How I’m Feeling Physically….

I may be dancing in this photo, but most days you can find me relaxing on the couch. We take the dogs out for evening walks and I have added swimming into my exercise. Being in the water is AH-MAZING. It takes all the pressure off my knees. It’s such a nice relief from the heat we get in our area of San Diego.

Getting a good nights sleep has been getting more difficult. Thankfully I’m still able to get all the rest Peanut and I need because I’m not going out. My feet have swollen up a bit. It has been so weird to look down and see my petite little toes turn into little piglets.

The baby is definitely running out of room and their movements are more intense. Braxton Hicks contractions are in full force. I thought they would hurt because they are a “contraction” but it basically just feels like you are flexing your abs without trying. Everything gets super tight.

Overall, my energy is still good. Most of the day I feel good. I am so bummed for all my spring and summer couples that had to postpone their weddings due to Covid. But I am also thankful because pregnancy is a lot more uncomfortable than I thought it would be . Shooting 4 weddings this month would have been physically so difficult. I could have done it, but I am thankful I don’t have to.

How I’m Feeling Emotionally….

I definitely believe that nothing can really prepare you for childbirth and parenthood. Emotionally I am feeling really excited! Because we don’t know the gender, it makes me look forward to going into labor. I am bummed that we won’t be able to have a photographer in the room. But I know at the end of the day all I need is Joe there with me. All the midwives at UCSD have made me feel right at home. It’s like talking to friends instead of medical professionals and that has put me so much at ease.

Joe has completely blown me away with his tenderness and care for me and Peanut. He has been doing so much more than normal and never complains. I am so excited to do parenthood with him. We’ve always operated like a team and I hope that continues in labor and once we bring Peanut home.

A lot of people have asked how I feel about delivering during a pandemic. It is a little scary but I refuse to sit in that fear. The hospital has policies in place to keep us all safe and I have to trust that. We won’t be able to have visitors at the hospital. Once Peanut is home we will be limiting and spacing out visitors. Overall I am focusing on staying healthy and safe. I am trying not to let the fear of contracting Covid take over.

What we’ve been up to…

We have been doing a whole lotta NOTHIN’. We have been enjoying taking the dogs for walks, going to the dog park, watching TV, and cooking. Joe has been working this whole time which has been an amazing blessing. But it also has left me bored at home most days. I find myself on Facetime with family a lot more. I talk on the phone a lot more. It’s nice just to have someone to chat with during the day but I miss my normal routine of being out in the world.

How are we prepping for birth?

We’ve also been reading lots of birth books, taking a sleep course, and online birth classes from UCSD. I recently just got done with the Ida May’s Guide To Childbirth. This is an amazing book filled with the most incredible birth stories. I am currently reading Birthing from Within by Pam England and Rob Horowitz. We’ve been trying to educate ourselves without over doing it, cause in reality we know we are going to figure it out as we go along.

The hospital is recommending that I labor at home as long as possible. I am doing all I can to mentally prepare for what my body is going to go through during labor. Joe already has been so attentive to my needs, I know he will be a great birthing partner. He is the calm when I am the storm. I know I will be able to get through the pain with him there beside me.

How we are prepping for Peanut.

We’ve been opening up lots of Amazon packages that have arrived for Peanut. The “nursery” is basically a storage room at the moment. We have plans to organize it to make it a little more functional in the next couple weeks. We won’t be giving the room a “theme” until we know Peanuts gender and personality.. I want the make them a room that they love, instead of just imposing my own taste into their space.

Final Thoughts

I am excited.

I am scared.

I am ready.

I still can’t believe we’re having a kid.