Lemon Drops and Hot Tamales

So being 31 weeks pregnant, the day has come when my sleep routine is no longer. This presents a shock to my system, considering I've always been the Queen of Sleep. I could sleep through a tornado coming through our bedroom. Even 2 trimesters of frequent bathroom trips through the night have yet to interrupt my ability to fall right back asleep. Well that was then and this is now...

Now I spend all night flopping back and forth from side to side (like a fish on a desolate beach), avoiding whichever arm is asleep and numb. And my gigantic pillow that resides between my knees, under my belly, and around my arms can only provide so much support. Therefore, I lay awake listening to Rock breathe (okay, snore), and think about how we have just a little longer before this baby arrives. This prompted me to mentally jot down a few lessons I've learned about being pregnant...

1. Don't point your toes and stretch when you're lying in the bed, half awake. The leg cramps I've experienced while pregnant have been so severe and painful, I almost welcome those contractions people keep talking about. I can't thank my husband enough for jumping up in the middle of the night (on numerous occasions) to force my feet to flex in efforts to relieve the excruciating pain of leg cramps.
2. Learn to bend over properly. I'm continuously grateful for my high school coaches for ingraining the proper squat technique when lifting weights back in the day. This has provided a great service to me as my pregnancy progresses. Simply bending over to pick things up, clean, put shoes on, etc. is no longer an option. However, with the proper squat, I can still accomplish these tasks without scrunching the fetus living inside of me or killing my back - it's a win-win. Thanks L.D. Bell!
3. Teach your partner how to paint your toenails BEFORE getting pregnant. I'm a big fan of pedicures, but there are times when I just need a quick touch-up. Propping a foot up and painting my toes is just not happening anymore. Even the proper squat doesn't help with this one. I'm lucky to have a husband that's up for helping with anything, but giving a "how-to" lesson in the spur of the moment isn't the best idea. I suggest knocking this one out before your belly is too big to physically show him the correct way to get those toes looking good. I refuse to go into labor with funky feet and it's the little things that make a big difference. Nice polished toes are the least I can do for all of those people having to be with me while this little girl makes her way into the world.
4. Kegels - just do it. Never realized how important they were until now. Not only do they serve as a pain reliever, but apparently will be of use during the main event....we'll see.
5. Lemon Drops and Hot Tamales. Both of these over-processed sugary delights have cured my nausea like magic. I carry both in my purse at all times.
6. Get an enormous body pillow. Even though my dogs "think" this belongs to them, I cling to that sucker for dear life every time I lay down, whether it's on the couch or in the bed. It takes the pressure off my stomach, balances my hips, and just makes me happy.
7. Face it - the panties just keep getting bigger. I held off breaking out the grandma panties for as long as humanly possible. And I haven't thrown out the thongs - just put them in the back of my drawer for winter hibernation. I'll see them again one day! For now, I'm prepared for the HUGE papery boy shorts the hospital provides (although, I will take a good friend's advice and bring my own - thanks for that Christen!).
8. Keep an open mind. I think this one is the most important. I learned this during our wedding extravaganza. Nothing goes according to plan, so despite the detailed birth plan (which we haven't even bothered with) or the "ideal" situation, this baby has a mind of her own and as we discovered this week - we have to go with the flow. Now that I know I'll be induced early (at least by 2 weeks) we have to prepare for her even earlier. Deep breaths and going with the flow...

I'm sure there's more, but that's what's in my head for now. I'll just have to update this list as time goes on and the weeks fly by...