Nesting Panic

Okay, I'm not really panicking. I'm just realizing how soon this baby will be here. I have 5-8 weeks left. Five if I go my earliest so far (39weeks)...And 8 if I go to a full 42 weeks (3rd times the charm, right?). I'm not feeling one way or another if baby will be early or late. I'm almost feeling like maybe later.

Apart from the fatigue of battling a UTI (on antibiotics, sigh), parenting two very active littles, and being 8mos pregnant: I still feel REALLY good. I am so so pleased that I've stayed in shape this pregnancy.

33 weeks. 8lbs gained so far.

And commence my little brag, forgive me, I'm so proud of myself, I've worked really hard to stay active and eat (really) healthy this pregnancy- some thing I've never done before. At 34ish weeks I can walk 3-5 miles (13min miles) no problem (well the BH's get obnoxious). I have been doing belly dancing regularly. And -don't tell- but I can still do 30 Day Shred!  Though I modify the "on your back stuff" to hands and knees exercises (pelvic tilts and balance poses)...Jumping jacks are beginning to be uncomfortable after the first few (and Newby protests) so I modify those as well. :0D I can't say how empowered I feel being able to do things I was never physically able to in other pregnancies. I am SO glad I've pushed myself, it was so important to me that I feel strong and ready for labor- and I do! For the first time I feel excited for the process!!

 That said, the unavoidable "last month" stuff is settling upon me. It takes a long time to pee because I have to shift around baby's head to get it all out.And I have to go a lot. I feel hot and overheated so easily (thankful it's cold out!).  Rolling over at night is starting to become a chore- Newby feels like a giant bowling ball wedged in my pelvis- so glad she's squishier than that!! Also, I've been waking a bit achy in the mornings-  ready to get out of bed and move around.
And the lovely Braxton Hicks have arrived. While they are kind of annoying, as they make it feel kind of hard to breath, I am actually really thankful for them this time. They are such great practice to go limp...To be intentional and surrender and relax my jaw (I find it clenched a lot dealing with day to day stuff). They are a positive reminder to breath deeper and sip water...They are PRACTICE for the big day and how I need to react. Exciting to be getting close!!

I hope I can remain this positive and I guess you could say, zen, for the rest of the pregnancy. I don't have a set due date (some where between the 15th and 25th of January)...While I'm secretly hoping for January 12th (the date Ryan and I decided to get married- I think it would be neat to have our 3rd baby on that date 7 years later!) I really don't mind if Newby hangs out in there until ...whenever. I have lots of projects lined up for after the Holidays...I'm really saving all my big nesting stuff until that point.


MY NESTING LIST:
BEFORE the Holidays:

• Birth kit and hospital bag
• Hospital tour and registration.
• Continue cleaning the house neurotically...Randomly decide to scrub all the areas of our home that I know will drive me crazy after baby is born (and I remember with Friendly: nesting didn't stop once baby was born: I need to be able to enjoy my baby with a clear conscience. :0D
• Locate all the parts of the crib- so we're not searching or with out it when we are taking care of a newborn and NEED it (we side-care it to our bed).
• Locate newborn clothing (Maybe tuck a few things into the dresser so it's there??)
• Go over the cloth diaper stuff.
• Have at least some muffins and quick breads in the freezer as well as a minimum of 4 meals.
• Get a few Size 1 sposie diapers (no point in the NB size my baby's historically out grow them with in a couple of days)
• Finish knitting Friendly's Dotty Dog.

Finished Roo's!

AFTER THE HOLIDAYS...IF I have time to kill (okay some of this REALLY needs to happen)

• Finish knitting a couple baby hats (fun evening activity).
• More quick breads and muffins...Also "smoothie packs" (just little bags of fruit and veggies put together that can be dumped into the food processor with some yogurt)
• A couple more meals: mainly GF Pizza crusts and maybe 1 or 2 extra casseroles would be nice.  
• Put all the newborn clothes in the dresser.
• Create a shopping list for "baby week" and hopefully be able to get every thing on it in early labor (extra things I'll want postpartum- and the extra "easy foods" for the first week.)
• Locate or purchase, or make all my postpartum necessities...
• Afterease for after birth pains 
• Mama cloth -sew a few new ones
• LARGE disposable pads for the first few days + Mama cloth layer
• Arnica
• Dermoplast (numbing spray for down there- I think I still have some from Friendly...)

I am honestly foreseeing lots of extra time to get all the things done in January...But there is a niggle - that with my "luck"- baby will surprise us in the midst of the Holidays (I'd be 37-38weeks- seems too early!) and I won't have ANY THING ready. Kelly's (or someone!) Law: if  you are prepared you won't need it...Especially when it comes to babies! I really want a restful, joyful, and peaceful postpartum time. No hubby baking messes, no extra stress...Just hunkering down and adjusting and enjoying together!

Let the panic attack commence...Kidding... But I do have quite a few things that need to be done soon!