Well, I did it. I am officially on short term disability until my mat leave starts (I guess my claim still has to process, but I’m pretty confident it’ll go through!!) So the next 5 weeks before baby arrives will be filled with pajamas, netflix and REST. Music to my ears.
Yup, just like Harry, I am SO relieved. I can finally just relax and make myself as comfortable as possible in these last few weeks. Although, I was filled with guilt this morning when I went into work to notify my boss/coworkers and collect my things. It was a quick exit and I of course cried like a baby- NOT because I’m going to miss work, but because I felt so awkward for leaving early.
Even the physical therapist last night was on my case telling me I needed to stop being so tough and just admitting defeat to my back pain. Guys, this was so HARD to do because I don’t even like calling in sick because I always feel so dang guilty!! But his encouragement, coupled with Tyler’s, my parents, my boss, and the HR contact at work really convinced me this was the way to go.
You’d wonder though, how this little (I think it’s little) bump can cause so much discomfort. I’m really hoping he’s just a stubborn baby and resting on some nerves and that I will feel back to my normal self after he get’s the heck OUT.
FYI: my hair was on point for this picture!
So obviously the last few days have been incredibly stressful.
Luckily, I have some of the best friends back home and have received some goodies in the mail which have REALLY lifted my spirits. I’ve been sitting on the floor in the baby’s room just looking at all the stuff and getting all gushy and excited. (The highs and lows of pregnancy emotions are crazy and weird and random)
Yesterday, I got a huge care package from my gym friends- Athena, Liz and Ashley. I’ll let the picture do the talking. So many awesome things!!
I had only bought one mini series of children’s books, so I got really excited to start adding to the collection. Of course, the only line running through my head as I flipped through these was:
Anyone know the reference??
Then today, I got another box in the mail from my hometown friend
I can’t express enough how appreciative I am for all of these thoughtful gifts and I know the baby is already beyond spoiled 😉
Can I just make a side note of how drastically different this mid-week post is from my previous normal? Winesday Wednesday has become Humpday Bumpday? Holy crap. Just to establish a bit of normalcy, I’ll leave you with this..
nutcaseinpoint 
So glad you got to go off, you need the rest!!!! Ohhh baby gifts are the best, my MIL started spoiling us once we knew it was a boy..I’m like HECK yes keep buying me things so I don’t have to 😉 Rest up!
Do you see a chiropractor or massage therapist for your back pain? I used to have really bad back pain before pregnancy but I’ve upped my chiropractor visits and it has helped tremendously. I miss wine. I have a bottle in my wine cooler ready to pop open when my labor starts. Wine = Cervical Dilation in my books. Haha
My back pain prior to pregnancy was always alleviated by stretching out my IT band on the foam roller (trick I learned as college athlete). I’ve gone to massages, but they haven’t helped! My hospital bag will have wine in it FOR SURE 🙂
I was too late to comment on your last post, and I didn’t want to be the tenth person to tell you to go on short term disability, but I’m glad you did! I went off 6 weeks early on STD because I had the worst hip pain from pregnancy. Like, I could barely walk by the end of the day and I was constantly in tears. Working was tough, heck, life was just tough. I was told that the only way the pain would go away was by giving birth, haha, which was totally the case. As soon as my baby came out, goodbye pain! Chiro and regular massage helped a ton though to get me through the worst days.
Also, don’t feel guilty at all for going off early! This is the last few weeks of your life before your whole world changes (for the better), but seriously, enjoy it, because it really does go fast, (even though it seems like 5 weeks is a long time!). Plus, baby could always come early! So do whatever you want to do for the next few weeks, you’ve earned them 🙂
I’m just SO glad to know that I’m not the only one (I mean, obviously I knew, but to actually connect with people who have gone through a similar experience really helps) PS: baby can’t come too early..my parents only fly in one week before due date!! 😉
Sounds like the right decision to go on STD. Glad your boss and Docs and everyone were supportive of that decision.
Rest up and enjoy these last few weeks!
thanks!
Yay!!! Our package looks totally awesome with all those things spread out like that, if I do say so myself! I’m so happy you liked everything in it. Can you even handle that there is such a thing as a peepee teepee? I died. I hope you get some rest and your back pain gets under control in the next few weeks, friend! Miss you!
I hid the cookies in the freezer for my emergency stash (after eating a few of each..YUM). I still have everything laid out on the floor because I just love looking at all of it. 🙂
So glad you are off!!! Now relax and rest and no nothing!! 🙂 So glad you guys are spoiled with so many cute gifts!