Update -- 7 Weeks to Go!!

Hello, disregarded blog. I am here, once again.

My status for the day: Life is good. I have a man who loves me, a fun and loving daughter, a baby on the way, great friends and family, a good dog, a great job, a decent house and car, and pickled cauliflower in the fridge.

Physical update (Don't read if you don't want to know!!):

I have gained 43 lbs. to date. Not bad, considering that 3/4 of that was put on in the first 4 months . . . ! I am catching up to it. Or something.

I haven't measured my girth - let me do that right now. . . . ummmm . . . . 47 1/2 inches. I started at 30.

My hands, legs, and feet are swollen.

I have to pee every 30-45 minutes . . .

I get winded walking from my desk to the bathroom.

My hair is unmanageable.

My skin is crying out for less hormones.

It's hard to even roll over in bed.

I suffer from acid reflux.

My teeth hurt. So do my gums.

My boobs are finally getting bigger! But my belly trumps them still.

My belly button went from 2nd knuckle deep to half a fingernail shallow.

I can't reach my toes or get up easily from the floor (or the couch for that matter).
I get really hot when I am trying to sleep.

Cravings: carbonated mineral water, ice cream, strong flavors (pickle, spicy food, olives, mustard, citrus, etc.).

Emotional Update:

I still worry I will damage Peanut by resting something on my stomach, or bending too much, or sleeping on the "wrong" side, or eating the "wrong" food, or missing my vitamin, or whatever else my pea brain can come up with.

I am giggly over a Laffy Taffy joke one minute, and crying over a Hallmark ad the next.

I no longer have a filter when I speak.

I no longer have patience for stupidity.

Although I was never super careless with myself, I miss not having to worry so much about what I do to myself.

I am nervous about the baby room being done in time, even though she won't even use it right away. I am also nervous that we won't have the furniture in time.

I am starting to get the nesting instinct, which allows for me to overbuy, overcook, and overprepare.

I keep thinking that there really aren't 7 weeks to go, that she'll show up early, and that makes me worry more (see 2 lines above).

I get frustrated easier than ever before.

There is already an anticipation around doing everything perfectly (which I know is not an attainable goal).

Baby Update:

She is still breech.

I am feeling her kick a lot more than before, but I think it's because there is less fluid and more baby.

Natalie talked to her on the phone last night. :)

She likes to kick the dog.

She reacts to music and spicy food.

She is about 4 - 4 1/2 lbs. now.

Other:

My symptoms categorize me about 2 weeks farther along than the doctor estimated.

I got a promotion at work! With a raise! Just in time for babysitting fees. :)

We are starting to interview potential temps for me at work. First one is tomorrow. The goal is to start them next week, which will be nice, because I will have some help for at least a few weeks.

We bought an Envoy from a friend. He took very good care of it, and gave us a very good deal on it. It makes me feel safer and much more comfortable.

The latest check-up showed protein in my urine, a second sign of preeclampsia (the first being my swollen extremities). I was chided for not drinking enough fluid. Otherwise, everything looked good. Now I visit every two weeks, and the next visit may include a physical "look-see" to make sure I'm not dilated yet.

I continue to have strange dreams. Lately, there have been a lot that suggest she is a he.

People are finally speaking up about my pregnancy. When I say people, I mean strangers. When I say speaking up, I mean they are asking when I'm due, or if it's a girl or boy, or giving me a congratulations. I'm sure it was noticeable before, but now it must be so noticeable that they aren't afraid to make a remark.

A baby shower was held for Lorelai at work Friday. I will post some photos. It was spectacular.

My last shower will hopefully happen on May 22nd. I hate waiting until the last moment to plan, but that's how this one is ending up. I am trying not to stress over it, but I can't help myself. My blood pressure is actually really low, considering the frenzies into which I work myself.

Things I Miss . . .

Don't get me wrong -- I am sooooo excited to be pregnant. I love that I've been given this chance. I wouldn't give it up for anything.

Nevertheless -- there are some things I miss.

I miss beer. For some reason, it never really meant that much to me before, but Friday night I sat by Clint as he opened Miller Lite after Miller Lite. The cans glistened in the light. It's making my mouth water as I type.

I miss the smoke shack at work. We can only smoke in one designated area on the grounds here, and it's the best place to get the latest gossip/news/lies. I actually had a hard time taking a break until I began frequenting the shack, and it became a good excuse to work one in.

I miss some of my clothes. I even have a skirt and a pair of jeans that still have the tags on them. I bought them 4 days before I found out I was pregnant. I haven't even opened my closet in at least 3 months, because I have a limited supply of stuff that fits -- it never makes it into my closet.

I miss my ankles. They have been replaced with cankles. However, I wouldn't be able to even see them if I still had them.

I miss my hair. What's on top of my head is this thick(er) wiry stuff that looks kind-of like my hair, but is much more difficult to manage. I haven't worn it down since November.

I miss being able to go through a day without making some kind of bodily noise. Whether it be a random hiccup, a burp, or even something more grotesque, I can't help myself.

I miss sushi. And unpasteurized cheese. And real coffee. Enough said.

I miss sleeping on my belly. Really, I miss sleep. And I have a feeling I won't get that back for a very long time.

I miss being active. Sure, I probably wouldn't have snowboarded this winter (I do live in one of the flattest states in the nation), but I can't even ride my bike. I feel totally lazy.

I miss being able to bend and reach. It's a struggle to put my socks on, or even lean forward to grab something off the far corner of my desk.