35 Weeks and Cankles

It really is official - I don't have any ankles. They are only slightly visible in the mornings but within an hour, they disappear. It's getting increasingly difficult to find shoes to wear since I can't get away with flip flops in November and I refuse to buy the next size up - isn't a size 10 enough?

Babycenter.com will tell you this baby weighs around 5 1/2 lbs and measures over 18 inches long. I believe my baby weighs more and is longer. I am amazed sometimes that I can feel movement in three different places at one time - in my rib, by my hip, and near my pelvis all at the same time. It's at the point now that it can be pretty painful at times. If a person across a room from me looked hard enough they would probably be able to see the baby shift sometimes from side to side. While it does sometimes seem a little "alien-like", I will concede it is still one of the most amazing and thrilling things I have ever experienced.

We are slowing getting more and more prepared for this baby to come. The car seat is washed and in the car and the hospital bag is about 1/2 packed. I have also been doubling up on some recipes and freezing some meals in preparation for the first few weeks at home. I could stand to make a few more (since about 2/3 of what I have made is soup). It probably doesn't help that about every 3 days, I ask for carry-out or dinner at a restaurant. Leftovers don't freeze well and won't feed my whole family.

I have to say, my need to "nest" is not nearly as strong as it was the first time. Either that or I am just too tired to want to. There is a lot I would like to get done at the house before the baby arrives (ie: Spring cleaning from last spring?) but I can't seem to find the motivation to do it. Between having a 2 year old, being pregnant, and the trying to prepare in advance for the upcoming holidays, I consider it an accomplishment most days that the dishes get done and laundry gets folded.