A Girl Named PJ

I recently had an awkward interaction with a store clerk at Sephora.

Her: When are you due?

Me: July 9th!

Her: Oh, wow. Do you think you’re gonna deliver early?

Me: Um… no. I hope not.

Unfortunately, I’ve also had similar conversations with other strangers, including the masseuse who assumed I was carrying twins. (That’s the first thing you should never ask a pregnant women.)

I don’t really understand why everyone seems to think I look ready to pop. Yes, I recognize it looks like I have a beach ball for a belly, but I’m also almost 5’8″ tall. I have a huge baby bump, but I don’t think it’s disproportionately large. Granted, I can’t really see my toes anymore, but I can squat and bend over and get in/out of bed without my husband’s assistance. Plus according to my doctor, who I saw yesterday, my bump is measuring 35cm — and I’m exactly 35 weeks!

I’m paranoid enough that I’m going to give birth before the baby is done “cooking,” so I really don’t appreciate strangers making predictions that I’m going to go into early labor. Really, who do they think they are?

What comments or questions did you hear during your pregnancy that really got your blood boiling?

{before the big ol’ bump: self-portrait taken at 20 weeks, 2 days}

Two weeks ago I was 33 weeks pregnant…

Unable to effectively communicate the type of tightening of the belly and/or Braxton Hicks contractions I had been experiencing, and paranoid I might go into labor while my husband was still deployed, my doctor ordered a fetal fibronectin test and a vaginal ultrasound to measure the length of my cervix. I cried as I made my way upstairs for the ultrasound; the last time I had one, JB was with me. I was nervous at the prospect of receiving bad news, and I was truly sad to be alone.

My doctor instructed me to take the rest of the day off from work and relax while I waited for a nurse to call me with the test results. I drove home in tears and curled up on the couch, nervous because it doesn’t usually bode well when a medical professional suggests you alter your daily routine. Thankfully, the test came back negative, meaning there was only a 1% chance I’d give birth in the following two weeks.

Phew.

However, my OB/GYN recommended I stop doing cardio and lifting weights for the next couple of weeks. I can probably start exercising again around 37 or 38 weeks. She also implored me to drink more water and eat more protein. I’ve never been a big water drinker because I don’t think to drink when I’m not thirsty, but now I’m consciously trying to sip from my CamelBak throughout the day.

Of course, more water means more bathroom breaks… especially now that he’s putting more and more pressure on my bladder. Oh, and he has hair! The ultrasound tech was able to point out that the baby has a head full of short hair. I wonder what color it will be…

Last week I was 34 weeks… and JB returned from his deployment!

The Saturday before his Tuesday return, I finally had my pregnancy facial and massage. Although I’ve had better facials, I still enjoyed being able to close my eyes and relax. The massage was pure bliss, but it got off to an awkward start when the masseuse asked me (with certainty in her voice) if I was expecting twins.

“Haha, no,” I laughed uncomfortably. “I guess I’m just big.”

And I do feel particularly big. I actually feel substantially larger than I did a week or so ago, although JB insists that I only look pregnant from the front. The first thing he said when we reunited was how amazing I looked and how he couldn’t even tell I was pregnant from behind. He even thought my arms and legs looked smaller than they did before I was pregnant. I’m not sure I completely believe him, but it was really nice to hear anyway!

Now we get to experience that final weeks of my pregnancy together, and I fully intend to take advantage of him being home. The more he can do means the more I can be off my feet, and I’m so looking forward to that after having to take care of everything for the past two months.

{top self-portraits taken at 33 weeks, 5 days; bottom self-portraits taken at 34 weeks, 5 days}

 

Today is our 3rd anniversary.

Although JB and I couldn’t celebrate the special occasion together, I’ve been thinking about him all day. And I know he’s been thinking about me too because I received a beautiful delivery of peonies this morning.

JB knows that the peony is my favorite flower. I even carried a bouquet of gorgeous (and heavy!) white peonies. My husband tried to surprise me with peonies on Valentine’s Day but couldn’t find them in Omaha. Perhaps it just wasn’t peony season yet.

Happy anniversary, JB. I love you and feel incredibly lucky to have you as my partner in this big, bad, crazy world.

{portrait of me on my wedding day by Heather Waraksa}