29 Weeks

My little butternut squash weighs approximately 2.5 pounds now. She is very active, moving and kicking throughout the day and night. When she really gets going, my belly will shift and change shape to accommodate her position. I tried to film this last night with the camcorder, but as soon as I started recording, she got stage fright and stopped moving. 1 minute later, when the camcorder battery died, she went right back to her antics. Little stinker.

I've been exhausted this week. I'm not sure if it's this lingering cold I'm still fighting, or the stressful work week I've had, or the effects of third trimester pregnancy, but at the end of the day, I'm plum wore out. I'm crossing my fingers and toes that this is just a phase, just a bad week, because I'm officially in my third and final trimester and there is still much to be done to prepare for baby's arrival.

When I went for my prenatal appointment two weeks ago, I was tested for gestational diabetes. I had to drink an orange-flavored sugary liquid and wait one hour to have blood drawn. I'd heard horror stories about how nasty the drink would be and how awful this test was, but the worst part? The worst part was the video I had to watch during my one hour wait. It was an interactive sort of thing, and I was prompted to answer a number of questions, like--

Have you taken childbirth classes?
Have you contacted the hospital where you plan to have your baby and made the necessary arrangements?
Have you discussed your birthing plans with your doctor?
Have you selected a pediatrician to look after your baby?
Have you talked about having or not having more children with your doctor?
Have you discussed eating and drinking during labor with your doctor?

No. No. No. No. No. No.

And no, the nursery isn't finished, the crib is still in pieces, I haven't registered at the hospital, I don't know anything about filing for short-term disability, I haven't asked about suspending my gym membership, I haven't bought nursing bras, or packed my hospital bag, or prepared and frozen any meals for later. Baby still doesn't have a mattress! I haven't washed her clothes! I've only bought one pack of diapers! And April is almost over, and then it's May, and then it's June, and THEN - THEN IT'S JULY 2ND.

Okay, perhaps I'm getting carried away, but it does seem like there is an awful lot to do in the last leg of this journey. And since my company doesn't offer maternity leave, and I can't file for short-term disability until after I deliver the baby, I'll be working right up until I go into labor.

Still, I know that things will fall into place. There is time. And what needs to be done will be done. I'm confident that when she comes, we'll be ready for her. After all, I was ready for her before she was even conceived.

PS: I went back for another prenatal appointment this week -- I'm on the every-two-weeks-schedule now. I learned that I do not have gestational diabetes (ice cream, anyone?) and I've gained 11 pounds so far. Baby's heartbeat was strong, my blood pressure was normal, urine was normal -- all seems well.