Remind me not to tell people that I loved being pregnant. I have loved some things about it – like the movements of a child inside of me and the sound of his heart. Oh, and the decorating. But pregnancy is incredibly hard – mentally and physically. A few times I have wished I didn’t have to be pregnant, like yesterday when the nausea came back. Or the day before when I could hardly walk because of what felt like a pelvic bone about the crumble. Now, the Shrek foot (just one swells, the other not so much), now that’s just funny. Can’t complain too much about that. Then I remember what a blessing it is and will be my whole life. It will eventually be worth it.
I am getting nervous about the whole giving birth thing. It sounds so hard.
The other day as we were doing laps in the pool before the sun officially came out I felt like I was in tri training mode again. Then I realized I am training – for the most intense physical test of my life so far. I felt grateful that I’ve been able to be physically active during this time of pregnancy, not only for the mental peace it brings, but also because I think I’ll need the endurance I’ve maintained for the task ahead.
Over the weekend I bought my favorite yellow Powerade for use during labor. I have thought about buying the sports beans or shot blocks, my favorite electrolyte boosts. Probably seems strange to some, but they make sense to me.
I have done hard things, like the triathlons. But this time will be very different – instead of my parents standing on the street corner yelling my name, it will be Tyler by my side, holding my hand. Although there have been times I have prayed for the strength to finish a triathlon, those prayers are nothing like the ones I’m praying now or will pray until a baby is safe in my arms. Five more weeks. It's very real.
My family planned a baby shower for me over the weekend. It was amazing. The theme was “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Amber, my crafty sister, made the decorations, which consisted of banners, balloons and even a monkey on a motorcycle made out of diapers (that was classically awesome). People were so kind. My favorite gift … maybe the monkey on the motorcycle? Maybe the lamp my sister Lindsey thoughtfully searched for for weeks or the car seat cover and receiving blanket my sister Janna spent hours creating? All highlights.
Honestly, what I’ll remember most is having my family and almost all of my closest friends there to celebrate. I was able to catch up with some people I really love. That was the best. I was so exhausted afterwards – not sure why. Tyler teased, “yeah, it’s really hard unwrapping gifts.” But even though I needed a nap and my feet grew three sizes, it was perfect. Better than a dream.
Yesterday I had a funny experience. I went to a doctor’s apt. The doctor asked me a question, and I began to answer. About 20 seconds into my response, the doctor’s eyes rolled back in his head and his eyelids shut. I have seen my dad have a seizure once, and this is exactly what I thought was happening. I kicked into first-responder mode – “Are you ok? Doctor, are you ok?” I began to stand up to get help from a nurse, when suddenly his eyes popped open and he said, “I apologize, I fell asleep. Can you repeat what you were saying?”
Oh man, I almost died laughing. He explained he delivered his daughter’s child in the middle of the night and hadn’t been back to sleep since. I was the last patient of the day. I felt for him, he really looked tired. But, I still thought it was hilarious. Reason #1 I hope I don’t have to have a C-section: It’s possible my doctor has narcolepsy. Yikes.
