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Journal: The Third Trimester
Part I


Week Twenty-Seven

July 25, 1997:

It's the third trimester already. I did my glucose tolerance testing today, with the new jelly bean test. It was much nicer than the old Glucola test.
My dreams are getting pretty hilarious. I am on call for a woman right now (as a doula) and I kept dreaming that my pager was on vibrate and was going off. I would wake up to find that it was really the baby kicking me exactly where I normally wear my pager. It was really funny.
It's been very hot here, so I stay inside or go to the pool. Water is something that tastes so good to me right now, and I am still enjoying my water aerobics.
Hilary and Benjamin start school next month, in less than a month actually. I am excited and nervous. This will be a good reason to start focusing on the birth a bit more.

July 26, 1997:
The heat and humidity are really getting to me. I am pouring water down my throat like I'll never get any more. I even purchased a 2 gallon Water Cooler for the refrigerator and drink it all every day. However, yesterday was so hot and awful outside, that a quick trip to the mall left me really depleted.
Kevin and I went into the store to purchase some maternity/nursing bras. I picked them out and then could go no further. In an act of true love my husband actually purchased the bras for me while I went to sit down.
It would be lying to say that I don't worry about labor, or that I am not fearful. After Hilary's birth, my first live birth, I was so traumatized that I told everyone when I was pregnant with Benjamin that "First time moms are afraid of the unknown, while the second timers are afraid because they do know." Well, the third time around, and a really great birth under my belt, I'm still nervous. And yet, happy and excited...

Week Twenty-Eight

August 2, 1997:

I just got back from a fabulous birth! My last until my baby decides to arrive. It was long, and hard, but totally amazing. I actually did births up until five days before Benjamin was due, and now I haven't a clue as to how I managed it. So, week 28 flew by as I helped another woman become a mother.

Week Twenty-Nine

August 3, 1997:

Kevin, Hilary and I went to Cincinnati, OH to meet some of the other October moms. It was a nice experience and we all went out and bought baby clothes! I actually spent more time shopping for back to school clothes, you can see where my mind is right now. Although, I did get an inexpensive baby bag for this winter.
I actually slept for eight and a half hours straight last night. My bladder didn't arouse me or anything, despite that huge glass of water before bed. I'll have to thank Art, Meghan and baby Izzy for that night's sleep!

August 5, 1997:

We took the kids to the sibling class at the hospital tonight. It was actually fairly hilarious. My kids were the only ones who didn't know the gender of their sibling-to-be, talked about breastfeeding babies, and a few other funny things. I was actually rather sad to sit and listen to the other moms talk about how they hated labor and would prefer to schedule cesareans to avoid the horrors that awaited them. I felt very odd and alone. So Kevin and I kept our mouths shut and left when class was over.

August 7, 1997:

Had my OB appointment today. My jelly bean glucose test was within range at 90. Although because I had experienced some bleeding this morning I had an ultrasound to check my liver and the placenta. Both were fine as was my cervix. So we were greatly relived. Our baby already is estimated to weigh 3 pounds and 12 ounces! It's gonna be a whopper! S/he is still breech which isn't a problem, but considering the size I'll start doing my baby turning exercises now.
So, I have to take it easy for a couple of days, and then I'm free to go to Chicago next week for my conference.
Other than that not much is going on. We went to Hilary's open house for school today and we were really excited about that. Benjamin's appointment is next week.

Week Thirty

August 10, 1997:

Whew! The last ten weeks! The excitement is beginning to set in. I have had no more bleeding or pain, so I'm feeling good. I had a photo session yesterday for an article that I will be in soon. It was a lot of fun, despite the fact that my first thought was, "Take my picture? I'm almost 8 months pregnant!" Thanks to Ken Hayden for a great time!
This week I will travel to Chicago for my conference. It will be a long time in the car. We are only taking Benjamin with us, so hopefully it won't be so bad. It's my last big trip before the baby.

Week Thirty-One

August 19, 1997:

My baby started school today. It's hard to believe that she is already in kindergarten. She loved it, I actually surprised myself and teared up as her bus drove away. I told the other mommies at the bus stop it must be pregnancy. Then I ran to her school to make sure she got there safely. Benjamin starts next week. They do grow up so quickly.
My conference was great and the time in the car not so bad. I learned so much and met so many really neat people. It was really nice to be pregnant among all of those people who loved pregnant women. I kept offering myself as the pregnant model so that I could get massages!

Week Thirty-Two

August 29, 1997:

The baby is head down and doing well, says all of my care providers! My kids are both in school and doing well. So why haven't I gotten more done?
I am finding myself napping and planning more than I am actually doing anything. Although this is still a good thing. I am unable to sleep well at night for various physical reasons. (You know, the bladder, the heartburn, etc.) I have, however, made several lists!
We are starting to get more excited about having a baby in the house. We went out and bought a really expensive but wonderful blanket for the new little one. Hilary's clothes are moving out of the dresser that she's shared with her brother for what seems like forever, and she will get a full size bed. All of this is in preparation for the baby.
While she likes these things, she also threw a fit in the grocery. She started screaming, "Fine! Just have four people in your family. You, Daddy, Benjamin and the baby. I'll live here at the grocery!" When I asked her what was bothering her, she said that she was afraid the baby would come out of my belly instead of the vagina. I explained that sometimes this happened. And that mommy and baby were usually fine. I gave her examples of people she knew who had been born this way. That calmed her down. Then she said she used to be afraid, when she was only four, that the baby would come out of my nose...

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