Me, Me, Me

So about three weeks ago I was plodding along, minding my own business, when Ka-Blammo!  My body decided to tell me in no uncertain terms that I had reached the third trimester of this pregnancy.  I am lucky and have gotten through many years on few hours of sleep each day, catching up on sleep in the years in which life is a little less insane.  (Yes, I know normal people catch up on weekends, and I'm weird.  Does this really surprise you?)  I've been scraping by on 6.5 hours a night since Leon and Michael have been born, but my body is now scoffing at that.  Nope, I need more sleep, at least on the weekends.  And since the kids prefer to get up earlier than usual on the weekends and sleep "in" during the week, that means I now have to nap (read: I pass out randomly) on more weekend days than not.  (The good news - the kids have actually been sleeping or at least staying in bed until 7:00 a.m. most week day mornings lately.)  And the hormones!  Holy cow, the hormones!  I've had mood swings this whole pregnancy, but the crazy, angry pregnant lady is leaking out more and more.  I am fairly good at repressing her at work (as the breadwinner in the family, remaining employed is kinda important), but then I take it out on my whole family by being mean wife and mean mommy with no patience.

Right after a good workout (have you ever seen a woman who's 30 weeks pregnant workout?  I almost wish I could see myself.  It has to be hilarious!) when the crazy is somewhat at bay, I can put it in perspective.  At any time I can recognize that I have much easier pregnancies than many women, but in those moments of exhaustion and a clear head, I can also be grateful that my body gave me a free pass to enjoy "regular" life for a good seven months even while pregnant again.  But the rest of the time, it's hard not to be at least a little annoyed that my body would just have to finally succumb to pregnant madness during the holidays.  As though there isn't enough crap to do, I now have to stop to take care of me and this hyper little being (and wow is this one a wiggler!) in my belly?  For real?

So this year, more than ever, I am working to find balance during the holidays.  I'll let you know how that all works out.