37 Weeks, fully baked, and still cooking

I recently discovered a blog called Healthy Tipping Point through the Fitnessista and was SO excited once I started reading... Among other things, I have the same due date as she does! She wrote a post today about her expectations of pregnancy and the realities so far.  Inspired, I decided to do the same! So...

I am 37 weeks pregnant and I laugh, because reality did not quite match up to my expectations of pregnancy!

1) I will be that crazy fit pregnant woman. (just like when I wasn't pregnant...)

post workout glow, dec 2010

HAH!
my body had other ideas.  working out beyond walking or yoga destroyed me, so I had to couch it.  Then I went into preterm labor at 33 weeks, 5 days and it's been bedrest since then (until now, since I'm full term! went on 2 longish walks yesterday and it was GLORIOUS).  I joined an amazing prenatal yoga class at 14 weeks and I wish I could go every day!  (sadly they only have class 3 days a week, and I can really only make it one day a week...)

I can still do this, though!  31 weeks pregnant!!! :-D

2) I'm going to gain a ton of weight, get huge as a house, and enjoy every second of it!  Eat my way through our house and home with NO sense of guilt!

Before...

Now - 37 weeks

oh boy... this one...  I have only gained 21 lbs.  21.  0_0  and it was a struggle to make it there sometimes.  I'm 5'2" and small framed, but I don't know if that's an excuse.  My weight - all belly and boobs.  and don't get me wrong, I get a kick out of it, but I look like I stuck padding in my bra and a watermelon under my shirt and called it "pregnancy."  I was also surprised that I'm almost never hungry.  I think the baby has flattened my stomach. I'm afraid I'll weigh less after having him than I did when I got pregnant! And as for getting huge as a house?  I see pictures of me from before and can't believe I EVER looked like that.  It's like a practical joke.  No, I really never looked that slender... the belly is my 'normal'.

3) I'm going to hate knowing baby's gender.
not completely!
my husband wanted to find out, and I didn't really.  But I decided it would be too much of a strain for him to keep it from me for 20 weeks.  So, I caved.  But, you know what?  I actually LOVE knowing that I'm having a little boy.  We have gotten to get used to the name we picked for him (we have a backup in case he's a she when he comes out!), and its fun to just know sometimes... I still tried to keep our baby stuff as neutral as possible, but I can't wait to meet him and kiss his baby face, so that's enough excitement to keep me going! I think I would have loved not knowing too... Maybe the next one we can play it that way!

4) Labor and Childbirth - no worries!  ;)
Hmmm
funny thing here.  I wasn't scared, wasn't worried, never freaked.  My body is meant to do this, so it will happen.  Then I went into preterm labor.  and it never stopped, but baby hasn't arrived yet.  SO I've been in labor for 3 and a half weeks now.  and it SUCKS.  and I have moments when I'm curled up on the floor bawling because I'm in pain and i'm scared. Or a contraction wakes me up at 2 in the morning and I start crying because (and this is a quote) "I can't do this.  He's not going to fit.  Can we undo this pregnancy?"  or "I can't do this anymore.  Get him out NOW!"  I'll let you know about the childbirth part when I know!  the scary part at this very moment is that it could be tonight, tomorrow, or not till June 20... (God help me...).  So, along those lines, any prayers, good thoughts, good vibes, friendly 'ju-ju' you wanna send my way is INCREDIBLY welcome.  and accepted with love.

~The Errant Soprano