Wednesday, May 16, 2012

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. 

36 comments:

  1. Soo sweet do keep us up to date
    Can not wait to see more pics of her

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  2. You look stunning in ALL those photos! I am so happy for you! Can't wait to see pictures of her when she arrives! :)

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  3. aww. love this post Brooke! You are adorable. Love seeing your belly grow through pictures! So excited for you two. You're going to be the best and most amazing mama, ever.

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  4. oh my heavens! you are just the cutest thing ever! i fell in love with you on idol and now you're having a BABY! HOLY MOSES is right! God is Good! you look absolutely STUNNING Brooke.

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  5. Such a beauty! It's amazing how they take over your world from the moment they're conceived... starting with your body! I wish my face had stayed as thin as yours has... And when people commented that I "must be having twins", it kinda made me want to cry and pop them all at the same time. :)

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  6. Just wait until you hold her and then you will think, "she was just inside of me!? There was actually a small human inside of me". It's all very surreal and incredible. Good luck with the labor and delivery! :)

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  7. It is such a miracle! Congratulations! You wear pregnancy well...you look absolutely stunning. :)

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  8. So cute Brooke. it is so fun to watch you grow literally. Enjoy every moment of it.

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  9. I'm SO very excited for you. There's nothing like a newborn. Nothing. So sweet and fresh from heaven. Enjoy. Even the hard parts. You are a partner with God in this.

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  10. Congrats Brooke and what a miracle it is! I can't wait for you to be able to hold your sweet baby in your arms!! We'll be thinking of you in the days to come! I can't wait to find out her name :) xo

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  11. Excited for you! My niece is going through the same experience as you. I've done it twice but had two boys. Girls are so much easier and more fun to shop for clothes which are so adorable for babies! All the best for a quick and trouble-free delivery!

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  12. I love your chronicle of the ever growing baby bump! You are going to make a fabulous Momma!! Can't wait to "meet" your little bundle of joy!! :)

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  13. My wife and I have three children. I was in complete awe watching her go through the process for each one and watching each one being born.

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  14. You are seriously such a cute preggers girl. You are so tiny, it looks like you just swallowed a basketball. ;) I have four beautiful children and each time I had one it was a miracle. The closest I have ever felt to heaven on earth. You go through such a tramatic experience to get them here and then that moment they place that little treasure in your arms, it is all so suddenly perfect and still. Savor every moment. Good luck Brooke!

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  15. u look fab! u are about to become a mama and please cherish every second! words can't describe the love that will fill ur heart brooke.

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  16. Yes, that belly is amazing. And yes, you look absolutely gorgeous. I love your writing, how you document all he thoughts and sensations of right now. Believe it or not, it will be hard to remember all this a year from now! So excited for you! It's awesome!

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    1. Totally agree--you will not remember all of this, so it's good you're documenting so well. I was also continually shocked at the idea that another human was living INSIDE me!! You're doing awesome, Brooke. :)

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  17. You are the cutest prego ever!

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  18. Being a mama will be the hardest fun you'll ever have! As soon as you look at her you will forget all the aches and pains and endless days of discomfort, and you'd go through it all again. Good luck, and may our Heavenly Father bless you with a healthy, happy baby!((

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  19. Oh Brooke, so well spoken. My daughter Angie just had her 4th...8 days overdue. She carried her little Charlotte just like you...all in front. Savor the whole experience of delivery as you are the pregnancy :D
    Love, Michele Baer

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  20. SO excited for you, Brooke! All the very best to you!!

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  21. ok, your hair in the 31 weeks photo? so amazing. you are seriously the cutest pregnant lady ever!

    congratulations, Brooke! we can't wait to meet your little girl :)

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  22. Congratulations! You are beautiful! I wish you the best! :)

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  23. You look fantastic!

    Also, if no one has recommended it to you, there is a snarky and hilarious book called: "Let's Panic About Babies! How to Endure and Possibly Triumph Over the Adorable Tyrant who Will Ruin Your Body, Destroy Your Life, Liquefy Your Brain, and Finally Turn You into a Worthwhile Human Being." (http://www.lets-panic.com/)

    Enjoy the rest of this time, and the impending wonderfulness that will be your little girl!

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  24. You are sooooo cute!! Even though I'm sure you don't feel that way, you really really are!

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  25. Ah, the miracle of birth and the awesomeness and beauty of a child-so happy for you and Dave. We have two wonderful daughters and 2 adorable grandchildren. God's greatest gifts. You will be in my thoughts and I know you will be a great mom, Brooke!

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  26. You look beautiful! I'm sure everyone has been telling you how amazing and life changing motherhood is, but I'll reiterate :) It's the most amazing blessing, and I wish you and your husband the best! Good luck!

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  27. Ah, the fear of the unknown. The waiting is nerve racking. But when the moment arrives you will be ready (even if the towels aren't folded), and strong, and amazed. And Dave will be with you and because he is with you, you know you will be taken care of, and loved and supported.

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  28. This timeline is great. Documenting this part of life is just wonderful and I admire all the women who are brave enough to handle it. Congrats again and good luck on your impending first labor experience. That sounded awkward but I'm gonna type it anyway. XD

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  29. love this! it reminds me so much of my belly...i looked exactly like this with all my babies. and i got the strangers touching my belly and stares, etc. all the time.
    good times.

    can't wait to see the babe!

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  30. i just came to your blog from little miss momma, and i LOVED this post. i remember feeling every one of those same things when i was pregnant. you wrote it perfectly. and i think you look adorable. if you put your finger over the belly, you look like you're not pregnant. which might sound obvious, but even if you put your finger over a picture of my belly when i was pregnant, you could still see baby growing in my thighs and butt and cheeks. so my point is that you look great! and how about if i said it in a weird enough way? and how about if i was weird enough to look at the picture and put my finger over your belly and then tell you i did it!? oh my. who am i?? anyway, i am excited to read some other posts :)

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  31. You are SO adorable!!! I know exactly how you feel...I am 37 weeks pregnant and holy cow my belly is huge! Best of luck with everything over the next week or two--she will be here soon :)

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  32. Just saw that you had London yesterday, on People! Congrats Brooke and Dave!

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  33. you look precious! and i just have to know - HOW do you curl your hair?! Is it naturally curly? If no, what in the world do you use!?! It's gorgeous!!!

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  34. You took the words right out of my mouth! So amazing, but crazy & crude all at the same time!! Thanks for sharing & reminding me that I'm not the only ginormous, totally freaked out, soon to be mama!

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