Third Trimester Update

According to my calculations, tomorrow will mark 34 weeks of pregnancy.  That means that some time in the next 6 weeks, little girl McDonald will be here.  I'm willing her to come forth in 3-4 weeks.  Could you pray that with me?  Seriously.  Six more weeks of this severe pelvic pain seems insurmountable.  I have a previous lower back injury and that is making it much worse than I had imagined it could be.

Thoughts on Labor/Delivery
I think that no matter when I go into labor, I'm going to panic and feel like I'm not ready.  I know she has to come out some time, but now that I've felt the Braxton Hicks I do not think I can do it.  My plan is a drug-free vaginal birth in which I get to go home 24 hours later.  I know that I have to allow room for the unexpected, but I am expecting "normal".  I was in pain off and on all night a few days ago and woke my husband up stating that I would need drugs.  I hope I don't. 

If you know me at all, you know that there are 2 things I can't handle: airplanes and medical procedures.  If you can't read between the lines there, it's because I am a control freak who is also terrified of dying at the hands of someone else.  I am, however, trying to remain confident in my calling to motherhood. 

Psalm 78:1-7 holds this commission:
O my people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.…
We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done...
which he commanded our forefathers
to teach their children,
so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.

Body Image

Need I say more?  I mean really. [Thanks to Jolina for sharing this photo!]

Once I "popped out" I really felt great...even looked great.  But now I feel lumpy.  I know all about cellulite.  My pants keep rolling off of me.  My mother suggested a muumuu.  I don't know if that's how you spell it, but I sure as heck am not going to wear one.  Justin is patiently letting me stretch his t-shirts out.  It's the husband's duty during the third trimester, don't you think?

Cravings

I think the previous section leads right into this.  Honestly, I haven't had many specific cravings this pregnancy.  In the first trimester I was so hungry and that seems to have returned.  My mom and my dad's mom came to help me over the weekend so I got some of my mom's cooking.  She even let me have oreos and chips.  Is there anything better than a salty, crispy, plain Lay's potato chip with some kind of sour cream dip?  Mmm.  On Friday night I ate all of my entree from PF Chang's and half my mom's.  And some of my husband's.  And some off the table behind us.  Ok, just kidding about that part. 

To Do List

We had our first baby shower this weekend with my husband's family.  It was small but we did get some cute things.  As with our wedding, people bypassed our registries and bought stuff they just thought we needed [but I have receipts!].  Although I tried to be a minimalist with the items I registered for, I am learning that a lot of what I chose is still not necessary.  Honestly, I think we have everything we need, at least to get through the first stage of her life.  I'm sure if you're reading this and you're a mom, you're probably laughing.  We really do have all the big stuff covered, thanks to our families blessing us in ways we don't deserve.  Here's a rough list, some things completed, of what we have left to do:

1. Paint her room.

2. Clean the carpets

3. Organize laundry room.

4.  Make a big trip to Sam's to stock up on paper goods, food, & other household items.

5. Take a birthing class.

6. Wash her clothes.

7. Refinish some of the furniture for her room.

8. Put out fall decorations.

9.  Make the wall-hangings for her room.  [I'm halfway done.]

10.  Get my haircut--it might be the last one for awhile!

Things to buy:

1. A bathrobe to remain modest at the hospital.  I am not going to be ashamed whatsoever of breastfeeding either in public or at home, but I suppose I do need to keep my nipples to myself as much as possible. 

2.  A killer pedicure.  It is necessary to have pretty, relaxed feet at least before she's born.

3. A few more things for her room [shelves, small table, lamp].

Final Thoughts
It was great to see my mom and nanny this weekend.  It's hard to live far from family, but we're so thankful they would go to the time and expense to come here and spoil us.  The next time we see them, we'll be a family of 3!  Somehow just writing about all of this makes me feel even better about beasting this whole labor thing.  We are so excited to see her chubby little cheeks and dress her up in all her clothes!  Even the poopie diapers might be fun, right?

Here we are at 34 1/2 weeks.