36 Weeks - Another Comparison

I did not blog often about my symptoms last pregnancy, but I did do one post at 36w2d. Today I am 36w3d for pregnancy #2. Let's do a comparison:

... I have to pee every time I go from seated to standing position?
Yep. Pretty much has been this way for the past 3-4 weeks.
... my ankles are routinely the size of large oranges?
Nope. My ankle/feet sweling has been minimal so far.
... my "morning" sickness and related food aversions are back?
Half true. I do have more nausea again then I did, but nothing serious. And not really any food aversions.
... I keep getting anxious for no reason, or about things that I can't control, like hospital bills and the baby's position?
Nope. Hasn't really been an issue. I am feeling pretty chill at the moment. I mean, I do have the normal fears - "have a i felt baby move recently?", but really quite minor.
... my hands swell, especially at night, and the finger joints hurt?
A little true. I am having some hand swelling, especially at night. But its pretty mild and no joint pain.
... I am feeling like we need to get everything done for the nursery NOW, even things that don't really need to be done before the baby arrives?
I am feeling the need to get things done, but its stuff that really DOES need to be done. This weekend I Installed the car seat and washed the NB/0-3m Size clothes. I want to pack my hospital bag and get the PnP set up (will be her bed for the first several months). I think these are reasonable goals. LOL
... after never questioning it for one second in my entire life, I am NOW questioning if I will like being a parent?
I haven't questioned at all whether we should be having a second. I do have trepidation about going through the pains of a newborn again (labor, sleepless nights, breastfeeding), but not any "do we really want this life change" thoughts.

So... pretty different overall. I guess I am feeling better than last time all around, which is good. I am wracking my brains to think of if I have any other symptoms that I didn't have at all last time, and nothing comes to mind.


In other news, Benjamin has been extraordinarily sweet about baby lately (in general, but especially lately). He always has enjoyed giving my belly kisses and hugs. A couple of weeks ago he started saying "Felicity (or... feh-wiss-i-tee), I am waiting for you to COME OUT". This weekend he discovered the fact she could be awake or asleep, moving or not. He will ask if she is awake. He will come over and put his hand and try to feel movement. He knows that its her but he feels moving up at top of my stomach. It is pretty darn cute. Yesterday we asked Ben to sing her a song when he was being all lovey dovey, and he sand the entirety of his ABCs in a tiny little gentle baby voice. Last night he was hugging a bit too roughly (I am sure anyone who has been pregnant knows there is times when even a gentle touch to the stomach feels rough such as the weight of a 2.5 yr old head... if it pushes the baby into your bladder for example). Anyways, I said "I know you are trying to be gentle but you have to be even MORE gentle. And he slowed down and was super gentle (i.e. held up the weight of his head haha). He also has done things like taking a game card with a picture of a baby on it and "giving" it to Felicity, or trying to set it on my stomach. This morning I was explaining how it would work. I told him "When it is time for Felicity to come, I will go to the hospital and you will go with Grandma and Grandpa, then they will bring you to the hospital and you will get to meet Felicity. She will be a baby that you can see and touch and there won't be anything in my stomach anymore". He got excited/smiled at this. I just hope the enthusiasm and gentleness continues when she is here and taking my attention away from him!!