Wednesday, October 1, 2008

The View from up Here

Do you see toes?
Neither do I.

We have hit that magical 33-week mark. Actually, it isn't magical, but it does seem as though every pregnancy book has some snippet of info to make you feel as though you've really done something each week you are still pregnant. So at 33 weeks, I am fairly certain that the child in my belly is long and large, at least 4 pounds, and we are slowin' down, folks. The child does not have as much room to squirm and play in utero, so I get fewer fast-paced belly-rolls and more frequent slow stretches of feet into my ribs. I can't eat as much in one sitting as I used to, and I am so fatigued by the end of the day, it's impossible to think of doing anything so strenuous as taking Buster for a walk. Thank God for Tony, he takes care of me and the dog. And my parents were up this past week, and if it weren't for them, there wouldn't be a clean dish in the entire house.

So here is the full-body view this week. The photos aren't that great, I think the flash was off. I'm standing in what used to be our guest room, so I guess these also qualify as the "before" photos of our baby room. Junk on the floor, white walls... all of this will mysteriously disappear in the next couple of weeks to be replaced by new paint, furniture, etc. I call it a mystery because I will likely sleep on the couch while fairies do the work. Or Tony, take your pick. Hmm, at the moment, I suppose it is also a mystery because we don't technically have anything to put in the room other than books. And while I am sure the baby will love reading at some point in his or her life, he or she probably won't want to sleep on books. We'll be working on acquiring baby gear over the next few weeks.



Just for funsies, here's what I looked like at 8 weeks...


Let this also be a lesson to pregnant women about what they should not do in the third trimester. Look at that belly! And I was feeling pudgy and had gained 6 pounds at that point! Look a that butt! Okay, you don't really have to look at my butt, but I'm just saying, damn, I looked good compared to now. I don't think my thighs would be able to fit into half a leg of those pants at this point! I am so tired of being fat, and internet, I think my biggest fear is not about being a good mom or having a crazy demon child, but of never looking good again. Given the current state of my ass, I would say that fear is well-founded. So, does anyone have any great advice on how to accept the fact that you will never be beautiful again and instead forever pudgy? Cuz I'm pretty sure that giving birth will only get rid of so much weight... the rest of this nasty forty pounds I'm stuck with (forty pounds today... but what about in seven weeks when I actually push out the child? I might have surpassed the ridiculous and gone on to just horrifying weight gain by then!). Baby boy or girl, you might get to be an only child if momma stays this unsexy.

6 comments:

Carole said...

The weight will come off eventually. I gained 50 pounds with Michael and I lost it all, but it took me several months. In some respects, that whole "nine months up and nine months down" thing is really true. Even if you get back to your pre-pregnancy weight right away, your hips will still be too wide to fit back in your pants, but just know that eventually they will fit again.

If you nurse or even just pump a lot like I did, you'll be amazed how fast the weight will drop. By the time Michael was six weeks old I had dropped 20 at least. It's a miracle, I tell ya.

Try not to get discouraged. I guarantee you will be back to your sexy self before you know it, only the current version of sexy might forever be changed. Make peace with the fact that your boobs and tummy might never look like they used to, but remember what a worthwhile sacrifice it was. Once you see that beautiful baby, it will all seem worth it.

Keleigh said...

You're gorgeous! You've got that prego-glow. Seriously. Most of us want to hate you, you're so beautiful. You're too damned nice, which means we have to like you despite your good looks.

K Schimmy said...

I feel exactly the way you are feeling, so just know that I am experiencing the same stuff you are. When you flop onto the sofa at the end of the day, crying because you are so tired to do anything else and because your hip joints burn like the fire of a thousand suns, know that I am doing the same thing and thinking of you. Yes, our bodies might not be the same ever again, but we WILL look good. And our husbands WILL tell us we look good every day, whether they like it or not. It's their job.

K Schimmy said...

Soooo, I just got a call from Loris, and turns out our baby showers are happening at the same time, only mine is at one instead of two. Sorry I can't be at your shower! I guess there are several others happening at the same time. It's babies all over the place!

Mom and Dad said...

I say here, here...Good going you guys!! You are all wonderfully beautiful and I think sexy is a state of mind that shows when you move. I would agree with you all too that once you have a baby you are differently wonderful. You are a mom and that baby is amazing. Nursing makes a big difference, but there are those who didn't nurse and they also took off the weight. I always laughed at the last weeks because it did get tougher to do those things I thought I should be doing. And that pesky moving baby was amazing. Being tired will stick around for a while, but your partners in crime will help. They are good guys and love you dearly. Now they will spread their love and caring to both of you. And of course you have the rest of us that will bug you from time to time. Right Keleigh? She is right about the prego-glow! You might now see it, but it shouts out of all of you. You are my favorite daughter in law you know......

Mom and Dad said...

I was visiting with Tiffany last night and she said she saw Tony at the tri-athelon...(sp) what a small world.