Ten things you learn when the money runs out.

1) Bread is bread is bread. Need a bagel? Bread. Soy dog bun? Bread. English muffin? Bread.
2) Cleaning solution is mostly water anyway.
3) Paper towels are napkins. And, baby wipes are paper towels (because you can't get away with not having them).
4) Water is delicious, but bottled water is for fools.
5) The library rocks.
6) So does the park.
7) You CAN make Chinese food, even if it doesn't quite compare to your favorite.
8) Tea minus honey minus lemon equals hot water...mmmm.
9) Bananas are the only fruit worth eating. You need the potassium anyway.
10) There is nothing more fun than loading up your cart with fine things at Target and then simply walking away.

...Add your favorites in the comments section! I need some new ideas. :o)

26 days.

I have to admit, this is getting fun. It puts into perspective how quickly a day passes when you have vowed to blog! And, here I am, 26 days away from Baby J.

Here is something I will *not* miss about being pregnant.

Often, on busy days like today, I am going through my fun times and suddenly am overcome with a sense that I've forgotten something. And, I realize, in a the hubbub, that I've forgotten to count kicks. I know the sense of forgetfulness that comes with a newborn, and how frustrating it is. But, there is something much more urgent in realizing you've just forgotten to check and make sure your fetus is thriving. So, I am looking forward to holding her where I can see, smell, hear, and touch her. That will work much better than having her in the pouch. I am excited to move on to a whole different breed of anxiety about her newborndom.

Come on, Baby J.!

27 days.

There are two things about being pregnant right now with Baby J. that I will miss (even though, of course, it will be infinitely better to have her on the outside). Also, Bill and I talk sometimes about the possibility that Baby J. will be our last baby. And, if that is true, it adds a new element of "missing."

The first is Eleanor's tummy kissing. She knows "Baby J." and always wants to give her long kisses and to feel her kick. (Imagine her confusion when Baby J. becomes a baby, instead of a stomach!) But, I love the way she already loves Baby J. She is so gentle with my tummy. Of course, I will be happier when she is kisses and pets the "real" Baby J., but then Baby J. won't be behind my abdominal wall, so I won't be in on the action. I will miss that. (And, if this is in fact our last pregnancy, these will likely be the last times Eleanor kisses my tummy. I will miss that.)

The second is Baby J.'s kicking. That's a pretty obvious one. But, even though I freak out when she isn't kicking, when she is I savor it. She is a mover and a shaker, and I will miss those kicks in my belly. (Whether or not she is our last baby, these will be the last 27 days of Baby J. kicking and punching my tummy. I will miss that.)

That being said, hurray for Baby J.! 27 days - keep kissing and kicking, silly ladies!

28 days.

So, as of today, I have 28 days left until Baby J. makes her appearance (via c-section). I've decided to try ("try" is the operative word here), to pass the time by blogging once (maybe more) a day. I haven't quite honed the idea, in terms of what I'll be blogging about. But, each blog will have something to do with my hopes for Baby J.

Tonight's blog: What I imagine Baby J. will look like.

Now, I know that there is no way of knowing what your kids will look like. Even with increasingly clear ultrasounds and good genetic guesses. But, in my brain, I've tried to piece together what features she might have. Eleanor has my face and coloring, but Bill's beautiful eyes. Sophie had very dark hair. I think Baby J. might have silvery, darkish hair (more like Bill's). I think she might have eyes my color (mine are light blue, with a lot of yellow, and Bill's are a deeper ocean-y blue) and my complexion (like Eleanor). And, I hope Baby J. has Eleanor's face shape (because, duh, Eleanor's adorable!) But, I think she might take after Bill more in terms of proportion (which Eleanor certainly does) and size (which Eleanor does not).

Now that I've said all of this, let's assume NONE of it will be correct.

In fact, when I was pregnant with Eleanor, I thought she would have auburn hair. At birth, a mop of auburn hair? Haha. And, her face is much more animated and humorous than I imagined. Her eyes are lighter. (Sophie looked at birth much like I imagined she would.)

Anyway, an odd, chaotic first Baby J. countdown post. But, I wanted to start off with something honest, like some bad guessing as to her looks. :o)

Some weeks.

So, I'm a little over 33 weeks pregnant. Here are the things we have going on/are praying for in terms of Baby J:

Five more ultrasounds/bpps.
One more order of lovenox.
Four more prenatal visits.
4.5 more weeks.
29 more days.
5,800 more counted kicks.
290 more tummy kisses from Eleanor.
Zero more times Eleanor decides she needs to see Baby J. in public and pulls up my shirt or down my maternity pants.

Some remarkable things about this pregnancy:

I have ZERO times gone so far into a tizzy that I ended up in the hospital. In fact, I haven't even once stormed the doctor's office. That may seem obvious to most people, but when pregnant with Eleanor, I would estimate my anxiety sent me to the doctor about one extra heartbeat check or NST a week from 11 weeks on. So, that's 26 extra times I visited the doctor. And, at least six times, I wound up in L/D triage because of my severe anxiety about her health.

So, I still wake up in the middle of the night crying. Not fun. And, wake Bill up with my fear that something must be wrong, but each time we have been able to work through it on our own. Maybe Sophie's grace, or Eleanor's life, or Baby J.'s general vigor, but I am doing my best.

Also, at Eleanor's 37 week delivery, I'd gained 50 lbs. That's quite a bit when you're 5ft 2in. This time, at 33 weeks so far, I've only gained 25 lbs (or so). So, I'd really have to put some effort in to gain 25 lbs in 4.5 weeks. If you know me, you know I'm working on it, though! (But, I will admit, I've been kind of a narcissist about my svelteness this pregnancy. Sorry if you've had to listen to that.)

I actually feel pretty good. I'll say it again. I feel pretty good. It's hard to get up, roll over, breathe, eat a 12 inch sub, etc. But, I am sleeping remarkably well. Get this, I even like sleeping on my left.

And, here I go jinxing myself, but I have NO heartburn! Heartburn has been like a nightmare through both girls in the past. With Sophie, I took nothing (didn't believe in TUMS, or whatever) and with Eleanor I carried antacids everywhere. But, it made no difference. Just like before, I had my typical heartburn in the first trimester. And, then gloriously it just went away. I know it could pick up any time, but for now I am feeling lucky.

I won't go on and on with my list of pregnancy "bliss" (haha, I still wouldn't go that far) because I will get a giant kick in the proverbial pants if I keep it up.

Here are my pregnancy woes:
I've had a medium-intensity cold for a few weeks.
I've peed my pants a few times. (TMI)
I get tired pretty quickly.
I am a wee bit more irritable than I usually am non-pregnant.

Man, that's not so bad. I am a lucky mommy.

Got to go, Eleanor is waking up, and she just said "Oh Yeah!" over the monitor.