Nine months later...

Here is a list of things that are different since we last met:
1. I have completed 38 weeks of pregnancy.
2.
That might be the only difference. But it is a HUGE one! Sadly, that can also be taken literally. I die a little inside each time I go to the doctor and have to step on the scale. For some reason that feeling doesn't stick with me very long though. Definitely not long enough for me to deny myself that costco cake (and why would I? The bakery at costco puts magic in those cakes).
It is an interesting experience, though, creating life. My pregnancy has been pretty darn easy comparatively, so I am not going to fill this post with my woes. I remember once sitting in 9th grade English class looking down at my stomach, and I had a very poignant realization that some day that thing would house a person. Okay, I'm not stupid, and I knew prior to that experience that that's how it works. But knowing something intellectually and then having a realization emotionally are two separate and distinct things. I've had a lot of those over the last 38 weeks.
I love to list things, so here is my (probably cliched) list of some things that are actually cool about being pregnant:
1. The first time you feel the baby move is awesome. Some people get sick of it. I haven't. It's weird/amazing/beautiful. One of my primary kids asked why my baby wiggles so much. I told her it was because she is bored. She really probably is. Poor kid. But I like it.
2. Naps. I take them all the time. I love them. I feel zero guilt napping while pregnant.
3. I have a seriously awesome rack. Temporary? Yes. Is it going to be pitiful later? All signs point to yes. But for now, things are good (it's just a pity everything else looks awful right now..sigh. you can't have it all)
4. Sometimes you just need a good, long, irrational cry. I find a lot of my stories lately end with "..and I burst into tears."
5. Avoiding heavy lifting. This one is a double-edged sword though. Good when I don't want to lift stuff. Bad when I am nesting like crazy and want to rearrange all the furniture. I've had to settle for other psycho nesting acts instead, like vacuuming out cupboards, scrubbing the front door, and vacuuming the porch.
6. I waited until number six to state this one, but who am I kidding? This is definitely one of my favorites. I eat what I want in whatever quantities I want anytime I want. Yes, I do realize pregnancy will end, and I will have a tough habit to break. But that's later.
7. I am so large/hot/sick of being hungry all the time that I am really really excited to go into labor. Mother nature sure knows how to get you excited for something that should really scare you senseless. But I am ready. I am right now (it's almost midnight) contemplating scrubbing my floor because apparently the motions can assist your labor starting. The only problem is that my floor is spotless because I've already tried this 3 times this week. Hmmm.
8. Seeing Dave switch into Daddy mode has me goo goo eyed for him. It's the puppy love stage all over again. He is so in love with this baby, and that makes me crazier about him. Even in his sleep, his instinct is to hold my belly (which is adorable, but lately I've had to push him away because I have been a billion degrees). All it takes is for him to sing, talk, or try and high-five the baby, and I am blissfully happy. This is my all-time favorite thing about being pregnant.