week 38

morning starts. I open my eyes and lift my head to look at my clock. 7:30am. I lay very still and listen.
Is Wes awake yet?

If I hear a pounding (its usually little feet hitting against his wall) or the babble of his baby talk, I know my time in bed is limited. I close my eyes again.
Maybe just 30 more minutes?

I roll over and immediately it all comes flooding back, the fact that I have a watermelon attached to my stomach because the rolling over took grunts, a little momentum and effort. the fact that this said watermelon is now leaning perfectly again my bladder, which I emptied in the last hour or so and yet is still somehow full. the fact that this actually isn't a watermelon but a beautiful baby girl as her little toes tap against my upper stomach and a knee sticks into my rib as she is trying to get comfortable too.  
Oh yeah, I'm pregnant.

Once I can't take the pressure to go to the bathroom any longer (usually 5 minutes) I realize the day needs to start, and my little jumping bean is ready to escape his crib.

The day starts, and I feel tired. Dressing can be hard, but most days I just choose yoga pants and a comfy tank top, hot flashes are sprinkled throughout my day, so if I'm sweating, I might as well look like I'm working out, right? That's the rationale I use as I look at myself in the mirror. Full length the site of the belly I am carrying still makes me giggle.
Whoa. Now that's a belly.

My buddy greets me with a smile and I sing our little song as he jumps up and down, eagerly waiting a hug. I open the curtains with a dramatic flourish and wonder where my energy is coming from.
My little Stitch's smile, of course.

I get him dressed and he enjoys picking out, or at least approving of his t-shirt choice for the day. At this point we are both ready for breakfast.

The day continues with a variety of activities... chores to keep the house spick and span, setting up toys and knocking them down, chatting with family members and friends, snacks, more playing and more nesting. Somewhere in the middle of all of that we enjoy nap time and if the weather is on our side, a good walk.

Bending over is harder.
Squatting is harder.
Picking up my almost 18-month old is harder.
Getting up from sitting down... harder.
Remembering things, being motivated to get stuff done... all harder.

But today I am almost done. A relief of spotting a glimpse of that light at the end of the tunnel softens the struggle of normal activities. The realization that in less than a month I will be holding my baby girl, the one I have been talking to and prepping for these 9 months. Then I feel that tingle in my gut, the excitement of Christmas mixed with the nervousness of a big test. Its like a twist of frozen yogurt, half vanilla anticipation and half chocolate anxiousness.
38 weeks. 2 away from 40...

As I lean forward on the floor, stretching out my sore legs and back, I feel a little hand slowly rubbing my back. I look behind me and get that wonderful smile. My buddy puts his head on my shoulder and says "ma-ma-ma" and all of a sudden my anxious thoughts fade.
I get to have TWO of these blessings?!

best. ever.

Now the remaining weeks need to just hurry by, I'm ready to hold my baby girl, introduce her to the most amazing big brother she gets to have and start life as a family of 4!