Friday, November 8, 2013

32 Weeks Pregnant // Tales from the Final Trimester


32 Weeks Pregnant // Bubby and Bean

Here I am.  Eight weeks to go.  Wow, it feels crazy typing that.  In less than two months, I'll be a mother.  Bananas.  I shared updates with you guys at the half-way point, and then again toward the end of my second trimester.  Now that I'm well into my final trimester, I thought I'd share one more big pregnancy update before baby arrives.

I was pretty candid in my other two posts, and included lots of joyful moments as well as plenty of details of the non-glamorous side of being pregnant.  In the first post, I shared my story of trying to conceive, my miscarriage last December, our positive test in April, and both the highs (like an intense sense of well-being) and lows (like constant vomiting and exhaustion) of the first trimester.  In the second post, I told you about my excessive emotions (I felt a lot of feelings, guys), and the strange, slightly petrifying nightly panic attacks that came (and for the most part, went) during my second trimester.

I'm happy to report that so far, the third trimester has been a really positive experience.  Sure, it's difficult to breathe after every meal and while lying down when a mini human is pushed up into your stomach and diaphragm.  And the heart burn and acid reflux that feel like a fiery hot knife stabbing me in the esophagus aren't exactly my idea of a good time.  Searing back pain, intense leg cramps, and an inability to tie my shoes/shave my legs/sleep for more than an hour at a time at night are all new and interesting parts of my daily existence.  But every time I feel this baby girl roll over, or watch her elbow move across my belly, or feel her tiny hiccups, all of the yucky crap just disappears.  It feels more real than ever now.  I have Braxton Hicks contractions preparing my body for childbirth.  And I can physically see a baby move under my skin.  It's weird and alien and miraculous and freaking amazing, and it's worth feeling huge and awkward and more uncomfortable than I've ever felt in my life.  I still have a while to go, and perhaps in a few weeks when I can't get off the couch without help, I'll feel a little less jolly about the whole thing.  Right now though, this just might be my favorite trimester so far.  I can finally get a grasp on the fact that (holy shit!) I'm going to be a mother.  In a few days, we have our breast feeding class, and next weekend, we take a (nine hour!) birthing class.  I can't imagine how much more real it will feel after that. We still have a lot to do - the nursery is far from being done, I have about a dozen baby books that need to be read (because hi, I have no idea what I'm doing once she gets here), there's still a lot of things to buy and to get in order, and it all has to happen during the busiest season (by far) for my work.  But it's all going to work out just fine.  It's going to be incredible, as a matter of fact.

Honestly, despite the struggles that I've shared here, all three trimesters have been overwhelmingly positive for me.  I'd say that aside from the panic attacks (because who enjoys being awoken from a dead sleep to intense feelings of irrational, unexplainable fear?), even the difficult parts have been magical in their own ways.  They've been reminders that I'm growing a human - a human who we really, really wanted.  Inside of my belly is a sweet little girl, who Robbie and I get to keep and love and watch grow, together.  Something about that washes away any fears or complaints or feelings of negativity, and allows me to realize that it's all just a part of the experience.  I don't know if I'll ever have the opportunity to go through this again, so while I'm in it, I making sure that I appreciate every moment of it. 

Thank you, so much, for letting me share this journey with you guys. I can't wait to see what happens next.

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22 comments:

  1. Melissa, I wish you all the best in this exciting journey! Your little girl is blessed to be coming into such a wonderful home! I remember being pregnant with my little one, it feels unreal that you are going to have someone else there with you in such a short time, but pretty soon you won't be able to picture life without them.
    All the very, very best for the three of you in these wonderful times!

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  2. Hi Melissa,
    Just caught up on all your posts, you share so beautifully and honestly, thank you. A magical time in your life, blessings.

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  3. such a beautiful photo and beautiful post. thank you for sharing with us. i look forward to the pregnancy journey someday.

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  4. Melissa, you look terrific for someone who gets so little sleep!
    I agree with Veronica - your little girl is lucky to be born into your loving family!
    Wishing you all the best in the coming weeks :)

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  5. Yes, all of those feelings, that's just how I feel! It's pretty amazing and beautiful and yet terrifying and crazy all at the same time (especially watching the movements...so alien and yet incredible!) Wishing you all the best these last weeks...I'm a week away from my due date and am so excited for her arrival!

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  6. Wishing you luck in the next chapter of this incredible journey! Thanks for sharing with all of us!

    Miche from Buttons and Birdcages

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  7. This is all sounding so incredible exciting and how wonderful to hear you're feeling so good. Well, aside from the sleep part. My girlfriend who's due in a week has the exact same complaints... but of course, all SO worth it once you get to meet your baby!!!!! Wishing all the best, lovey!!

    xo
    By The Shore, a life + style blog

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  8. So excited for you, girl! Cannot wait to read about your beautiful little lady. :)

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  9. I'm so glad your pregnancy has been so positive! Good luck with the end of the third trimester!

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  10. First of all, congratulations, it's the first time I'm visiting your blog and I'm so happy to find such an excited and happy mom-to-be. Also, you're having a girl, how amazing!!! Also, on the esophagus burns, it might actually be a positive thing. My aunt, who is a doctor, told me a story a couple years ago about how pregnant women have esophagus burns in the third trimester while their child's hair is growing. You can't medically check it, but she and many of her friends had them and gave birth to beautiful little girls with a lot of shiny hair (for a newborn, of course haha).

    Best of luck, I'm sure you'll be a great mom!

    Have a great weekend,
    Mary x

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  11. What a sweet post :) I'm so happy for you two! Sounds like an amazing experience!

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  12. I've loved following your story and it really inspires me for when I eventually get pregnant. I'm excited to read more once she is here! =)

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  13. You and Robbie will be great parents, and you'll make a wonderful family, the three of you! Your last weeks are going to fly by, and you'll be welcoming her to the world before you know it. I can't wait to "meet" her! =0)

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  14. Everything about this is so beautiful!!! Im so excited for everyone at Bubby &Bean!!!

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  15. Thank you all for the kind words! It is a very exciting time. :)

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  16. Hi Melissa! Enjoy your remaining months of pregnancy. Your words perfectly captured your happiness and excitement. This was beautifully written.

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  17. its so hard to believe she will be here in two months, holy cow!!!! i love how real you describe everything. and your bump, oh my your bump is the cutest! i know how much you wanted this for so long, glad you are appreciating it all even through the hard parts. i cannot wait to see photos of this little one, eeek! you are going to be such a good mama. it will come natural to you, i just know it. i love you!

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  18. This is such a sweet and heartwarming post, Melissa - I know you're going to be an amazing mom and your little girl is going to grow up surrounded by so much love.
    xox,
    Cee

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  19. Who needs to sleep more than an hour or shave your legs? Haha. Over-rated, I say. :)
    Also, I think that's actually preparing you for motherhood, as you won't be doing either of those things very often after the baby comes either. But it's all good and worth it, of course. Glad to hear you and baby are still doing well. You're in the home stretch! xo

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  20. hooray for your 3rd trimester! so glad your daughter makes all the bad stuff nearly disappear. :)

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  21. I am so happy for you both!!! I hope the rest of your pregnancy continues to go smoothly and healthy!!

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