Today, after snuggling with Cruz for two hours in the recliner, I decided it was time to get out of the house for awhile. I pulled the baby wheels out of the trunk of the car, wrapped Cruz up in a sand colored knitted blanket, and strolled down the sidewalks of our neighborhood. We’re nearing the end of one of the prettiest Octobers in my memory and I was determined to give Cruz the opportunity to get a taste of it before it gets too cold.
I didn't want to blog about 41 weeks. I really didn't. But, this has probably been the most humorous, sporadic, impatient, and off-the-wall week of my life...my hormones are out of control! So...it's only important I document. Someday, I will look back on this crazy week with a smile on my face...
...someday!
So...21 things to remember about being 41 weeks pregnant!
1. You love when people ask the 'When are you due?' question. You feel so accomplished when you get to say, "____ days ago."
2. In Hy-Vee the other night, you actually told Beau that the first thing you want to eat post-baby is a bologna sandwich. And maybe wash it down with a Michelob Lime...
3. Friday was the worst day of school ever. I gave three students detentions (I never give detentions), took away two cell phones, actually pulled the line, "I am not getting up from my chair today," and cried after the students left for the day.
4. You want to cry every time someone comments on 'how big' you are getting.
5. You've actually asked Beau if it would be possible to push the baby out by pressing firmly on the top of your belly.
6. You get really mad when women find it their duty to tell you how horrific their labor was. Spare me the details...Lord knows there's already enough going through my mind right now!
7. You feel like a failure in the fact that you haven't induced your own labor. You've tried all the Old Wive's Tales with no luck, and have determined that they are indeed, Old Wive's Tales.
8. Your baby is about to arrive in the middle of one of the prettiest Octobers we've ever had. Nothing more than a trace of rain, and above average temps. all month. Yesterday was 88 degrees in Waterloo. We broke records. Last year on this day, we had snow.
9. Yesterday, while walking on a path at George Wyth, you almost stepped on a snake. You screamed, jumped, then winced in pain at the sudden and unexpected movement your body just endured. Beau said it looked smooth, especially since I was wearing his oversized t-shirt, mesh shorts, and $5 Target moccasins.
10. I've been highly annoyed by my cat this week. She's overcome any attempts I've made to lock her in the basement, and her meow has taken on a couple of new octaves.
11. You love the supportive, often humorous facebook comments you receive on a daily basis. The newest one, from a mom of one of my students says...
"Kathy's right. The moment he shows up, each of you become second behind him. Look at each moment as the last time its just the two of you.........alright now that you have tried that as though it matters...EAT SOMETHING SPICY AND GET ON WITH IT!"
Thanks for the laugh, Robin!
12. After two years of a broken water softener, I've decided I'm sick of hard water spots on my shower. Beau just returned from Blaine's with 300 pounds of softener salt.
13. I've been practicing my waddle-hiding strategies when in public. I have a ways to go.
14. Friday night, I got 12 hours of sleep. Nine to nine. It was the latest I slept in for a really long time. It was heaven.
15. I secretly love waking Beau up in the middle of the night to tell him he is snoring. After he realizes I am not going into labor, he sighs, pouts a little, and rolls over.
16. It's easy for me to get irritated with the male species lately. Was it fair that on Wednesday night, I graded papers and moved laundry with swollen feet while my husband shared great conversation and a few cold ones with a friend on a beautiful night? I certainly did not think so!
17. The other night, when I turned down Beau's offer to grill me a steak for probably the 30th time since getting pregnant, he asked what I wanted for supper. I replied, "a baked potato and a glass of chocolate milk."
Beau had a ribeye. I had a potato.
18. I've had one Honeycrisp apple every day for the last month.
19. I honestly can't remember what it's like to not be pregnant.
20. 10-10-10. Beau used to say this would be such a great day for a birthday, and I would always reply, "I hope I don't make it that long." Oh...irony!
21. My 41 week picture. I feel (and look) big.
Come on, Baby J. Come on, Baby J. Come on, Baby J.
Here is a recipe for the absolute best apple crisp. It's so good!
-10 cups or approximately 6 apples (depending on the size) - I've used Granny Smith or Honey Crisp and both are great, peeled and thinly sliced
-1 cup sugar
-1 tbsp. flour
-1 tsp. cinnamon
-1/2 cup water
-1 cup Quaker quick cooking oats
-1 cup flour
-1 cup packed brown sugar
-1/4 tsp. baking soda
-1/4 tsp. baking powder
-1 stick of butter, melted
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Place the sliced apples in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the white sugar, 1 tbsp. flour, and ground cinnamon together and sprinkle over apples. Pour water evenly over all and toss to coat.
3. Arrange apples in the bottom of a 9x13 pan.
4. Combine the oats, 1 cup flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over apple mixture.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.
Serve warm, but store in the fridge for left overs!
My favorite pair of Gap leggings, an oversized hoodie, and a warm recliner. My first Honeycrisp apple of the season, and the Bears are looking good. This has been the tone of the entire weekend and it is exactly what I needed.
Don't get me wrong. I haven't sat in the recliner all weekend long. I got some things crossed off my pre-baby to-do list and feel more ready to say hello to our peanut than ever before.
Especially now that the kitchen floor is mopped.
And the junk drawer is clean.
And my pumpkin spice and harvest candles now engulf the air in our home instead of the funk that was coming from the wastebasket last week. Our fridge is now full of apples, yogurt, and fresh herbs, instead of a cardboard pizza box. The diaper bag is packed, Beau's sock drawer is full, and the pantry is stocked with tomato soup, chicken noodle soup, and stuff for spaghetti marinara.
My mums are planted and my tummy is still full from a complete and utter takedown at Texas Roadhouse last night. We stocked up on last minute baby needs at Target, and more importantly, turned our storage room into a bomb shelter after a Sam's Club run. We now buy in packs. A 12-pack of paper towels. A 5-pack of toothpaste. A 24-pack of fruit snacks. When we walk in to Sam's Club, I let Beau lead the way. Funny how I had no idea he had such a love for buying in bulk.
Last night, Beau dropped me off at Hobby Lobby to return a few remaining supplies from Baby J's palm tree creation. As I was waiting in a line only fit for Black Friday, I saw my doctor walk in with some girlfriends. She didn't notice me, but just like my students act when I see them outside of school, I was fascinated to see her in an environment other than the hospital without a white hospital coat on. I was not the only one to notice her, as a minute later, I received a text from Beau, still waiting in the parking lot. "Doc just walked in...see if she can induce you." Fifteen minutes later, still waiting in line to return a meager $8 worth of merchandise, Beau texted again.
"ARE YOU IN LABOR?!?!?!"
As I laughed out loud, picturing me giving birth to our baby in between the artificial flowers and gallery frames, I noticed everyone else in line was staring at me. Staring at the pregnant woman who had seemingly lost her mind. I never did see my doctor again, but I now have a funny story to share with her Wednesday.
I have no idea when Baby J is going to arrive, but I wish he'd hurry up. Sure I'm still a good two weeks away from my due date, but pretty soon I'm going to run out of things to prepare. And I'm for sure going to run out of clothes to wear.
In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy the beginning of fall, continue to wander in and out of the baby's room, and continue to take pictures of my cat.
Who was not where she was supposed to be when we returned from church this morning.
