This morning I ran around frantically, late and exhausted, and I voiced to the air in frustration, “where is my phone?! I laid it down somewhere, and now I can’t find it!”
I buzzed from one room to the next, searching the bathroom sink, my dresser, and the couch, basically anywhere I thought I might find my sneaky cell phone hiding. Suddenly I small voice chimed behind me, “here it is Mom, by the back door,” and I patted my five year old’s head for helping dear old mom out.
Then I stood motionless in the kitchen, cell phone in hand, and I wondered to myself, now what am I doing?
Story of my life in a third trimester fog, and it reminded me of all the simple things I took for granted prior to entering this final, home stretch of pregnancy.
1. My ability to think.
Pregnancy takes enough of a toll mentally, but third trimester basically equals zero brain cells. Can’t focus, can’t stay on one train of thought, and absolutely and hopelessly forgetful. Did I tell y’all I went to my OBGYN appointment yesterday and discovered it was actually scheduled for today? Sigh.
2. Having hands that work.
Coordination? Gone. I’m a big, puffy klutz, and sometimes, right after I drop something, I expect to look down and see hooves in place of my hands.
3. Breathing.
Ok, I can still breathe, but I mean deep, and without feeling like a ran a marathon. I get it anatomically, and I understand why I feel so short of breath. You go baby; grow on! I just forgot how much I absolutely adore inhaling and exhaling normally, and not snoring like a bear.
4. Getting out of the floor without help, or major difficulty at the very least.
One day it just happens. You get down in the floor to clean up a spot or play with your kids, and you realize with regret that you can’t just hop back up like you used to. Well, I am there.
5. Clothes that fit.
Hey, I get it. This isn’t my first rodeo. A growing body and belly means you leave the cutesy wardrobe behind and move into the maternity one. That’s fine. But eventually you hit a place around third trimester when even your maternity clothes don’t fit right. Your belly itches from clingy fabric, bulging skin threatens to release itself from fabric boundaries, and no bra ever is comfortable.
6. Eating a full meal.
Man, third trimester can be cruel to a mommy appetite. Food tastes so good when you’re pregnant! Yet as baby grows and crowds your stomach there’s less room for cake and pizza. And don’t get me started on the heartburn.
7. Bending over.
This one always sneaks up on me. Eventually the simplest of tasks, such as bending over, putting on your shoes, or painting your toenails becomes an impossible venture. This huge, rigid beach ball sits in the way, and it’s just not even worth the effort. Luckily I’m pretty skilled at picking up objects with my toes, and small kids serve as excellent retrievers. Can you get that for mommy?
8. Sleeping through the night.
Sooooo tired all day. Crash quickly at night. Eyes fling open suddenly at 3am. Can’t fall back asleep. Start day over and repeat.
9. Carrying just my own body weight.
It’s a joy, you know? Only being responsible for carrying your own body weight is wonderful, and even if you have small children you can put them down when you’re tired. Not so in third trimester. After about ten hours at work I am just dying to take this load off and sit it down on a shelf for a minute. Just for a minute. Well, not happening.
10. Being able to go from point A to point B without stopping to pee.
I’m so thirsty all the time, and I drink water like it’s going out of style. Then I pee. And pee. And pee some more. I wake up to pee. I know where every public restroom in a fifty mile radius is located. Basically all my activities revolve around pitstops to relieve my bladder.
The thing is I know any inconvenience I experience now is minuscule in light of the prize that awaits me, and I’m constantly thanking God for that squirming ball of preciousness in my belly. Even when she’s pressing against my bladder.
I know that I’ll miss those perfect kicks, rolls, and punches that constantly remind me of her presence, and as I find myself in my final trimester with our little blessing preparing to greet us all, I’m honestly without complaint. But for now I sure do miss my dexterity and clear thought processes.