35 Weeks!

Vulgar language ahead, and I'm not talking about my usual f-bomb, but I feel like it's important to write about this situation.

So today, I was getting into my car in the Target parking lot, when a car slowly rolled up behind mine and stopped. And then I heard, "Girl, wanna get your pussy licked?"

I'm not easily offended, and I am definitely not a stranger to catcalls. Walking to and from parties in college, there were always guys who would yell things at my friends and I. But this wasn't a car full of annoying teenagers or douchebag college guys. There were two, maybe three, men in the car.

Normally, in these situations, I give the guys the finger, or if I'm feeling particularly fiesty, I yell something like, "Fuck off, douchebag!" But I just continued getting into my car. I don't know why. I guess I was just shocked. I didn't expect to hear that at 11am in a crowded Target parking lot from a grown man. They drove off when I didn't respond.

I sat there for a minute regretting my inaction. What I really would have liked to do is turn and ask them why they said that to me. Like have a real, genuine conversation about what motivated them to say that. Did they think it was flattering to me? Did they say it sarcastically because they think I'm ugly? Did they just want to get a rise out of someone? Were they raised to think this was an appropriate thing to do? I am genuinely curious about why they would say something that vulgar to me, or anyone.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized they would have just laughed and driven away the second I gave them any kind of response, whether I looked their way, got angry, or tried to just talk to them. It would've been nice to put them in their place, or better yet, change their outlook on harassing women, but neither of those things would have happened. They just would've laughed and driven off, or worse, gotten angry. Not a safe situation.

The reason I am even talking about this five-second interaction between me and these men is because it happens ALL THE TIME to women, and it's not okay. This was the first time something like that has happened to me in my post-partying days, and I'm pregnant, and it was in BROAD DAYLIGHT in a fine area, and it made me feel gross and dirty. It almost made me want to cry, which I could attribute to pregnancy hormones... but it wasn't. It was because it was a really not nice thing to hear, and made me feel unsafe, and all I wanted to do was get in my car with my free Target popcorn and go hang out with my friends at Guanabanas.

So if you're a guy, and you have ever done this, or have friends who have done this, please realize: It's not funny. It's not flattering or a compliment. It's invasive and upsetting.

ANYWAY, the rest of my week was good. I went to my checkup, and the doctor was able to tell me that the baby was positioned head down right now! That could change, but hopefully it won't. He found baby's heartbeat right away, and it was the loudest thump-thump-thump it's ever been, because he knew exactly where to put the doppler to be right on baby's back. He asked how much Eric and I each weighed at birth, because he has a prediction about baby's size. I almost had a heart attack. When he heard Eric was like 10 lbs. he laughed, and said I'd be happy to know that Baby Mazz was probably going to be more around the 7lb. range. THANK YOU SWEET BABY JESUS!

Danielle was visiting Kristin this weekend, which was a fun spontaneous surprise! We had a game night Saturday night and went on the boat on Sunday with Cat and Zach. It's always fun catching up with people we don't see a lot, and watching Chloe and Des play together was adorable.

Oh ALSO, our Childbirth Education class was Saturday. The instructor was super cool, and I feel really good about delivering there. The rooms are really nice, and all the nurses were so friendly. We saw a new dad in the hallway on our little tour, and he stopped us to tell us that he and his wife have had a great experience there. The class was pretty good. Eric said it made him feel excited. We practiced massages that might help with pain relief during labor, which was definitely my favorite part of class, hehe. We were there with Katie and Leo, which was fun, and the other three couples there were cool, too. All of us asked about bringing alcohol into the hospital, which I thought was a VERY. LEGIT. QUESTION. The answer is yes. Also, I signed up for a prenatal dance class thing that our instructor is starting up to help moms exercise and get baby in the right position for birth. It's three nights in August, so perfect timing. Sorry, but I definitely WON'T be taking video of that experience for you all hahahahaha.

How far along?  35 weeks! HE'S THE SIZE OF A PINEAPPLE! That seems like a huge milestone.

Total weight gain/measurements: 22 lbs. so far. Still have five weeks to go, but if I keep gaining at this rate, I am right within the healthy recommended weight gain for my size. It's still a struggle to see the number on the scale, but I don't mind how my body looks, besides my swollen feet and a bit in my hands and face. I think seeing my after-baby body will be much more difficult for me.

Maternity clothes: Nope. No more. I am sticking it out with what I have for the remainder of my pregnancy and beyond.

Stretch marks: None yet.

Sleep: I finally got a whopping TEN HOURS... in the past three days, total.

Best moment this week: The whole weekend was fun! Game night, going out on the boat, even the childbirth class. All good times with good friends. :)

Miss anything? Not being swollen. It's downright painful and ugly. Ugh. Sleep would be GREAT.

Movement: Still a ton. Still looks like an alien trying to bust out of my body. Still weird and amazing at the same time.

Food cravings: DOUGHNUTS.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Not really. Just when I eat too much, which is a lot of the time... hehe.

Gender: Dude.

Labour signs: Not yet! He needs to stay in there and cook for another couple weeks, and then I won't mind if he wants to start trying to get out!

Symptoms: Nothing new. Sleep is getting increasingly more difficult, as is breathing, eating, walking, bending... everything! My hands and feet are also hurting even more now. Braxton Hicks are happening more often, but aren't usually painful. Every once in awhile, I'll get a terrible pain in my inner upper thigh during one, which is REALLY painful.

Belly button in or out? Out. Chloe has started yelling "BABY!" and poking it hahahaha. I want to shove it back in SO BAD.

Wedding rings on or off? Off. The doctor said not to even try putting them back on at this point if my hands are in so much pain.

Happy or moody most of the time: I'm a huge mix of emotions right now. Very overwhelmed, terrified, excited, happy... whatta wreck.

Looking forward to: Eric's family visiting this weekend!