2013: The year of baby girl #2

I am 36 weeks pregnant.

 (12.24: 34w5d)

I don’t know how this pregnancy is almost over, but it is. And I haven’t done a good job, at all, documenting my pregnancy in any way.  We have random belly pictures (but maternity pictures are this weekend!) and I think I may have only written two letters to this girl so far.  Her room is still not totally ready and we have a dauntingly decent sized list of things we still need to get before she arrives.

But, she finally has a name. And we have a crib and a car seat and clothes.  And some diapers and finally some wipes. The essentials, we have covered.  I think.  I keep telling myself that is all that matters, but I want it to all just be DONE.  We still need to get a glider/rocker/some sort of chair for her room – that is our last “big” thing.  I think.  If you don’t count a breast pump. I’ll get that eventually.

Our Bradley classes are almost complete and I am really looking forward to this birth experience.  My birth plan is rough, at best, but we are comfortable with our decisions and how we not only hope things will go, but how we plan to address situations as they may arise.  We are flexible, but know what our hopes, goals and wants are in the end.  And I am 99% sure we have a birth photographer lined up, so that is pretty fun for me.

Last week we had to go in for a fetal echo after an ultrasound showed a few things that needed a further look.  We were assured things look fine, she might need another one after she is born, but nothing to worry about.  Now that we have that behind us, I feel better.

I still have the most ridiculous heartburn, but thankfully my sister hooked me up with some zantac which is helping at night.  I can’t wait to see if/how much hair this girl has. When my heartburn is at bay enough to sleep at night I still can’t sleep because I can’t breathe when I lay down.  And comfort only happens in short intervals.  But even though I am tired, I wouldn’t trade my little 2am quiet time where I get to feel this girl rolling around on the inside.  It’s comforting, in a way. I know she is safe in there.

I am very very quickly running out of clothes that fit. Makes getting ready for work a challenge every day! My feet are generally swollen all of the time and I took my wedding ring off two or three weeks ago.  Braxton Hicks are no joke this time around, either! But you know what – I feel a ton better than I did at this time of my pregnancy with G, so that’s pretty nice.

Mike and I are really starting to get excited for her arrival.  My maternity leave is 98% approved. And Gianna? well, she is excited too – a little unsure maybe, but we are all excited to watch her transition into her big sister role.  She does such a great job with her cousin and she is constantly concerned with what baby sister is doing.  Gianna knows her sister is coming soon and we talk about her all the time. Gianna knows that baby’s are not always so awesome and that they cry a lot and need their mommy a lot.  But she also knows that mommy’s make time for their big kids too.

I am generally nervous about having an infant living in my house again.  I am undeniably nervous about breastfeeding, but looking forward to it at the same time. There is nothing that can prepare a person for the lack of sleep, but I have lots of coffee to help.  I have no idea how things are going to go with both kids, I’m sure it will all be very normal very quickly and I’ll wonder what I was so concerned about in the end.

But most of all – I just want her to be here safe and sound.  I can’t wait to see her cheeks and her nose and her hair.  And to just snuggle her up and love her the most.

4 more weeks, give or take a week or so, until this girl is here. Living on the outside.