Third Pregnancy Run-Down

Well, this pregnancy has been different in a lot of ways than my other two. 

First trimester was the worst one yet, with most of my nausea hitting me at night.  I was useless by dinnertime and frequently went to bed at 9:00 because I wanted to do what I could to stop feeling sick.  Several times I woke up in the middle of the night from having bad dreams of greasy food and sweets being shoved in my face until I couldn't stand it anymore.  I'd often feel queasy and dizzy like I was on a boat, even though I was lying down.  It was yucky. 

Second trimester was my most ambitious yet.  As soon as I hit 14 weeks and had my energy back, I was training for a 5K, running three mornings a week for about half an hour each time.  This is monumental because I am so not a runner.  Not even close.  But Jacko was enormous (9.9) and it was worth it to me to put in whatever effort I could to try to gain less weight this pregnancy and shoot for a smaller baby, if I could control that at all.  So somehow I turned into this Sheera workout woman and worked it all the way through mid-September, when the backaches and sciatica made me call it off the week after the 5K. 

Third trimester has been my best yet.  This could be because Todd is actually a) present, and b) finally on board with giving me a nightly massage.  That makes a big difference.  It could also be because I'm on track to have gained 10 pounds less than I did with Hazel and Jack.  (So the running worked, it seems!)  Or it might be because I found the secret to sleeping well: I snuggle with an enormous microfleece blanket.  I can bunch it or flatten it to my heart's content to get it to feel just right everywhere, which is simply not possible with a body pillow.  It is soft and quite delightful to snuggle with and I really have slept amazingly well this pregnancy, even up to this point. 

So here I am, two days away from my 38 week mark.  I fully expect to make it into January (my due date is January 6th).  I will be shocked if my total labor time is under 18 hours (Hazel was 22 and Jack was over 30).  I don't think this little lady will be a nine-pounder, but I also think it's unrealistic to expect her to be in the low-to-mid sevens.  My guess is 8 lbs 2 oz.  Todd's is 7.14. 

 

I am completely intimidated and scared to have three kids.  It is going to be insane for a while.  

I don't want Jack to not be my baby yet.  Although he's starting the terrible two's,  he's still mostly adorable and sweet and snuggly and I can't stand the idea of having to hold someone else at the same time I smush his softness up to me.  He is a true keeper and I don't want him to get lost or forgotten in the craziness after we bring the baby home.