27 weeks and counting...

Things I'm currently experiencing with my pregnancy:

• Natalie's movements are stronger. What started as light flutterings has turned into nudges that can be felt by myself and others and seen by Jason and me. It's really an odd thing to watch my stomach move around and slightly change shape with her movements. I can only imagine what that will look like as I get closer to my due date.


• P.O.P. (Pains of Pregnancy) This is what my doctor calls the lower back pain and the sciatica that emerges in the later part of pregnancy. I just hope it doesn't get too much worse because I don't really want to experience what "worse" will feel like.
  
• Decreased activity level, which means walking is about the only thing I'm able to do. I had been fairly active coaching volleyball this winter, but I now spend a lot of time on the side line yelling directions during practice. For anyone who knows my coaching style, this has been a HUGE adjustment for me. I can't even get in a ready position to pass a ball without feeling like I'm going to fall forward. Also, standing for long periods of time causes the P.O.P.'s listed above to flare up. That is something I definitely want to avoid.


• Public Attention. I'm not one to try and seek attention in public, but my protruding belly doesn't always allow me to blend in. I'm learning quickly that perfect strangers feel the need to ask you questions about your pregnancy if you are standing near them in a store. Typically, I don't mind unless they come off as creepy and/or they try to touch my belly. I don't mind people I know giving Natalie a little rub, but I draw the line with people I don't know. I don't hesitate to tell them to back away and keep their hands off. It still surprises me when they act shocked by my reaction.


• Body Pillow. Jason has officially been replaced by a body pillow. He's not much of a snuggler, so I don't think he minds too much. Of course, when he offers to snuggle, the body pillow gets kicked to the curb until it's needed later. I've found that I can't sleep well without one. It has made my transition from back-sleeper to side-sleeper much easier.


• Pregnancy Moments. I know that it always seems like an excuse, but I'm a firm believer in pregnancy moments. I can be in the middle of doing something and draw a complete blank. It's horrible! It's even worse when I have to walk into someone's office to have them remind me how to do something on the database that I already know how to do. It doesn't happen all the time, but it's getting on my nerves. Of course, some of my fellow coworkers are getting a kick out of it.