It didn’t fly by.  I can believe it’s been that long.  But I love this little baby 365 times more than I did One Year Ago.  Happy birthday to the O Man, my O bubs, sweet Bubba J, delicious little shmunchkin, beautiful beautiful beautiful baby boy.

This is my view. 

I am sitting totally and completely straight.  I took the picture directly from the center of my lovely body.  Nothing in this photo is skewed.  My stomach is really that lopsided.  {In fact, it’s often way more pronounced than that.}  This little monster just loves to curl up right there on my left side.  I tried telling him he would be much more comfortable snuggled up in my arms, but so far he hasn’t listened.

I was 3 cm 80% effaced.  Baby is still sitting super high, which makes me super duper uncomfortable.  Lots of “contractions” but not the ones that are going to do anything.  Blah.  Had a good freak out moment last night, so I took off to Target for almost 2 hours to unwind.  Felt lots better with a renewed sense of optimism by the time I got home.  I love Target.

Today . . . who knows?

Buuut . . . I am 2 cm dilated and 75% effaced.  Who knows, those stats don’t necessarily mean anything.  Doc did tell me when contractions start getting regular to pretty much come right in, since I had a quick 6 hour labor with Samuel (and it was only that long because he wanted to come out waving, so I pushed for 2 1/2 hours).

Still at least 1,872 things left to do and get ready before baby comes.  But I’m thinking 2 weeks tops.  Ack!!

Triana pulled through for me again.  Go take a look!  http://blog.trianaordphotography.com/?p=232

But seriously, I am so sick of being pregnant.  Can I say that??  Well it’s true.  Blah.

Two appointments, one day.  I know, you mothers with multiple children are rolling your eyes at me.  But that’s a big deal around here. 

This morning Samuel went to his very first dentist’s appointment.  It’s been on the to-do list since he turned one, and then got officially moved to the to-do-before-baby-comes list.  Sam has a sixth sense about doctors or something, because as soon as I said the word dentist (super excited, in the same sentence as submarine boat and whales on the walls) he just flat out said, “No.”  Tough luck, kiddo.  Sam did have fun playing on the Game Cube with the big kids, climbing in the submarine, playing on the huge train table, but he also knew enough to grab onto my leg in desperation and whine, “Ok mommy, time go home” when the nice lady in scrubs came out and called his name.  Samuel did cry and whine when I had to lie him down, but he didn’t fight it.  The flat screen mounted on the ceiling playing Nemo helped.  I was very proud of him.  He chose his own toothbrush and handed it to the nice lady who brushed his teeth, and he helped the dentist count Monkey’s teeth before counting his own.  Samuel checked out in excellent condition, which as a mommy, gave me a small amount of satisfaction.  When we were all done,  Sam clapped “Yea, I did it!” and received a token for the toy machine on his way out.  You would not believe how excited this little boy was to go home with “Oh!!  A new bouncy ball!!”  {These are my unsuccessful attempts to get a picture of Samuel showing it to me.}

Second appointment was this afternoon for Big Mama.  It was late enough in the day that my darling Erik let me drop off Samuel at his work and the two went to the park so I could go alone.  Once again, all stats and measurements were perfect.  At this point, I could even say I have 3 1/2 weeks left.  But if I did that, I would be tempting an anxiety attack.  Seriously, what am I going to do with two kids?  Aaaaack.  {Yep, totally my fake smile.}

You know what?!  The end is actually in site.  I just might make it.  I’m going to have a baby.  Soon!  Some pleasantries that have come with this new outlook include more indigestion, more discomfort, more swelling, more Braxton Hicks, more cramps, more stomach, less room, less sleep, and, ooooh my favorite yet, stretch marks.  Yep.  A lot of them.  First ones spotted on Mothers’ Day, how appropriate.  Found some on my legs last night.  FUUUN!  I have another appointment Tuesday, and from here on out they’re every week.  I as so looking forward to getting this little boy out of my tummy and into my arms.  4 more weeks, FOUR MORE WEEKS!

But who the heck is counting . . . just MEEEE!  Another doctor’s visit today.  Sam was actually almost excited to “See da baby” and he didn’t freak out at all when the OB came in.  So Doc looked over my chart and said, “Now I’m going to tell you something you husband already knows very well, but you are perfect.”  {Ha, I don’t think my husband does know that, and I also think Doc was sensing my long time grudge against him ever since he told me to stop eating candy bars and drinking soda when I was preggs with Sam, and then made Erik choose between the singing of God Bless America or Come Come Ye Saints when Sam was born . . . so he made up a few points in my book by saying that, but my word, ANYWAY!}  

So, according to Doc, I’m perfect.  Everything is right on track.  I know how blessed I am to have such easy and good pregnancies . . . all 2 of them, but still.  Doc also assured me that most times labor for number 2 is much easier, and commented that you don’t get much better than my 6 hour labor the first time around anyway.  Another fun part was when he was telling me where the baby was and how he was positioned, and I KNEW that already.  Maybe that sounds dumb, but I’ve always wondered how women could be like “Oh, that’s his little this, and here’s his that.”  But just today I was sitting and feeling Little Brother move around and I totally knew, so it was fun to hear the doctor confirm exactly when I’d thought a few hours earlier.  So I left the appointment feeling great, and almost excited and feeling like maybe I’m going to survive this afterall.

Oh, but you want to hear the BEST part . . . HA!  I surely did reach the big TWO.OH.OH. today.  That’s right.  I just barely missed it with Sam, but here I am 5 more weeks to go and already topping 200 whoppers.  Can you tell?!

Things in this picture to note: 1) I have maybe 2 shirts that still fit, and clearly this is not one of them.  2) No one’s going to convince me I don’t have preggo face now!  3) As positive as I try to be, my pregnancy enthusiasm is waning.  Compare this half-hearted smile to the beaming grin 9 weeks ago.  And 4) I’m actually not trying to do the precious little caressing-my-baby-belly pose.  I am, in fact, just attempting to separate my boobs from my stomach.

Samuel is becoming more aware and intrigued by the “baby in Mommy’s tummy.”  If I’m sitting he likes to come over and have a look and give a pat, or sometimes even chat with Little Brother for a minute.  Today, Samuel came over and lifted up my shirt to get another peek at my gigantic belly.  “Hi baby in there!” he said.  Then he became pretty fascinated with my cavernous belly button.  He was obviously contemplating something as he stuck his finger into its depths.  After a moment Samuel explained to me {because, really, I had no idea}, ”That’s where baby come out . . . of TUUUUUUUMMY!”

I guess it’s true what they say . . . it’s like pooping a watermelon.  Or perhaps more appropriate, shoving a pot roast through your nostril.

Except the mallets aren’t peacfully resting on the xylophone.  They’re doing riffs, runs, and banging out all sorts of mind boggling intriquite tunes. 

Now picture the xylophone as my ribs and the mallets as two very strong baby feet.