Dang it!

8th month lessons

1. I truly feel the stomach acts like a boulder on my body.  For example, to get in and out of bed I have to roll into the appropriate position.  Thank goodness it's getting super warm.  It's amazing that it's late February and we're having 85 degree days!  At some point, I would like to go to the beach and dig a hole, burrow my belly in the sand and savor the belly down position.

2. Dreaded stretch marks...I didn't have any until this week...I made it soooo far without any signs.  I have a handful of some faint, short ones in the center of my underbelly.  I noticed it last night and got really teary eyed.  P hugged me and said he still loved me.  I lathered the cocoa butter cream before going to bed, this morning, added some more lotion when I got home from work.  I will apply cocoa butter again this evening.  This will be my ritual from here on out.

3. Mindset:  I have always believed in 'mind over matter'.  I practice mantras to help me fall asleep, I also use them to help me see the positive side of difficult situations.  So I am applying the same principle to my outlook on labor and delivery.  I am currently reading Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth, and this idea is driven with anecdotal evidence as well as connecting it to physiology.  In a future post, I will highlight some of the best quotes from the book.

4. Inconsistent sleep: This evening is the first night that I can't go back to bed right away after waking for repositioning, a drink of water, or a bathroom break.  I woke up at 2:30 am and got out of bed at 2:45.  I don't have to be on my best game tomorrow as I am attending a conference instead of being at school.  It's close to 3:30 now, I will attempt to go back to sleep for 2 hours or so.

5. Planning: From previous posts, you can tell I am a planner, the execution is the critical piece though.  I have yet to re-visit my "gotta get it done" list.  I will take stock of the list this weekend.  I have given thought to how I will spend my spring vacation.  At that point, Vida's room will be painted and furniture will be in place.  The first 5 days of vacation are 'mine', as in, doing mommy-baby prep. 

All week long: 1 hour of exercise (right now, I am fitting 30 minutes/day at best) and catching up with friends.

Saturday and Sunday: Baby showers

Monday: Baby laundry, nursery organizing, & thank you notes

Tuesday: Prenatal appt, prenatal yoga class & update blog

Wednesday: Review birth plan and have doula appointment (maybe I can squeeze in a pregnancy massage)

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Thursday-Saturday: Do work stuff, prep for maternity leave

(I will be 36 weeks by Thursday, 2 more weeks and she can be born with optimal development.)