Wonderland

Dear Colin,

When your Dad and I found out you were on the way, we spent an entire evening just googling different crazy pregnancy symptoms.  What we discovered is that EVERYTHING is a pregnancy symptom.  The only thing we searched that did not turn up as a pregnancy indicator was "excessive hang nails."  Sadly, I cannot use my "delicate condition" as a reason to get extra manicures. 

Based on the past 32 weeks, I'm tentatively putting myself in the camp of people who enjoy being pregnant.   I have not had any morning sickness, excessive swelling, or stretch marks...yet!  My feet also have stayed the same size.  I was really worried they would go up a size and I would have to buy all new shoes (on second thought, maybe that wouldn't have been so bad!)    

Nevertheless, things with my body continue to get curiouser and curiouser every week.  Here are some of the symptoms I've experienced over the past seven months:

• Heart burn: I never had heart burn prior to pregnancy, but I imagined it would feel like burning around your...heart.  Instead, it feels like burning in the throat/esophagus and leaves me feeling slightly nauseous.  I get it almost every night, and EVERYTHING gives me heartburn these days except for water.   
• Sleeping: Sleeping is my favorite.  But it is hard to get comfortable these days since I feel so huge and awkward.  I have to sleep kind of sitting up and propped on three or four pillows.  Heartburn and having to pee 352 times a night also make sleep much more difficult.  This pregnancy effect has impacted your dad as well.  He cannot sleep because I have started snoring like jack hammer at night!  I don't feel too bad about it, though.  After all...he got me into this and needs to pay his dues as well :)  
• Bladder Control: This is gross, and I cannot believe I'm about to put it on the world wide web...but just about every time I sneeze or cough, I pee my pants a little.  This by far is the worst pregnancy symptom for me, and I am praying it goes away after delivery.  Also, if I change positions from sitting to standing or standing to lying too suddenly, I need to use the restroom immediately.  Luckily, your dad has a potty sense of humor and finds this hilarious rather than disgusting.
• Back Pain: Standing on my feet for too long (an hour or so) results in excruciating lower back pain that lasts the rest of the day-- and maybe even into the next day.  I am so grateful I have a desk job! Walking or sitting helps.  Frequent back rubs and pampering from your dad also helps. 
• Diabetes Scare: Right before Christmas I failed my glucose test for gestational diabetes and had to take the three hour follow-up test.  This was a really difficult time for me because I was so worried you would have complications at birth and later in life related to GD and that it would be my fault.  With the follow-up test, I had to fast for 12 hours and then give a blood sample.  After that blood sample, I had to drink a disgusting sugar drink and give three more blood samples every hour for three hours.  Thankfully, the follow-up test came back negative!  It was a scary time, though, that still gets me very emotional.  I didn't care so much about my health since it is pretty easily treatable, but I did not want to do anything that would harm you or your future or put you at a disadvantage.       

My body feels a little like a wonderland right now-- I never know what the next day or week will bring (just no stretch marks or varicose veins, please!)  I feel comfortable with my expanding belly because I know my body is doing exactly what it was meant to do.  All of these "symptoms" (yes, even peeing my pants!) are well worth having a desperately desired son-- You!  

Love,

Mom