NewMerfbaby is a Beachball!

NewMerfbaby is 37 weeks!

He’s the size of a beachball. Yea. Sounds about right.

How I’m Feeling: I’m ready. Well, physically I think I’m just finished being pregnant and ready for the next stage to begin. It’s harder and harder to do daily life with a toddler. I was still going into the office every day at this point in my pregnancy with Riley, and I can’t imagine that now. But then I think about it, and Riley sort of is like my job?

Belly/Weight: 38lbs gained so far. And I think I’ll probably stick to that. It’s been fluctuating the last few appointments between the same numbers so I’ll probably hover around 40lbs, same as Riley. New stretch mark over my bellybutton is kind of sad :(

Life Changes: Kelly’s back to shooting his show, so it’s just me and Riley most days and evenings. Sometimes we get to see Kelly in the morning before work, or he’ll get home just in time for Riley’s bedtime which is nice. Riley and I have slowed down a lot. I’m mostly nesting around the house, and Riley’s helping me “un-nest” and move things around after I’ve set something up. He can sense the changes coming and he’s been a little clingy and whiney – seems to be totally normal toddler behavior, but I am a little sad that the time with just us is coming to an end soon. But I can’t wait for him to have a brother – I think it’s going to be awesome!

Movement: I tried twice to get a video tonight of my tummy bouncing all over the place, but both times he got camera shy!

Sleep: Slept hard last night, and thankfully Riley even slept in until 7am today! I make it a priority to lay down every day during Riley’s nap – sometimes I nap, sometimes I just rest. It’s been awesome. I know I need to conserve any extra energy for labor and the early days.

Cravings: In N Out – we had it for lunch today after my OB appointment.

Exercise: Zero. We walked around the neighborhood over the weekend and that’s about all I have in me. Did some swimming (floating) in our pool.

Favorite Pregnancy Moment this week: This is a strange one…my OB appointment. I didn’t think she would “check” me today so I wasn’t prepared when the nurse asked me to undress…and I had Riley with me. Caught with my pants down (literally) with a cranky toddler that was “all done” (his words) with the Dr’s office. He sobbed and tantrumed while we waited for her to come in…I’m sure the other people in the office loved that :) Finally I convinced him to let me hold him and he rested his head on my shoulder and calmed down. Dr came in and asked how I was doing and I explained his behavior, and she said her oldest did the same thing right before she had her second. I figured it’s all normal behavior, but she reminded me that they can sense that everything is going to change. Broke my heart a little. He was fine the rest of the visit, and when she checked me I was 1cm – so that’s something at least! She also doesn’t think I’ll go past my July 29th due date which sounds amazing, and scary all at the same time. Sort of makes me feel better about all the cramping and contractions I’ve been having.

On My Mind: I’m totally at peace with whenever labor begins. I was really anxious about it all a few months ago. Worrying about Riley, and if Kelly would make it home in time. But, the closer it gets I feel totally fine about it. I can’t control it, so we’ll just deal with it when it happens. I have some plans in place for everything so we’ll just roll with it. Totally doesn’t sound like me, huh?

On another note – I’m preparing myself for becoming the leader of a legit 3 ring circus. Just this week we’ve had TWO major public “situations.” The first was Monday at the bank. Riley was playing while I did our banking – our bank has a child area in the middle of the lobby next to the tellers, it has legos and iPads. After I was done I went to get him and a bank employee caught my attention to ask me a question about my pants (she’s expecting and wanted to know where I got them) so we chatted while I kept one eye on Riley. He took off toward the entrance off the bank so I quickly ended my chat to chase after him. He ran into an empty office just as I got to him, then he spun on his heel and ran FULL STEAM into the glass wall of the office. Smacked his forehead, which sent him flying backwards so the back of his head hit the desk. WAM-BAM. It was so sad, poor kid. The same employee comes tearing around the corner explaining that it happens a lot with kids. Hm. Glass walls maybe not so much? Luckily we use a small bank and were the only customers in there, but man. What a scene. It all happened so fast, and I was like .5 seconds behind him. So, today we’re waiting in the lobby of my OB’s office and I get up to use the restroom and Riley goes trotting ahead of me a step and a half. He pauses in front of the door and just as I’m reaching for him to pull him back a nurse opens the door at the exact moment he turns toward it and WHACK! Another hit. What are the odds? The nurse was horrified, but I scooped Riley up and told her over and over again to not feel bad, we’re learning not to stand in front of doors. Seriously – it’s been something he’s having to learn the hard (aw, pun) way. So. Screaming. Pain. Tears. Yea, 3 ring circus and we haven’t even added our newest act yet. The really ironic thing is – Riley rarely walks in public, since he prefers to be carried or ride in his stroller. Lately it’s a lot of stroller riding since I can’t carry him much. And he’s not a kid that bolts away from me. But both those situations happened in places that we visit weekly and he’s comfortable. So, yea. The Murphy Circus is coming to a town near you!