…That humans are not supposed to give birth to entire litters of children at once, this is it. GAINING 130 POUNDS DURING PREGNANCY IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU.

But hey, at least I don’t feel so bad about my own fat butt anymore. Especially since I bought this Old Navy maternity underwear – I highly recommend it, as the designer understands that not only does it need to go under my huge belly in the front, extra coverage in the back is always appreciated. Pregnant women are already uncomfortable enough without anything riding up our butts.

Teeny tiny baby boat shoes. For all your teeny tiny baby boating needs.

I think these might be standard issue when you move to Connecticut.

I like to think I’m a pretty easy going person. There are a few things that can set me off – bad drivers, Evangelical Christians, when America votes the wrong person off American Idol – but on a daily basis I am generally happy. I’ve never suffered from depression or mental illness or been to therapy or worried that what goes on inside my head is anything but normal. Even during tough emotional times I’ve always held on to the knowledge that those feelings will pass and eventually I’ll be OK again.

BUT. For the last 72 hours or so I have felt completely unbalanced. I am losing my appetite. I almost cried in the frozen food aisle at Stop & Shop for absolutely no reason. Today I screamed at the dog for looking at me. I can actually feel the change in my hormones as clearly as I can feel the baby punching me in the ribs. I don’t feel worried or scared or overwhelmed. I’m prepared for this baby, happy my pregnancy is almost over, looking forward to the changes going on in my life. I just feel…emotional in a way I’ve never experienced. I can identify and isolate my irrational, pregnancy related emotions from my regular emotions – even when my regular emotions are all worked up.

I think the fact that I noticed the change is a good thing. If I started crying over frozen waffles or lying on the floor at 2 in the afternoon staring blankly at the ceiling and couldn’t figure out why I would be very confused. I don’t want to be the woman who spends the first year of her baby’s life lost in post-partum depression because she doesn’t realize her sadness is abnormal. As long as I can recognize and talk about my feelings it will be easier to fix anything that isn’t just the regular old baby blues.

I’m going to mention my mood swings to the doctor on Thursday – along with my re-emerging morning sickness, the pain that feels like I’ve been kicked in the balls (pretend I have balls), my swollen hands, swollen ankles, swollen boobs, you get the picture – just so she can make a note to ask me how I’m feeling after the baby. Just thinking about it now makes me feel better already.

Besides the second bookcase – which will be here the first weekend of March – and a more appropriate lamp, I think we’re done! I found a few things in the guest bedroom that work in here now, even if they’re not really baby-oriented.

And an almost 34 weeks belly picture. Let this serve as a warning to anyone who things “gee, being pregnant isn’t so bad! I’m already 28 weeks and not so huge!” THE HUGE IS COMING. Please excuse my pants, these are my painting clothes. I woke up with intentions to work on the guest bedroom but so far all I’ve managed to do is carry the supplies upstairs.

Valentine’s Day:

OH MY GOD SOMEONE CALL THE PREGNANCY POLICE!!!11!!!1!

Dinner at our favorite sushi place, no reservations required, less than $50, and free ice cream for dessert. Before anyone starts lecturing me on the dangers of eating raw fish during pregnancy, you should know I only ate the non-raw pieces, including the one they deep fry and cover in that creamy orange sauce.  I started shoving it down so fast I forgot to take a picture, but I can assure you it was delicious.

The baby approved, although he kicked me every time I leaned my belly against the table. This is why pregnant women often have food spilled on their shirts.

After dinner, we played Rock Band 2 (E’s birthday present) with a little help from Brutus.

I’m hoping my mad drumming skills will be passed on to Baby E. He’s definitely going to have a good sense of rhythm from all that banging only a few inches from his head. On the drums. Get your mind out of the gutter.

Don’t worry, the beer’s not mine. I might break the rules for sushi but I can make it another 6 weeks without drinking. Piece of cake. Mmmm…cake.

We wore our going-out clothes for Rock Band because we are fancy.

It was a really good date with no flowers or chocolates in sight. Instead I got this as one of the best Valentine’s gifts ever.

That’s a 90% finished bookcase, just waiting to be stained. It’ll be done and in the family room in plenty of time to fill with baby toys. Thank you honey!