Pregnancy #1: Third Trimester

The third trimester was filled with excitement and anticipation to finally get to meet little Sariah!

• I experienced a lot of hip and pelvis pain. I guess that is just what happens when ligaments and joints are loosening up for birth.
• John and I attended a great birth class, learned lots of practical information and got to meet other soon-to-be mommies and daddies.
• Chocolate became a bit too yummy!
• I started a TO DO list for after I have Sariah. I wanted to make sure I have some small goals to work on even when I am tired and sleep deprived.
• We finally made a decision to use the Flip cloth diapers.
•  I had to focus to not pass out after fasting for more than 12 hours for a glucose test. While the needle poking and sugary drink were not pleasant, that worst part was not eating for so long.
• None of my bras or underwear fit anymore. 
• We were still able to enjoy the outdoors and to my surprise, I managed to hike a few mountains.
• John and I celebrated our 4^th anniversary at the coast and I loved the fresh sea food.
• We were abundantly blessed at two baby showers. Sariah’s wardrobe is not lacking anything!
• Everyone says I look tiny for being in the third trimester, but I feel a little bit like a whale at times and definitely miss my old body.
• We started planning for birth and postpartum. I am so glad John will be able to take some days off to stay home with us!
• I started feeling a bit more tired, especially during Sariah’s growth spurts.
• Very few clothes still fit me.
• The nursery is done and all the baby clothes are washed and put away.
• John helped me cross off things from my TO DO list.
• I do not want to cook anymore...it's too much work.

These Last Pregnancy Days

I am about to enter week 39…and I feel as though I may explode before week 40 gets here. I am a little nervous Sariah will not come until week 42, but I am also trying to convince myself to be patient and trust that she will come when she is ready.

 Now days, it is hard to accomplish pretty much anything. Little tasks like washing the dishes seem like a huge adventure and I have to sit down and rest afterwards. Needless to say, I feel exhausted at the end of the day when I go on a 2.5 mile walk, do the laundry, clean the bathroom (including the bathtub), vacuum, cook dinner and wash the dishes. I don’t know how women survive these last pregnancy days when they have other little ones to take care of all day. Seriously, how do you do it?

 I also don’t know what I would do without John. He has encouraged me to take baths, nap during the day (I can’t ever nap during the day), continue going on walks … and I love it when he offers to rub my feet at night! He also puts up with my moodiness, exhausted complaints about how my whole body hurts, helps me get up to go to the bathroom at night and constantly tells me that I look absolutely beautiful when I am wearing sweatpants, a t-shirt that no longer covers my belly and my hair is everywhere from lack of brushing. I am a lucky woman!

 Despite the tiredness and discomfort, I am oh so happy to know that I will be meeting my daughter very soon! The fact that we are going to be parents still feels like a dream. We are blessed beyond measure and I cannot believe God has entrusted us this little life. I am so humbled and thankful!!!

The Art of Juggling as a Man

Lists, Post-it and Baby

I like making lists and checking things off as I accomplish them. People often comment that I have a great brain that remembers everything, but really, I am not sure what I would do if I was not able to write everything down on a million post-it notes of all colors and sizes.

With only two more weeks until Sariah’s due date, I am a list making machine! Pink post-its are currently covering our desk as I try really hard to remember EVERYTHING that needs to be done before our little girl arrives.

I told John last night that I don’t think I have enough time to get everything done and he asked me to name a few things that still need to get done. So here is what I shared with him:

·         Finish the art project for Sariah’s bedroom

·         Print and hang family photos in the hallway

·         Do the laundry

·         Order a breastpump

·         Find a Pediatrician

·         Buy cloth diapers

·         Put away the pile of things that are on the floor in the nursery

·         Finish a few photoshoots

·         Clean the house - again

·         Prepare and freeze a few meals

·         Throw away the recycling

As I told him the things that must absolutely get done, I realized that none of these things are absolutely crucial. Yes, I need to choose a pediatrician and it would be helpful to have a few meals ready to go in the freezer, but those things are not essential.

So, I am trying to focus on the important things (like investing in our time together because we will soon have a third person living with us) and not get overwhelmed by little things like throwing out the recycling and hanging photos on the wall.