What I Know Now: 34 weeks!

6 more weeks to go! I am starting to feel a little anxious on top of excited because some people I know would have already given birth at this stage. Thinking about that always causes me to think, "Wow. This is going to be here before I know it."

So here's a summary of my thoughts, things I have learned etc in the last 4 weeks:

1. Childbirth classes are helpful...for husbands. I think they are helpful for mothers-to-be as well, but if you are anything like me, most of the stuff is covered in the plethora of books you might read. It is still really helpful to have someone talk you through everything. I think my husband's anxiety level greatly diminished from these classes.

2. I am sort of sad that my first pregnancy is coming to a close. WHAT!? I know I know. I spent how many blog posts complaining about pregnancy. Whining about how I couldn't wait for it to be over and have my baby. Mostly this is still true but yesterday I came to the realization that I would never be pregnant with my first baby ever again and it sort of shocked me. I don't know if I can accurately convey how EXCITED people have been for me over the past 34 weeks and how much love and support I have received. People always ask how I'm doing, lend a hand with things, won't let me do jobs, listen to me cry for 2 hours, give me thoughtful gifts. In 6 weeks (more or less) this will all be over. I can't lie - I have loved all of the attention and love.

3. In the past 4 weeks, I have taken the emotional plunge. Emotions can strike at any time while pregnant, but these past couple weeks have been the crazy time for me. I cry at anything lately. Last night I started sobbing because I saw a chipmunk in this trap my husband built that wasn't quite dead. I made him get a shovel and rescue it and set it free. Even though he's killed tons of chipmunks before. Even though I can't stand the stuff they dig up and the flowers they ruin. It took me awhile to stop crying at that one. And he totally did it and didn't make fun of me at all - what a guy.

4. It is possible to go a long ass time without good sleep. 34 weeks and counting...I have cried more about this too in the recent past (Sunday night being the most recent).

5. It is great to be pregnant, having kids with a whole cohort of women. I know I have already waxed on about this. I don't just mean being pregnant at the same time but also having kids in the same general time period. Two of my mama friends were here from the ATL over the weekend and I feel like I learned more from talking to them then anything. Having friends that will let you ask them ANYTHING about pregnancy, childbirth, having kids, pumping is INVALUABLE.

6. Moms know best. When we registered for baby gear, I sent out an email to moms I knew, including my own, asking what they liked best, what they used etc. I knew I would get a variety of answers because everyone is different and every baby is different. However, I learned a lot from this and it really helped me with our registry and make better sense of the craziness that is baby products. My friends threw me a baby shower over the weekend (one of many ahead) and my mom and I talked about it afterwards and we both thought it was so cool how all of the gifts from moms were "oh this worked great for me" or "my baby loved this". I feel like whenever I will use those items, I will think of that baby and that mom and it makes me feel so happy.

7. It's still hot.

8. I have started having more and more conversations with my belly. For example, last Saturday Baby S learned what we do on Saturdays:

"Hi Baby! It's Saturday morning and your dad and I are chilling out in bed watching the real estate channel. You can totally crash the party and cuddle in here with us. We get kind of snarky about the houses for sale, just a warning. Pretty soon Daddy will go down and make us an amazing breakfast which we will eat in bed or on the couch while watching HGTV. Mommy's favorite breakfast, which you probably have noticed, is Daddy's special breakfast potatoes with rosemary with two over easy eggs on top and strong coffee. She can't wait to eat this breakfast again when you arrive!"

9. Ok duh - I know my life will not stay the same just with a baby - I am curious to see how much our life will change and in what ways and what new routines we will adopt with the little one.

10. People ARE SO NICE to pregnant women! We went to a concert with friends on Friday night and every time I went to the bar to get a water, i got one for free! I was able to get a seat mid-way through the show and then my husband was on water duty and he had to pay $3. Thank you Mr. Bartender man at the Rave for the free waters - you are a sweetheart.

11. "You look great/amazing/fabulous" is the best thing to say to a pregnant woman. Please withhold all comments referring to size - big or small. You can't win.