Taking it Easy

So the past several months I have been asked a question. Mainly from people at work, but also just from random inquisitive people. The question, " So how close to your due date are you working?" This question amazed me. Actually, I guess what amazed me was everyones SHOCK when I would say, "Ummm...I am working until my water breaks!" (for the record this answer sorta horrified Justin). Seriously though, I had NO PLANS to take time off before this sweet baby arrived. I honestly didn't see a need. I didn't want to waste my time off, and I felt totally fine, so I was rolling with it all the way until the end. There was no other logical option. I was perfectly normal. Why would I need to take off??

Now, many people thought this was insane. I had women telling me they took off the entire month before because they were just to exhausted to work. Really?? REALLY?? A MONTH before...just to REST. I thought they were insane. Either that or I thought I was immune to all negative pregnancy side effects because I was FINE to keep working. And not only to keep working, but then to do all the normal stuff I always do after work and on the weekends. I was maintaining my normal life. Didn't bother me at all. Sure I was tired when I got into bed at night, but who isn't??

Then nearly two weeks ago I was forced to slow down. Cut back to 20 hours of work. On light duty. Doctor ordered rest. I thought I would die of boredom. What would I DOOOOO?? There is only so much TV to watch...only so many books to read. I would force myself into labor just so I could get up and DO something. Well...I was totally (TOTALLY) wrong. I had no idea how tired I actually was. No idea how far I was running myself down! NO idea that 20 hours would feel like PLENTY, and the relaxation would be a welcome addition to my schedule. I know as each day passes that I am getting farther along with the pregnancy, so I am getting more and more tired, but I really don't know that I would have been aware of it. I would have just kept going.

Now that I am forced to rest, man does it feel great! I am watching an amazing amount of TV (totally hooked on the Learning Channel...mainly "A Baby Story"...which may or may not keep making me cry) and I am reading (decided to dive back into the Harry Potter Books. Nothing sucks me in like seven books at the school of Witchcraft and Wizardry). Beyond that though, I am just resting. I am taking things slow and really getting ready for this baby. I didn't realize how exhausted I was, but now nearly two weeks in, I can tell how much better I am. My blood pressure doesn't really show it (or maybe it does because it isn't going up, it is staying border line) but I can FEEL it. I needed to slow down. And I am just not the type of person who does that well on my own. I needed a push. Like a doctors order. Or a trip to the hospital. Or maybe both. I guess these doctors know what they are talking about after all!