Things I Wish I knew 32 Weeks Ago

Quite a few of my friends have just announced their pregnancies to me and I am sooooo incredibly happy for them! All of them have struggled like I have so it's even more exciting to get news like this and feel so happy for them. It does have me thinking, though, back to December when I found out I was pregnant. It seems like so long ago! I still remember that feeling of seeing that line pop up because it was such a surprise (even though we were trying so hard and dealing w/ infertility). I hope that feeling never goes away. Anyway, I thought I'd put some things on here that I wish I had known early on.

• Drink more water than you think you need. Yes, peeing every 20 minutes sucks a lot, but it's really one of the simplest and healthiest things you can do for your baby and pregnancy.
• Related to that, realize, especially in the 3rd trimester, how much more toilet paper you will go through. I think I might start buying stock in the fluffy white stuff.
  
• Cherish your sleep early in your pregnancy. I know everyone says to do this during pregnancy altogether b/c you won't sleep after the baby, but seriously, it's already so hard to sleep for more than 2-3 hours at a time b/c of how bad my hips hurt. I have to keep switching sides. Every time I switch positions Lucas presses on my bladder. Switching sides = getting up to pee. It's a vicious cycle.
  
• I bought a lot of maternity clothes early. I LOVED my Old Navy and Gap clothes and followed the directions and bought my pre pregnancy size. They fit great. I can't wear any of them now. I'm not sure whose belly they expect that shit to fit, but if I had known this I would have ONLY bought Secret Belly Fit pants (Motherhood, A Pea in the Pod, Kohl's). Most comfortable pants ever.
• Do your research! I wish I had started off with my midwife or switched earlier and I didn't even dislike my Ob. Figure out what kind of birth YOU want for yourself and your baby and research what that entails. Whatever it is, be informed. Get the facts. Don't blindly trust ANY health care professional. No one looks out for your best interest better than YOU!
  
• Eventually you start gaining weight. A lot of it. I did really well and was tiny up until now except for my belly. I'm still mostly belly, but I've definitely packed it on. This week I noticed that I have a fat, pregnant face. My arms are fat. My legs are fat. It adds up!
  
• Enjoy it!!! It goes by way too fast!