What I'll Miss

There are a lot of things I'm looking forward to doing again when I'm not pregnant anymore.  On the list:

- Walking up a flight of stairs without getting winded.
- Eating spicy tuna -- cooked sushi doesn't quite cut it!
- Toasting with champagne instead of Kiddie Cocktails at weddings and other celebrations.
- Fitting into clothes that have actual waistbands.
- Being able to put my shoes and socks on without having to adjust around my belly.

The list goes on.

Still, despite the fact that I'm excited to chow down on a Fire & Ice Roll at Kyoto, there are definite things I'll miss about being pregnant, and I don't think I mention those enough.  So, here goes:

- Feeling my baby pumpkin kick.  I can understand how women feel a void when their babies are no longer safely in their bellies -- I've grown used to (and quite fond of) Gavin's little squirms.
- Preparing for Gavin's arrival.  It's fun to envision what it'll be like when our baby gets here, and actually have time to set everything up the way we want to!  Once Gavin arrives, there will be all sorts or other things to look forward to, but it's pretty fun looking forward to meeting him for the first time.
- Expectant mother's parking spots.  Stephen and I feel pretty accomplished when we find a grocery store or mall that has them.
- Food cravings.  Once this baby gets here, I no longer have an excuse to eat Skyline nearly as much as I have throughout this pregnancy.  Operation "I Hate Baby Weight" will commence 4-6 weeks after Gavin's arrival.
- Having Stephen talk to my belly and feel for kicks.  It's neat to feel so connected as a family.  I know that'll continue even when Gavin gets here, but there's something special about building that relationship.

Anyway, throughout the rest of the pregnancy, I'm going to try and focus on the things I enjoy about being pregnant rather than look forward to the things I get to do when the baby arrives.  Hopefully it'll make the rest of September and October fly by!

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Stephen and I have had a very good week in terms of baby Gavin.  We had our 3D/4D ultrasound on Thursday and found out that G is weighing just over three pounds and is right on track for where he's supposed to be.  I also got a clean bill of health, which is comforting to hear.  We got some great photos of his chubby bunny face, as well as a DVD of the ultrasound itself.  All in all, it was my favorite appointment yet.  Now I start seeing the doctor every two weeks...we're in the single digits for weeks left of this pregnancy!  Ahhhh!

I had my work shower on Friday night at Slatt's -- it was wonderful.  Beth and the rest of the people I work with put together lots of cute, personalized things for me and the baby, and we got spoiled with so many great gifts!  I'm washing some of Gavin's new goodies as we speak.  Dinner was great, the company was great, and I felt very special.  :)  Now I'm looking forward to another shower next weekend!

I also had the chance to celebrate my soon-to-be nephew at Mindy's shower yesterday.  Mindy looked adorable, and after all the gift opening, it became clear that baby Quinn is going to be a well-dressed little nugget!  I got to chit chat with Doug for a bit, which was wonderful because he's always sooooo busy, so it was a really nice opportunity to talk about all the exciting things we have coming up in the Berg and Dowd families.  I'm super excited for Doug and Mindy -- they are going to be incredible parents.

Alright, I think that officially catches this blog up on the big news.  It's hard to find time to update when there is so much going on!  It's only going to get crazier from here...  I can't wait!  :)