T minus 8 weeks until blast-off! This baby is getting ready. I can just feel it. The kicks are enormous- ones that shake my whole balance from side to side – ones that make my stomach look like a morphing alien – ones that feel like they may be dislocating my right rib.
Where the belly once felt like a big round piñata with some things moving around inside, it now feels like a huge and heavy water balloon weighing down on my pelvis, and stretching my spine inward. It used to be a little squishy. Now, it’s as tight as a drum!
Sleeping is not what it ever was before. I can’t get comfortable to save my life. And, the annoyance of positioning pillows under my belly, between my knees, and behind my back (not to mention the one I use for laying my head on) has gotten a bit out of control. There almost isn’t any room left for Jonathan in the bed. Heaven forbid I have to go to the bathroom! I lay there and think to myself, “Do I really have to go that bad? I just got every pillow in its right place, and I’ll never get them all perfectly positioned again! (Insert curse word here).”
The one relief that is tried and true has been my beautifully big bath tub. I take at least one bath a day (sometimes two). And, if I soak in the warm water just before bed, it helps me sleep. The pressure jets are also a lifesaver for the lower back. I’m actually quite interested to see our water bill for the month of November.
Jonathan has been so good about my whole uncomfortable state! He gives me great back rubs, deals with my somewhat-more-frequent emotional breakdowns, and sudden addiction to mini tangerine oranges. And he also researched the best place in town for me to go get a prenatal massage tomorrow. Can’t wait! Really.
I’m getting just a little nervous about sitting on the plane for 4 straight hours on my way to Anchorage on Saturday. I can barely sit still for an hour during church these days. I’m all about the isle seat for this one.
Well, there you have it. It’s my day for complaining. And, tomorrow may be too.
My recent secret thoughts: How do fat people deal with these back issues all of the time!? And, swollen ankles? And, how do they lace up their own shoes? Do they not shave certain parts of their bodies any longer? I don't know how they could! I can't even see what I'm doing any longer when I'm shaving in the shower. I guess cankles wouldn't be as much of a problem if you could never even
see your ankles.
What can I say? I've found a new appreciation for the large & in-charge.
It's been great being home in Anchorage so far for the holiday. My little sister Leah follows the belly around wherever it goes and has asked that I inform her of every time the baby kicks. She doesn't want to miss a thing. It's very cute. 
