My growing Jelly belly

*Drums fingers*

Well, the waiting game has begun, I suppose. The past few days (and I’m guessing the next few as well) I’ve been on high alert. Everything has been “Ooh, was that a contraction? Was that?” And I’m sure I’ll know when the real ones come, but at this point, I’m suspicious of every little twinge. I have been having menstrual-like cramps for the past three days, with some random painful Braxton Hicks, I guess. I’m also sure that she’s moved even farther down. I now know what it feels like when they say “it feels like the baby is about to fall out!” I keep telling my guts and skin that they only have to hold out a few more days before we get some relief. She’s still moving as much as ever; she’s just stronger now. It feels like she’s trying to kick her way out of my pelvis.

Jason keeps putting more time restrictions on her: “Auri, you can’t come out until I finish my project.” He finishes it. Two days later: “Auri, wait until after 5 on Wednesday so I don’t have to get a sub for my lab sections.” 5 on Wednesday comes and goes. “Just wait a little longer until 5 on Thursday so I can finish my homework.” At this rate, she’s never going to have permission to come out and I’m going to just keep getting bigger and bigger until I explode Nah… I know she’ll come out whether we’re ready or not. Oh well! Either way, I only have to wait a few more days!

We’re in the home stretch (literally). One way or another, I’m having this baby in the next two weeks. Doctor checked today and I’m 2 cm dilated. If she hasn’t already popped out this next week, we’re scheduled to probably get induced on Monday the 29th. The ironic part is, our doctor’s wife is having a baby this next week, so he will be taking all week off. So if our baby comes next week too, we’ll probably be helped out by some other doctor. I’d really rather have ours, but I also know the importance of being flexible. Also, when we finally get to the point where he actually plays a role, I probably won’t be very aware (or really care) who’s there and who isn’t.

As far as how I’m feeling: I think I must be faring a lot better than most people at this point, because I really don’t feel all that miserable. Yes, I’m pretty tired of it, and I do have my aches and pains. But honestly, and I don’t mean to be crude, but having my period gives me a lot more pain and misery, and that happens twelve times a year. So, I can handle this. I’ve been having some cramp-like pains every now and then, and my pelvis is pretty achy. I think it could happen this week, but perhaps it’s just wishful thinking. The house is still a wreck, so I don’t think I’m quite that close yet

We’re both very ready. Jason’s almost done with his project, so she has his permission to come whenever she’d like. She has my full permission too (and then some). Until then, we wait. I will admit, though. I have had the urge to go out and get myself some salsa

I’m technically full term now. Yay! My doctor’s appointment today also proved that we’re right on track. The baby’s heartrate is roughly 130-140, which is “excellent, excellent”. Also, I’m about 1 cm dilated, and roughly 20% effaced, though she’s still rather high. I’m right where most people are, if not a little ahead, for my first baby. Hearing that info made it a little more real, especially to Jason, who felt like he still had a lot of time left. “But I have to finish my project before she gets here!” Now it’s kind of a waiting game. We’re both excited, and I’m definitely ready to not be pregnant anymore. I *think* I’m ready to have a baby; Jason is still scared of the unknown, but excited. I feel like, through all my reading, and listening to advice, that I’m really prepared for labor, and not really scared at all. What I’m dreading most is not being able to eat. I think I’m going to bring along a bottle of honey.

Here’s my tummy picture for the week. Really, I don’t see how I can get much bigger. There can’t possibly be anymore room for my organs.

Had another doctor’s visit yesterday, in which we did an ultrasound. Doctor said everything looks great: she’s head down, good weight (5 lbs 13 oz), and has plenty of amniotic fluid. We now begin our weekly appointments. One way or another, we’re having this kid pretty soon. I can’t wait to meet her! She’s been such a wiggle worm this whole time, I’m sure she’ll just be a bundle of fun once she’s here. I’m still feeling pretty great. Very little fatigue, sleeping very well (minus the once or twice bathroom visits), not too much swelling of ankles, and only minimal achiness. I had a prenatal massage on Tuesday, and it was very nice. She wasn’t able to do any deep tissue massage on my lower back (which is kind of where I need it, but oh well), but the shoulder massage was quite nice. I had a little cushion I laid flat on that had a cutout for my tummy. Man, I will be glad to be able to lay flat on my stomach again, that’s for sure. Pretty much the only thing I’m tired of is being big (and I know even that could be worse/will get worse).

Here’s my picture for the week. You can actually see a little bulge in my side: that’s her foot or knee, or something. She has recently had much fun digging in to that particular spot. She’s probably going to have her mommy’s sharp elbows and knees.

In the words of my doctor: “One to four weeks left!”