The Final Week: Swollen but Prepared

Today I am 39 weeks pregnant.   I did not ever think I would make it this long.  (I know, I know. Most first time moms are late... I just didn't think I would be one of them!)  I knew two other people with my due date, and they delivered last weekend.  I also saw this morning on FB that a high school friend who was due a week after me, had her baby last night. UGG.

If you are pregnant now, you should probably plan on being pregnant until your due date or later.  There are some words of wisdom from me.

As I said in my 38 week update, I have not been miserable.  BUT, that is quickly changing.  Thursday night I went out with my mom and sister for a Girl's Night - kind-of a last hurrah before we have a boy in our world!  We had a great time; but, I just felt H-U-G-E.  I think it was because I so wanted to look cute... But, my body is 100% NOT my own right now.  My ankles are totally cankles.  My hands look like Mickey Mouse gloves.  And, don't even get me started on my belly!  (It probably didn't help that the Haviana flip flops I have been wearing every.single.day for the last four months literally BUSTED last night.  I had to walk around a Mexican restaurant barefoot and pregnant.  True story.)

Then, on Friday, I hit the threshold of just wanting to stay in my house in hiding until Baby C makes an appearance.  I did go get my hair cut and eyebrows waxed - which was nice - but even that didn't take away from my general feeling of hideousness.  Worst of all, my NOSE has now officially widened and my face looks like Shrek.  I'm not lying.  Have you guys heard of this happening to other pregnant women towards the end?  No, you do not get a picture.  It isn't pretty, trust me.  But here are some visuals:

Overall, I'm just tired (all the time), cranky, and a little bit anxious.  I have no energy to vacuum the house, but it feels of absolute importance that there not be a single crumb or dog hair visible just in case I go into labor right now. Plus, that kind of "manual labor" is exactly what will throw me into "baby labor" and get this show on the road!  It is a weird paradox to live in.  I am mostly sad for Jeff; he is a trooper.

The moral of this story is... the end of pregnancy is hard.  Personally, I think all of pregnancy is pretty uncomfortable and unglamorous; but, I absolutely know that it will be worth it.  And, ultimately, I know that every single day he stays in my belly will make for a healthier and happier little guy.  But that said, I would NOT be disappointed in the least bit if he came this weekend. Just so you know.

Time will tell.

.....

I know this post is long, but someone asked me earlier this week what exactly is in a "baby kit."  So,  I thought I'd share a few pictures of what this entails, plus how our house is already evolving to be ready for the little one.  This, my friends, is how I'm spending my free time at home.  (Don't think I'm crazy... Even if I am.)

The downstairs sun room, where I will likely spend most of my time after Baby arrives. In addition to the pack n' play, I have a basket holding a few toys, his little activity mat, and extra blankets.  We are also fully stocked on diapers, wipes, lotion, hand sanitizer, diaper rash cream, Shout, a couple onesies, burp cloths, and bibs down here... Because, heaven forbid I should have to carry my baby upstairs to change a diaper. ;)

These are for both of our cars.  (Can you guess which is which?)  Basically, they are for emergencies where we run out of the house or switch cars and don't have the diaper bag (which is, of course, already packed and ready to go).  They have extra diapers and wipes, a burp cloth, a blanket, a changing pad, antibacterial wipes, a spare house key, a toy, and a change of clothes for both baby AND parent (I thought that was a great idea... you never know when an unfortunate spit-up/poop incident will occur).

And, just because, Baby C's little closet... One of my favorite "rooms" in the house.

What do you think?  Am I ready?  Haha!

I am finishing up a really great book called Laughter and Tears: The Emotional Life of New Mothers that one of my blog readers recommended to me.  I think I've talked about it before.  Of course I won't really know how relevant it all is until after the birth, but so far it has been VERY helpful in preparing me for some of the changes that will inevitably occur in the next few weeks.  Anyways, the book says that "Type A" women who "like to control" or "stick to a schedule" often have the hardest time adjusting to life with a newborn.  Awesome.  I'm praying a lot about this; but, I'm also hoping that some of my up-front planning will take some stress off once he is here too.  I guess, again, only time will tell...

Have a great weekend!