Quit asking me

I think I've reached the point now where people should quit asking me how I am or how am I feeling. I don't think they want the real answer. I feel stretched and bloated, my crotch feels like I've been on a bicycle for 20 miles, my back hates my office chair, I make a grunting sound when I have to rollover in the bed, and I'm back to being hungry all the time which makes it hard to pack lots of small food meals for work. Yes it's been a long week and I had to vent.

Baby Shower

I had my 8 month appt check up and everything still looked good. Now I go back every 2 weeks.

The big friends and family baby shower was this past weekend at our house. My sister and niece got in Friday night. I was trying to remember if I had seen my sister since my wedding 3 years ago, so this was a big treat to have to her come visit me, just me. Well I guess she was curious to get to know Jeff a little better too ;) Then Jeff's family got in Saturday afternoon. (they live closer, so we see them on a semi-regular basis) We had several hostesses for the shower so when they showed up early to set up, it was really like the party started early. We had a pasta dinner with some great homemade sauce, garlic bread, salad and lots of wine and beer that I assume was good. The cake had a strawberry mousse cream in the middle that was delicious, and that part may get picked out from the remains that are STILL in my fridge :) I was half anticipating some cheesy shower games, since I was pretty sure our friends know that Jeff and I are clueless with baby stuff; haven't even changed a diaper. But they stuck with just opening gifts -lots of gifts :) I have to say it's a bit weird having a party for me (and Jeff) where people come and decorate your house, cook for you, and bring you gifts. I haven't felt like the center of attention at a party atmosphere since I was maybe 12. (The wedding maybe, but that was more of a grown up/fancy setting). But I enjoyed it thoroughly. And in the last couple months of belly growing, since I really started showing, I realized just how much people love new babies. I hear this kind of attention with showers, etc only happens on the first, so I'll take the attention :) It is a nice feeling to have milestones in life that bring together all the people you care about.
Now it's just a matter of weeks before the craziness starts and we start asking all those family and friends for advice and/or help. hehe.

oh, one of the highlights of the shower was opening a gift from my sister-in-law. I was not sure if I could read the name of the book out loud, and my shocked face must have been hilarioius for the guests. It was 'Porn for New Moms'. It's a photo book of fully clothed hot dads with cute babies and sayings like 'we can wake up mommy in just 8 more hours' or 'don't get up, I can get that load of laundry started'. It's hilarious. When I saw Jeff flipping through it Sunday, I asked him if he was learning stuff; he just gave me a smurk like get real honey. haha.
More photos on Picasa

The good kind of showers

We had our first baby shower yesterday - from Jeff's office. I think they just took up a collection and then one of the owner's wives went to BRU. I guess the young folks at his company were generous because we got alot of stuff :) They filled up a baby tub with lots of little outfits, hangers, spoons, socks, etc. And then we got the baby swing. I think this was a first baby shower for the office, but it looks like they will have a couple more with one pregnant employee and another guy's wife that just announced she's due in August.
It's funny going out to his office - how different the atmosphere is from mine. Aside from the owners, most of the employees are close in age to Jeff and me, or are younger. My office on the other hand has a retirement party every other week, and out of at least 30 people on my floor only 2 other ladies are in their 30s. Big difference :) And yes, that's some jealousy on my part, but I guess I did have that setup for one good year at my job.
It's starting to feel a little more real - that we'll have a miniature person soon to put in these cute outfits we're getting. hehe.

The big friends/family baby shower is this weekend. One of my friends/hosts said this is the first baby shower she's ever looked forward to going to. I think it'll be more of a party. fine by me :)

It's Alive

I can look down at my stomach and see it move. Most people's reaction is 'how cool', mine is more of an alien like feeling. Yes it's exciting, but still strange to think something has taken over my body and can make it move without my brain telling it to.

Is that a bouncy ball - nope it's my bladder

I think the baby has found a new squishy organ to play punching games with - my bladder. A few minutes ago I was sitting in a meeting, sitting up fairly straight, and all of a sudden massive pressure on my bladder, which made me slide my legs forward and slouch my back backward, trying to get horizontal. A coworker next to me started laughing. This sudden punch / OMG did I pee myself / wait no I don't feel any wetness, but man that was close / feeling is becoming a common thing.

So to my friends that don't have kids yet and read this blog - I hope you have nice clean bathrooms at work, because you will be seeing them alot. I can go pee, wash my hands and open the door to leave and turn around thinking I have to pee again. seriously, it sucks. I tried posting a question to a board about this and the common responses I got were kinda funny - after you finish peeing, lean forward to try to express another few drops, or lean forward while holding up your tummy. Yes it's as awkward as you are picturing :)