Oh pregnancy hormones how i love thee

Today wasn't the best day. I am currently 35 weeks 3 days pregnant and feeling EVERY bit of it. As mentioned before, I am still teaching full time, and well, I have decided that teaching and being this pregnant thing really don't mix. My precious little boy has decided that he likes to spend an enumerable amount of time in my ribs which creates some pretty intense pain, not only in my ribs but in my back as well. Most days I can tolerate it, but today, it was pretty unbearable. I try not to take medicine, but I did break down and take 1 extra strength tylenol today, but let's face it, tylenol just isn't the best drug.

So, my back hurts, I don't sleep well at night, and because I teach high school which starts at the ungodly hour of 7:25 am, I try to wake up by 5:30am. This doesn't bode well when you don't sleep, and all you want to do is crawl back into the warm comfort of your bed. Needless to say, I just wasn't feeling this Monday morning.

Throughout the day about 5 or 6 people commented to me, "wow! you got bigger!" At first I just smiled and nodded, but when it came to the 3rd or 4th person, I was getting somewhat annoyed. I mean seriously, what do they think happens when you are getting ready to give birth in a month?? I know that not one of these people meant that comment to hurt my feelings, but what I heard was, "wow you fat cow, are you going to get any bigger!" and by then end of the day, I just couldn't take that comment anymore. So, when a very close friend of mine decided to say, "I think you got even bigger over the weekend," I snapped at her and said, "well I do have a baby in there who is gonna be coming out very soon!" and pretty much walked away from her. As I was walking away, I felt so bad. I had to call her and apologize. Luckily, she is an amazing friend and completely understood the hormonal breakdown I was experiencing. However, word to the wise: a pregnant woman doesn't want to hear how big she is getting. We know. We look in the mirror at ourselves daily. When we can't see our feet anymore, we already know that we are getting bigger. We have doctor's appointments where we get told just how much weight we are gaining. We have to buy pants with elastic waste bands, and we can't wait to wear normal clothes again. We know. You don't need to tell us. and while I am ranting, if you want to know how I am doing and I say, "Well, I haven't been sleeping." Please don't say, "well just wait until the baby comes." I realize that I won't be sleeping once Jack comes. I am not a moron. But, right now, I am still tired, and right now, when you ask how I am, I am incredibly tired.

With all this said, I am SOOOOOO incredibly excited for the birth of this little guy! I can't wait to hold him in my arms. Everything that I complain about, everything that seems tough right now is completely worth it! I wouldn't trade the weight gain, the tiredness, the aches and pains for anything. I can't wait to meet my son.

5 weeks and 4 days until my due date

I haven't posted in QUITE a long time. To be honest, it's complete laziness. My computer is downstairs and my laptop isn't working. I can use my blackberry for most of my internet needs, (i.e facebook) so I don't usually use our home computer.

I can't believe how fast time is flying by. My son, James Jackson Ranieri, is due is 5 weeks and 4 days!! I am sooo excited! I am nervous, but lately, God has blessed me with a sense of peace about the whole labor thing (hopefully that will continue:)) We have decided to hire a doula, a wonderful lady who conducted our birthing class at Rex Hospital. She is so incredibly nurturing that I felt I just had to have her with me in the delivery room. We met with her last week to discuss my "birth plan." I don't really have a birth plan. I really feel like you just can't "plan" for something like labor and delivery. I wish you could. I would love to say I want to do this all naturally, but I know my pain tolerance, and it isn't high...

Jack's room is getting close to ready. We have painted, re-done the closet, set up the crib and changing table. Everything is coming together nicely, I just need to hang stuff on the walls, get some curtains, our glider, and a few other odds and ends. I hope to actually post pictures at some point (with my BEAUTIFUl new camera my wonderful husband got me for my birthday). I am also waiting for my sisters to help me finish up more of the decorating since they have more of an eye for that than I do.

I have returned back to work...and it's really tough being pregnant while teaching. I can usually make it until about 1:30, and then my back hurts tremendously, my feel start to swell, and I feel like I want to stretch out on my desk with a pillow, although I'm sure that would not get a very good reaction from anyone, students or administrators. So, right now, I take each day at a time. I tell myself that I am doing this for my precious son, my little Jack, my first-born.

Jack, your daddy and I can't wait to meet you!