10 months.  If you go late, 42 weeks = 10 1/2 months.   So, I'm nine months pregnant and have a month to go. 

When I first was pregnant with this one I thought I would do really great weekly updates on the blog with belly pictures and updates on what I'm craving, funny pregnancy instances, etc (ala Susie and Shannon)  Well, it has not gone that way.  But, we still have a month to go :).  So, here's my 9-month update:

Weight: Seriously?  Not going there.  We'll just say its heading toward "outside the guidelines."  And, with the boys I put the most weight on in the last month.  Great. 

Cravings: Spinach (raw), oddly enough.  Of course, there are certainly enough servings of ice cream and candy to go around, but I have really really liked spinach for the last few weeks.  With Jamesie I loved broccoli, and now he eats it up, so I hope Baby Girl will like spinach when she's two!  Also high-protein greek yogurt has been a life saver in this pregnancy-- I am usually chasing it down in the grocery store with coupons and sales, but we finally broke down and just bought a huge box at Costco last week (and a huge box of spinach which was gone in 3 days). 

Sleep:  I have always been a good sleeper, but this baby is giving me some trouble.  When my sister was pregnant she would wake up around 4:00 every morning and was unable to go back to sleep, so eventually she just got up and started her day then.  I thought that sounded miserable, but I'm living it now.  Last night I was in bed from 10pm-7 am.  I slept from 12-5 am.  Boo.  I'm just super uncomfortable in whatever position (or bed or couch) I try.  Last night I resorted to Benedryl to get me to sleep. 

Labor Signs?  We had a slightly dramatic event last week when I had braxton-hicks contractions every 6 minutes for about 6-7 hours.  They weren't painful, but everything we read said if it last more than an hour to call the doctor.  I waited 5 hours and then called.  Eventually we went into the hospital to have things checked out--it was a totally calm and uneventful visit, as we expected it to be.  At no point did I expect to be having a baby or for anyone to be in distress, we just had to go in to make sure things weren't progressing toward that point.  They aren't.  I am 1 cm dilated, but that can be normal for a third pregnancy at this point.  Since then though if I don't drink about 100 ounces of water a day (4-5 huge Tervis tumblers), or if I do anything as simple as walk through the grocery store, the contractions come back.  So, we are trying to be more mindful about me really taking it easy, which is hard to do with 2 little ones around.  My mom graciously flew down from Michigan as soon as she heard our drama, coupled with the fact that Cody was in trial all last week and seriously absent from our house.  It was a God-send and MUCH needed help to keep me somewhat off my feet, and to keep me company while Cody slaved away at work. This week Cody's mom will be here to help with the same task, and then Cody is back in trial the following week.  UGH!

What I miss: Beer. And normal physical activity.  My back and all ligaments from my knees to my belly button are in serious pain most of the day--or just anytime I move.  I dread getting up from the couch or our bed for the pain.  I CAN'T WAIT to move without severe pain, to wake up without feeling like i'm being torn in half, to roll over in bed without wincing, to go for a walk or even--gasp--a RUN in a few months! 

What I'm looking forward to:  (1) Our little girl's nursery-- Lisa is having the curtains made right now, and I am working on getting all the little boy clothes out.  Sometimes I just sit in there and imagine it with pink--and a new baby :). (2) Labor and Delivery--crazy I know, but the more reading I do, the more excited I get about having another birth experience.  We are aiming for a natural birth, and I feel ready, excited and prepared this time around.  Prayers for a healthy delivery are still welcomed. 

Best conversation of the week: Black ladies at supermarkets know all about pregnancy.  This is a fact I've learned over the last 5 years in Charleston.  Given their superior knowledge on all things maternal, they usually feel free to let me know about my pregnancies, in a friendly grandmotherly sort of way.  Some gems in the past have included, "Ooh, what's your baby talkin' about today?"  I didn't know he was supposed to talk yet. Or, the classic "Girl, you low.  That's a boy."  (correct for the last two).  Unfortunately, someone once told me (when I was pregnant with Sean), "That is a boy. If that was a girl, your butt would be much bigger," and then this time around a lady in the grocery store told me I was having a girl.  Today this is how the conversation went:
The Lady:  Girl, you ready to go? (indicating toward my belly).
Me: No, I have another four weeks.
The Lady: Four weeks?? You sure about that (casting a doubtful look at my belly).
Me: Yeah, I'm sure.
The Lady: You hurtin'?
Me: Yeah, I'm hurting.  All over.
The Lady: Girl, that baby ain't gonna last four more weeks in there.  I can tell by the way you walkin'.  You ain't got four more weeks.  Anyway, you gotta go home and get off your feet and tell your husband to come do the groceries.   

I'm sort of hoping she's right about our baby not lasting four more weeks in there.  We shall see :).

35 1/2 weeks. I actually feel like my belly is not that big compared to the boys' pregnancies, which is weird because I've certainly gained enough weight.  

 Cody and me on our anniversary (or close to it) up in New York a few weeks ago.  I think I was 33-34 weeks in this pic.  6 years, 3 babies.  

 Sissy's first boat ride with Papa.  I think 33 weeks here.