Today baby Richards is 34 (gestational) weeks old. That means she’s due to make her debut in just 6 weeks. SIX WEEKS! I’m not sure if it’s because I’m starting to get uncomfortable, because the nesting instinct is in complete overdrive, or because we’re just so excited – but Dan and I are in total countdown mode. It seems so unbelievable that we are going to have a BABY in less time than it takes to train for a 10k.

Even though I continue to get a mix of comments as to whether I look HUGE (gee, thanks) or really small – strangers are now convinced beyond a doubt that I am definitely pregnant. I know that sounds like a silly statement, but most people are REALLY careful about mentioning anything pregnancy related unless a baby is actually dropping out from between your legs at that very moment. And I don’t blame them. So even though for a couple months now I’ve looked pregnant – people still don’t say anything because a. their mother drilled it into their brain to NEVER make a comment to a pregnant woman, or b. they once made a pregnancy comment to a non-pregnant woman and they are now scarred for life. Despite this, I think I have officially crossed the line of “reasonable doubt” and when I go into a public place at least 50% of the people I run into ask when I’m due, if the baby is a boy or a girl, or just say something they think is nice and sympathetic but really isn’t like “oh honey, you must be so ready to get that baby out!” (Do I really look THAT uncomfortable?)

Anyway, enough about how pregnant I look. Let’s talk about how pregnant I FEEL. Because the answer is ALOT. I feel about 45 weeks pregnant. My stomach is constantly rock hard, either from a braxton hicks contraction, or from baby practicing “in-utero-yoga.” My back hurts, my legs are constantly cramping, my throat is on fire with heartburn and acid reflux (so bad that it wakes me up at night), and my pelvis feels like a 5 pound baby is sitting on it. Oh wait…

Despite all that, I’m trying to enjoy every last minute because I know I will someday look back and think very fondly of the nights Dan and I laid in bed watching the baby move inside me and feeling her kick and talking about what our lives will be like once she’s born. I know I’ll miss the ridiculous birthing classes, the arguments about where the shelves should go in her nursery and what color they should be (see photo below for our newest nursery project), the waddling walks around the neighborhood and the lazy Sundays with nothing to do except make waffles and talk about projects we’ll do next weekend. I know I will miss all of this – and so despite the cramping and the backaches and the heartburn, when people ask me how I’m feeling the answer is always “great.” Because there is a healthy baby growing inside me and I’m still walking and I still have ankles and my husband makes me waffles for dinner, and I have a beautiful nursery to decorate and really, when it comes down it, life is pretty damn good.

Enough rambling….here’s what we’ve been up to this week:

1. We picked a pediatrician (yay!). We interviewed two different doctors that had been recommended by friends and co-workers and while both were great, Dr. Bennett was the clear choice. I felt like I was talking to my mom, if she had a medical degree and was the chair of the Maine board of pediatrics.

2. We put up shelves in the nursery. After significant discussion about color, placement and type of shelving (system vs. custom) we finally decided on custom shelves (built by Dan) with chrome hangers to add some additional clothing storage.

2a. We needed the additional hanging storage because we still have two baby showers to go, and this is what every drawer of baby Richards’ dresser already looks like (thanks everyone for all the hand-me-downs – we love ’em!):

3. I hosted a bachelorette/girls weekend for my friend Taryn in Kennebunkport, Maine. We spent the weekend lounging on the beach and eating all kinds of delicious foods like Doritos, peach rings, chocolate covered strawberries and fried seafood. Despite being 8.5 months pregnant – it was an awesome, relaxing and delicious weekend.

And….here’s this week’s chart:

How far along? 34 weeks (6 weeks to go!)

Total weight gain: 27 lbs (agh!)
Maternity clothes?  yep, but my favorite outfit is low cut regular leggings (can’t stand the belly panels anymore) and long tank tops. The less clothing the better.
Stretch marks? still not yet, fingers crossed
Sleep: heartburn+sore hips = no sleep
Best moment this week: hanging with the girls at the beach
Miss Anything? going for a run in the nice spring weather 
Movement: not so many kicks anymore but tons and tons of rolls and jabs
Food cravings: corn on the cob
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope
Gender: It’s a girl!
Labor Signs: cramping, braxton hicks
Symptoms: heartburn and acid reflux (GO AWAY already!!!!)
Belly Button in or out? starting to pop out a little bit
Wedding rings on or off? one on, one off – no swelling yet but I’m worried how I’ll fare as it gets hotter and hotter out
Happy or Moody most of the time: happy, excited
Looking forward to: my baby shower this weekend!