That sinking feeling

Last Friday night, the baby dropped. She’s a good 4-5 inches lower in me than she was before. I wasn’t quite sure at first - it’s a very strange feeling. I feel like I have a head stuck between my legs, which isn’t entirely incorrect. But I also have new stretch marks to match where she is now lower and rounder than before, so I think “lightening” has occured (talk about a crap name for a biological occurrence - there is nothing “light” about it).

As the hubby put it, “she fell down. On her head.”

There is now constant pressure against what I think must be the bones “down there,” though I’m not entirely certain where there is. And while my ribs hurt a good deal less and the bruising is healing nicely, I now pee constantly.

As in, seven times a night constantly. Ah well. At least I’m well hydrated.

Saturday night I made the mistake of trying to run a block and a half to catch a city bus. I caught the bus but appear to have done something funny to my left hip. It’s not painful per se, just a little looser than the other side. I hadn’t had any complaints at all prior to this, so I’m more upset with myself for ruining a good thing than I am in actual misery. Really, I’m feeling quite good. The heat still sucks and the feet are still swollen, but I get the feeling that comes with the territory and I can still do most of what I need to.

Other than that, no more contractions or signs of impending labor. I did have a little pinkish residue on some TP that gave me pause, but there were no signs of popped cork, so I’m not worried. She’ll come when she comes and we’ll be happy to meet her then.

As the family and friends who have hoped to be in Israel for the birth finish arriving back home this week (yay! we missed you so much!), I’m ready whenever they are.

Since we’re about a month away, now’s probably the time to put in your guesses. When do you think Kirby will give birth to BeeGee? Post your date (and am/pm for any tie breakers) in the comments and I’ll send a small prize to whoever gets closest without going past the due date (which should dissuade anyone from picking past our due date - August 28).

When thighs attack

I’m sporting this summer’s hottest anatomical feature. Thalves! When your thighs attack your calves, kind of like cankles — only higher up.

I had a growth scan today — we’re technically 34w3d, but measuring roughly 35w3d. BeeGee has lots of hair (mostly on her head, thank goodness) and weighs approximately 2.5 kilo (give or take 300 grams) or 5.5 pounds. She is still head down and in a great position for delivery. The tech also checked her umbilical arteries and all looks good. She has enough room to grow a bit more and there’s no indication of any early arrivals — which is great, because, to sound like a jerk, I have way too much work to do between now and then.

Afterward, I had the world’s shortest doctor appointment (roughly 90 seconds) to check my blood pressure (”Perfect!”), get another prescription for iron (”You’re taking them everyday, right?” “Uh huh. Yeah.”) and be told that everything looks good.

Back to the good doctor in two weeks!

A must read

Two! Count’em two posts today! Don’t forget to check out my lame update below!

This, however, is a must read.

Guilty

I am a bad blogger. After receiving a couple comments and a few emails asking me if I had fallen off the face of the earth, I thought it was only right to post some sort of update.

If only there were something to update! My life is very boring, and for once, I kind of like it that way.

I’m still here. Still preggers. Chugging along nicely at 34 and some odd weeks. I get a little bigger everyday, but for the most part, I’m still able to do all the things I need to do.

I have gotten permission to work the remainder of the pregnancy from home, mostly in an attempt to prevent cankles. At home I can keep my footsies up and take a nap here and there as needed. By 9 a.m. or so here it’s about 85-90 degrees outside, so chilling at home in the A/C has been a real boon for me.

I went golfing on Tuesday (okay, not a proper round but a couple hours at the driving range, chipping area and putting green). Despite a little soreness in my shoulders (which likely has much more to do with having not golfed in a year and less to do with pregnancy), I’m no worse for wear. It was great to get out of the house and do something vaguely athletic. The hardest part was putting the ball on the tee each time. You get some really great looks when you’re rather rotund and insist on carrying your own bag of clubs around.

I had the pleasure of welcoming another blogger to Israel last week. ProjGen made aliyah to our little town of Modiin, Israel, and it’s been great fun to help out where we can. It’s amazing how much difference a year makes.

In our free time, we’ve been trying to prepare for the upheaval that is bringing home a newborn. The nursery is finished and I’ll try and get it together enough to post a photo soon. All the baby gear is assembled and in working order. The kitties have already laid claim to the pack and play and the crib, while the dog is quite fond of the rug in the baby’s room. We have a name picked out. And I’m registered at Hadassah Ein Kerem in Jerusalem. All of her laundry, blankets and diapers have been laundered and are ready to go.

I have yet to pack a bag. Tips welcome. Part of the problem is that I fit into relatively few pieces of clothing right now, so I’m reluctant to stow any of them away. I might stuff some toiletries and a couple magazines in a bag soon though.

I have an appointment and growth scan next Monday, when I’ll be 35 weeks. To the best of my knowledge, I’m not having any contractions (Braxton Hicks or otherwise) and I’m guzzling the water to keep early labor at bay. I try to be good about taking my iron pills. And most nights, I’m still able to get a good night’s sleep.

Let’s hope it stays this easy to the very end. Given how badly things started, this is so much more than I could have ever hoped for.