Countdown - 32 weeks down, 8 to go

In two months we'll have a threesome!  Its hard to imagine Betty being on the outside and in the world when I'm so used to her being on the inside - and I think I understand post partum now. The thought of being unable to protect her at all times is scary, and I'm so used to her moving around and being with me that although totally excited to meet her, I'm also sad I'll be alone again in my body. I kind of love being pregnant more than I thought I would.  At times I forget what it is like to be a non-pregnant person although I know it will happen eventually.   The weirdest part is being in love with someone you don't know.

At 32 weeks she's pretty developed and just growing.  I've gained about 15 lbs total and almost 4 lbs of that is sheer baby weight at this point.  She is also about 16.5 inches long (again I don't know how she's fitting in there)  From now on, the expectation is I'll gain about a pound a week with half that going directly to her.  She should double in size (a feat which I cannot imagine right now) as half her birth weight is coming on in the next 7-8 weeks.

you know you are in the 3rd trimester

when...

1.  humane society ads on TV with sad-eyed dogs and cats in tiny cages make you cry harder than the rain coming down outside and you actually consider sending money.

2. you have the most understanding & soothing partner in the land and still have a complete breakdown about buying a car seat "in time".

3. you get up every single night at 3:45 am & can't go back to sleep cause rolling over is too hard. and you have to pee.

4. you do not want your cats touching you.

5. round ligament pain is a fact of life. (the fact that you know you even have round ligaments is a testament in itself to being pregnant)

6. you stop shopping for clothes cause why bother since you have no waist, and move on to large jewelry. (this may just be me...)

7. bra sizes formerly reserved for porn stars and Russ Meyers films are now well within reach.

8. creating the cutest nursery becomes a full time job even though your child could care less.

9. you dream about giving birth to a tiny full grown hairy little man while in the bathtub with your partner's and your entire family there.  unpleasant. 

10. you have more energy but can't really move around comfortably.

Bending over becomes difficult

I'm at the point where every day tasks are becoming harder; lifting grocery bags, vacuuming the drifts of cat hair, leg shaving. I caught myself laughing today as I walked back from the store in the rain with a 5 lb bag of flour and the same of sugar and by the time I was home (two blocks) I was huffing. People tend to smile at me for no reason these days which I guessing is the belly - and I will say I've relied on the kindness of strangers more than once to help me lift things like 20 lbs of cat litter into the trunk of my car.

Best ever though was in Kihei, HI - I went to the store alone for a case of bottled water and laundry detergent. The cashier asked me if I wanted help out and I reluctantly said yes (I still cling to the belief that I can do everything myself which isn't true anymore). Suddenly over the loudspeaker I hear "Pregnant Lady at Checkstand 3, Pregnant Lady at Checkstand 3". It boomed throughout the store. I'm standing there thinking, wow, they are talking about me as everyone in line has stopped what they are doing and are staring.

Out of the back comes help in the form of a wee wizened Hawaiian man who is probably pushing 80 (or just leathery from all that sun). He is teeny tiny! I think perhaps I should just haul this water out myself as he may hurt himself...but no! My grocery store prince takes the cart from me and expertly wheels it out to our fabulous rented white Mustang convertible and lifts that case of water right out of the cart as if it was a bag of cotton balls, and neatly packs it into the front seat. I take my one hit of Tide out which fits in the palm of my hand. He looks at me expectantly. I had him the Tide. He smiles, fits the Tide (again, the size of a postcard) behind the water and closes the door to the car with a flourish. I thank him, he smiles again and is off! We have just had a basically wordless transaction. I was a little bit in love with my tiny man by the time this was all over and considered asking him to drive me home. I bet he would have. Now that was the Maui Spirit!