*I wrote this post last Thursday night with intentions to post on Friday. That day I had scheduled my induction for July 25th and was planning on being pregnant for a couple more weeks. Little did I know that Dash had other plans and I’d spend Friday getting ready to welcome him into the world. So – if you’re looking for “going into labor” tips, my suggestion is to write a snarky blog post about still being pregnant. It did the trick for me. I couldn’t bring myself to change anything that I wrote, so cut me some slack, I was big pregnant and hot and looking at two more weeks of pregnancy. To say I was getting cranky is an understatement.

Just to clear something up: haveyouhadthatbabyyet.com

I’m just sitting here, still very pregnant. There’s really no indication that Wee Baby P has any intention of joining us by his predicted arrival date of July 17th. According to my doctor, he’s quite happily camped out. He hasn’t dropped and I’m not making any progress. It looks like we’ll be enjoying at least one more hot and humid weekend together, likely two.

After my smug “I’ve had virtually no pregnancy symptoms and this is all such a breeze” posts of the first and second trimester, the third trimester snuck up on me and quickly let me know that Wee Baby P is the boss of me! Granted, I have still had absolutely no complications and a very worry-free pregnancy. I have very little to complain about.

Third trimester symptoms: I am carrying pretty high and WBP seems to prefer to hang out on my right side. I look a little lop sided. It cracks me up every time I look down and see my misshapen belly.

The record high heat has done nothing for my ankles and they currently look like an elephant’s.

Super attractive, right? Though they aren’t professional (in the slightest), I’ve been wearing flip-flops to work every day. I’m assuming that our young support staff are looking up to me for their work fashion inspiration and now think it’s ok to wear flip-flops to the office. Whoops.

I breathe a little harder, walk a little slower and have to work really hard not to waddle. But, that’s really just been for the last four weeks or so. I’ve been able to keep up with RP for the most part, and he’s been really great at making sure that I’m feeling alright.

I have had raging heartburn for the entirety of the third trimester. This better mean that WBP is born with a very full head of hair as the old wives tale predicts. Tums and Prilosec have been my best friends. Best. Friends.

Sleeping is a little bit of a challenge. I flop around a lot (sorry RP) and sometimes I feel “turtled” as if I’m stuck on my back. Again, this has just happened in the last month or so. It actually makes me laugh most of the time, just not when it’s 3am and I really have to pee. Fosse and Manny are pretty annoyed with me because they really treasure their beauty sleep and when I get up, they wake up. This leads to a very fussy and huffy beagle or a quick swipe to the toes, to voice their displeasure. If they think I’m bad, they aren’t ready to have their world rocked in a couple of weeks. WBP’s sleep schedule is going to seriously interfere with Fosse and Manny’s.

I’m also highly irritable. This is further exacerbated by the nonsense that people say. I have very little patience for ridiculousness. Yes, I’m totally aware that it’s over 100 degrees and I’m pregnant. Yup, it’s uncomfortable. No, I’m not going to give birth right here, but thanks for your concern. Thank goodness RP is a saint and always says the right thing. Home has been a haven from ridiculousness (aside from a few huge belly jokes – that I’m actually happy to laugh at) and I am so grateful for that.

What I’m eating: Everything. No more food aversions. I cannot get enough fruit. Watermelon is the best. The hotter the day, the more I want watermelon. My maternity pictures even feature watermelon. I’ll post some once I have the disc. I have also been doing my part to support our local business, The Dairy Godmother. One day, they’ll know my name because I’m there so much. I would love to achieve “regular” status. One day.

What I’m reading: RP is now reading all of the birthing books that I’ve finished. I’ve moved onto Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child; Happiest Baby on the Block; Baby 411; and Rookie Mom’s Handbook. I’m still keeping up with my weekly emails from BabyCenter and Babble and Alpha Mom’s pregnancy calendar.

What I look like: Rapidly expanding!

Hmm… I may have a cardigan addiction and pictures in the cat bathroom are the jam.

What I’m doing: Working a ton of hours trying to get all of my stuff together for maternity leave from work. Every time I think that my to-do list is close to complete, I suddenly have 10 more things to add to it. Is anyone really ever ready to leave the office for six weeks?

RP and I have also spent a number of evenings at Nats Park. This season has been so much fun to watch. Our pitching staff is incredible, our offense is finally taking off and the crowd is loud! On hot evenings, I get a lot of “bless your hearts” and inquiries about my due date. Nobody is surprised that I don’t have long to go. If only WBP got the memo.

We’re also trying to sneak in as many date nights and movie outings that we can. We celebrated my birthday with a fun dinner out with friends and we had the group over for the 4th to pick crabs.

The best stuff: Feeling the baby move. Big kicks, little hiccups, movements visible from the outside – it’s all awesome. I just can’t wait to meet this kiddo.

Our 36 week ultrasound was super fun. WBP had his hands right in front of his face, so we didn’t get to see a good picture of his face, but he’s measuring big. This is no surprise to me or my doctor, because I was a 9lb. 10oz. baby and RP is 6’2”. I’ve heard that big babies sleep better, so I’ll take it!

We’ve put together the nursery and it really looks like it’s ready for the little guy to move in (once we move Foss of course).

I’ve loved the conversations that RP and I have been having about the baby too. Every day we check in with each other and ask “What’s your favorite name today?” We are also spending time washing baby clothes, organizing all of our baby supplies, sterilizing bottles and pump parts, ordering necessities and general nesting.

We’ve packed our hospital bags and we’re just ticking time bombs. Just waiting for PeeWee to decide to join us. I hope it’s sooner rather than later, but I think we’ll be meeting him on the 25th.

Now I just need to write Dash’s birth story and show you his cute little one week pictures. Blogging with a baby on my lap is pretty awesome. To say that RP and I are in love is a serious understatement.