THE BELLY EVOLUTION....

14 weeks:

 18 weeks:

 20 weeks... I thought I was huge... 

 22 weeks...

 24 weeks... the only bare belly shot... and seriously that belly button popped around 3 weeks.

 26 weeks... I thought I was massive

 31 weeks... 

 34 weeks... thought I was in the clear... nope, here come the stretch marks... 

 37 weeks... no this is not photoshopped. It is real, and it is big, and it is dropping... more stretch marks

I am now 38 weeks, looking at these photos back to back for the first time and blown away by the evolution of this body.  Some days I feel like it can't possibly stretch any farther,  and yet with each passing week I am proved wrong, it grows and grows... and grows. This belly is large and in charge, I am stopped by strangers at almost every turn, persistent stares from restaurant booths, impulsive belly touching from people I've never met,  free advice offered at every encounter, inquiries such as "are you sure you are not having twins?", and the older ladies insisting that I am having a boy despite me informing them that I am having a girl which has been confirmed by very advanced modern technology on multiple occasions, and if I had a dollar for every time I heard someone say "you look like you are about to pop!" I would be pushing the millionaire mark. Even Dave spouts quite regularly "man! that belly is crazy" as if it's the first time he's seen it... he sees it every day. 

Indeed I am about to pop, and it is crazy, and while much of the attention at times feels awkward and unsolicited, I am very okay, and I'd have to agree with 'em, it is a site to behold, and while it happens to millions everyday, it is still a miracle and a wonder how a human being can grow within a belly, another human being. And in those moments when I am sitting and I instantly become claustrophobic and intensely aware of what I have deemed the pregnant "stack", where the boobs rest on the belly and the belly rests on the thighs and the legs become restless stumps with feet attached to the ends which I have not seen in months, and there isn't a single t-shirt left in my closet that will dare stretch to the borders of this watermelon sized belly, and I see this body in the mirror and I can't remember what it used to look like, it all is the most wildly miraculous reminder that there is a baby in there, a big healthy thriving baby, a pretty little eight pounder with round cheeks and a sweet plump pair of lips (according to the ultrasound) that I am about to meet in the flesh! AAAHHHH!!! 

The doctor doesn't think we're gonna make it to that May 31st... and while I will spare you the details,  apparently surprising and swift significant progress is being made. I've been walking, and contracting, and peeing, and making lists and finishing projects and vacuuming, wondering over and over "is this it?" and "what was that?!" and freaking out a lot because I have never done this before, and I don't know what to expect (even though yes, I have read "what to expect when you're expecting") and I guess I'm very scared of pushing this wonderous eight pounder through, and simultaneously thinking I'm so not ready for this and yet so very ready for this and want to see her now, but just need to fold some towels first! And I just keep thinking... I am having a baby! 

HOLY MOSES!

I AM HAVING A BABY...

HALLELUJA, PRAISE THE LORD.

ps. lots of texts and tweets... is she here yet? Nope, i will keep you posted.