30 weeks pregnant - a week in labor?

Little did I know it would be my last week carrying James in my belly.

Friday was the Fourth of July, and a fun one it was on the boat with my Hoge family (minus hubby who was already in Minnesota) and Marcus' parents who were visiting from Wisconsin. I was feeling pretty good and quite large, just needed a snooze in the late afternoon.

 

My last 'bump' photo; 30 weeks and 1 day

Afternoon nap on the boat

Just noticed my wedding rings are off in the above photo. I decided that day that my rings were starting to feel tight when I was out in the sun, so I left them off at home. Little did I know I was going to forget to put them on the next day before flying to Minnesota and would then be without them for two weeks. Finally got them back a few days ago! All the married folks know that going without your rings on just doesn't feel right.

Saturday, July 5th I fly to Minnesota to join Adam and Maggie in a visit to his family in St. Paul and their lake house just north of the cities. On Sunday we went to a Twins game. It was HOT out but we had a good time and great seats that were close enough to first base to yell profanities at the players. Luckily we had access to an air conditioned area where I could cool off every once in awhile, let my shirt dry out, and chug some water. 

Monday rolls around and I'm really not feeling well. We had planned to go to Mall of America but I really wasn't up for it. Takes a lot to get me not to shop. My back was killing me and I blamed it on not sleeping well. I often don't do well sleeping in new places so I just blamed my aches and pains on that and also just getting to be bigger every day. Being seven months pregnant isn't supposed to feel good, right? We decided to skip the mall and just head to the lake house to relax.

Tuesday comes and my back still hurts. I've had a sore back before but usually a heat pack, ice, stretching, etc. will help. Nothing was helping.

Wednesday comes and at one point I remember laying on the floor in tears telling Adam this can't be normal. I told him there was no way I could last two more months in that kind of pain. I frantically searched for a massage place in the area that did prenatal massage and thank goodness found one, but a prenatal massage is really just a sissy back rub. Helped to relax me a little but the pain was still there. 

Thursday I think I was a bit better as I was starting to find ways to sleep a little more comfortably and because of that was resting better. 

Friday comes and I'm shot. We drove to Phillips from Marine on St. Croix and I couldn't keep my eyes open, I felt like I hadn't slept in days. My stomach was also not feeling great and so began the couple days of not being able to eat much. Went out for the surprise dinner to celebrate Adam's aunt and uncles 70th birthdays and I couldn't eat.

Saturday: a hot, humid day. I was able to eat a little but still wasn't feeling right. I actually called my doctor back home to update him on how I was feeling and to refill a prescription on an antibiotic to help with my tummy troubles. He didn't seem worried, no concern or questions asked. While at the pharmacy I bought a heating pad for my back as the pain was still there. I think I was learning to live with it, I had two more months to go so time to deal, right? The heating pad definitely helped a little because I went to bed Saturday night with my back feeling the best it had in nearly a week. Little did I know what the next day would bring..