Aww Shucks

Sweet daddy picture, huh? Do ya like my big ole Buddha belly? That's what I get to see whenever I look down. A giant tummy. It's hard on a girl who is as vain as I am. I'll admit it. I've lost my girlish figure. But whenever I feel my baby boy kick and squirm in my big momma tummy, I forget all about how gross I feel and remember that I've got someone growing inside me! Crazy. (And it helps that my Tim looks at me differently too. He gives me proud daddy eyes. That's something I really like...)

I still feel HUGE. I've gotten some nice complements at work lately though and I just need to focus on those... (that's the nice part about working as a children's librarian at a public library!) But it's hard on a girl when you gain 30+ pounds in less than a year. It sure does a number on your self esteem. Well, today a coworker and I went out to dinner and our waiter asked me how far along I was. He guessed 4 or 5 months, because his girlfriend was also pregnant - just over 6 months. I told him that I have 8 weeks to go and he said that I looked fantastic. (We made sure to give him a big tip for that.)

Anyway, next week I take my last ultrasound and I'll get to see my little jellybean. The doc will get an estimate on his weight and size and all that good stuff. So far, so good. I can't wait to see my little fella!

Ahh Spa...

Oh how delicious... My wonderful family (especially my sister and my momma) got me the sweetest gift - a morning at a maternity spa. It was so great. I've never been to a spa or had a "massage" before, so this was a real treat. What a thoughtful gift!!! (If you've ever been in your third trimester while working full-time, you'd know exactly why this was just the thing I needed!)

My massage was called the "Mommy-to-Be Massage" and it was about an hour long. It's designed to "relieve tension throughout your body with focus on your lower back and hips. Gentle yet effective techniques will relieve tension in areas under particular stress, such as lower back and hips, while our unique illipe butter cream deeply moisturizes and firms the skin. As a final touch, a fresh concentrate with cold pressed mint juice is applied to the legs and feet, relieving water retention and restoring your energy....it's the perfect gift for you and your new life within." Sounds great, doesn't it? It was.

The funniest part of my experience was laying in the scooped out foam bed. It's so you can lay on your belly without squashing your baby. My little fella didn't know what was going on and totally flipped out for the first 20 min. of the massage! I guess he figured there was more room this way for him to swim about. Crazy kid. It was all I could do to keep from giggling on the massage table. I figured the masseuse chick wouldn't like that too much...

I can't thank my fam enough for this incredible present! Both of us, me and the little guy inside, really enjoyed our day.

31 Weeks

I suppose I'd better blog, since the countdown is ON! There is only 9 weeks to go. Can anyone say C-R-A-Z-Y?!? I've officially "popped" (as everyone says at work) and I am officially always exhausted. Who knew carrying around my little jellybean-turned-bowling-ball could get so big and heavy? But I gather he is supposed to do that.

The nursery is coming along nicely. Tim just finished putting up the crown molding under the shelf that goes all the way around the room. It's painted and ready to go. Just in time for my in-laws visiting, too! So, they'll get to see how much the nursery has progressed since they were here last. There still is work to do in there - don't let me fool you. We still have a family of squirrels to evacuate and a section of lower wall to have replastered. Not to mention the rewiring that needs to be done BEFORE baby. I wonder if my landlord realizes his time-table here. Maybe I ought to refresh his memory. (Do you think I am nesting or what?!?)

As far as my little man goes, he is kicking up a storm! I don't remember what life was like when I didn't feel him squirming around, kicking me in the spleen all the time. I also don't remember what it was like to sleep through the night. Boy, I sure did take that for granted. Now, I toss and turn and fluff and refluff my one hundred pillows. I am the "Princess and the Pea" story revisited with the "Pea" inside me! How is this princess ever to find comfort?!? I figure that this is preparation for what is to come, though. My body is preparing itself for dealing with a steady lack of sleep.

Speaking of my huge belly, it cracks me up to hug my hubby now. I have to lean forward to reach him! I took a bubble bath the other day and just marveled at how my belly stuck out of the water. It's bizarre enough to see someone you know with a pregnant belly, but it is insane seeing yourself with one!

Baby Do's and Don't...