An Update on the Babe

I know blogging hasn't necessarily been my strong suit lately, but I've got some updates coming.  However, now that we finally have our own laptop, I have to remember to update when I'm on the computer that my photos live on!  Coming up: a Thanksgiving update, and a post on our past weekend (arguably one of the best we've had in a while...thanks to some good friends!).  

Up today on the blogroll: Top Six Random Pregnancy Thoughts

1 - The belly is gettin' big, y'all.  For your entertainment, I've included a photo of the most recent profile shot.  Of course, I know that a growing belly means a growing baby, so I am super grateful for it.  However, it is really weird having your body grow and change in ways that you've never experienced.  Just when I can't imagine it getting any bigger, it does.  And we still have 3 months left to go!  

2 - Speaking of that belly, it sure does make it interesting when I'm trying to bend over to put on my shoes, squat down, or get out of a deep-seated chair or sofa.  I feel like a senior citizen, huffing and puffing, and grabbing onto something to pull myself back up!  Oh, and I don't even want to talk about trying to pull off my boots at the end of the day!  Ha.  Let's just say that job has fallen to a sweet husband that I happen to know.   

3 - Shopping for maternity clothes ain't even half as fun as shopping for regular clothes.  Oh my goodness...I'm totally serious.  I've tried really hard to extend the life of all of my tunics and non-form-fitting clothes to accommodate the aforementioned growing belly.  But, at about 20 weeks, there was some necessary maternity shopping that needed to be done.  I'm so incredibly grateful for my friend Kathryn, who had baby Caroline in June.  She's loaned me a ton of clothes.  But I've done some of my own shopping.  A few thoughts on that coming up soon.    

4 - Cravings.  Thankfully my first few months were not spent with my head in the toilet.  Don't get me wrong, I had a constant feeling of nausea, but only got sick a few times.  And the exhaustion...well, that's a whole 'nother topic in itself.  But, the biggest difference is how frequently I get hungry.  And I mean...hungry.  Of course, small, healthy snacks are the best options, so I try really hard to be prepared.  But when I'm not, watch out!  Because all I want is FRENCH FRIES!  Yes, french fries.  Probably my biggest craving.  But, other weaknesses include pizza, frozen yogurt, and anything sweet.  For a short season, I had an aversion to vegetables (which I have always loved!), but my aversion to chicken has stuck around (unless it's fried and in the form of a CFA nugget).  

5 - If I thought having a dog was a great way to meet random people, having a belly bump and a dog...pretty sure I've met more people in the past 3 months (that I've really been showing) than I have in all my life. And I'm a people person, folks.  All kidding aside, some of the people who have started conversations with me....grocery store workers, delivery guys, neighbors (which has been a huge plus!), and more random people than I could even begin to tell you about.  What's it going to be like when I have this cute lil' kid attached to my waist?!  Who am I kidding...I'm lovin' it!  

6 - Finally, the most amazing thing so far has been feeling the baby move.  It really is one of the coolest things I've EVER experienced.  It was hard to discern at first, but once that baby got moving, it happens much more frequently and much more noticeably.  Even more crazy than feeling it, is seeing it!  Ha...when the baby kicks, my stomach pops out.  I know it will get even more pronounced in these next few months, but it's so cool. And so far Jamie, Sue (MIL), and my mom have all felt it move as well.    

All in all, I'm so grateful and so in wonder of the gift we get, as mama's, to carry our baby's for 9 (really 10) months.  What a crazy, unique experience.  Somedays it just blows me away that this is how we have children, but it makes me even more in awe of the God we serve who made it this way.  That God, He's a smart one. :)