Tuesday, April 24, 2012

The Baby Bump

Well here it is.

My sweet little 18-week-baby-bump that’s just barely there, just barely sitting on top of my waistline.

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Though I love this little round belly of mine. And love being able to feel the hardness of the uterine muscles and to have the knowledge of the baby stretching and growing inside.

I also feel…

Awkward.

Oh, I’m not denying that this baby bump is cute and sweet to look at—but let me tell you, it’s a challenge to be a pregnant gal at this stage in the pregnancy. While my friends know I’m pregnant, all the strangers, cashiers, librarians, waitresses, and everyone else is caught.

Stuck.

Trapped.

Wondering, gauging, guessing, looking… at my stomach trying to determine if this is pregnancy flab or just flab, whether that’s a pregnant belly staring them down, or just the result of too many chocolate cream pies. Whether its really a baby bump or just a few extra pounds making that oh so awkward muffin top.

To make matters more awkward, I haven’t pulled out my maternity clothes in earnest yet. The maternity styles can sometimes be a good indicator of where that tummy came from, but I’m in the awkward phase of being too small for maternity clothes, but too big for most of my regular clothes.

I get lots of leading questions from perfect strangers and mild acquaintances… “Look at your three little kids, do you think you’ll have any more?” and “My shirts are too tight also” and my personal favorite, “Are you still exercising?”

Haha.

So I try to make things better for all of us by either sucking in my stomach while I’m out in public (just have to be careful not to pass out!! haha), or to take care to rub my belly frequently (afterall, that’s what pregnant women do, right???).

I’m not sure if it helps or not. But oh well. That’s life at 18 weeks pregnant.

Awkward.

The funny thing is… that in about 4 months when the baby bump is more of a baby beachball, and I’m waddling around in the sweltering Southern heat, I’m sure I’ll be preferring this early awkwardness… to the awkwardness of people whispering “she is going to pop” “she looks like an overripe watermelon” “have you ever seen a shirt stretch so far”etc.

Yeah, funny how life is.

For now, I’m trying my best to enjoy this little baby bump, to take in the sweet little baby movements, and to delight in my ability to move around with ease. My morning sickness has finally let up. Yes, it lasted almost a full 18 weeks, though this past week I had only one sick day, and the week before only two… so I think it lessened right about 16 weeks though not gone entirely yet. The morning sickness lasted a full month longer than it ever did with my other three children.

Not much fun, though I had prayed for morning sickness!!!! And boy, did God give it to me!! He is good!! After miscarrying a sweet little baby in October, this pregnancy I really needed that daily confirmation that morning sickness brings—that there is life and growth within.

So I am thankful for it, though at many times I struggled to be content with my constant stomach upset, and extreme fatigue---especially during perhaps the most stressful time in our lives yet (January through March, the last few months of Nick’s Company Command, my time as FRG Leader with meetings & events & orienting & training galore). But God gave us all the grace to make it through that busy time with little sleep and lots of emergency bathroom stops.

So here we are. At 18 weeks and feeling good.

8 comments:

LeAnna said...

You look, marvelous, Mama! So sorry to hear you miscarried in October. That's truly one of the hardest things for a Mama's heart, I know. But, praise God for a healthy pregnancy! I was sick for a full month longer with my daughter, it lasted until about 17 weeks with her. Hmmmm! Wouldn't that be a treat, a baby girl with three big brothers! She would be a princess, for sure. :)

Unknown said...

You are so beautiful and glowing! I know what you mean about the awkward baby or flab stage...lol! And I had to laugh out loud when you said you would rub your belly to give it away...I do that too! Especially when I don't have a maternity shirt on to make it obvious.
Love you sis!

Lindsey said...

sorry to hear about your miscarriage, that must have been difficult.

I get asked all the time if I'm going to have more, does it annoy you?

Anyways, you look great! and I pray that your little one continue to thrive in there!

Cathy's Chatter said...

In today's society, people believe they are entitled to make any comment they feel necessary. You never know how the Lord intends our response/reaction to those comments to touch the lives of the commenter :) !! Take it from someone who was pregnant 81 months! Each child is a blessing and the journey to receiving those blessings is one designed by God! I love you sooo much and am thankful for the sweet little grandbaby you are carrying! Hugs and Kisses all around!

Grace said...

You look precious!!!!!!

Jessica Kramasz said...

Congratulations! You look great.

Kay said...

Yay for the baby bump!!! I know you had a hard time in October, I am so thankful that you are 18weeks along now. I tried to enjoy that middle trimester as much as possible because I just get so HUGE the third!! I am so happy for you Kathryn, I can't even tell you!!

Callie said...

Your little bump is so cute! I know what you mean about the awkward stage of pregnancy though - it's always awkward when the general public can't really tell yet.

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