25 week photo

Ok, WOW... I REALLY have a baby in my belly! I now believe it. Just look at that picture... Although I did just eat so I think the belly is protruding a bit more than normal, but still. I think I'm finally starting to look pregnant, not like I just ate too much ice cream this summer :) And I definitely FEEL pregnant these days. I grunt every time I bend over, sit down or stand up, and I have to sit up after eating because I have trouble breathing with a full stomach. It's actually amusing so I'm keeping a good attitude about it all. For now anyway :) The best is that I feel the little guy kicking all the time. He gets his work out in the evening when I'm trying to fall asleep, but I don't mind (most of the time!) Last night, he went crazy when John turned on a classical music station on our portable radio and placed it near my belly. He was either moving to the music, or begging us to please turn it off! Either way, it was awesome for John and I to feel his kicks and punches over and over again.

August 14, 2009 (25 weeks pregnant)

Oh and for those that are curious, my belly button hasn't popped yet but it looks like it could any day now... It's very, very strange.

A typical Saturday night...

I looked over at John as we were watching a movie and had to laugh at our identical positions on the couch :)

Disclaimer: This is the least flattering photo of me in the world, but it's too funny not to share!

Belly pics

Several people have asked me recently when I'm going to post belly pics on Facebook. I always thought I'd be the kind of pregnant lady who'd post pictures every week to document my belly growth for everyone to see. I never thought it would be fun to show pictures of my bare stomach on the internet, but it would be ok since I was supposed to be getting bigger. However, I've found myself to be a lot more self-conscious than I imagined. I've struggled with my weight for awhile, and always did everything I could to wear flattering clothes so I looked thinner than I really was. Of course it's now impossible to hide a pregnant belly... Sometimes I think I'm TOO big for where I'm at in my pregnancy, but my good friend Sarah (who is a midwife) informed me over the weekend that my upper body is just smaller so there is less room for the baby. So instead of growing UP like taller woman and ladies with longer torsos, my little guy grows OUT. It's been a weird transition for sure, but I am learning to embrace the belly.

So, with all that said, here are just a few pics! I've been taking them of myself from my computer since April. I'm usually wearing pajamas and no make up in the photos since they're really for me to document my changing body, so I'm not going to post any of those ugly ones. But at least you can see the difference from 5 to 14 to 21 weeks. I had a little beer belly going on before, so it's pretty amazing to see how much rounder my entire stomach is now.

April 3, 2009 (6 weeks pregnant)

May 30, 2009 (14 weeks pregnant)

July 21, 2009 (21.5 weeks pregnant)

So there you have it! As much as I think and worry about my changing body, I would never ever take back this experience for anything. I'm ready to get even bigger, to deal with stretch marks and a big butt and saggy boobies, and all those things that I've once feared. Feeling this little guy move around inside of me reminds me why I'm doing this... I'm carrying a LIFE inside of me and it won't always be a walk in the park. But in the end when we get to meet our little man and start a new wonderful chapter of life, I'll look back at this and be so grateful, bigger ass and all!