pregnancy lately: 35 weeks

We're rounding the corner and headed down the homestretch! I was joking with Erik that I kind of feel like a celebrity on the street these days. Everyone does a double-take or wants to talk to me when they see my humongous belly.

How I'm feeling: This is a reality. Last week, my belly started feeling a little uncomfortable; sometimes baby will press against my spine or side. That's when it hit me: This baby is coming out of (fingers crossed) my vagina. Holy crap.

What I'm wanting: I'm trying to tie up all the loose ends. When I went into my 35-week ultrasound, the technician mentioned that she was checking my amniotic fluid levels. "If they're low, they might want to induce labor today," she remarked, pressing the paddle on my belly. Um, say WHAT?! Our crib hasn't arrived yet! I haven't hung up the nursery pictures or baby's mobile! I haven't written my birth plan! I have 10 outstanding deadlines! I'm only two weeks away of coming to term (read: it's normal and safe for baby to come at 37 weeks or after), so I gotta get my rear in gear.

What I'm surprised about: Last week, Erik and I went to go see The Jungle Book movie. It was so good, but the 3D tickets were $20 a pop. As I watched a family of four carrying popcorn file by, I remarked to Erik, "Geez, they must've spent more than $100 tonight!" As the words left my mouth, I realized how much I sounded like my darling but oh-so-cheap dad. Are we destined to turn into our own parents? Am I going to make my baby girl wear a winter jacket indoors because I refuse to turn on the heat? I have been thinking more about our long-term finances lately, because having a baby isn't cheap.

Oh, also! Baby is already 6 pounds, 4 ounces, measuring in the 77th percentile. The doc guesses that she'll be around 8 pounds at birth, which is healthy and above the average of 7 pounds, 5 ounces. I had assumed she'd be smaller, since Erik and I aren't giants. I'm just crossing every finger and toe that she'll be healthy and happy.

What I miss: I'm already feeling nostalgic our pre-baby freedom and trips. It's interesting, though. When I see my friends' spur-of-the-moment travels and adventures on my Insta feed, I don't think, "man, I wish I was doing that!" I definitely have this calm sense of being where I'm supposed to be in life. But it is bittersweet temporarily closing this chapter of hey-wanna-go-to-Sweden-this-weekend? until baby's bigger.

What I love: The other day, I read a mom describe being pregnant as feeling like the most important person in the world. It sounds so egomaniacal, but there is a sense of that, in the best possible way. As excited I am to get back to my normal body, I think I'm going to miss being pregnant. There is something so beautiful if sharing this experience with other women, and this intimate bond with my daughter. Also, it's nice to be able to blame everything on pregnancy hormones, including this lapse of sappiness.

silverlake ramble

One of our favorite pastimes in New York was a good walkabout. We'd spend the day wandering through neighborhoods and stopping for delicious snacks. Yesterday, we attempted the Los Angeles driving version. After a leisurely morning of breakfast and yoga, plus a stop at a children's clothing store, we headed up to Silverlake, which is supposed to be the Williamsburg of Los Angeles. We ate most delicious fish tacos on earth and people-watched the California hipsters at a coffee shop (healthier-looking and more groomed than Brooklyn hipsters). We wandered into charming specialty boutiques, and I made Erik take a ton of bump-watch shots in front of murals. On the way home, we ran a few more errands before snuggling up with Monkey on the couch. All in all, a lovely afternoon! I missed the vibrancy NYC's street performers and tired legs, though my giant belly appreciated the car ride home. The face-off verdict? Grateful for my time in the city, but happy to be here now in this stage of my life.

pregnancy lately: 33 weeks

Lots going on in the baby front over here! I'm in full-on belly/waddle mode.

How I'm feeling: Good and energetic. Once a while, someone on the street will say, "any day now!" and I'll think "for what?" then realize that they're talking about my belly. Ha! Emotionally, I'm feeling prepared. We have most of the stuff we need to keep baby alive, and attended our childbirth class and hospital tour.

What I'm wanting: All the carbs. I got diagnosed with gestational diabetes two weeks ago (damn genetics!), so I have to prick my finger three times a day and stick to a pretty strict low-carb diet. On the plus side, I'm eating crazy healthy, so it's good for me and baby. But, as someone who rarely watches what she eats, it's a challenge to have food restrictions. It makes me realize how lucky I am not to have a food allergy or a propensity to obesity.

What I'm surprised about: The nonstop doctor's visits. They're scheduled in my calendar, but I don't think I fully realized how much I'd have to go to the doc. Factor in my sugar-betes specialist visits, and I've been averaging one to two trips a week. With travel and waiting room, that's a whole lot of time. I haven't let up on work pre-maternity leave, so it's been hectic. How do office workers manage? I can't imagine making this schedule work back when I was on staff.

What I miss: Little things, like tying my shoes and getting off the couch without a struggle. I feel like a upside-down bug much of the time. Also, a short to-do list. Everyone talks about pregnancy brain being caused by hormones, but I suspect having 1,000,000 more things to think about plays a factor. On top of my normal shiz, there's finding a pediatrician, remembering appointments, calling the health insurance company, buying baby gear, planning out a budget, writing a birth plan, etc. It's funny, though, because I don't feel stressed about it. Maybe the whole super-mom thing kicks in to offset pregnancy fog?

What I love: Augh, so much! I love connecting with dear friends about being moms and hearing their advice and stories. I love feeling baby's kicks inside, talking to her, and imaging her little face. I love hearing Erik talk about all the things he's planning on doing with our baby girl (cue tears). I love walking through this incredible phase of life with Erik, my brother and sis-in-law, and Erik's business parter. Don't get me wrong, parts of pregnancy do suck (my refrain to Erik: "you better be glad I'm the pregnant one"), but it's also filled with endless joy.

beach baby shower

The week that we move into our new apartment, I was feeling pretty shell-shocked. It had been the craziest cross-country move, and everything was starting to dawn on me. I was thousands of miles away from my friends and mom, starting over in a brand-new city. I was having a baby. Everything was changing. What was I doing?

That's when an invite popped into my email … for my baby shower. But I didn't know anyone in Los Angeles. I was confused. Finally, Erik explained that my friends were all going to fly in and host a California beach baby shower. I was so shocked! It's one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me, and I was over-the-moon excited to see everyone.



On the weekend, my brother and sis-in-law flew in, and then we all drove down to Sunset Beach. The girls had rented an amazing house a few blocks from the beach, complete with my dream kitchen and an elevator (!). It was the perfect weekend: We barbecued, laughed, and caught up. The girls got some surfs in, and we walked to the famous Huntington Pier. They also gave me the sweetest presents for baby girl.

I know this is going to be all sorts of cliched, but the biggest present of all was seeing all of their faces. I'm so touched, and beyond lucky to have such beautiful, strong, smart, and adventurous women in my life. Baby girl is going to learn so much from each of them!