31 and 32 Weeks

32 Weeks

Sometime last week, I got on Blogger to check on some of the blogs I follow. I noticed that it had almost been a week since I last posted. Fast forward yet another week, and I am just now getting around to posting. These weeks are flying by. I guess it is a combo of school starting and Haddie's impending arrival that is making time seem to speed up. Another two weeks has come and gone. I don't feel terribly guilty for slacking. I know these next few weeks are my last child-free weeks for at least another eighteen years. Oh dear, that sounds scary!

I am going to go ahead and warn you. This blog entry may make your head spin, because mine is spinning as I write/type. I have about twelve million other things I should be doing right now, but I need a mental break! Today was my first In-Service day for the upcoming school year. Add that to the other things happening around here, and my brain is mush! There will be no format to this one. Get ready!

Symptom wise, I am still doing well. The extra weight and awkward shape of my body is beginning to cause some pretty rough back and tail bone pain. Usually, it is the worst at night, but when I get up in the morning, it feels much better. Heartburn. Enough said. Lately, I have been wondering about Braxton Hicks. I thought I would have felt a definite one by now. At least something. I have read that many women, first timers especially, don't even realize that they are having them. I had always thought that they were supposed to be painful. Every once and a while, I will notice that my stomach will tighten for a brief moment. Perhaps, those are my BH contractions. Who knows? I definitely had some tightening feelings today after working in the classroom. I don't know if they were just muscle spasms from working harder than I have been, or if they were work-induced BH. Now that I am home and setttled, it has stopped.

At this point, I still can out-eat anyone. To me, being this pregnant kind of feels like I am in a constant state of being full. So, when I actually do over eat (which is not uncommon), it is double misery! We ate at Cracker Barrel with Ed's parents last Sunday. Everyone got the Sunday special, Homestyle Fried Chicken. Amazing. They give you two HUGE pieces. I am the only one person who at both. And my sides. And two pieces of cornbread. Yes, I was miserable afterwards. But, it was worth it! I should note that at my 32 Week Appointment on Thursday, I was told I passed the Glucose Test by "the hair of my chinny, chin, chin." Great. Cutoff was 140, and I checked in 138. I asked if there was anything I needed to do differently, but they said I was still within normal limits. I guess the King-sized Twix and three Airheads I ate in the car before going in were a bad choice. Might need to watch that.

I am definitely starting to feel more pregnant every day. I caught my reflection in the Walmart doors a few days ago. I was definitely doing "The Waddle." And no, I don't mean the newest dance craze. I can't sit still for more than ten minutes at a time. Which should be great for the two hour, one-way trip to JSU we have planned for next weekend. And then, there is the matter of actually sitting through the game. But, this will likely be my only chance to make it to a game this year, so I will have to toughen up. I guess to sum it up, I just can't remember what it feels like to be comfortable! Add to that Haddie's constant hiccups and tap dancing performances. She is a wild woman in there! The countdown on my page said that she was running out of wiggle room. Well, she hasn't gotten the memo. Honestly though, I wouldn't trade that part for the world. I definitely think that is going to be one of the things I miss the most about being pregnant. As long as she is playing nice, I could feel and watch my belly jump, shake, and roll all day long. Every once and a while she gets a little crazy and rough, but it truly is an amazing feeling!

I think the "nesting" is still slowly creeping in. I got a wild hair or hare (not sure which is correct, at this point) this weekend and painted the front door and some random trim and molding that needed a touch up. Also, worked on a few projects in Haddie's room: I decided to move her name above the window. I decorated a plain basket by adding some DIY fabric flowers and buttons. I took a canvas from work that was heading for the dumpster and painted it white. After Haddie arrives, I will use it to make one of those birth facts/announcement canvases to hang over her crib. I also got a shadow box from the dumpster pile. Score! I repainted the outside and reupholstered the inside to match her room. I have also been doing much better on keeping laundry, dishes, and just over all clutter to a minimum, as well. I hope this "nesting" business hangs around.

I am officially back at work. This week is In-Service, and next week the kids are back. I have so many lists started that it isn't even funny. I should really be chugging along on that instead of blogging, but I thought blogging sounded a little more interesting. I needed a change of pace. I will be starting off the year, but at the end of September, I will begin my Maternity Leave. I really don't prefer to go into labor while in charge of 22 kids, but Haddie may have other plans in spite of mine. I have a feeling that her stubborness is going to last all the way to the end. I predict she either comes early, as in before 38 Weeks and my Maternity Leave, or she is late. I just don't see her behaving herself. I will be back after Thanksgiving. I know lots of people struggle to go back to work after baby. But, I am lucky. Haddie will be right down the hall. Plus, I know, love, and trust the ladies I will be leaving her with. I am already feeling more organized and on top of things than I have in the previous two years. I think that is a pretty good sign. As stressful and crazy as my job is sometimes, I really do love it! I am really looking forward to this year!

These next few weeks are jam packed with activities and things to accomplish. My calendar is full! We have Maternity Photos this Saturday. I am so excited about this one!  Also, a little thing called Alabama Football is back in session!! Labor Day festivities, if any. School is officially back next Tuesday. I have my 34 Week checkup ( I am on the two week plan now) next Thursday. Next weekend, we are going to J'Ville for a football game, and then Sunday, we have a Baby Shower planned. The weekend after that, I signed us up to tour the Birth Place where she will be born. Maybe if I continue to fill up my calenday until her due date, I won't have any time to twiddle my thumbs and wait for her to arrive. Hmmmm, that is a good plan.

On a serious note, I woke up this morning to some extremely sad news. One of the sweet angels at the daycare passed away this weekend. It is always a terrible loss when someone passes, but this little girl was less than a year old. I got the message this morning, and I instantly sat up in bed. Wide awake. I have known others who have lost young children, but this time it was a totally different feeling. I think that because of Haddie, I have a deeper understanding of how precious a child is. Even though she is not here yet. I cannot even begin to imagine what that family is going through. Going to work today, there was a sadness through out the facility. Life is so precious.

Now that I am crying again, I guess it is time to finish this one up. Lots of rambling. I warned you. Thanks for hanging on, if you made it this far. With school starting back, I will try my best to keep up. Hug and kiss your kids (if you have them), and enjoy the rest of your week! Hopefully, I will be back with another week's worth of jibber jabber for you next week...