36 Weeks Pregnant

Okay. It's like REALLY sinking in just how close this all is getting. Just 3 days ago we began the official "month to go"countdown and now we're in the "less than a month" category. 4 weeks as of today! You know? I've been getting a lot of "oh I bet you're ready to be done, aren't you?" comments lately. Probably now more than ever. And you know what? I'm not really itching for this pregnancy to be done. I'm very happy with the pace of the pregnancy, which is good...because I can't make it slow down or go faster anyway! I'm not ridiculously uncomfortable and aching to get this baby out, I'm just really trying to savor all the pregnant moments because this might be my last. Which makes me sad, but I'm being realistic because we both just don't know. There's no way for us to know until we're "there", we've decided.

Here's some more pregnancy updates and happenings lately:

• Still not feeling big, but baby is growing so it's all good
• Weekly appointments start this Wednesday and I have the rest booked!
• The girls are growing again...getting ready I suppose
• No swelling, but I didn't swell last time at all
• Hips/pelvis very achy by the end of the day. Actually, when I settle into bed at night it REALLY hurts at first but then things adjust and it's okay.
• Sometimes I sleep through the night, which is a miracle in itself, but I'm usually up once at about 3 to pee - benefit of a long torso and smaller baby I guess!
• No linea nigra, which really surprises me! Did you get one in your pregnancy(ies)? I'd had a light one for weeks by this time with Braden (link below!)
• My belly is CRAZY itchy. I can hardly stand to have any material touching it, at night I let it "air out"...lucky Jay! Baby must be growing and skin stretching
• I'm getting really excited for Braden to be a big brother. All the guilt and worries of the past...are a thing of the past!
• Haven't felt anymore pressure down there....yet. Baby hasn't dropped yet, or I sure haven't felt it
• I get a day out to myself today with my friend Lisa and then it's a date night with friends for me and Jay - yay!
• It's Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada and I totally forgot until last week when my mother-in-law asked us what our plans were. But I'm very glad I get to see my family one more time before baby.

And because I know I'll regret it if I don't do it...some bare belly pics again this week! Also if you would like to see what I looked like with Braden at 36 weeks, go on and take a look! I think I was more "out there" with my belly and that I look heavier this time...because I am...with a smaller belly!

Until then, I'm enjoying all the kicks, rolls, and body parts jabbing out of my belly. But there is one thing that I just don't enjoy anymore, allow me to present you with another edition of Pregnant Problems, especially now that Melissa isn't pregnant anymore!

Worries of a Mommy-To-Be of Two

I have seen a similar themed post on pretty much every blogger pregnant with baby #2's blog, which makes me feel like what I'm about to write about is totally normal.

I have always known that I wanted more than one child. I just prayed that God would bless us with more children, and praise Him because here we are - almost 30 weeks pregnant with Baby #2. I've never wanted Braden to be a single child, but as we thought about when would be the "perfect" time to expand our family...there is no perfect time.We're at a point with Braden right now where there's no more diapers, he's more independent, he sleeps wonderfully and so do we, and life is pretty darn easy and a whole lotta fun. He's so so so much fun and we're loving this age...but in a couple of months we'll be starting all over again with a brand new baby. Don't get me wrong! We know what we signed up for and we're very happy about it...but it's just like with any major milestone in life, it never seems like there's a perfect time to take that leap of faith and change your life forever.

So what are some of my worries?

• Guilt. Mega, mega guilt. What will Braden think when my attention almost fully goes to his brand new baby sister/brother? It's not all about him anymore.
• Love. I know I will love Squishy. I already do, just how I loved Braden when I was pregnant with him. But how much love can my heart hold? The love I have for Braden as his mother...I can't even describe it - but I know you mommies out there know exactly what I'm talking about. How do you possibly love another baby as much as you love your first!? I know it's possible! I see it all the time with my family & friends, but before it actually happens to me...I just can't picture it all.
• Time. How will I manage? I want to still do stuff with just Braden...but breastfeeding a new baby - how? I know that one day I'll be able to pump and Jay or whomever can give bottles...but certainly not in the beginning. We have this family of 3 thing NAILED! It's just so easy, so I know it will take time to adjust to being a family of 4.
• Work. How will I go back to work? I know Jay will learn to be a father of two just as I learn to be a mother of two...but just taking care of one is so easy...how about two!? It will come, this I know...but it just seems so complicated to me right now.
• Comparisons. Baby Squishy has some big "shoes" to fill. I will love this babe no matter if s/he is the most colicky baby on the face of the earth (PLEASE don't be!! haha)...but Baby Braden was phenomenal. He had his sleep regression, like most babies, but other than that he was and still is to this day such an amazing baby/toddler. How can I not compare my two babies?!...but at the same time I don't want to set "expectations" on a newborn...because really it's just silly and there's nothing you can do about it! But even still I can't help but wonder that because Braden was such a good baby...does that mean I'll "pay" for it this time?

I know these feelings are normal, and I'm actually, truly excited to be having another child and to make Braden a big brother. I know he'll love his baby sister/brother - I just know it. It's the kind of person that he is. But I'm just so in my comfort zone right now and change can be so scary. I'm not having anxiety attacks about this...it's not something that has me in a constant state of worry...but it's just things that have popped up in my brain from time to time.

My new friend & sponsor Myndee at Fresh GraNOLA blog wrote this post on how she felt before she had her 2nd baby...and it has made me feel so much better. What are your experiences with having subsequent children?

In other news, I am 30 weeks pregnant today! 70 or so days to go. If you want to read back, here is my 30 week post from last time. Here's a mini-update for you:

• DONE WORK! In my last 30 week post I still had 8.5 weeks of work to go. I cannot imagine this time! CANNOT! Call me a princess, call me whatever you want, but I am blessed to not have to work anymore than past 30 weeks and I'm taking it. I don't know how my colleagues work full-time 12 hour day/night lines in the 3rd trimester with other children at home, you're heroines!
• Sleep is juuuuuuust starting to get uncomfortable, definitely feels better to sleep with a pillow between my legs now to help with hip pain...and it feels like I have to "heave ho" to turn over with the belly now!
• I can blame approximately 3 lbs of my pregnancy weight on the baby now!
• Actually still feeling really good - I can still bend over Braden to put on his shoes! (Jay can't even do this without a 30 week belly! haha!)
• My next appointment is the beginning of September and then I go to every 2 week appointments already! Unless it's raining I think Braden will have to come with me to my appointments, but that's okay.
• Varicose veins. Gross. How unsightly. Sigh. I only got a few spider veins on my lateral left knee last time...this time I have one big varicose vein, but luckily it's well hidden...and plenty more spider veins to add to the collection.
• I still get nauseous if I don't eat
• I have had no desire to exercise...at all. Probably a lot due to the extreme heat we've had this summer, but in all honesty - who cares? Really... I'm just trying to enjoy this and relax if I can. My daily housework is a workout in itself anyway!

And I leave you with another funny!