[freesiangel]

Things are definitely changing... The last 24 hours have been very, um, different. I was actually starting to panic that I was going to go into labor last night because so many strange things kept happening. (not panic panic, more of a "oh c'mon!" type of reaction since I just don't feel like it's time yet). I started getting Braxton Hicks contractions again, though not regular or frequent or anything. Just a normal amount... But still, I haven't had one in so long that it was a bizarre feeling. My joints also all opened up in a matter of hours. My hips are now KILLING me and feel like they're being ripped open, which baby took full advantage of since I'm pretty sure she moved down further. All my other joints also hurt, like my shoulders, elbows, knees, etc. But that's normal, it's not like your body is selective when it loosens them up... My BM's have changed recently as well, but no need to go into detail there. I've also been on this roller coaster with my appetite and nausea. One second I'm STARVING and literally two seconds later I feel stuffed (even if I hadn't eaten recently) and then two seconds after that I feel nauseous, and then hungry again, etc. This started yesterday afternoon and is still going on now. It's really weird. I kept putting off making dinner because I wasn't hungry, but then I'd feel hungry so I'd get up to make something, but by the time I got in the kitchen I'd feel sick, so I wouldn't want to eat... I finally made something, ate two bites, then wasn't hungry, then got hungry again so I ate some more... This went on for awhile. lol. I've been getting some headaches recently too, which is weird for me. I haven't had one in ages. There's other little stuff, but it just feels like all of this happened at once and it kinda freaked me out. My body is definitely starting to prepare! That doesn't mean I'm going to pop anytime soon, but at least I know my body is starting something. I could still walk around for a month like this.

I have a few dates I'd like to hit before I go into labor. The first date is tomorrow, Sept 17. It's my going away party at work (though it's NOT my last day at work, I don't have an official last day and they set the party for tomorrow to make sure I'm still here when the party happens, heh). I'd like to at least make it that far! The second is this Friday, Sept. 18. I'll be 37 weeks that day, so I'd prefer to at least see that day since I'll officially be "term." The third date is Sept. 24 and this one is the silliest. My MIL got me this adorable Libra onesie and I just love it, but you ain't a Libra til Sept. 24! So if I go before then then the baby will never be able to wear the onesie. Not a big deal, really, but just something I had in mind. Though a lot of places say a Libra starts Sept 22, but the onesie says Sept 24, so that's what I'm going by here. After that, I could care less. The only other date I have is Oct. 23. While I would HATE to even see that day pregnant, it's the day when I'm 42 weeks. The absolute latest my doctor will allow me to remain pregnant before she induces. I'd better go before then!

So here's hoping I can at least make it to next Thursday! If not, oh well. Just don't let it happen on Saturday because I'll be at a wedding. The wedding itself is less than 5 minutes from my house, so no worries, but the reception is 30+ minutes away in another town. I shouldn't have even said I'd go, but I rsvp'd so long ago and it didn't seem like Sept. 19 was that close to my due date. Funny thing is, the girl who is getting married is also pregnant and due less than a month after me. However, she's also Type 1 diabetic and will get a c-section a few weeks after my due date, so I always thought it was funny that she made her wedding this late, just since she has complications that could make her go early. Eh, to each their own.

Anyway, I don't know if I've said this here before or not, but I do not feel as though I will make it to my due date. I don't know why, I just have this really strong feeling that I won't! My "theory" is that I'll go somewhere between 38-39 weeks. We'll see if my hunch is right or if I'm horribly horribly wrong and end up going to 42 weeks! hahaha.

P.S. Work is really really hard right now. It's amazing how difficult it is to sit in a freakin' chair all day! By 2 p.m. all I want to do is lie down on my side!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[*krista*]

I wish I knew how to interpret all the stuff that is happening! It sounds like all kinds of exciting stuff is going on!

I hope your joints feel better soon.

[sara~b]

Ummm, have you called your doc about all this? I had the same up and down appetite changes and nausea, etc the day I was supposed to be induced. I also had the BM changes the night before. I went in to be induced and found out I was 5 cm dilated and in full blown labor. Never felt a contraction! You might want to get checked to be sure! Hope baby holds tight a couple weeks longer!

[LisanAndy]

Can't wait to see your little munchkin but hope baby stays put until all of your dates have passed

[CandaceDianne]

I hope your baby stays until after your dates!!!!!

[..Penelope..]

Wow! Stay put, baby!

[Resi]

It does sound like your body is gearing up to start labor. I hope she stays in until the 24th of Sept.

[amazing_love]

Wow that is really exciting how close it is!! I hope baby decides to wait until Sept 24 for ya!

[**Jenn**]

You are so close! I hope you surpass your dates but I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't. When I hit 37 weeks with Liam I felt like my whole body just fell apart. I was in so much pain. I worked up until I delivered and I remember a couple days after turning 37 weeks I just sat in my car crying because I was in so much pelvic/hip/thigh/joint pain. I knew there was no way I could see my next kids (I was a community based early intervention teacher and had to drive to my kids to teach and my appointment was for 2 1/2 year old triplet boys for 2 hours!) so I cancelled, went home and my water broke less than 2 days later!

[freesiangel]

No, I haven't called my doctor or anything. I don't really see a point since I'm term now. Today isn't nearly as intense as yesterday, so I'm not in labor or anything. I haven't had to sit for as long at work today, so I think that's really helping. Maybe sitting for almost an entire day, minus a lunch break and few treks here or there isn't such a good thing for me right now, eh?

[~*sierra*~]

woah baby! i hope she stays put a while longer. and glad it eased up a bit today.

[Mars]

It's just all so exciting! I hope LO stays put for a wee bit longer though.