30+

So late.  So awake.  I should be tired.  But I'm not.  Not one bit. 

I fell asleep earlier, only to wake up feeling wired.

 Steve and I took a childbirth class this weekend.  Eight hours.  Lots of information. 

Our teacher told us the many sleepless nights we encounter in the third trimester is our body's way of preparing us for when the baby arrives.  I like that theory.  I agree with it.  But I also think I'm just a wacky creature of the night.

 And it doesn't help that I feel like a kid on the night before Christmas lately.  It's all been hitting me.  So hard.

It's just like everyone tells you - "Just wait until you get to those last couple of months!" 

And now we're here - 30+ weeks.  And I find myself growing more and more swept away with it all.

I was excited for our class.  Excited to take notes in my fresh, new notebook.  Excited to watch the lengthy videos that the teacher kept apologizing for.  I would go from snickering and whispering inside jokes to Steve under my breath while the movie was playing, to quickly wiping my tears away before she put the light back on.  I'm a sucker for birth stories.  I used to watch TLC's "A Baby Story" marathon style, while crying at the end of every single episode. 

We were pleasantly surprised with the up-to-date labor videos.  Steve and I expected the version we remembered seeing in Middle school...you know the one.

  As we've both learned over the years, there are some things you can't prepare for.  Some things will be what they will be.  And what I loved about this class is there was no sugar coating.  There wasn't a question our teacher (a maternity nurse at the hospital I will be giving birth at) wouldn't answer. 

She kept it real. 

There were some parts that had us cracking up...

Like when we sat with the lights turned off and soft music playing.  It was right before our lunch hour and she wanted to practice some relaxation techniques with us.  She told us to go to a "happy place," close our eyes, relax our shoulders and take long, deep breaths.  All I could think about was having to pee (and how hilarious the music was).  Steve and I kept peeking at each other and smirking.  About three minutes in, Steve's stomach let out the loudest growl.  We busted out laughing.

And I knew...

Steve's happy place was Burger King.

We didn't go to BK on our lunch break.  But Steve did get his "happy" burger.

We talked about it all while we ate and how surreal it all was becoming for both of us.  Steve admitted he was teary-eyed during the movies, picturing himself in that same position a couple months from now.

 One of our favorite moments during class - when our teacher discussed the benefits of writing a birth plan.  She went on with describing labor and delivery - mentioning details that may or may not be important to us.  Letting us know that, of course, a plan can never be set in stone when in comes to giving birth, but that we all deserved the right to write down our "wishes" - it helping not only us, but them.  I went off into dream land during that portion of the class. 

Dreaming about the day when our little girl is born.

Dreaming about those first few seconds when we see her face.  Spending those precious first minutes taking her in.  Calling my parents, brother, friends...announcing that "she's here" to everyone.  Seeing Steve hold her for the first time.  Seeing family and friends take her in and hold her for the first time.

It all is sinking in so deeply.

And I'm just going to keep on cherishing it.

<3

Other happenings...

Fan shopping.  Steve insisted the nursery needed a ceiling fan/light.  I wasn't a fan of the idea at first (no pun intended).  But the room definitely needed more light. 

 And really, I was more afraid of the possible mess and mayhem that could occur while Steve tried to install it.  Baby girl's room didn't have a light fixture to begin with.  And when Steve described himself going into the crawl space to begin (and figure out) the project, I nervously laughed at the possibility of him busting through the ceiling.

He found a spot for Fanny.

Went into my closet and climbed into the crawl space.

Don't get stuck now, Zesty!

And my dad came over and helped.  He's an electrician, so I wasn't too worried anymore. 

Steve did all the navigating up there while my dad stayed in the nursery guiding him and installing the pieces.  There was a pesky exhaust pipe that made the job extra "fun" for them.  By the end of the afternoon, the pipe had earned itself a few new choice names.  I learned later, from Steve, that he was extra thankful for that pipe.  He didn't tell me until all was well, but had he not stepped on it when he lost his balance up there, he said he would have come through the ceiling - more scared of me than of his fall.  I assured him he would have been smart to run for his life after his crash (but to lie there long enough for me to take a few pictures).

A few dusty hours later, the fan was sitting nice and pretty.

And I was proud of Mr. and my dad.

***

Old Lady Lunch with Kelly

and Daxon

It'd been too long since we went for our el cheapo soup, salad and breadsticks lunch!

***

30+ week bump shots

Less than 10 weeks away from our due date - insane!

I am heading back to sleep.

I will see ya at the end of the weekend. <3

Have a happy one, friends!

Wednesday night/Thursday morning Lovi