Vanagon Diaries: Custer State Park, SD

In March, Chris and I drove the Van to the Black Hills and Custer State Park in South Dakota.  We spent Spring break  camping and hanging out with buffalo.   

Since it was the off season, we were two of the only people in the entire state park.  

Custer State Park Camp Ground

We had some visitors at the camp site.

It took a while, but they finally got Bella's attention.

Bella chilling in the front seat.

So many Bison  

They made driving a little difficult...

This one licked the van.

Mount Rushmore 

Mount Rushmore is pretty awesome in the off season.  We were literally the only people there!

Playing with a Camera Lens 

What You Should and Should Not Say to a Pregnant Woman

What you really shouldn't say to a pregnant woman...

"You're huge!"  Thank you, I know I'm fat.  

"Are you sure you don't have twins in there?"  Thank you, I know I'm fat.  

"Are you sure your due date was right?"  Either you're saying you think I'm bigger than I should be, or I'm smaller than I should be.  Either way.....

"[Any story about a horrible labor experience]"  Why?  Why are you speaking these words to me?

"Enjoy your sleep (or anything for that matter) now, because soon it will be gone!" Thanks for the encouragement.  

"It hurts so bad, you're going to want an epidural."  Thanks for the encouragement.  

What people should be saying instead...

"I made brownies.  I'll bring you some."

"You look fantastic!  You deserve a brownie."

"Can I buy you lunch, or a brownie?"

"You're going to be a great mom! I made you some brownies."

"You're baby is going to be the cutest little thing ever!  Have a brownie."

"I'm going to stop over and bring you some dinner, and brownies."  

Pregnant and Overdue

Big overdue belly.  View from my feet.

"Yep, still pregnant"

"Nope, no baby yet"

...Still pregnant.  I now understand the so-often read about but never fully grasped plight of the overdue pregnant woman.  Don't get me wrong, I do feel blessed that my uterus seriously rocks and it's keeping this little squishy safe and warm (and ensuring she's nice a plump and harder to squeeze out), but, my baby is still overdue, and I'm still incredibly uncomfortable.  

What do you do with yourself when you're waiting to have your baby, besides clean the house 10X over as you wheeze under your own girth while binge watching Breaking Bad?  

Please, tell me.  

Mental distraction.  That's the key, lots of mental distraction.  Like Netflix, Instagram, re-embracing my blog...  If you're like me, none of your maternity clothes fit anymore, you have a whole new appreciation for being able to climb even one flight of stairs without being winded (Why does my house have so many stairs???) and you're doing everything in your power to not go crazy while waiting.  

...I'm so ready for this baby to come out.  

A lot of women have told me that they're no longer scared of birth by this point, but I've never been scared of it.  "One day of pain" for a cute little squishy to bring home.  

I can handle that, even if it means pulling it out of my left nostril.  

2015's Obsession

I only posted 8 times in the whole of 2015.  I thought about it and I'm pretty sure it's because I became obsessed with the whole baby thing.  Reading everything I possibly could, preparing in every way I could possibly think of.  

It became, well, all consuming and it sort of took over my life.  (I am now officially over due and am starting to drive myself crazy wondering what else I can do...nothing... I can't do anything else...)   

Obsession may not be a strong enough word... I need a 12 step program and the little babe isn't even born yet.