Friday, January 22, 2010

34 Weeks



I feel bad coming out and saying it, but I think you have all been replaced.

I still read your blogs and am inspired by all your running, but I have to admit, not running for 26 weeks has made it difficult to read about it. Not only because I am extremely jealous, but also because I have just kind of lost interest in it. It's hard to admit, but in a way I am enjoying the mental and physical break. I mean, I hate the fact that I haven't been able to do it for so long and hate that it's going to SUCK when I try to start up again, but in a way, I love that it's just one other thing I don't have to check off my list of things to do.

Especially when I am less than 6 weeks (hopefully) from having my first child and obsessing over all the things that I still have to learn: pain coping during natural childbirth, pros and cons of interventions, breastfeeding, vaccinations, what to do with a baby when she actually gets here, what to pack in a diaper bag, what to pack in a hospital bag, what the numbers on diaper boxes mean (I thought the 1, 2 and 3 were for ages, much to the amusement of my co-working mamas). Go ahead and laugh at me, it's fine.

I'm TOTALLY clueless I tell you and lately it seems, I clueless about EVERYTHING. And no matter how much time I have left, it will never be enough time to learn all the things I feel I still need to learn. I still have about 2-3 books I want to get through and everyday I find a new, fascinating website that provides more information than anyone could ever possibly need to know.

But I have to admit, the one thing that has been taking up most of my time the past few weeks has not been educating myself on pregnancy, childbirth and parenting. It's about something much more important...

NURSERIES!!!

OK, so decorating a nursery is obviously NOT more important than those other things, but when you are deep into the "nesting like a mofo" chapter of your pregnancy, cleaning and organizing the house and getting the nursery all set up and ready (even if it's still 6 weeks before your due date) seems like the ONLY THNG THAT MATTERS RIGHT NOW!!

So, that's what I've been doing the past two weeks. Lots of nesting, decorating, cleaning, shopping ("YES JEREMY, WE NEED TO HAVE A BOX OF DIAPERS AND BABY TYLENOL IN THE HOUSE RIGHT NOW, JUST IN CASE") and obsessing. And in the course of all my googling nurseries online, I have found some pretty amazing blogs out there from super-creative moms and the amazing spaces they have created for their little bundles of joy.

So there you have it. You have been replaced with blogs on nurseries, pregnancy, child-rearing and baby craft projects. Never thought I would be that girl, but I am.

Don't worry though. I'll be back to obsessing over Gu flavors, running shoes, weather.com and 20 milers again in no time. I've already got the Philadelphia Distance Run and Marathon on my radar in the fall. :)

Other than that, things at 34 weeks are good. I'm slowing down, but still feel alright. I'm much more tired and feel like I have grown SO much in the past two weeks. Actually. I know I have since I suddenly gained 3lbs in the past week. This makes for a grand total of 28lbs so far. Not so bad, but the sudden growth spurts do tend to hurt a bit and I'm starting to notice a few more aches and pains.

For example, when I get up any of the 32 times a day I have to walk to the bathroom from my office, I actually have begun to waddle a little because it feels like my pelvic bones have spread apart while I've been sitting there. I can't believe I'm a waddler. People actually laugh at me as I walk by their desks. Sigh.

Thursday night, I had my 34 week appointment and everything was great. Bean is measuring perfectly and her heartbeat is strong. Her noggin is down and her feet are up, already making mama proud. Keep up the good work Bean!

Finally, tomorrow, Jeremy and I have our childbirth class. We signed up for an amazing, one-day intensive Birthworks class at the Maternal Wellness Center that is literally a 5 minute stroll from our house. Very convenient and I love the fact that we do not have to spend 3-8 weeks taking a class. My midwife assured us we will get all the information we need about of the one day, 4.5 hour course as we would the one that spans a few weeks. I'm really looking forward to the class and am excited and nervous in a way to see how J reacts to it.

I'm sure as soon as we leave the class, the obsessing over the nursery will quickly change back to obsessing over birthing. After all the research I have done, I am fully committed to having a natural childbirth, but get many, many, many fleeting thoughts about how difficult and painful it is going to be to push a human out of my body.

Of course. I run marathons. It shouldn't hurt that much, right? ;)

Don't worry. I am fully aware of how that statement is going to come back to bite me in the ass.

17 comments:

teacherwoman said...

Again, you look great. Don't worry, you haven't hurt my feelings. I know you will be back! :)

That beautiful baby girl will be here in no time! :)

MCM Mama said...

First off, you look awesome and you are supposed to be ultra focused on baby related stuff at the moment.

You are going to do just fine at childbirth. Just keep an open mind. Natural childbirth is manageable. Heck, Shoo was born at home. If you'd like to chat about it, let me know (I also have a friend up near you who I'm sure would be happy to talk to you. She had three kids, all without drugs). Just shoot me a note on facebook.

We did the one day childbirth class and it was so nice to just get it done in one day and I definitely felt like I learned what I needed to know.

Good luck!!!

N.D. said...

hope the class went well. I could NOT go to one. I didn't want to know ANYthing. I got a funny video about a few things and that was it! You'll be fine! I hear you about not running. It is a nice break, I'm sure. You're clueless but you'll become an expert right away. I can't believe it is only 6 weeks away!

Anonymous said...

I had two children and then 5 years later started running marathons (having never been a runner). My marathon mantra has often been "I pushed out two babies so I can do THIS."

I think if you can already run marathons then you've got a head start on how to manage pain & endurance... and you'll do just fine!

I know whatcha mean about not knowing anything though, I was the same way. I didn't know that the first thing we'd do when we brought baby #1 home was clip her long nails (which ever after became my job - husband was much too afraid of hurting her). And I didn't know that in pushing out baby you are often pooping at the same time. Wish someone had told me to expect that. The hospital staff are pros at keeping you cleaned up, but still!! Finally, sitting on heating pads when you're back at home goes a long way towards healing.

In the end, none of this stuff matters, it's all a blip in time, and you are ever-after a mama, the best thing ever!!

Heather said...

When I was pregnant I was obsessed with watching the show A Baby Story on TLC. Now I can't stand to see even two seconds of it. :) You look fantastic!

Q, La, and Gooner said...

Running after childbirth is...interesting! My daughter is 8 months and just last week hopped on the band wagon. Week 2 of training and I dislocated a rib. Don't push yourself too hard. I'm glad I found your blog and I am very interested in reading more! Congrats on your pregnancy!

Julie D said...

I definitely am going to take the not-knowing approach when my time comes. However prepared or not, it's going to happen, and it's not going to be easy. I take this same approach for races -- you won't catch me looking at course maps or elevation profiles too often!

Denise said...

I'll miss you, but completely understand. I look forward to having you back out on the roads in the Fall!!

A friend of mine went to that wellness center and loved the classes. She just had a baby boy last week. A few weeks early but everyone is healthy. She did it without meds and she's never run a marathon! You'll do great!

Marlene said...

Glad to hear that you are doing well... despite the waddle. :)

I can't wait to see your nursery. You have such good taste!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

I love your pictures. You look beautiful.

Running will be there whenever you need it back. It's the best friend you'll ever have. Always ready for you, whenever.

You just have pregnancy brain. Obessing about one thing only to forget 3 other things.

Enjoy your last few weeks for being pregnant. It is such a short time to pack in so much life experince. It is unlike anything else we ever do it life!

Chic Runner said...

You look so fab and I understand that we've been replaced! You are going to make a great mom and I can't wait for her to be born! :)

streak said...

You do look great! I miss the runs also but is well worth the wait for our baby and getting nursery ready. Try not to worry about it all and enjoy time, the important thing is healthy and happy!

I went to childbirth class 6 years ago with the first one and again last month for baby girl, different this time around and filled with great information. We will be done with nursery this weekend and will post pics. Can't wait to see yours.

Anonymous said...

I'm running the Phil. distance run (or now the Rock and Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon) in September too! You are honestly still such an inspiration! Natural child birth! Running a half a very few months after having your first child! You go girl!

Bert said...

You look fantastic! Running can wait, other more important events around the corner. Having one's first child (and I include the husband in this) is a great adventure for which most couples are collectively ill-prepared, even with months of classes, books & websites... So trust your instincts, relax and go with the flow. You learn as you go, what you need to, very quickly.

X-Country2 said...

You look so adorable and pregnant. Good luck with the home stretch.

Before I'm 35 said...

I have lots of friends who are expecting right now and these are the two pieces of advice I am giving all of them.

1. The book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. Live it, learn it, love it. For about the first 10-12 weeks figuring out when they will sleep is just a crapshoot, but after that, you can really get that sleep schedule in place. Great info in the book!

2. Another item for your hospital bag: menus. Print out lots of menus of places nearby. The hospital food isn't really that great (shocking, I know) and it's nice to have a menu so that the hubs can pick up some good dinner for you!

And if run marathons, most of all you have the CONFIDENCE to get through the whole thing! That is what it did for me at least :)

That Pink Girl said...

Have you discovered www.younghouselove.com yet?
Awesome home reno site...and they are expecting a baby girl soon. Love the funky choices they are making for her nursery. Nothing predictable!

 
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