By popular request....

So, I have to tell you this pregnancy thing is a learning experience to say the least. From the emotional and physical changes to the fun experience of watching others' reactions, questions, and odd looks. Traveling has been tiresome but very entertaining. I love people watching, but nothing compares to watching people glance in my direction at this stage of the pregnancy. And, I don't mean that in an egotistical way. Watching people try to figure out if I'm pregnant or disproportionally fat is pretty great. Either way, they usually smile, but it is fun to imagine what they are thinking. Is it a smile of "aw, she's pregnant," or "aw, she's weirdly fat?" Love it!

And, if I had a dollar for every time someone has asked for a picture, we could finish the nursery. I really don't get why anyone wants to see me pleasantly plump. I have sworn off cameras for the next nine months.  I guess I have been curious as to friends' and family members' pregnancies and anxious to see the growing belly. But, it is not for me - nope not doing it. ok, ok, I'll give in. Here is a recent pick, and I'll be sure to update as the growth continues.

HAHA!!! Yeah right - I wish I looked like Heidi - pregnant or not. Hey, it could be worse:

Wouldn't that make my mother proud!

Sorry for the tease, but no fat Alli pictures for you!

If I get dressed up anytime in the next few weeks I'll take a pic and e-mail to those of you who keep bugging. For everyone else, just picture me as the first image above...hey, we can all dream, right?

Brief Update & Pics

My parents were here this weekend for an excellent visit. My Dad and Jeff went fishing and my mom and I started on the nursery. Jeff and I had already decided on the bedding for the day bed, curtains, and crib, and we found some great accessories in Kerrville a few weekends ago. But, I’ve been anxiously awaiting my mother’s visit to help me start to put things together. She has an excellent eye for decorating, and I’m so grateful to have had her help! We accomplished so much - we finalized our plans for the room, purchased, designed, painted and hung letters for her name on the wall, made a bulletin board from scratch, and made a big floral arrangement for behind the crib.

We are not artistically inclined in any way, but I’m so impressed with our letter design and the bulletin board. I had seen the branches on a porch in our neighboorhood and had been trying to find the artificial pink cherry blossoms. We finally found them at Pier 1. The boys helped us paint the letters. I'm pretty sure my dad missed his calling as an artist or elementary school art teacher. He saved the day painting and my mom diligently drew the templates for him to "color." It was definitely a late-night family affair. It was so awesome to have my mom here, and I'm thrilled with what we accomplished. Who knew I had an arts and crafts-y side! I can’t even write my name pretty! Here are just a few preliminary pics.

I also had another Dr. Apt today. Mattie is doing well and I'm fairly free of pregnancy symptoms, EXCEPT - I've got another sinus infection. That makes three upper respiratory infections in five months. Lovely. I was already prone to upper respiratory crud before pregnancy and the Dr. says with my asthma and growing belly I’m more susceptible to this stuff. She also said I’m most likely catching this stuff since I’m traveling so much. I've been on a plane at least once a week which is not helping. She said even though I’m washing my hands, addicted to hand sanitizer, and taking as many vitamins as I can safely, the air on the planes is the worst environment. So, I'm going to try and really start cutting down on travel to keep from getting sick again! I’m grateful to have avoided a lot of the normal pregnancy pains, but sometimes I think I’d like to trade a few for this snot.

Other than that, Mattie is kicking like crazy and Jeff has finally been able to feel her move a few times. I don't think this child sleeps. I adore feeling her move, but she is proving to be very strong at an early age and a little of a night owl. Hopefully, she is getting it all out of her system before she arrives!

Alien in my belly.

Up until our last sonogram, I have had a hard time accepting that there is a real, true, human baby in my belly. I couldn't help but believe it was an alien. Now before you think I'm completely nuts, hear me out. I mean,  have you seen sonograms prior to 12 weeks? We had some early questions/potential complications, so we got well acquainted with our sonogram lady. Now, granted, around 12 weeks, the kid finally has arms and legs and resembles a small being, but until then and even until the 18 week pics, I anxiously awaited the spontaneous emergence of a slimy green alien hand from by belly button. And, I don't even watch that many horror/alien flicks.

Now, please don't misunderstand. I am truly honored and blessed to be carrying our child and amazed by this tiny, yet overwhelming, gift from God. But, honestly, I can't say that it didn't initially freak me out. I think if I could carry this thing around in a little incubator, feed it, give it something to drink, protect it, keep it warm, and even clean the cage every now and then - I'd be good to go with a strong and healthy respect for the responsibility. But seriously, it is in my belly...does nobody else think that is the just a tad creepy? I have warmed to the idea, but the first few months were pretty overwhelming. Even though we set out to accomplish a goal to get a baby to grow in my belly, once it is there, it is a very odd sensation. I'm in healthcare and comfortable with many aspects of biology and anatomy, but the science behind this is truly wacky. And, the stigma is to only talk about the amazing, remarkable, and euphoric experience of pregnancy. Can we not for a minute, talk about how seriously nuts this is? (And again, yes, it is a miracle and a gift from God and I've never felt more blessed in my life. That is actually the one piece I understand most of all.) It is not that I lack appreciation for this "gift". It is that this "gift" is growing in my stomach - like I can see if getting bigger...and bigger...and bigger. And, now, I'm wearing elastic waist pants. (Which, PS, are the best thing ever. Why the need for zippers and buttons is beyond me? Elastic waist bands are the BOMB.)

So, just to recap: I do know that this is an amazing gift from God, in my belly, that I'm extremely grateful for and responsible for. I do know it is not an alien; but, just to be on the safe side, I'm still going to keep a watchful eye on my belly button to make sure that a tiny fist with five fingers (saw those a few weeks ago- woohoo!) doesn't make its way to the outside world via my "inny".