Shit eating grin

When I look at my belly pictures one thing I notice in nearly all of them is this weird smirk or smug looking grin. I don't know why it looks like that because at the time the picture is being taken I generally feel like it is a small smile or a straight face. So this time, at the last minute, I forced a huge smile and this awful toothy thing is what we got. I guess it helps keep things new and entertaining, if nothing else.

29w6d

Wherein the eye rolling reaches dangerous levels

Call it my mommy hormones, call it my crazy cat lady hormones, either way these guys are just ridiculously cute.

I love the way Cricket is resting on her elbows in this picture (if you can see that).
You may not let us out there but that wont stop us from stalking every single window/door that is open!
Is it wrong that I'll probably use an image of my cats as my "happy place focus picture" during labor? (Careful! See, I told you the eye rolling could get dangerous up in here)

Moving right along

Like I said to a friend the other day, it's like I went to bed one night in late February/early March and woke up with the middle of June hurtling past me. And, like most moms-to-be that I read, I've accomplished about zero of the things on my "must do before baby arrives" list. Well, with the exception of buying a couple (ok, fine, several) really cute outfits for the baby, but how "necessary" is that? It's not. At all. My voice hasn't reached the ultra high pitched panic level yet, but it is certainly a few octaves above normal at this point!

27w6d (yep, tomorrow = 3rd trimester! Yay!)

Coherency and conciseness are for losers

What? Oh, hi there! Gosh, I guess it's been a while, eh? Just because I don't call or write doesn't mean I don't think about you, it mostly just means I'm lazy and/or don't have anything to say. Well, that's not true, I have plenty to say, I just happen to have the ability to (sometimes) figure out whether it is something anybody really wants to hear/read. Like I said, sometimes. I probably wouldn't have much of a blog if my filter worked perfectly.

I know I've been slacking on the belly pictures and the sad thing is that they aren't even sitting on my computer waiting for the inspiration to post them. They are pictures yet to happen. It's even worse because my next belly shot needs to be used for my Father's Day gift for SGT T. That could explain the procrastination: there is an actual need for the picture.

Baby T, or Chili if you will, is doing well. Monday I reached 27 weeks which is the last week of the second trimester. The only reason I know that is because I googled it, I'm still completely lost as to the whole weeks/months time issue with pregnancy. I can do weeks but don't ask me to talk to you in terms of months, it's just not going to happen and I will leave you feeling confused and disheartened, which is not a way I like to feel but a way I feel frequently.

I did the gestational diabetes screening test on Monday which wasn't nearly as bad as I read. The "soda" drink was, to me (an avid sugary drink drinker), fine and tasty and didn't make me sick or anything like it does for some people. I attribute that to years of soda tolerance build up - I'm a pro. Results: negative on the diabetes issue; positive on iron deficiency anemia. Lucky me, I get to take the iron pills. Do you know what extra iron does to you, especially "you" as an already digestionally challenged pregnant chick? Pretty much seals your fate as a miserable, bloated, plugged up grump. We'll see, today was the first day. I was told to try a certain herbal supplement instead of regular iron pills, but as they are more than twice the cost of the iron pills, I'll wait and see how this goes.

I've been feeling pretty great, overall. I sometimes get sharp pains in my belly, not really sure what they are from. Maybe just tweaks in the muscles from my lame attempts at exercise. Chili is moving around lots which is pretty special and exciting. On an aside: I'm pretty sure you should just get used to calling her Chili because as far as the blog is concerned, that's what we're naming her. Just like SGT T is SGT T, and not John or Steve. Privacy for privacy's sake, even though SGT T could probably care less if I used his real name. Chili, however, can't tell me which she would prefer so Chili it is, poor girl. Anyway, feeling pretty good, but I'm pretty sure I'm in denial about how far my body can be pushed. I think I've been over doing it lately and it leaves me feeling kinda crappy and not great, so I'm in negotiations with my body, trying to find a compromise we can both live with.

And that's about it. Like I said, not much worth writing, but now you know. Oh, I am experiencing some emotional moments randomly. For instance, Monday at the lab to get blood drawn I heard a baby crying somewhere (not just crying, it was that "oh god I'm dying and you are just sitting there letting me" scream/cry) and I nearly lost it and bawled right there. Luckily my "cold hearted bitch" mode isn't completely dead and I was able to drag it into the on position with just some leaky eyes for a moment. Close call. Today, however, SGT T and I had an excellent IM conversation where we made decisions regarding Chili that were really special and incredible decisions to be making and, being at home in the privacy of my bedroom without a waiting room full of spectators, I let the tears fall freely. There were lots of them, I was a big mushy cry baby. But it was awesome, nonetheless.

I hope to update soon with pictures and stuff. Maybe I'll make something in the kitchen and post pictures. It's been a while since I've done that, eh? It's been about 3 days since I've had any cake, so it's probably about time.

From those that know better

Me: Part of my belly button is a permanent outtie now

Dad: You are starting to look pregnant . . .

Me: Starting?!

Dad: Yeah. You are starting to look pregnant instead of just chubby.

Me: I think we best just change the subject.