The third timester is here and the need to sleep more frequently has returned. I still feel great with the exception of a leg cramp here and there. No cravings yet. Little Girl kicks me frequently now -- I started feeling her at 24 weeks -- pretty late in the game. But I'm happy to feel her, it's such a joy!! DH can feel her on the outside, and we can see my tummy move too.
Here's a pic of me and my big belly.
Here are some pictures of the (unfinished) nursery.
Everything came used off of Craigs List. The nursery still needs some pizzaz. I ordered two 6-foot-high white bookshelves to go on either side of the dresser (only $50 each from Staples - with free delivery), some room darkening pink curtains (only $18 at WalMart), and six pink gingham fabric bins for the shelves on the changing table. I still need some finishing touches like artwork. My mom and I started a painting at Christmas that matches the bedding, and I still need to finish it. Our spare bedroom is full of hand-me-down baby stuff from my brother and sister-in-law, including a swing, bouncy chair, exersaucer, high chair, baby gates and more, so I also need to clear the closet in baby's room to store some of that.
My first hospital class is scheduled for late January. That's the one where we tour the hospital. I had to reschedule it due to work travel. I have another class on C-sections in February and I'm considering taking the whole childbirth series of classes in case I find myself before the scheduled c-section, dilated to the point where slicing my belly open would be counterproductive. I watched "The Business of Being Born," a documentary by Ricky Lake, with my husband last week. It's about home birthing and how hospitals push women into having more medications during childbirth than would be ideal. All the video of natural childbirth -- without drugs -- made me even more turned off by that option. Although they did say that the drugs that women are given make it harder for her to bond with the baby. Not sure if I buy it. I don't like the idea of lots of drugs, but don't like the idea of pain. There's no right answer, that's my final conclusion.
I've been a road warrior for work lately. Everyone asks when I have to stop flying. I always say the doctor says there is no medical reason a pregnant lady can't fly, unless she has some medical issues. It's the airlines that don't want to have to deal with a woman giving birth on a flight. I'm for sure not flying in March or April. I'm not sure about February yet, I'll see how I feel.
I'm reading voraciously lately about baby stuff, I must have 30 books checked out of the library. I keep thinking I won't have time to read after the baby's here so I feel like I'm cramming for motherhood. All the books say you have no time to do anything after baby's here. Seems to me you'd have at least some free time considering how much babies sleep.
Tomorrow is my glucose tolerance test, plus an ultrasound to check baby's heart, since the ultrasound tech couldn't get a good view last time. At least that's what she said. Hopefully she wasn't lying and saw something of concern. I'm anxious to see my little girl again on the screen, though.
Glad to see you and baby girl are doing well. I think to some extent the books are right that you don't have much time after baby comes. But it is really what you do with your time when they sleep. They all say you should sleep when baby sleeps, but it isn't always that easy. Especially when you have bloggy friends to catch up on!
Posted by: Denise | January 18, 2009 at 06:18 PM
You look great! Personally, I appreciate the full body shot rather than just the belly. Wow, good work on the nursery! I worry that I wouldn't be that organized. Good luck with your next u/s. I'm so excited for you!
Posted by: Phoebe | January 18, 2009 at 06:37 PM
I love seeing you this way. Pregnant, happy, surrounded by your future.
Good luck with the glucose test, and enjoy your moments gazing at her!
Posted by: Lori in Denver | January 18, 2009 at 07:40 PM
It sounds like you are doing really well, and you look great. You are amazingly well prepared with that nursery and all that stuff! Good luck on the glucose test.
Posted by: Queenie | January 19, 2009 at 07:37 AM
Everthing looks awesome and you look great!
Kim - Braces Bunch
Posted by: kimbosue | January 19, 2009 at 08:34 AM
You look great! And your nursery is so put together so early in the game! I still have to finish working on ours and he's due in three weeks...
Good luck with everything. You deserve it.
Posted by: Jen | January 19, 2009 at 06:55 PM
I cannot believe how time is flying by! You look amazing by the way ... cute little belly and skinny little body - adorable!
I think you're right - the nursery does need a little jazzing up - but amazing that you found all that stuff on Craigslist - something to be proud of!!
Hope you get the sleeping and reading that it sounds like you desperately need!
Posted by: Polly | January 30, 2009 at 09:41 AM
You look great! You and your girl are inspiring.
Posted by: stacey | February 10, 2009 at 08:44 PM
You look great! The nursery is so sweet! How did your glucose test go? Did you get to see her again on the US?
Posted by: maryanne | February 12, 2009 at 08:45 AM