as is true for most pregnant women, i am obsessed with myself and this baby right now. it's probably very irritating for those around me but everyone, at least, pretends to be as obsessed as i am!
i am officially into my third trimester now - at the end of this week i will be 30 weeks along. the baby is due at the end of june sometime. the pregnancy has been less than the idyllic, euphoric experience i'd expected . i've had all the usual symptoms - nausea, heartburn (oh, the heartburn!), backache, round ligament pain, swelling, tenderness, stretching... etc. despite the challenges, though, i have wonderful moments of such complete joy with this life inside me. i love it when he/she kicks. i love looking up names. i love it when strangers give up their seats or carry something for me. i love how biological this whole process it. i know it's certainly spiritual but i'm really into how animalistic it is, too. how wild and connected to the earth it is.
we are planning a home birth with 2 wonderful midwives. if you have questions on that, i'd be happy to talk more. we just started taking our childbirth classes and are enjoying the other couples.
so, here are some lessons learned :
-do not travel to europe (or anywhere) during your first trimester. just hearing the german language flings me into memories of hanging over foreign toilets.
-do not google anything. at all.
-do take time out every day to listen to and feel your baby, preferably with your partner.
-do find a birth team that you trust and that listens to you.
-look at your body every day in the mirror with gratitude.
-never tell a pregnant woman how big she is, or ask her if she is carrying twins. just tell her she looks beautiful.
in other news, although definitely related (because everything is now related to having a baby!), spring has sprung here in camden! planting lettuce, taking walks, hanging out laundry, sitting on the porch have all become daily practices. what joy comes in the spring!
so, that's my update. i hope it was worth the wait. here is a pic of my belly. apparently i'm carrying wide (no surprise there) which means i'm having a girl... or a boy. depending on who you talk to.
12 comments:
at the risk of sounding stalkerish, i'm obsessed with you and baby haw too :-) and you do look beautiful and strong and capable of carrying and bringing and mothering your baby into this world. your belly is perfect!
love it love it love it.... i was going to ask if i could take some pics of you on Thurs BUT you beat me to it! i love your "do not google" advice lol :o)
Yeah! So excited to see a new blog! I really missed your writing! Love you, miss you, and can't wait to meet the new addition!
Oh Cass! Thanks for posting! I had been hoping you'd post photos. Great to see you! You're too funny. Glad you're feeling well.
Happy spring!
XO
A blog! A blog! I'm so happy! I haven't seen you since January and I agree that you look beautiful! Ok, enough of the exclamation points. Anyway, for the round ligament pain, I have an ugly but helpful brace called a "prenatal cradle" (the kind that goes up and crosses on your chest-- this is the only thing you are allowed to google) if you need it. It was expensive so I haven't wanted to toss it in a corner, but it's hard to sell on craigslist. No category. So let me know. :) Love! So happy for you.
You DO look beautiful. All soft and pregnant and womanly and motherly. Nothing is more beautiful than that. Thanks for sharing this post!
I'll be reader number 7! I have been waiting for pics, you beautiful momma you!
I'm not one to rub a belly, i didn't like it when i was prego, but here's to sending you a virtual rub and kiss for that baby!
You look beautiful! :)
My wife is bigger this time, and she's having a boy...maybe our 2 little ones can hang out :)
I HAVE BEEN WAITING BY MY COMPUTER SINCE CHRISTMAS!!!!
Yay baby! Yay baby!
i'm glad victor made it into the family photo.
Oh! You and your baby belly are adorable. I love your lessons learned, Lol, been there! Glad to hear you are doing well.
Blessings :)
I agree - why does everyone seem to think it acceptable to comment negatively on a pregnant woman's body? Pregnant women are creating life and that is beautiful. You look great and many blessings on the last months of your pregnancy. - Laurel
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