Pregnancy Nostalgia and Woes- Month 8

I'm now at 34 weeks (that's half way into my 8th month for anyone who isn't up on what weeks mean). I have about 6 weeks left until the baby's due date. I've gained about 19 pounds so far. I'm still measuring a little small so my doctor is sending me for another ultra sound on the 18th to check her size again. Hopefully everything is still looking good. Now my doctor's guess is that I'll have a 5 pounder maybe 6 at the most. That sounds so tiny. Better than a 9 or 10 pounder but I hope she's healthy, I don't want to have to leave her at the hospital. My blood pressure is perfect and the baby's heart rate sounds good. She is still head down and the doctor says she'll probably stay that way. She always sticks her little bum out on the left side of my belly making me look lopsided.

Here are the two comments I get the most often at this point-
"You're finally looking pregnant." and
"You don't look big enough to have a baby the end of September."
What do you think?
I had one old lady at my water aerobics class ask me how old I was. I told her I was 23. She replied, "Oh good. We all thought you were 16 or something." I assured her I had been married for 3 years, graduated college etc. Good to know- even with a pregnant belly I only look 16. No wonder the parents of my 5th graders always looked so scared. In my defense this lady has never seen me in anything but a swimsuit with no make-up. I'd like to think I look older when I try. All the old ladies have probably been gossiping all summer about the poor teen mother-to-be. Do I really look that young?

I'm beginning to feel nostalgic about being pregnant. It has gone by so much faster than I thought it would. Everyone says pregnancy feels like forever. Maybe because I feel so normal and I'm not that big yet but I'm kind of sad it's almost over. Don't get me wrong I am super excited and anxious to meet this baby and stop anticipating labor. But, I realize I'll only be pregnant a limited number of times and it makes me kind of sad. I love feeling this little person growing inside me and feeling a part of something so amazing. I'm sure having the baby will feel like that too but I've yet to experience that. The last few weeks are the hardest in terms of being sick of being pregnant I'm sure; especially if you go past your due date. I'll let you know if I feel nostalgic then!

5 Things I Like About Being Pregnant
1. Elastic pants all the time (this makes #1 below much easier)
2. Feeling the baby kick, wiggle, and turn over
3. The long chats Matt has with the baby- it was quite the conversation hearing Matt describe what birth is going to be like from the baby's perspective to the baby "Make sure your head is down so it presses against mommy's cervix..."
4. Having a good excuse to take a nap- which I do almost everyday
5. Not having anything (except labor) to dread at the end of the summer

5 Things I Don't Like So Much About Being Pregnant
1. My bladder being squished to the size of a pea (pun intended)- seriously I have to use the facilities everywhere I go- twice. And I've never liked public bathrooms.
2. Already waking up all night (thanks to my bladder and #2 in the list above) I thought this wouldn't start until the baby came- can't I get a few more weeks of uninterrupted sleep?
3. When the baby sits on my tailbone, making it down right painful for me to sit (at first I thought I must have fallen on my keester and bruised it without realizing it because it feels exactly like that)
4. Having my blood taken and pelvic exams- ugh. Need I say more?
5. Bending becoming a Herculean feat and constantly thinking "Am I eating enough? Too much? Not enough green leafies? Too much chocolate? Not enough water?..." and since I'm planning to breastfeed this worry will not stop after 6 weeks.