Pregnant ramblings

Yes, I'm still pregnant.

I had a variety of symptoms yesterday that gave me hope that I was reeeeeally close to going into labor. I was nauseous, I had an upset stomach, I was ridiculously restless (like, even more so than my usual restlessness). My braxton hicks contractions have been out of control the past couple of days (the crampy ones are still hanging around and the regular non-painful tightening ones have been coming and going like crazy). All of those are potential signs that labor is just around the corner. Yet, here I am. I must live down the street from the biggest corner of all time.

I have fewer signs today, although the nausea and false contractions are still hanging around. I envy women who just all of a sudden - BAM - go into labor. I feel like with nearly six weeks of painful false contractions and tiny little labor signs here and there, I've had a really slow build up to labor that has kept me constantly hopeful that it's going to happen at any moment. I am hoping that means once things do finally get going, my body has already done some of the work and it's a little easier. I'm not holding my breath on that one, though, ha. But, I had a really easy first 35 weeks of pregnancy, so I know I've still gotten off a lot easier than some women, so I should limit my complaining about the past 6 weeks.

I'm actually still sleeping pretty well most nights, although I've finally started getting some of that leg cramping that I've heard a lot of women get. Actually, it's more of an aching than a cramping feeling, and it goes away as soon as I get up and walk around a bit, so I think it's probably a circulation issue from laying in the same position for a couple of hours. It's a little annoying, but I'm sort of impressed with my body for not feeling that any sooner than this. I guess I've held up pretty well, all things considered.

I still feel pretty decent through most of the morning and afternoon, but usually after dinner, I hit a wall and suddenly become the epitome of uncomfortable until I go to bed. The little guy gets really active around that time, plus I think he's just naturally lower from me being upright all day. That's a combination that leaves me with all kinds of constant internal pressure and twinges and pinches. I told Mike last night that I wished he could feel it for just a few minutes so he knew what I was experiencing because it's so hard to describe. His response: "Well, if it's as uncomfortable as you look right now, I'd say it's pretty bad." Touche.

I spent a good portion of last night marching around our living room and dining room. The Rhino felt so low that I thought for sure some good marching would pop him right out. Mike went outside at one point to toss some recyclables in the storage closet and saw what I looked like through the kitchen window. He came back inside laughing pretty hard, saying that it occurred to him that if anyone were to peek in on us, they'd be in for quite a sight. Evidently, I was very into the marching. Arms pumping and everything. Hey, I mean business here! He very much wanted to videotape me doing this, but I think he was scared to find out what I'd do to him if he tried.

By the way... I see that you're all a little afraid to vote in my latest poll. I'm guessing that's because you suspect I'm in this for the long haul but don't have the heart to jinx me by voting that way. For the four people who voted that I'll be going into labor on my own by the end of the week, I appreciate your positive thinking. However, you are very close to being wrong. Very unfortunate.