33 Weeks

Marshall and I met with our Doula Natalie last night and had a nice time discussing our birth plan with her. We both thought that she would be a great advocate and support for us during the birth and we are happy that she will be with us from the start of labor all the way through the delivery. She was telling us how her last baby was born right at 31 weeks and that blew my mind since we are already at 33 weeks and the possibility of having this baby at any point from here on out is unreal. Our plan for this weekend is to get our stuff together and somewhat packed for the hospital, just to check that off of the list. There are only so many more weekends left until May... I can't believe that the baby shower at Aunt Patty's is already coming up next Saturday!

Staying Busy.

So we have been staying busy the last few days. We went to an Infant CPR class at Children's Hospital on Saturday and then Maris & Diana came up later in the day. We had a nice time at Woodward Park and going out to dinner as well as just hanging out and making tacos on Sunday before they had to head back. Last night we had another Lamaze class and I can't believe we are already half way through our classes! Also, this Thursday we are meeting with our potential Doula and I hope that it works out well.

I have been told that these last weeks start to go by quickly and I am starting to believe it! Today when I was out for my walk I realized that I will most likely only be pregnant for 7 or so more weeks and that definitely took me off guard! I am starting to definitely feel slower, bigger and more awkward but Marshall has been so great and encouraging, so that really helps. Speaking of Marshall, his 28th birthday is tomorrow! I remember being just barely pregnant in October when it was my birthday and thinking ahead to what it would be like when Marshall's birthday rolled around and here we are... it is amazing what a difference a few months makes.

Catching Up

This week went by quickly as I felt like I was trying to "catch up" once again from a busy weekend and the dreaded time change. Luckily this weekend was nice and relaxing... to the point where I was able to even able to clean out a few closets! Lately I have really been having this strong urge to get everything prepared for the baby, but my body isn't cooperating as much as I would like it to, so I find myself sitting down and just thinking about everything I would like to do!

On Monday we had our first Lamaze class, which was really great. Our instructor is a doula (i.e. labor coach) and her approach to viewing birth as something beautiful, natural and empowering is something that I am really attracted to (My favorite quote from the evening was "Doctors don't deliver babies, MOMS deliver babies... Doctors just CATCH babies!"). In fact, it is so appealing that Marshall and I are seriously considering hiring a doula for our own birth. Our instructor is "booked up" in May, but her cohort is available and I will be talking to her tomorrow to see if it would all work out.

Other than that I have been surprised at the fact that just this week alone three men at work asked me why I was still there. When I told them I still had over 2 months to go they seemed shocked. Marshall's cousin Matt provided some insight on this issue though when he told me that a lot of men just assume that once you finally "look pregnant" you probably are ready to have the baby! Based on those who asked me at work this week, I would guess that is a pretty good assumption. I, on the other hand, am all too aware of how much longer I have to go! I am starting to feel really "weighed down" and reading that the baby will gain about half a pound a week from now until 38 weeks will only make that more so!

Back Home

So we made it back home from the funeral safe and sound. It turned out to be a really nice celebration and remembrance of my grandma, so I was really happy that we were able to go. On the other hand, it was definitely quite a struggle for me to fly/travel comfortably so I am more than eager to stay put here on my home turf until our daughter decides to make her big arrival.

Tonight we start our Lamaze classes which is exciting. I am eager to meet our instructor as well as other parents who will be expecting the same time as us. It is really starting to dawn on me that this is all actually happening! I completed my pre-registration at the hospital last week and after I signed all of my release forms they gave me another set to sign. When I asked what they were for, the lady told me that I had to sign the second set for our baby as the Mother. It must be the accountant in me, but I was surprised at how "real" becoming a mom became to me when I started filling out paperwork on behalf of my child!