So much for the Afterglow

It's amazing to me that people will say such ridiculous things to a pregnant woman. Here are a few gems that I'm sure will echo in my mind for years to come...

"Oh, wow, you're huge!"

"You're eating again?!"

"You're bigger every time I see you!" (From someone I typically see 3-4 times a week...)

"Those buttons look like they're about to pop."

"You have jowls."

"It looks like your face is retaining water."

"Oh, you're wedding ring doesn't fit anymore? Is that because of the weight?"

Ah, yes. At just the time this 'glow' is wearing off, I really appreciate the kind words. And because it seems to be everyone's first question: 33 pounds. That's normal.

...5...

Five more weeks to go until Monkey's official due date.

Five more weeks of freedom to leave the house without an entourage of stuffed animals and diaper bag and carseat and who-knows-what-else-Monkey-may-need. Five more weeks of guessing little baby parts pushing against my tummy. Five more weeks of the worst heartburn in the South. Five more weeks of having moments alone. Five more weeks of guessing which features Monkey takes from me and which are from Jason. Five more weeks of, "Could you pick that up for me?" Five more weeks of anticipating that incredible moment I go from just Shelley to Mommy in the blink of an eye and never look back. ♥

...6...

Six weeks to go until the due date!

Sometime in the next 3 to 8 weeks I should have Monkey in my arms :) We are finally close enough that we are making sure we have all of those "last minute" things ready. The bags are almost packed, the car seat is sitting in the back of the Jeep, and I'm just about as ready as I'll ever be! Next week we are going to tour the hospital and pre-register. I even took a few new baby-belly pictures for you all, but I can't seem to get them off of the camera and onto the blog!

As busy as I am with work and life in general, I still have time everyday to count and re-count the days until Monkey's expected arrival. Because of this, time seems to be moving just a little slower. It used to be that I could go days without dwelling on it, but with all of Monkey's movements and all of my practice contractions, he's hard to ignore!

Pictures...

I'm having trouble posting those new pictures I promised, but I haven't forgotten!!!

...7...

Seven weeks to go!

I'm sure 33 weeks pregnant doesn't have much significance for a lot of people. It's seemingly a bit of an in-between number. But, here's why 33 weeks is so awesome: One month from now, if Monkey decides to greet the world, he will be officially full term :) So, while my due date is 7 weeks away, it's really only 4 weeks away. Or that's the way I like to see it! Of course, I want Monkey to have the healthiest start in life, but I figure if four weeks can do the same as seven... well, all 150 pounds of me is rooting for 4 weeks!

So... I bet you've noticed that I'm a little overdue to post a new belly picture... not to mention the fact that I promised pictures of Monkey's room over a month ago and haven't delivered. Well, fear not! Tomorrow is the day! (Unless I forget, but you can't be angry at a pregnant lady, right?) I really am anxious to share our experience with all of our family and friends, it just gets so difficult to keep up with everything lately. Really, it's been a blessing to be so busy. The down-side is that I haven't been able to include you all as much as I was hoping to. Never too late for redemption, yes?

Lastly, I've been getting a few responses about our decision to cloth diaper that sound a little like this: "HAHAHAHAHAHAhahahahahaha! Good luck with that." So, for all of you skeptics, here's a little information on the system we have decided to use. Yes, we may need a little luck and perhaps a little perseverance, but I guess you need these things anyway when you're looking at 8-10 dirty diapers a day. This ain't your Granny's cloth diaper.

http://www.flipdiapers.com/reviews.php

...8...

Today is 32 weeks! It's so strange to think that in only 5 weeks, Monkey will be considered full term. Jason is hoping for Monkey to be born on the 10th of October so that his birthday will be 10-10-10. We'll see!

...9...

9 More weeks!

I can't believe how quickly the weeks are beginning to fly by! A lot of this has to do with being so busy with work, I'm sure. I'm only 5 more days from being 8 months pregnant! Does that sound crazy to everyone? Or just me? Oddly enough, I still have random moments of, "Wow, I can't believe I'm pregnant..." You would think that the basketball in front of me would have clued me in by now, but I don't think it's possible for that to really hit home with your first baby. I certainly can't imagine taking it for granted.

So, the count down continues. The countdown to Baby. The countdown to a new life for the three of us. (Six of us if you include the "girls," JJ, Lilly, and Dahlila). The count down to life as we know it drastically changing, forever.

...10...

10 more weeks to go!

Assuming, of course, that Monkey decides to greet the world on his due date. Personally, I think he's going to be a little early. I still can't believe Monkey and I are both so big! Even more amazing, there is not a stretch mark one on this belly. Not yet anyway. But I still have a rather long 10 weeks to go! I still feel pretty great too. The heartburn is the worst and most persistent "symptom" I've had. Don't get me wrong, it's no walk in the park. It's pretty unbearable at times (mostly at night), but I figure if that's all I have to go through, it's better than the morning sickness some women have. And so begins the count down :)

Two down, one to go!

It's been a while since I've posted anything new, I know. Sorry! Things are going well. It's early in the last trimester, and I still feel pretty great and Monkey is healthy and active. I feel him kick constantly know, and lemme tell ya, that kid can pack a punch! We have finished the nursery and I will post pictures in the next couple of days :)

Life has been so hectic lately, but it's nice to have the distractions. I am now in charge of coordinating the Weddings and Special Events at the resort, of which there are MANY. We basically have two to three weddings every weekend until November. Good timing, because Monkey already seems rather impatient to make his escape into the world. And Jase has been busy with a couple of games the studio is working on that have upcoming deadlines. Oh! And Vacation Isle is on the shelves! In case you didn't know, I did the voice over for the game. So, if you miss my sweet voice, you can go buy the game. :) Here's a link to the promo video:
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/debut-trailer-vacation-isle/62816

Here's lookin' at you kid

A woman gets on a bus with her baby. The bus driver says: “That's the ugliest baby that I've ever seen. Ugh!” The woman goes to the rear of the bus and sits down, fuming. She says to a man next to her: “The driver just insulted me!”

The man says: “You go right up there and tell him off – go ahead, I'll hold your monkey for you.”

Lately, I often daydream about what Monkey will look like. I look at baby pictures of Jason and myself and try to pick out features that might fit in with Monkey's ultrasound profile. I can't wait to meet this kid. ♥

Jason's mom is visiting, and having Monkey is beginning to feel closer than ever. Yesterday, Julie and I went to Babies R Us and bought some ADORABLE bedding and paint for the nursery. She and Jason began painting the walls that night while I was at work, and I'm betting they'll get it done this evening or the next. I'll take pictures soon for your viewing pleasure.

Having "Grandma" here and preparing for the baby shower this Sunday has made us feel like Monkey really is going to be here in a few months. It's so surreal. I bet he'll be as cute as his Daddy.