25.5 Weeks
plus a camping trip and an absolute treasure
We went camping…
at just over 24 weeks. I really wanted to spend time in nature and sleep outside before I got too big and too uncomfortable. Nate was understandably nervous about my sleeping in a tent while pregnant, but as he prepped everything the night before we left, pulling camping gear out of the shed, I could tell he was just as excited as I was.
When we first met, he was all outdoors, all the time. I know that his lifestyle has changed dramatically since we met as our hobbies and interests have blended together. We were long overdue a nature weekend.
We didn’t rush on that Friday morning. Instead, we took advantage of free donut day and shopped for snacks to bring along so I wouldn’t be without options. Nate made some delicious red chile stew the night before, a meal that will forever remind me of our third date (we watched the sunset and he heated up stew for me in his jet boil for the first time. I cried out, “you’re nourishing me!” and felt so held by this new person in my life, a little embarrassed by how much it affected me. I wasn’t used to such meaningful care, as I was usually wrapped up in being the person who goes the extra mile (or twenty) in the early stages of a relationship).
We arrived at the campsite after some 4-wheel driving that sent me into a temporary panic. The Jeep shifted to the right and I started to cry, like CRY cry, like rollercoaster drop levels of cry, clutching my stomach and begging Nate to pleasepleaseplease be careful. To his credit, he talked to me the entire time in a calm, even voice, letting me know he would never do anything to put me or the baby in danger. I nodded along, working overtime to not completely lose my shit.
Luckily, the section of bumpy terrain was short and Nate got us through it expertly. This moment left me feeling super confident about how Nate will handle the pressures of labor and birth (not to mention parenthood!).
When I say the campsite was beautiful, I’m not giving it the credit it’s due. Luckily, I have some photos to share, but these don’t give it the credit it’s due, either. When you camp with Nate, you’re never going to end up at a loud, crowded campground, surrounded by other people. That sort of camping is probably his biggest ‘ick.’ While the campsite we visited when we first met felt like we were being cradled by rocks, this one felt like we were on top of the world. We gazed down at the spot where we’d fished recently, waving to our past selves.
We hiked up even higher to take some pregnancy photos, an idea I was resistant to until I really started to show. Of course I want to document this beautiful, strange time! It also helps that pregnancy continues to improve my body image.
After we took our photos we enjoyed the stew while the sun took its time setting. We talked about how much our lives have changed since our first camping trip and how the child we both saw back then is growing right now. We listened to music as the stars emerged. The moon was very bright and we barely needed our headlamp.
Once we were inside Nate’s tiny tent, lack of comfort became a reality. Nate heard an elk outside our tent, but we couldn’t see him in the dark. The elk let out screeching, high pitched yells. I was somewhat intrigued, but also very tired. I brought my pregnancy pillow along and did my best to find comfortable positions…and failed. Around 6 a.m. I decided I couldn’t handle my discomfort any longer and was more than happy to get out of the tent and start the slow process of stretching my body back out to something resembling an upright position. Both of my hips felt crunched, my lower back twisted, and my shoulders like they’d been carrying heavy weights for hours.
I made noises much like the elk’s as I hobbled around the campground.
After much stretching, my body found its way back to a version of normal and we sat down to enjoy coffee and breakfast. It was a tranquil, glittery morning and the oatmeal-in-a-bag camping meal hit just right. We admired the view, went for a stroll and stumbled upon a wallflower, and slowly packed up camp (well, Nate packed up camp. I sat there like a pregnant princess and read a chapter of Expecting Better by Emily Oster!).
I brought a notebook along in case I had time to get some writing done, but the opportunity never arose. Instead, we got several hours of mental reset, something we both desperately needed.
On the drive home, Nate explained exactly what the Jeep was doing to get over the rougher patches of terrain and this calmed me down. We listened to an episode of The Birth Hour podcast together, and I slipped in and out of passenger nap bliss. I feel as if our communication has been more intentional and in sync since our overnight. Plans that we have been circling around are coming into focus: getting our baby registry finalized, connecting about finances, organizing our home, continuing forward with name changes.
We’ve shifted into action mode, but part of that action is and must be REST.
25.5 Weeks
Now that I’m at 25.5 weeks, baby’s kicks are frequent and becoming stronger. I love that Nate can feel them sometimes, especially at night when I’m finally ready to sleep — that’s when they are most powerful. Feeling the little one’s movements, I just want to meet him already!
Exhaustion has returned with a vengeance. I have had a midday crash every day for a week or so now, and it’s reminding me of the first trimester. I’m trying to get a writing project off the ground so it’s been frustrating to deal with (it’s also why I’m sending this out a little later than I hoped), but I’m doing my best to honor my body’s needs.
Belly is bellying! I still find it cute, but it’s totally getting in the way now. I have been wearing a support belt to do chores and am taking more breaks than I usually would. We just went on a hike that was maybe two miles and by the end of it I felt like I had run a marathon.
I haven’t had any other bad headaches since the two horrific ones I had around weeks 21/22. Could this do with me getting a bit better at feeding myself nourishing foods throughout the day?
We officially signed up for doula care! I am thrilled to have this added support throughout the rest of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
At the 20 week anatomy scan, we were told that the placenta was partially covering my cervix, and that they’d need to check to make sure it moved (this is apparently something that’s common and it’s very likely it will move!). Initially they wanted us to come in just a couple of weeks later, but one of our midwives told us we could wait longer to go in the for ultrasound if we wished. Even the doctor at the ultrasound clinic told us it’s possible the placenta might take more time to move. So, we called and pushed the appointment. After receiving a steep bill for the anatomy scan, I feel really good about this decision. I’m amazed by the fact that I am not anxious about it, so why pile on more ultrasounds? When I first found out I was pregnant I was so eager to get one, but now I’m much more eager to trust my body and the process.
This afternoon Nate brought me a surprise cupcake and donut from his office and it made my daaaay. Like, I saw him holding out the cupcake from a distance and SPRINTED down the hall to grab it.
Things to Treasure
Our 6-class series at the birth center came to an end last Sunday. All the pregnant partners brought items to share from our personal birth bundles (items we want to have with us at our births, both sentimental and functional). We also brought items to share with each other. While we shared, the birth partners all left the room. Some soon-to-be moms created artistic items (cards, jewelry, visual art) and some provided more relaxing items (crystals, hydrosol, lavender sachets), and I’m happy I will have these objects on hand for when labor comes knocking.
My favorite part of the class was definitely when we were reunited with our partners. Nate came over to my chair and held out his hand, escorting me away to a private area outside of the birth center where he had a chair and foot bath set up. Bright flower petals floating in the water. He had me sit down and then proceeded to soak, wash, exfoliate, and lotion my feet while we listened to the wind chimes and chatted.
He had picked such a private spot and we were so engrossed in our connection that we completely lost track of time. The teacher finally found us and said everyone was waiting for us inside. We scrambled to dry my feet and laughed at how the world stops whenever we connect like that.
Part of the pampering process also involved the birth partners sharing a gift with the pregnant partners, but of course we didn’t factor in enough time for that. Luckily, it didn’t matter. Sure, it was meant to be a surprise presented at the last class, but Nate couldn’t keep himself from telling me about it a bit sooner. I got home from a book club meeting and he led me into the backyard. Hanging from a tree was the sweetest thing I’d ever seen (I elk screeched in reaction to finding it): Nate’s personal version of a Swedish handicraft, featuring our little family painted on slices of bark. It’s something that we could keep outside, or hang in baby’s nursery, and absolutely keep forever (perhaps we’ll add to it over time?).
This is the sort of thing that makes me feel most loved. I don’t require flashy, but I do long for thoughtful and tender and romantic and cheesy.
This just may be my favorite gift of all time.
Not only did I open the door to the kind of love I’ve always wanted, I also have the privilege of creating a family out of that love.
❤️
