The Obligatory Belly Picture - Month NINE (!!!)

Here we are week, 38. Unbelievable! So little time left before baby arrives. I'm probably about as prepared for this as I can be. Many prayers will be said over the next couple of weeks ... and they will continue for years as we raise this boy.

I asked Collin the other night at what point will this sink in and begin to feel real. I have a six pound baby in my belly - who is constantly moving and reminding me he's there - and yet I still can't wrap my head around the reality of it. Regardless, I am undeniably pregnant and this is absolutely happening.



Notice anything? (Aside from the ever-protruding belly.) Yup. Short hair. Unplanned short hair, I should say. I went in Saturday for my last pre-motherhood haircut thinking I would just trim things up a bit, get the style cute and in-shape once more before parenthood sucks us dry of all monetary resources and I can never go to the stylist again. This is what I walked away with ...





Take my word for it, my hair looks nothing like the picture I brought in and is nothing like I wanted. Immediately upon my departure I sent Collin a text message, "Wow. My hair is short." Lucky for the stylist I actually like it and am not livid. (Though a "This Isn't What You Wanted" discount would have been nice.) I suppose she inadvertently did me a favor -- this haircut is definitely easier and requires less maintenance. And Collin likes it, too, which is essential.

So I'm back to being a short-haired gal. If only I had known. I would have paid proper respects to the soft, pretty hair I was about to lose.

Oh! Collin put the changing table together this weekend. I think it gave him more trouble than all of the other furniture combined, but he remained in high spirits and conquered the task.



Anyone who even remotely knows me understands my deep affection for all things IKEA. About 80% of our home is IKEA product. At this time I'd like to extend my deepest appreciation to the company for reminding us in over ten different languages - on all three shelves of the table - that we should never leave our very small child unattended during the diaper changing process, nor should the changing table serve as a jungle gym at any point. Duly noted. We'll try IKEA. We'll try.

(You can see where Collin tried to rub off the notice, so obviously he doesn't plan on heeding their warnings.)

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like A Baby's Room

So here we are, about three weeks away from baby and things are really falling into place. Thanks to the help of so many marvelous people, we are well supplied and stocked with various forms of baby gear. I'm having fun looking at all of it ... imaging what baby will look like in certain outfits, what life with him will be like, etc.

What used to be the computer room has transformed into a guest room/baby room. Because of visiting grandparents, the room still won't be in its final form for a little while (gotta keep that sweet futon for just a bit longer). But the room is definitely taking shape. It's even beginning to smell like a baby with the growing stash of diapers and baby products.

The carpet has been cleaned. The walls have been painted. We went with white paint to make it easier on ourselves long-term. Since we're just renting the house we'd have to return the room to its original state before moving. Though the creative side of me would LOVE to paint with color, I feel great just having clean, fresh paint on the walls -- even if it is hospital white.

Proof of our progress ...









I should also mention that Collin put together the stroller, the crib, and the chair without uttering a single expletive. Also worth noting -- I accomplished the same while putting together the dresser. And we all know I'm the one with the potty mouth in this house.

I bought this nightlight from OXO, a company who's kitchen gadgets I love. It's smaller than I expected (I ordered it online), but I still love it. It emits the perfect amount of cozy light in baby's room. And it'll last forever! No battery change, no light bulb change.





Slight downside to baby showers (AKA, where am I going to put all of it!?):





Major upside to baby showers: cake!!!!!!!





Side note: not sure that I would buy this for my kid, but it sure does make me laugh. A lot.

The Obligatory Belly Picture - Month Eight

I have slacked severely in the blog department. Combination of items receive the blame: 1.) I'm nine months pregnant and moving slower than I ever have, 2.) I'm nine months pregnant and perpetually tired, 3.) I'm nine months pregnant and haven't had a caffeinated beverage in such a very long time, 4.) time is flying even faster than it did pre-pregnancy, 5.) I give myself a "to do" list so long I'll never be able to complete it.

But with a few swift key strokes, my neglect is remedied.

Here I am around 34 weeks pregnant. Don't I look thrilled!



Our fabulous doctor says all is progressing well; I'm looking good and baby is looking good. I've gained about forty some pounds at this point. I'm still amazed at my girth. I keep waiting for it to stop (or at least slow down) but each appoointment tips the scale further and further east towards those bug numbers. Stuff I've read says the average weight gain at this stage in pregnancy is 25-30 pounds. RUBBISH! But enough about me and my weight ...

Here's baby! Not much detail in this image, but you can see his arm (sort of) and his little nose and mouth. Our fabulous doctor believes baby will arrive on schedule and is predicting baby will arrive around the 8th or 9th. (Official due date is January 7th.) THAT IS A MONTH FROM NOW. Oh ... my ... goodness.



Side note: Hot chocolate is my new favorite thing. Cannot get enough!