What the Henkel, Padawan?

There have been some dramatic changes in the pregnancy over the last few weeks. I can’t believe how tired I’ve become and how uncomfortable it is to sleep. I’ve also learned how much my body can deteriorate when I can only sleep two hours at a time over an extended period.

Just this week I’ve had the beginning of an ear infection, sore throat and half of my scalp has been tingling (which has been strange!). I know it’s all connected together and they are all my “weak areas” but as soon as I started sleeping more normally (only getting up once during the night) most of these ailments started to disappear. The best part of this weekend was the fact that I slept a whole 8 hours with only one pee break.

I was going to try working up until my due date to save as much time for after the baby is born, but have recently changed my mind. For one, it’s not going to help anything if I push myself and, secondly, because I will have to start working next August whether I end work at the beginning, middle or end of June, anyway.

I have some holidays and comp days that I’ll be taking in June and will officially start my maternity leave on July 1st. I’m ready to stop working now but I want to see my students graduate, write their Cambridge exam and help my mentor students finish off their first year.

If I combine all the days that I have to work, I have 14 days left. That’s the next two weeks, then some days here and there in June for graduation and fun days. I have planned it so I’m not lecturing anymore, just holding discussions, watching films and listening to presentations. The students know that I’m getting uncomfortable and have to move around a lot just to make it through a class.

I’m so ready to be home and relaxing!