Week 31

Take THAT, gestational diabetes! HA! (Although it might have been a blessing in disguise because it would have discouraged me from eating everything under the sun.) In any event, my glucose test came back normal. And that's how I kick started week 31.
I think I'm waddling now. Lor' knows I've stopped crossing my legs a long time ago. And I think I sit like a Sumo wrestler. Sex-xyyyyy. But when your stomach now rests on your lap when you sit, do you really care? Well, I do ... and then I reposition myself and try to forget about it. I also strongly dislike pants. I have a maternity work dress for every day of the week and think I will cycle through them until I give birth. Because the idea of pants makes me want to scream! I hate that they feel constricting by the end of the day (I get bloated easily on a daily basis, even before the pregnancy.)
But there's plenty of good stuff, too. OK, just one really. But I love it. I can feel Sticky Bun kick or move just about all the time now. Sometimes I'll gasp for what looks like no reason but it's because she got in a good one and surprised me. Or sometimes it will feel like she got in a good thump and decided to drag her foot down for good measure. And it may be a weird thing to most but I LOVE it. I like knowing she's there, hanging out, getting bigger and stronger. Because I worry, you know? And her thumps just reassure me that she's doing all right. Obviously if and when it starts to hurt, I may be singing a different song. But this is probably the best part of my last trimester.
Sooooo ... I've been around a few new mommies (they gave birth late last year) and I enjoy hearing about their experiences. They are all so different - one mama had a Doula, the other two did not. Two had quick pregnancies, one had a verrrrrrry long one! Things like that. In any case, one mama has been singing the praises of cloth diapers.
That's right, cloth diapers.
Jeezus on a stick, how granola have I become?!
But listen ... this gal loves cloth diapers for so many reasons. Good for the environment (uh huh - I'm getting better but I'm far from winning any Ms Green USA awards), easy to use, and a lot cheaper than disposable. NOW you have my attention!
She broke down the cost per month and then the savings after a year. WOW. So I mention this to The Man who automatically crinkles his nose. Who can blame him? I did it too. But then he went online and did some research (one of the reasons why I love this man to death - he is very open minded!) We're not sure if this is REALLY true but one of the benefits is that babies in cloth diapers tend to potty train faster. We're not sure how one is linked to the other so we just chalk this up to a bonus benefit if it's true. He, like me, really liked the savings aspect. And another thing we both liked is that diaper rashes will be minimal if not non existent. This is great because I have very sensitive skin and I fear I will pass this fun trait to my daughter. But then The Man took it a step further. He looked into Diaper Services. Because even though breast milk poo isn't as bad, he still didn't like the idea of having to deal with it.
That's right, I married the man of my dreams. Really honey, we're going to use a diaper service?!
He examined the cost of the service vs disposable diapers and we still will save money. So we're going to try the diaper service out for the first two months. Yes, I recognize that it is sad that things of this nature make me so over-the-moon-happy but I don't care. I am super excited that we will be using one!
And that is all for Week 31. Not really a cohesive entry but just a bunch of jumbled thoughts. I'm going to blame it on the pregnancy. And not because I'm too lazy to take the time to form good paragraphs:)

30 weeks ...

I'd like to say that I feel like I'm at the home stretch. That I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. But I don't. Right now I'm thinking, "Holy $%&*, I have TEN more weeks left. TEN!"
I've been told numerously that I'm really blessed to have what is considered a good pregnancy. Only got a little sick the first trimester and, knock on wood and everything else, haven't run into complications. And yes, comparatively, especially to those who have had to be on bed rest, I'm sure my pregnancy has been stellar. And, by golly, if these ten weeks are what it takes for Sticky Bun to grow and develop properly, I'm on board 100%. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to bitch about it.
Because, dammit, I am tired of being pregnant. I'm pretty sure I'm getting bigger by the minute. After all, isn't she? But it's becoming impossible to sleep without waking up at least three times a night. Usually, it's more. Even maternity pants are no longer comfortable. I swear my boobs can now feed a village of babies. My shoe selection is now limited to flip flops. And the skin across my chest and tummy is ITCHY and tight. (Yes, I've faithfully smothered myself w/ shea butter. Back off.) Oh, and I'm a tiny bit more irritable. I'm thinking the itching, lack of sleep, uncomfortable weight gain and hormones have all contributed to this.
I know it's all going to be worth it. I know that if I think I'm in love with this baby now, this baby I haven't even seen yet, I'm going to be head over heels in love when I meet her. I know that almost all the negative thoughts I've had these 10 months (did you know it's actually ten months of pregnancy?!) will pretty much disappear as soon as I hold her ... which explains how moms can have more than one child. I know that I will love and be devoted to this little girl for as long as I breathe.
But wow, I am still on board on trying to figure out how we can have babies like hens have chicks.
As for the labor ...
The Man and I are meeting with our doula this week. I feel really good about my decision and am glad that The Man has been supportive. I've learned that when I am uncharted territory, I am comforted when I do my research and am arm myself with knowledge if I can't have the experience (yet.) Like I told my husband, I'm looking forward to the birth of Sticky Bun the way I looked forward to my 21st birthday. I know it's going to be a monumental occasion in my life and something I will remember forever. I also know that with all the joy I will be experiencing with The Man to bring Sticky Bun into this world, it is going to hurt like a MOTHER EFFER.