So I’m really 34 weeks today, but nobody panic, pregnancy is actually 10 months. If all goes well, we probably have six more weeks! I would say that months seven and eight were definitely the most overwhelming in terms of stress about getting everything done in time for Baby Girl’s debut. It was probably because we were traveling so much, which made it hard to knock out baby preparations. We’ve now made it to a point where some major things have been crossed off our list, which makes me feel a whole lot better. But I’ll save that for the next bumpdate, if there is one…
Highlights of Month Eight
Our Babymoon to Sanibel Island: This overlaps a bit with my seven months bumpdate, but we went to Florida for the most blissfully low-key vacation ever at Weeks 28-29. Someday I might even post photos and tell you about what we did and why we loved it. 🙂 We talked a lot about names and yet did not come up with a finalized decision. We still don’t have one, and if you think I’m just not saying (as many people do), I wish you were right. 
My First Mother’s Day: I woke up on Mother’s Day in Week 29 to flowers, a sweet card, and my favorite, chocolate chip pancakes. But way better than all of that, Will spent the afternoon putting the crib and swing together and then we had nursery duty at church! It was a pretty appropriate Mother’s Day for an expecting couple!
We Took our First Classes at the Hospital: During Weeks 29 and 32 we took a breastfeeding 101 class and an infant skills class. They were both really helpful and also just got us really excited. It’s fun to be in the place where we’ll have a baby with a bunch of other very pregnant couples and learn a little bit about what our lives are about to be like. It’s a bit like being in wet tech for a very exciting show we’ll be performing in.
I had Three Lovely Baby Showers: More coming soon, but my friends in DC threw a sweet storybook-themed shower, then we went to Emerald Isle with Will’s side of the family where Jenna hosted another one (complete with diaper cake!), and finally (at Week 32!) I went to Missouri for a hometown baby shower. We feel so blessed and thankful that so many people love this baby already.
Gifts from Mom and Dad: My parents have both been busy making homemade gifts for Baby Girl! My mom smocked a beautiful white bonnet that I’m sure will be featured in our newborn photos, and Dad carved a wooden rattle on his lathe that is just gorgeous!
Medical and Physical Updates
Not much to report here, which is lovely! I’ve started doing kick counts, and sometimes we can watch my belly move of its own accord. Will swears that when he touches my stomach the baby puts her foot in his hand or high fives him and that he can tell which body parts he’s feeling through my stomach.
On the last day of Month 8, we got a surprise quick ultrasound and learned that Baby Girl is head down and all looks good! Woohoo! Other than that, I’m still feeling good. A little leg pain and a little tiredness, but generally good. The first trimester was by far the hardest physical part of pregnancy for me so far. (But it’s not over yet!)
Month 8 Emotions
I have been way more weepy lately, both because I’m just so happy and also because I feel super nostalgic about our childless marriage that isn’t even officially over yet. We’ve just been really happy in the past few months. There has been a lot of laughter in this apartment, which almost makes staring down the barrel of this huge change a little scarier. This month I teared up because I passed the Best Buy where we bought our TV the first week we moved to DC (and those were such simple times), haha.
We also started reading C.S. Lewis to the baby before bed each night this month, and Baby Girl goes crazy moving around when she hears Will’s voice. I don’t know if it’s a happy dance or if she’s saying, “Not so loud, Dad!” Those have been some sweet moments. We had a lot of great conversations about the kind of parents we want to be and what we’re excited about doing with and teaching the baby, especially when we were in Emerald Isle.
Preparations
Nesting: The travel didn’t officially stop until just after Month 8, but I did spend a lot of time in Missouri making a final shopping list of the essential items we needed to buy and ordering them from the cheapest places. Our poor doormen have started just making me a cart everyday. This month was mostly about stocking up on gear and supplies and receiving many thoughtful gifts! Every day the mail has been so exciting. In the time since we moved into the ninth month, we’ve been focusing on actually getting things set up, in place, and put away!
Reading: I moved into baby care and schedules this month, and really enjoyed this Moms on Call book (recommended to me by Erin!). I finally felt ready for the nuts and bolts of how, exactly, we care for and soothe this baby, especially what our routines may look like. I have a few more I’m diving into while Will reads The Happiest Baby on the Block, and I’ll share more of my favorite books soon!
Shopping: I loved buying a few sweet things for Baby Girl this month. Mom and I did a little baby shopping in St. Louis, and I did a little online in addition to the many darling outfits I received at her showers. I think she’s set on her first hospital photo swaddle, going home outfit, and newborn portrait outfits! And naturally, she has about fifty bows ready to go! (God help us all if the ultrasound tech was wrong and this is a boy.)
Wearing: I’m in all maternity clothes pretty much now, and I am loving it! I have lots of great summer clothes from Old Navy and Destination Maternity that I will be living in the rest of the summer.
Preparing for Labor: I really changed my tune on this this month! Once I read more about labor and delivery we decided to get a doula after all and go for a natural birth. I’m not trying to get so married to the idea that I’m devastated if it doesn’t work out, but best case scenario, that’s the plan. I started buying stuff to stock my hospital bag with and to recover at home with as well.
What We’re Excited About
First, we’re excited to finish the nursery and show you the finished product here! We have all the major furniture in place and curtains hung, but we need a few finishing touches to come together, like a crib skirt I had to get a replacement for and some art that needs to be hung. Next, I’m excited to have a fully packed hospital bag and to finish our childbirth classes at the hospital and with our doula. And finally, we’re excited to soak up summer in DC before we have a new member of the family to share it with. 🙂
Oh, and we’re excited to meet our baby!! I’ll be back at 36 weeks if I make it that far!
See my Six Months Bumpdate here.
See my Seven Months Bumpdate here.
See all my Pregnancy posts here.
