I'm an old woman.

Yeah, I know I'm only 31. But seriously.
First, my hands are sore a lot lately. My fingertips go numb, like as if they've fallen asleep. But it's just the pads of my fingers. My thumb feels bruised. My joints always feel tight in my hands, and sometimes up to my elbows. I've had an ongoing problem with the right arm. I can't remember what Merrilea said it sounded like, but I know it was something bad. rotator cuff problem? I don't know. One of these days, I'll remember to get it checked out. I rarely hold Gabriel on the right side, I can't. It hurts. I forget about it until I switch sides, and then remember. It's not bad, just mild and annoying.

But the worst of it is my abs. Now, after Gabriel was born, both of my midwives asked if I was certain that I was done. Which I understand, that's a health care provider's responsibility, to make sure that people are thinking things through. I assured them I was retiring the old incubator. And they gushed about what a wonderful job my body does! It's made for birthing!
Well, ladies, that may be true, however...
Today, I pulled a muscle in my abdomen. I know you're wondering what terribly hard chore I was working on to have done it. I'd love to tell you a tale of heavy lifting and running and, I don't know, dodging bullets or something. But no, I injured myself by washing my hair. Apparently, going from lying to sitting is not something that my belly likes to do. so it revolted. And now, at about hip bone level, but toward the middle, I ache.
Also, you know how when you're very pregnant, and you roll over in bed too quickly and the oblique muscle right near your hip bone is suddenly on fire? Yeah, that only happened during pregnancy. And after the 4th kid.
My abdomen can no longer endure hair washing or rolling over in bed. I am so, so glad that I decided that my poor body was not going to be carrying any more babies, other than on the hip or back. In a wrap, not in some freaky sci-fi pregnancy or something.

Now, my poor pulled abdomen and numb fingers are going to bed. Hopefully I'll remember to roll slowly.