It’s been a month since I last blogged - mostly because my running tapered off significantly after WDW, and then came to a complete STOP at the end of January.  I had already bailed on my plan to do the RnR Mardi Gras Half Marathon, but then at the 30-week point my doctor put the kibosh on running (and also on long distances) for the rest of my pregnancy.  I was OK with that, given how much trouble I was having with my feet and the fact that he did encourage me to keep walking.

Now I’m at the 33-week mark, with only 4-1/2 to 5 weeks left to go, and the wheels have completely fallen off.  Back in December, I blogged about the heartburn.  I’ve now taken to calling it what it really is - acid reflux, or GERD.  Just the other night, Mr. Andi remarked “You know, this pregnancy hasn’t really been all that bad, has it?”  Um...no it hasn’t - for YOU.  I did not smack him, however, as he was actually trying to compliment me on how pleasant I have been (really?) and how I have been able to keep my weight gain right on target (well, sorta...having no desire to eat kind of helps with that weight gain thing).  Before I move on to my laundry list of complaints, I do have a disclaimer to make: even though I’m complaining, I’d rather deal with all of these unpleasant things than have another baby come way too early.

On to my Top 10 Pregnancy complaints:

1. 1. My feet hurt, and not just after walking or wogging.  They hurt all the time, especially if I’m not wearing shoes.  I keep my Crocs just outside the stall when I am showering so I can put them on immediately after drying my feet off.
   

2. 2.My hands hurt - especially in the morning.  I learned at last week’s appointment that it’s due to carpal tunnel syndrome, which apparently is not uncommon in pregnant women, although I’d never heard of it before.  I have it in BOTH wrists, so I’m wearing a brace on the left during the day and on the right at night.
   

3. 3.I’m tired.  It’s as if I have just suddenly run out of gas.  Not sure if it’s just typical pregnancy stuff or a cumulative lack of sleep.  It has been suggested that I take a nap every day, but the time of day that I most need it conflicts with The Girl’s school pickup time (...and guitar lessons...and PT...)
   

4. 4.I’m congested all the time and have been for months.  Thankfully, I have found a semi-solution to this problem: the neti-pot.  It’s disgusting but it helps.  In fact, I think it has even eased my nighttime reflux, although I don’t know how.
   

5. 5.My back hurts.  This one isn’t a big surprise, as my back hurt on a regular basis before I got pregnant.
   

6. 6.I can only comfortably sleep on my left side.  Sometimes a girl just wants to change positions, and sometimes it just happens without my realizing it.  I always find out what I’ve done, though, when the reflux wakes me up and I’m on my right side.
   

7. 7.I have a disgusting sour metallic taste in my mouth all the time.  All I have to say about this one is - what the hell is this????
   

8. 8.I have a wicked gag reflex.  Pretty much anything will set it off.  Any more details would be TMI for the blog.
   

9. 9.I hate having to depend on Mr. Andi to get The Girl fed, fold the laundry, clean up the kitchen, and so on - especially when I am invariably sitting on the couch watching TV while he does all of the above and more.  I no longer work “outside the home” and as a result I have taken a great deal of pride over the years in keeping a good house and preparing healthy meals for my family.  However, the issues I’ve been having with eating and fatigue have killed all that. 
   

10. 10. I hate being so short-waisted.  I’m carrying this kid really low and he hurts me.  A lot.  I can’t imagine what it’ll be like when he’s a few pounds bigger (and stronger) than he is now.