Having Known For Nine Weeks

In this crazy and unpredictable state of pregnancy, some windows have been opened to usher in the breeze of change and comfort…  mostly.

Physical:

New developments: After about a week of eating chicken pot pies every other day (while giving Esther the chicken, or course), this past Monday my routine came to an upsetting end.  I.  Felt.  Awful.

Besides that, however, new developments are budding that seem to be very encouraging.  For instance, two nights ago I was actually able to eat dressing on my salad (and it was gooooooood).  This morning I awoke with a taste for a white chocolate mocha.  While I’m too afraid to give it a shot, I’m elated that the thought of coffee isn’t making my stomach turn (at least for a minute).

Yes.  Pregnancy brain does exist.  I can’t remember if I’ve already mentioned this, but I believe it’s important to note that I’m averaging eating a half (if not a whole) avocado a day.  Avocados taste lovely in a salad, lovely by themselves and lovely crammed in a fistful of fries.

No.  I have not been to the gym in weeks.  While I have upped the dog walking, I’ve been resting more than I’ve been exercising.  Unless you count kegels…  Then, yeah, I’m technically exercising.

Shopping might need to be on my agenda this weekend.  My mission: bra extenders.

Changes that I could live without?  Lower back pain.  (Granted, I do stand all day.)

Mental:

Five and a half weeks until I can find out the gender of our baby.  Do you know how to spell fiveandahalfweeks?  It’s spelled E.T.E.R.N.I.T.Y.

Many, many months ago, one of the bookstores around here was going out of business and I scored some very inexpensive baby-themed thank you notes.  (Square Piece = Frugal Planner.)  These notes are already being put to use as my generous friends and family have been sprinkling us with goodies for the baby.  Pure joy.  Much fun.

This week, for the first time since I’ve been pregnant, Brian and I finally strolled around Babies-R-Us just to browse the possibilities.  Did you know that there are endless possibilities?

One decision was made that night: Brian is not allowed to rule anything out on that basis that “it looks gay.”  That said, I don’t think he’ll ever be inclined to wear a Moby.

Emotional:

I’ve been getting mushy over the thought of having a chubby baby.  Can my baby have three elbows, please?  If it’s a boy, can he be a tank?  Or if it’s a girl, a giant, roly-poly?  Of course, I mean for this to happen instantaneously after delivery.  Naturally, it’d be nice if I wasn’t necessarily pushing out a tank.

Earlier this week, I noticed that I felt down in the dumps for two solid days.  While it might have been hormonal, that feeling subsided immensely once I got a decent night’s sleep.

Spiritual:

This Tuesday night, a few of us girls got together for some Bible study, some prayer time, some mutual encouragement.  Though I was at the tail end of feeling down in the dumps, there’s nothing like a group of girls being transparent and supportive at the same time.  When we pray for each other at the end, we all pray aloud at the same time.  At first, that can sound very distracting and overwhelming; but in a second or two, it becomes the most beautiful noise as I realize that no matter how many of us are praying at the same time, the Lord hears each prayer as if it’s the only one being prayed in that moment.  Quite incredible.  Quite amazing.  What might sound like gibberish to me makes perfect sense to Him.

This encourages me to pray, even when I don’t feel like I’m making any sense.