36 Weeks

We've now hit the 36 week mark! In just a few days, I can start begging for him to come, since his lungs are fully developed at 37 weeks! There are so many things I have enjoyed about being pregnant, but there are many things that I will NOT miss!

Love it: Feeling him move! From the first little flutters to the constant rolling around and punching my ribs, I absolutely love knowing that he's in there, safe and sound, and it moving around like crazy!

Love it: Maternity clothes! Okay, being completely honest here: I've always had to worry about my weight (gasp!) and I've always been self-conscious about how I look, so there's something liberating about being allowed to have a large belly! Letting it stick out SO becomes me! Had I known how comfy maternity clothes were before, I might've been pregnant years ago!! ;)

Love it: Okay, this one sounds kinda vain: attention! I've never really enjoyed being the center of attention, but I love that people always ask me how I'm doing, and are genuinely concerned about my health and comfort and the health of my baby. (Not that people aren't concerned at other times, but you know what I mean!) I love that complete strangers will strike up a conversation about my pregnancy, but please see "The Rude Comments" below. Know your limits people!

Love it: Cutting in line for the restroom. The second someone sees my big pregnant belly, I'm ushered to the front of the restroom line! I should remember this later and stuff a pillow under my shirt... (By the way, this also applies to people who give up their seat as soon as I walk into a room, and hold the door for 5 minutes waiting for me to waddle through it!)

Not lovin' it: The swelling! There are times that I feel like the tops of my feet are literally going to explode. In fact, I'm truly shocked that my feet don't have stretch marks, because the skin has been stretched out SO far! I've also developed Carpal Tunnel in both hands because of swelling, and it is definitely not comfortable! My brother Steven commented on the swelling in my calves/ankles the other day: "It looks like you used to have really long legs, and you cut them off mid-calf and stuffed the stump into your shoe." Okay, kinda gross, but if you know Steven, you know that's pretty darn funny.

Not lovin' it: The rude comments. I know most people don't mean to come across as rude, but there are people out there who think they can say whatever they want to you when you're pregnant. Just the other day, the receptionist at the hospital said "Girl, you must be bringing us some twins!" when I went to visit a friend. Really? Thanks, I already feel like a beached whale, I appreciate you commenting on just how huge I am. It's really made me realize how certain things come across to hormonal pregnant women, and I will definitely watch my tongue in the future! (Then there was the "Gee, you must like cheesecake" guy...but I won't get in to that one.)

Not lovin' it: The achy hips/pregnant lady waddle. I must combine these for obvious reasons. No matter what I do or how I move, my hips ache with every step. I thought I already had "child bearing hips" but apparently God had other things in mind. My mom and I were walking through the mall the other day, and she said "I usually take my cues on what direction to go from the person I'm walking with, but I can't do that with you!" Apparently with every step I look like I'm about to switch directions. (PS - Love you Mom, you're one of the few who could get away with that comment!)

Not lovin' it: Insomnia. I'm writing this post at 3:45 in the morning. Need I say more?

Not lovin' it: Peeing ALL the time...especially now that I have to pee in a jug for 24 hours...more on that to come.

So as I'm writing these out, it really looks like I'm completely miserable and don't enjoy being pregnant, but strangely enough, despite the fact that the negatives often outweigh the positives, I still absolutely LOVE being pregnant. It's one of the most profound experiences of my life. I can't think of anything equal to creating another life with the person you love the most, and being able to see and feel that life grow from a dot on the ultrasound screen to a happy, thriving, busy baby! Baby Timberlake - I love you so much, and I've loved growing you inside me! I know you're going to be the sweetest, most amazing little person, and I can't wait to meet you!!!

A couple of other things before I try to actually go back to sleep. Many people have been asking about his name. This is the one thing Terry and I have decided to keep quiet, so you'll have to wait until his birthday to find out!! One of us will be sending out an email as quickly as we can after he gets here and we have some bonding time. If you'd like to get that email, please make sure I have your email address! I'll also post it here as soon as I'm able to.

We (and by we I mean Terry and my dad) have been working fast and furious on the nursery. The sheetrock is done, the walls and ceiling are painted, and Terry's going to be sanding the floors today (in a few hours, when the normal people are out of bed...) After the sanding/varnishing of the floors, the windows will be replaced, we'll paint/put up new trim, and then the room will pretty much be ready to decorate! That's where my mom comes in (hopefully) because at this point I'm losing steam! It's been a long process, and we've cut it pretty close, but it looks like it'll be ready soon! I'll post pictures ASAP!

Last thing - we had a check up today, and my blood pressure was a high for the second week in a row. (142 over 80 something?) That combined with my swelling has the doctor slightly concerned that I could be developing pre-eclampsia, so I've been peeing in a jug since this afternoon and will continue through tomorrow. (Did you know that my "specimen" has to stay refrigerated? GROSS!!) =P Please pray that this test comes back negative, as pre-eclampsia would basically mean we either induce or have our c-section immediately.

Wow, I've always wanted to write a book...apparently 4 AM is my peak writing time...who knew? To close out this novel, here's my 36 week picture. The next picture will most likely be at 39 weeks as we head to the hospital for our c-section on April 8th! =)
Wow...maybe I do look like I'm having twins...