Getting close to the end! The camera is not working again, so I can't take a picture. (In spite of the fact that Kevin used to moonlight as a wedding photographer and is a consummate technology geek, we seem to be awfully camera challenged around here.) I would love to say that I look and feel like this.
Ha! It's actually much closer to this.
You forget how much of a mom's job requires bending and standing for long periods of time till you can't do it. Not to mention driving. There are certain parking lots I have to creep out of because I can't lean forward enough to see around an obstruction, like trees, to pullout safely. Putting on nylons or tights is comical beyond belief but best left undescribed. I have passed volleyball stage and am well into beachball stage. There are only a few outfits left that I can wear decently in public. Pretty soon Kevin will have to haul the tent out of the garage for me.
Actually, I have been getting good sleep and feel better than I do at the end of pregnancy in the hot summer. But my glory days are past. With previous babies, leading up to and on the day of delivery, I have been in extreme nesting mode. Hours before labor kicked in I have hosted a party for 30 people, done a massive shopping for a family in crisis, pulled up old carpeting and bought new, remodeled a bathroom... with this baby we'll be lucky if my family has clean clothes and groceries in the house.
I know how very blessed and privileged I am to bring another child into the world. To have another soul to raise for the glory of God. This baby girl has already blessed our lives immensely and the joys of a new baby are boundless. (We are finding that the joys of every age child are boundless as well.) There is much to look forward to! In spite of the joking and complaining about pregnancy woes, it's an exciting time and I am trying to relish every bit of it.
But it will be nice to get off the beach and back into the swim. My earliest baby was born at 37 weeks, the latest at 39 weeks. However, there is a rebel in every crowd so I know I could possibly go to 40 weeks or beyond. (I can say it but Kevin gets in trouble if he even suggests such an unthinkable thing.) Too bad the older kid's lives just won't stop while I'm beached. I really believe we should bring back the custom of a woman's confinement in her delicate condition. (Although one would be hard pressed to refer to me as delicate.)
So I plug away, reminding myself that no one is beached pregnant forever. That everything is ready and I only have to get through one day at a time. That I can offer up the discomforts. That God is so good to let me have this baby. That every child is a great miracle and blessing to the family. I can hardly wait to meet her!
Dear Bridget, Excellent post. I am just over 24 hours postpartum, and I can so relate to every word of this. Sometimes I think the last few weeks of pregnancy can only be enjoyed in retrospect! :) Many prayers for you and your baby girl - it would be nice for the two of them to meet sometime!
Posted by: Lisa | February 02, 2009 at 11:27 AM
What an exciting time, Bridget! Continued prayers for you and your sweet baby!
Posted by: Jennifer in TX | February 02, 2009 at 02:07 PM
Prayers for you as you enter the last weeks of your pregnancy. The graces are so abundant during this time. I am never very good at being still though...
Posted by: Michele from Illinois | February 02, 2009 at 05:47 PM
Your post made me laugh, Bridget! I can so relate to the part about your extreme nesting phase in your previous pregnancies - I think with our last, number 7, three days before his birth I was digging up plants and making a Home Depot run for more. I don't feel so energetic this time around and I'm only 14 weeks! :)
I so enjoy your blog though I don't post a lot, and I've been meaning to write you for so long to tell you of our adventures with the priests of Miles Christi that are with us now in San Diego.
Prayers for you during these last weeks!
Love,
Erica
Posted by: Erica | February 03, 2009 at 02:11 AM
oh Bridget! this is too funny! I can so relate and felt the same way with this last pregnancy. I felt totally elated if I managed to do even the simplest of things...and the stocking thing...yep. I TOTALLY understand ;o)
We will pray you over that finish line, my dear! How wonderful to snuggle into pink this time of year!
God bless,
donna marie
Posted by: Donna Marie | February 03, 2009 at 01:12 PM
You best get that camera working in the next week or so! We want baby pictures. lol
Enjoy the countdown cause you know you'll miss it when it's over.
Posted by: caygibson | February 04, 2009 at 09:09 AM
Very funny Bridget! I feel like I'm getting there. I'm only 26 weeks but so washed out by 3pm. Sometimes I feel that way when I wake up. Love the whale pic. Poor whale.
Posted by: Adele | February 04, 2009 at 09:34 PM
Bridget - I so am with you on the beached whale thing -and the rub is that I am 23 weeks only! I am trying not to "wish away the time" - but I have already decided that this little girl has to arrive on the feast of Our Lady of Fatima - almost 37 weeks - the latest I have ever gone. I am doing my major nesting now.
Praying for you - looking forward to hearing your good news.
Posted by: Marilyn | February 06, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Good grief.....would you tell Kevin to get his priorities straight! You need a "final weeks last belly shot"!!!!
Great post. I'll have to remember to read this "next time"......:) Just kidding. I'm not pregnant. :)
Wow! only a couple or few more weeks!
Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!!!!!!!
Posted by: SuzanneG | February 07, 2009 at 02:39 PM