On our recent trip to South Carolina, after church.

Symptoms: Friends, I am becoming quite uncomfortable, to tell the truth. I still have the wandering rib in the back, but now add to that inflammation of the rest of my ribs (called costochondritis) and the result is fairly consistent pain, worse in the evening or after I eat. If I’m hot my hands swell up like crazy so I took my wedding ring off a few weeks ago. I think I have carpal tunnel syndrome too, because my hands are constantly falling asleep, especially at night (it wakes me up), and it feels like they are on fire. Plus, the joints of my fingers and wrists are very sore and stiff all the time. I get periodic heartburn. I still have anemia despite taking iron three times a day for over a month, so I’m tired all the time. Oh, and I have side effects of taking a lot of iron which I won’t get into.

Medical Stuff: I don’t even know how many pounds I’ve gained, but it’s probably close to thirty by now which makes me cringe. I failed one of my glucose tolerance tests, but thank God I passed the final one, so I don’t have gestational diabetes. Yay! I really do need to start eating better, though. I mentioned that I still have anemia, and it hasn’t improved at all. I don’t know if it’s just due to pregnancy or if there’s some underlying cause for it, but we’ll just have to wait until I deliver to find out.

Movement: I feel less kicks now and more whole body wave-like movements. My belly bulges in different places all the time and is usually lopsided. It’s kind of fun, but very strange. :)

Clothes: I finally bought a pair of maternity shorts for weekend wear because it’s so hot out. Other than jeans and yoga pants I have two dresses that fit me and one skirt. I’ve begun wearing the hand-me-down maternity shirts I was given as well. My regular scrubs are still hanging in there for work, and I really hope they last!

Preparation: Well, we finished our childbirth classes, and part of that was making a birth plan. We also met with our doula. My registry is basically complete and my showers are scheduled. The nursery is far from being done, but it is almost painted. This weekend we will finish painting, install new blinds, and put the furniture together. I’m signed up for a breastfeeding class, and hopefully I can schedule a tour of the labor and delivery unit of the hospital soon too. We found a daycare that is two minutes from our house and has plenty of spots open. Vacations have been taken. Maternity photoshoot is planned. We’re making progress!

Also: David has been saying to me for months, “When will she come out?” It’s a little joke with us now. We are just really ready to meet her, and I’m really ready to not be pregnant anymore! Eight weeks still seems so far away right now, and time has been dragging, but I know it will be here before we know it!