Due Date

Well, we made it. Here we are, officially 40 weeks/9 months pregnant. At my 39 week appointment, my doctor asked if I had taken a lot of pictures of myself since this was to be my last pregnancy. Truth is, no, not at all - just that one I posted, featuring only my belly, at 36 weeks. So, I figured I ought to take at least one full shot of me in all my glory.

Even though I've said that pregnancies are not my favorite thing, I have been a bit sad the last few weeks, knowing that I will never experience this again. And the truth is, if I didn't have to experience that first trimester, I would admittedly love being pregnant. I'm not saying it would be perfect. There are definite pros and cons, things I will miss and things I will not.

The things I will NOT miss about being pregnant:

• That horrible first trimester.
• Heartburn.
• Not being able to bend over without making some sort of grunting noise.
• Not being able to tie my shoes or clip my toenails without severe discomfort.
• Not being able to get up and move quickly and easily.
  
• Maternity clothes. When I got pregnant this time around, I vowed to not buy a single item of clothing. It seemed like such a waste of money to me, knowing that if I bought anything it wouldn't be used ever again, and so I haven't. I'm a bit tired of wearing the same things week after week. It has been nearly a year since I have purchased anything for myself and I am quite excited to shed these extra 30+ pounds and do a little shopping.
• These extra 30+ pounds.
  

Things I will miss about being pregnant:

• Feeling a baby move inside me - it is simply and utterly amazing.
• Lying in bed at night and watching the movements of my stomach.
• Placing my hands on my belly and trying to trace the outline of my baby, wondering if the hard bump that I am feeling is a knee, elbow, hand, or foot.
• Just knowing that I am creating a life and growing a person.
• The anticipation and excitement of knowing that I will soon hold a fresh from heaven infant in my arms.
  

At my appointment last Monday I was dilated to a 4+ and 80% effaced. I have had a lot of strong contractions throughout the week and so I am anxious to see how much progress I have made. I am taking my overnight bag with me to my appointment tomorrow, just in case we run into the same scenario that we did with Trent - which was, that I was dilated to a 7 and the doctor told me I couldn't go home and needed to walk right on over to labor and delivery.

We shall see. I'll keep you posted :o)