36 Weeks (Pregnancy #2)

Ohhh, this week. It’s been a tough one. Or as my dad would say, “It’s a DOOZY!” Mercury retrograde showed itself in a big way…anyone else feel the tension this week? It’s probably been the hardest week of the pregnancy so far. We had a bunch of renovation things go wrong, which will set us back a couple weeks. Adriana is sick with a bad virus/rash—skipping naps, getting up for long stretches in the night, etc.—and it breaks my heart to see her like this. I’m trying my best to keep my head above water, especially because it’s book launch week (Murphy’s Law!), but I basically feel like I’m coming up short in every area right now. Eric brought me home a “Best Mom Ever” mug the other day “from Adriana” and I just about cried because I definitely haven’t felt that way lately. (But I sure am using that mug every single day!) In the grand scheme of things I know that these challenges are not a big deal, but boy, can they be hard when you’re going through them!

How I’m feeling: This week has been all about survival mode. My anxiety has been pretty high and I’m having insomnia. I know this will pass, and it’s okay to just feel the emotions, as uncomfortable as they are. Normally I thrive on predictability, but I’m learning more and more that some days, weeks, months, the “plan” is all going out the window. As my sister Kristi and I like to joke when something goes wrong that’s out of our control, “Just put it in the f*ck it bucket!” (Pardon our potty mouths!) It’s especially fun to yell out loud to someone who gets it (think: George Costanza’s voice).

Home life: This week marked the first time during this entire renovation when I said to Eric, “I’m so over it.” It’s absolutely heaven at night when it’s quiet and just us in the house. I’m looking forward to later this fall when we can enjoy the basement as a family, even though we don’t have any furniture picked out yet. Might have to throw a few beanbags on the ground for now!

Midwife appointment: My EPI-NO came in this week and I’m going to start using it early next week (it’s recommended to start 3 weeks prior to your due date). Here’s hoping it helps!

Symptoms: I’m having the same symptoms as last week pretty much. I’m so grateful that my body was able to fight off Adriana’s cold this week. I had a couple sniffly days, but that’s been it so far. I’ve been taking a green superfood powder and vitamin D daily. I’m also on a big pepita seed kick (super high in zinc), so I’m wondering if any of those have given my immune system a much-needed boost. Either way, it feels like a victory given how many times I’ve been sick during this pregnancy.

Exercise: I’m still walking 25 brisk minutes every morning and doing 15 minutes of Barre3 online every other day. Keeps me sane! Well, that’s relative I suppose. And boy, is Barre feeling harder and harder as the weeks go by (even though I’m still doing the same workout with the same hand weights).

What I’m wearing: The weather forecast is calling for slightly cooler temperatures the next few days (23 to 26°C) and I’m way too excited! This humid, hot summer has been pretty tough in the 3rd trimester. I’m looking forward to being able to wear more long-sleeved maternity shirts and dresses! September is my favourite month of the year. I just love the feeling in the air.

Cravings: My bread cravings have gone away this week. I’ve been reaching for my Glo Bars frequently as my meals have been at random times of the day. I came up with a new Glo Bar recipe that I developed with breastfeeding in mind, and I can’t wait to share it on the blog. (Don’t worry, though, it can be enjoyed by anyone! Eric has assured me that it hasn’t increased his cup size yet, lol.)

Best thing I ate/drank all week: Glo Bars. Roasted pumpkin with pink salt. Dried apricots. And a new discovery: Eden Foods Dry-Roasted and Salted Pumpkin Seeds. SO GOOD. I downed that bag in a couple of days. I also have a craving to roast my own pumpkin seeds, which I will do soon! They are just the best!!!

Baby prep: I washed a few more items of clothing and hung them up. Small victories!! My clean laundry, on the other hand, has been sitting in a basket for the past few days.

Hospital bag packed? I have a list made. I’m slowly, and I mean slowly, setting aside things for my hospital bag. So far I have nipple cream, magnesium, a robe/comfy shorts/nursing bra, lactation tea, and glucose tablets.

Crafting projects: I made the homemade back massager that I linked to last week, but sadly it didn’t make the cut. Eric did a side-by-side “massage comparison” (oh so technical) of his hands versus the balls (TENNIS balls, that is!) and his hands won by a landslide. Sorry, tennis ball massager…you didn’t impress my back as much as warm human hands! One less thing to pack, I guess. Either way, Adriana is enjoying whipping it around the house.

Days left until due date: 25. Please stay in there, baby!

PS—you can read my 36 weeks update from my first pregnancy here.