Our baby is now almost 2 pounds in weight, and she is 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. My second trimester is coming to a close, and my big buddha belly is becoming more and more noticeable. Today, at school, a student asked me if she could rub my belly. It was rather awkward, but I let her! People get so giddy when I walk into a room and they notice how much I have grown. Its amazing how much one’s body can change in a week.
I feel absolutely great. The only downside to being pregnant is not being able to fit into my regular swimsuits, and maternity swim wear is just ugly! I have been hitting up the pool regularly, but I wait until it is dark out! As far as my body changing, I have had to focus on walking with my toes pointed in not out, in order to avoid that “duck walk” that so many pregnant woman have to suffer with. I am trying hard to move and function as normal as possible!
This is really an exciting time in our lives, and I am almost sad at how fast it is going. Don’t get me wrong, I cannot wait for her to come, but I have had a great time being pregnant. I get some special treatment at work…I don’t have to move any boxes when book shipments come in, and everytime we have a meeting, someone always saves me a good seat. When I am out in public, people usually stare, but I always get a good spot in line, and people make sure they give me room when I walk through a crowd. Blake has been super helpful around the house, and now I come home from work to a clean house and dinner on the table. I am beginning to stress though. I feel like 13 weeks just isn’t enough time to do what we need to do and to prepare what we need to prepare for. I have read a ton of books and magazines on the subject of parenting and childbirth and breastfeeding etc, but I feel as though I will forget everything as soon as she is actually here.
Blake and I recently registered at Target. It was a daunting experience. We had no idea how much “stuff” there is for babies. Someone should make a list of the things that babies actually cannot live without and the things that are just ridiculous to even put on a registry. We were clueless. After a while, we started to scan random things. Who needs a wipe warmer? And what the heck is a bottle sterilizer? Blake thought it was pertinent that we include a tube of diaper ointment cream….mind you, he didn’t think it was necessary to include any other baby care item, but the one tube of diaper cream. According to him, everything else was “unnecessary.” I guess he does not want our baby to have a diaper rash!
And birthing plans…what is up with those? I have no idea when I want my epidural and if I am going to want guests in my room or not. Once I actually go into labor, I am sure I won’t even notice extra people standing around. I thought at one time I wanted to do this whole thing naturally, but I have no idea what it is going to feel like. How can I know if and when I will be ready for someone to stick that needle in my back?! I know we are going to be thrown into this experience whether we are ready or not, and I am ready to accept that challenge. I think it will be such a great learning, bonding, growing experience for all three of us. Soon the fun will begin!
