Connections

Why do people want to know the "actual" due date? Why aren't they satisfied when I say November, or even mid-November? I really don't remember what the doc said my due date was. I've forgotten on purpose... the 19th maybe? The only thing people say after I tell them I don't really remember is the birth date of their own child or someone they know that's in November. Okaaaaay. so.... what? Am I supposed to call you and let you know if my baby ends up being born on that day too? Is there some significance to that somewhere? It's even more odd to me when I just go ahead and say "the 19th" and they say, "oh, I have a sister who was born on the 3rd." What is my response supposed to be? I can sort-of (and I use "sort-of" in the loosest sense) see why they respond with a birthday within just a few days of whatever date I say, but for some reason, just the fact that it's in the same month makes it important. And it could be, like, a cousin's first girlfriend's father-in-law whose birthday shares the month of my baby's due date. As long as they've heard of somebody with a November birthday, that apparently becomes the reason to try to pin-point the date of my delivery.
I'm not mad about it or anything. I just think it's silly. I guess oftentimes we humans will find any way we can to connect.

Developments

My tummy is really swelling. It seems I've popped... at least for the first time (I know there will be more "popping" later too) just in this last week. I feel like I really look pregnant. I feel like I really feel pregnant. I'm walking like I'm pregnant. I'm drinking water like I'm pregnant. I'm finding a restroom every 10 minutes like I'm pregnant. I feel like a different woman from a week ago. It's kinda scary... because we've got to hold on until November... which is very far, far away.
Another unwelcome development: as my tummy gets rounder and firmer, my butt gets rounder and jiggly-er. boooo!

Maternity Four Panel

I just finished my second in a series of four maternity photo shoots. I had a vision before I got pregnant this time of a series of photos where I was dressed the same way for all photos, hair the same, etc. But I'm moving through four different poses as my belly grows. I'm using a piece of choreography that I created to Mended by Watermark as the inspiration for the poses. I'm really excited about completing the project, which, of course will have to wait until I'm at least 8 months along to complete it. I'm not sure where it will hang. Maybe in our bedroom. I'm glad to be using my choreography for SOMETHING, since I've been frustrated about my lack of dancing lately.

Manners

My baby is now supposed to be the size of a lemon. The email I get weekly from BabyCenter.com said I might barely be showing. HA! (How rude of them to assume how much any woman, especially one who has already had a baby, would be showing at any given point in the pregnancy!) I've been in maternity clothes for weeks and I'm expecting people to begin asking when I'm due. I need to carry a little honorary ribbon around in my diaper bag to award to the first person this pregnancy to ask me the due date (that doesn't know whether or not I'm pregnant).

"Award for Most Awkward Question," it would read in gold letters.

Nobody should EVER ask any woman that, even if she's hugely pregnant. I'm just waiting for that first query. Poor person. They don't even know I'm already writing about them... making fun of their poor manners.

Maybe Baby?

I might have felt the baby move a few times now. I can't guarantee that it isn't just some other spasm or twitch going on in that same area, but I have already had a baby and know what it feels like. I'm pretty sure it's the baby, but I could, of course be wrong. It's fun to think I might be right, though. :)

Thoughts on Baring Bellies

It's swimsuit season. The trend of the year seems to be white... which I could NOT pull off, and 40's inspired suits, which I really like. I know no less that six couples that were at the beach last week on vacation. I saw some pics of a couple mommies in swimsuits and it made me think about this mommy getting into one...
Now that I have a bit of a pooch, my belly button looks normal again. When my stomach was flat (not FLAT flat, but relative to what it is now) the skin around my belly button looked all shriveled like a raisin. I don't have stretch marks, but I do have a shriveled belly button. No more bikinis for me. I suppose I could wear a bikini right this second, because I have enough of a bump to look pregnant, a belly button that I'm not ashamed of, and not too much extra weight on my backside yet. After this month though, I'm probably going to be sayin' buh bye to bikinis forever. I think even if I somehow managed to get a six-pack in a few years, I would still dislike my wrinkly skin. Maybe I can have a mini-tuck, just for my belly button.... they could cut out the skin that has the hole in it from my piercing too, since I won't be using that anymore.

First Signs of a Bump...

...caught on "film."

This is outside Ro'chez, a restaurant in Ridgeland that was the location of the end of the year party for the UMC Resident's Spouses Alliance. The food was super yummy. This pic was before I had eaten all five (yes, FIVE) courses. My bump was definitely bigger about an hour later. :)

Old or Pregnant... Similar Complaints

I guess my joints are starting to loosen up. I can be walking along and suddenly have a sharp pain in one hip or another like the bones weren't lined up properly for that step. I have to limp a second because it usually takes me completely off guard. Sometimes it corrects itself quickly and sometimes, I'm left with a lingering discomfort.
I've been cleaning my house today, vaccuuming, sweeping and generally picking up. I'm having to sit now because the frequency of these sharp pains in my hips was increasing to every few steps... plus I'm still sore from the advanced salsa lesson I took Monday night. I spared no hip motions because I knew it would be great exercise for all those pelvic area muscles. It sure was! I'm still sore! It's a good sore, but maybe not good for this exact week when we have company coming.

I need to take a picture of my belly because it's finally beginning to look like there might be a baby inside. :)