The state of things

I'll be 29 weeks tomorrow. We have eleven weeks left. Eleven weeks. 

It's funny because in most situations, wouldn't eleven weeks seems far away? Goodness, I think the forty days of Lent seem to last forever! But the last eleven weeks flew by and everyone assures me the next eleven will too. Although as much as I cannot wait to meet our baby, I do love being pregnant. It's weird to think I won't be soon!

Speaking of baby boy, he sure is active lately. And not just kicks and punches; I feel like he's constantly doing the worm in there. And tonight I actually saw and felt a limb poking out. I freaked a little when I felt it! I know I feel him all the time, but something is extra surreal about feeling like you're touching his little hand through your skin.

I've also been having a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions in recent days. All of a sudden I feel my whole belly painlessly tightening, and then it's gone. And it's happening all day long, it seems.

I'm also really feeling the physical affects of the third trimester. My back aches. It's so hard to bend over. Hard to sit at a table. I wake up early every morning, in pain. I feel like I'm walking funny. And I know my belly is only going to double in size. So will the pain and discomfort, I'm sure.

Right now the heating pad is my best friend (I'm currently laying on it for my back pain), although I can already tell it's not working as well as it did at first for my side. 

My side.

The pain is now entering into endo pain territory. While I wince and yell at times, I can, for the most part, do things to lessen it, like stand up (it usually happens while sitting), lay on my left side, or grab the heating pad. But it's hardcore, serious pain and I have to force myself to breathe through it.

Enough about the aches and pains (which, of course, I gladly accept overall. I just need to do better in the moment!). 

We went to our labor and delivery class last Saturday. Anyone else ever see the video where the wife is walking the halls during labor and has her husband get on all fours and become a table for her to lean on during a contraction? Hands down the highlight of the class. I broke out in uncontrollable laughter and actually had to think negative thoughts to stop giggling! And just for the record, Ryan will not be making a table for me, no matter how badly he wants to.  

Meanwhile, Clara is doing great. I don't know when I last updated what she's been up to, but she's been pulling up on everything for a couple weeks now and cruising. And she's just so confident! I thought she'd walk really late, just because she was born so early, but maybe she'll be walking by the time her little brother is here after all. Do I want that? I tend to think not!

She's also so vocal lately. For the past few days, it sure sounded like she'd look at Sophie and say "dog" (well, actually more like "dawd"). I didn't think much of it because I knew I hadn't taught her that word, so I figured it must be a coincidence. Then last night she did it again, so I asked Ryan about it. Turns out he had been working with her on it! Of course, she hasn't said "cat" yet, which I work with her on constantly. She is such a daddy's girl.

So that's what's been going on with us (oh, and I have to mention that the nursery's done! Pictures coming soon). It's funny because I'm really starting to realize that even though I'm a mother and even though I'm pregnant, the ups and downs of life are still present. But at least now they're set against the backdrop of joy rather than sadness. And I'm a huge fan of joy.