The Final Stretch!

Literally and timing-wise. Just when I think my stomach cannot possibly stretch any further, I do. I have less than 4 weeks to go - yikes!

She is, at least, fairly gentle and gradually wiggles so my tummy can keep stretching. Before last night, I thought I am probably done stretching since I am huge already, but no, she proves me wrong again. I could literally feel myself growing last night and definitely feel bigger this morning.

Thank god I am no longer working. I cannot really sit more than an hour without having to rest or stretch. At least I can still walk pretty well everyday. As of today, I have gained about 36 pounds - WOW! Hopefully she will stop me around 40 pounds.

Her movements are so pronounced now, although no visible foot or fist through my skin, but I can almost guess what part of her is moving now given the size of the bump I feel through my skin. I rather like her movements. It comforts me to think she is active and doing well. She is facing downward now for about 4 weeks already. I have no idea how babies can be upside down for so long and not get a head rush. I guess she is in fluids, so it's different.

Can't wait to meet her next month. :-)

- Lei

My belly button is moving!

First of all, for those who are a bit freaked out by this photo, this is NOT a picture of me! I am only in my 28th week and my baby is just about 2 pounds, so the foot won't be this large.

However, I do hear that it maybe possible to see a foot or an elbow later on in my pregnancy. So I guess that is what it looks like. My belly button is almost flat now and ready to become an outie.

For the first time yesterday, I can visibly see movements of my baby when I look at my stomach. She is still really active - doing gymnastics in there, I suppose.

It is a bit freaky to see my stomach and belly button move, but cool at the same time. What a miracle! I am growing a baby. I know I am over 6 month pregnant so this is not a new idea but everytime I think about it, I think it's so amazing that my body knows and the baby knows how to grow and what to grow. I guess I will look out for that foot in April. yahhza!

- Lei

What does it feel like to be pregnant?

Several of my friends have asked this. I never really have a good answer on the spot, but I thought I put some responses here for all those interested.

Physically....
- Imagine wearing a body suit 24 hours a day that has a pouch at the belly and a 20lb watermelon (or 20lb worth of jello) stuffed in it.
- Imagine not being able to cross your legs because your growing belly is in the way (I keep trying several times out of instinct before I gave up :-))
- Imagine not being able to reach your toes after awhile (a great excuse for getting pedicures)
- Initially kicks from the baby feels very much like having internal gas and then it feels like bubbles bursting inside
- It can feel like the skin is stretching so much it may tear but amazingly it doesn't
- (skip this part if you don't want to hear anything gross) Think of how often you fart right now. Well, it will be 5 times as often when you are pregnant and 3 times as smelly. Surprisingly, the husband will also join in the increased "festivities." I guess it's one of those symptoms that rubs off on the spouse.

Emotionally or psychologically
- I found myself saying "I am pregnant or I am having a baby?!" a lot to my husband as if it's a question or a way for me to realize it's real
- Imagine crying easily at anything emotional on TV or at a movie or just crying all of sudden at night
- I can also feel lonely or overly sensitive: "Will my single friend or my friends with no kids still be my friend?" "Am I talking too much about the pregnancy or baby stuff?" "Will I get my body back ever?" etc..
- It can feel miraculous "I am growing another human being and my body knows what to do" - it's amazing to think something so complex will come out of my body in 3 months.
- It can feel like alien invasion: my baby moves around all the time and sometime all day long. It feels so strange that something live is moving inside but at the same time so natural. I actually always look forward to her movement

- Lei