It's been swell, but the swelling's gone down.

It's the 18th of August. My due date. And as of now, I don't have anything to indicate that labor will be starting soon. As much as I desperately wanted this baby to come on the 18th, it's seeming less and less likely that will happen. I suppose there's not much I can do about it. He'll come when he's ready.

I've been reflecting a lot on this pregnancy. As it gets closer to baby's arrival, it becomes even more bittersweet. I've truly enjoyed being pregnant, and there's a large part of me that will really miss it. On the other hand, there's another part of me that will not be sad to say goodbye to pregnant life.

Things I will miss about being pregnant:

1. Feeling him move. It's a constant reminder that he's with me and he's doing okay. I love it.
2. Fetal hiccups. I adore feeling him hiccup. It's been my favorite experience during this whole pregnancy.
3. Feeling important. That sounds really silly and possibly narcissistic, but there's a sense of pride that accompanies waddling around with a big belly. People in public are generally more courteous, and with the exception of the occasional overly-creepy stranger, I enjoy talking with people about my pregnancy. Even if no one acknowledges me, simply knowing I have an entire person growing inside me makes me feel very important.
4. The excitement. There's so much to do and look for to. Registering for baby stuff! Deciding on decor for the nursery! Painting, decorating, assembling, and making the nursery feel like home! Even though it's stressful, it's also very fun.

This I will NOT miss about being pregnant:

1. Being treated like an invalid. Seriously, I am perfectly capable of carrying most things, reaching up, moving around, and doing most every other day-to-day activity. If I can't do something, I'll let you know.
2. Having to pee every 20 minutes. I really miss the feeling of a truly empty bladder. Even after going to the bathroom, I immediately feel like I have to go again. Honestly, I could probably just park it on the toilet and keep a constant stream going all day. I will not miss that, nor will I miss going through an entire roll of toilet paper in 24 hours.
3. The attention. I know I said in the "Will Miss" list that I like talking about my pregnancy, but there are also times I do NOT enjoy it. For example, I will not miss the constant "How are you feeling" questions that are almost always accompanied with a worried, nearly pained look, as if they expect my answer to be some sort of complaint about how miserable I am. It makes me feel almost guilty that I'm feeling good.
4. Nasal congestion. I haven't been able to breathe well practically since conception. I look forward to having less junk up there.
5. Feeling gross. I've gained more weight than I wanted to (totally my fault), and I feel physically repulsive most of the time. I realize losing this baby weight won't come easily, but I look forward to hopefully feeling more like my old self again.

So, I guess whether I'm ready or not, he could be here any day.