38 Weeks - Staying busy in the TWW

And welcome to the big "two week wait"! Yes, in reality I could be waiting less or more than two weeks, but I'm officially two weeks from my estimated due date! Hooray! 

This is around the time most women find themselves getting a little antsy, and for good reason. At this point you've shared your body with another person for over 9 months, you're tired, your hips hurt, you waddle when you walk, and chances are you've spent more than a couple sleepless nights cleaning your baseboards or decluttering your junk drawer (nesting, amirite?) 

It's occurred to me that staying busy during this time can be really tough. Just about all I think about is how much longer I have to wait before I go into labor. I'm constantly straddling the fence between "Come when you're ready, baby." and "GET THE HECK OUTTA ME, KID!"  Ah yes, a very conflicting time indeed. But it really doesn't help to sit on my phone, googling "signs of labor" and "how to ripen your cervix". 

Here are some ways I'm attempting to get birth off the brain: 

1. Binge watch a TV series.

Any show will do. I chose Sex and the City because all 6 seasons are on HBO on Demand and I figure that's plenty to keep me occupied for 4 more weeks, if need be. (Plus, who doesn't love Sex and the City?) 

2. Start a book. 

Or finish that one that's been sitting on your nightstand for the past 6 months that you haven't gotten around to reading past the preface. I have been meaning to finish reading Never Let Me Go for a few months now but have been too distracted to just do it. So what better time to really dive in than now?

3. Go out. 

Okay, so I know this one is iffy. Either you're dying to get out of the house or you'd rather die than be forced to wear anything but sweats. Regardless, now is a good time to get out of the house and have a little fun. It could be a while before you're able to do it again (without a little person on your hip). 

4. Sleep

Ah, my favorite. I sleep a lot these days and it feels soooo good. If you can sneak a nap (or two) into your schedule then you really should. Yes, it's true that newborns sleep a lot and you may be able to nap when the baby does, but the quality of that sleep is questionable at best. It's probably a good idea to get in some good, long naps while you can. 

5. Do what you love. 

Cook with your significant other, dance around the house, knit, scrapbook, make love, write in your journal, take a walk, you get the point. Whatever makes you happy, do it. It's easy to fall into a funk when you're being forced to wait indefinitely for something you want so badly to happen Right. Now. Don't let yourself. Don't even give yourself the chance to get bummed out and stuck in a rut. 

Enjoy these last days of your pregnancy, because before you know it, there won't be a bump in front of you to cradle and caress. And although you'll have a baby to take its place, you just might miss it.