31 weeks

Surprise! I'm super pregnant. At least three people this week have said, "Wow! You got big." I might be offended if it weren't so true. AND I read that little D is about to hit a growth spurt: half a pound every week until he's born. I'm trying to take my magically expanding belly as a sign that my baby is healthy, but I kind of hate how I look. AND my belly button is definitely popping out a little more every day. It's a crazy, upside down heart-shaped protuberance now. AND I got on the scale today for the first time in two or three weeks. I've gained about 24 pounds. Eep. The good news is that even if I gain a full pound every week for the next nine weeks, I'll still be below the 35 pound mark, which is considered healthy. I keep telling myself that I have lost 45 in less than seven months, so I can do it again. Right? Right.

My checkup was fine. I spoke to my doctor about a few of my laboring concerns, and she agreed not to induce, augment, slice, medicate, or mandate positions unless it was medically necessary. I couldn't ask for a better answer, especially after the intern doctor person brushed aside my question about the episiotomy with "She'll tell you before she does it." Gee, thanks. My doctor also said that not getting too set on a birth plan was a good idea since so much of labor and delivery is unpredictable and situational. I feel awfully under-prepared, but I have thought about these things and I do know my options. I guess that's enough.

I still don't know where I want to deliver. I thought that once I saw both of the hospitals that one would stand out, but they're both good. The only differences that I noticed were that the people at Tuscaloosa were slightly more personable than the people at Northport, and the rooms at N were larger than the rooms at T. I do like that you stay in the same room for the whole time at N and that there's a pull-out sofa bed for Dallas. I'll probably end up there, more because it's what everyone recommends than because it's truly a nicer place. But, really, there's nothing wrong with Tuscaloosa either. Dallas still prefers it.

Today is our fourth anniversary. We spent the entire day in hospitals before he had to go to work at 2, and he won't be home until around 11:30 tonight. It's hard to complain too much because my sister didn't get to see her husband AT ALL on their first anniversary, and I can't be upset that he's working after struggling to find a job for so long. I miss him and I wish I could be with him, but that's how I feel all the time. Really, an anniversary spent taking care of gestational business and paying the bills isn't so bad.