I’m REALLY Pregnant…

So, I’m 39 weeks pregnant (39 weeks and 3 days, to be exact, but really, who’s counting?) and it’s getting rough. It’s as if every single day has 400 hours in it, and everytime there’s a hint that labor might be starting, it’s a total fluke. And I keep doing research on things like “How to survive your last week of pregnancy” or “How to stay sane during your last week of pregnancy” and I can’t find ANYTHING. You know why? Because, by this point, every pregnant woman has gone absolutely bonkers! We’d be willing to stand on our heads if it would make labor come! We’re so ready to evict our child from our womb that we’re incapable of enjoying these last few hours, days, (possibly weeks, dare I say it!) of pregnancy. And I’m COMPLETELY included in this. I mean, we’re big, uncomfortable, tired, and, at least in my case, this kid has had her hand or foot in one of my ribs nearly constantly for the last 5 months. So HOW are we suppose to enjoy the end of pregnancy? It seems completely unrealistic.

Well, I’m proposing a shift in how we view things.

Every time I start to feel negative about how big I am, or WHY she hasn’t come yet, I try to think of something positive to add to a list of “Last Week Blessings.” These don’t have to be big things, they can be tiny! But I’ve found that it helps keep things in perspective. My list currently contains some of the following things;

  1. I was able to do dishes uninterrupted. (no stopping to feed a crying baby)
  2. Baby is active and healthy. (A full-term baby is always best!)
  3. I’ve gotten two loads of laundry done, including some super cute clothes for the baby.
  4. I finished prepping the nursery. (It just feels good to know that’s totally done!)
  5. I took a nap! (Those are precious!!)
  6. I’ve had time to spend with my wonderful husband. (I know one-on-one time will be harder to get once we have a baby at home.)
  7. I’ve watched entire episodes of flea market flip.

You get the point. I mean, EVERYTHING is about to change, and yes, I’m anxious to meet my daughter. I’m excited to see what she looks like, and to watch her little personality develop, BUT, thinking about NOTHING but her arrival, is unhealthy! If you’re in a similar situation, I encourage you to keep busy, and make that list! It’s amazing what you begin to appreciate.