It's Like That Scene in Alien...

For the last few days Damon and I have been watching a rather strange phenomenon. Little "E" is so large now, that E's starting to poke right out of my bulbous belly.

I first discovered this strange turn when I was reclining in bed reading a magazine. Everything was going along as usual when the magazine, which was propped up on my belly (which is now conveniently at reading height) suddenly and mysteriously pitched one way then another before resting again at it's original height. I lifted the magazine and peeked down at my watermelon sized self.

It took me a second to process what had actually occurred. Truly unsure that anything had happened at all... I cautiously placed the magazine back down on my spheric middle third and returned to the article I'd been perusing.

Back into the story having all but forgotten the event of moments ago, the magazine again teetered. Lolling from one side of my rotund frame to the other. There was no putting this out of mind. It had indeed happened. This wasn't some delusion of pregnancy brought on by hormones and lack of sleep.

Closing the magazine I placed it cover down beside me on the bed. I pulled down the blankets, lifted my shirt revealing my fetal induced corpulence, and placed one hand on either side of my bulge. Where I quietly waited.

Sure enough, within moments, my belly rolled... like the rolling of the ocean tide. Undulating across the sea of my girth. As E moved, so to did the tissue covering and protecting him/her. I'm sure I cracked the biggest grin of my life. I was completely astonished!

(about this time, Damon got home from work)

I watched the drama playing out on/in my belly for several minutes in absolute amazement. When E chose not to turn or roll, but to begin kicking. Now, instead of calm billows, there were forceful thrusts attempting to blast their way out of the smooth surface of my midriff. This immediately brought to mind the scene in Alien where the unearthly infant cuts it's way through the crew members midriff. I couldn't contain my laughter - and not being one to emit a polite, petite, girly giggle - I blurted out an enormous belly laugh... causing some rather raucous stomach movements of my own. I'm sure this is where the producer MUST have drawn inspiration from for that scene.

In any case... it's now become a common event to find Damon or I staring at my nekkid midriff patiently waiting for the next performance or curtain call. After all; "Life is but a stage"... or at least a science fiction movie. ;)

88 Days Left - 3rd Trimester

We are officially into the third trimester of our pregnancy. We're 27 weeks along, and have 88 days to go. My Braxton Hicks contractions are getting a little more insistent this week... they'd been relatively mild up until now. It's not unusual for them to come in clusters (4 or so an hour). They don't last long though, and become stronger the longer I've been on my feet. I find taking a break, and laying down for a while usually brings them to an end - at least for a little while.

I think "E" may be getting a little more cramped, as his/her movement have changed a bit. E doesn't seem to be able to stretch out and HOLD the stretch like E used to. This has actually made things a bit more comfortable. I still get kicked and prodded... but those movements don't hold their extended position any more. It's KICK and release. LOL There are also some new feelings in there that I can't identify, really mild and slight. After doing some reading I think they may POSSIBLY be hick-ups (which apparently start at the beginning of the 3rd trimester), don't know for sure... but that might be an explanation. LOL

Anyway, the time is going really quickly now. I'm starting to get a little nervy about all that still needs to be done before E gets here. At this point, E could survive outside the womb - but E'd have to sleep in the sink. LMAO So we really need to get moving.

We're Not Moving.... STRESS!

Our mortgage broker called me today to give me some rather negative tidings. It seems we won't be moving after all. The best she could do for us would be a house that's worth twice what we paid for our current home. Sounds fabulous right? Not so much. The market in Saskatoon is so inflated right now, that twice our current mortgage value gets us into... well... our home.

Time for a new strategy.

We'd already looked at remortgaging, and building another level onto our house - hiring a contractor and the like - and it just wasn't an option. Even with what we could get (cash wise) by refinancing, we'd be looking at double that to build a second story.

What options does that leave us with? Not a whole lot.

#1 - (which is what my mother would have us do) Get rid of our pets and use the space created that way to make room for baby.

#2 - (which is what we're actually going to look into doing) Start calling around to family and see if we have enough skill and manpower to build onto this place ourselves.

So, we've asked Yvette (our mortgage specialist, who really is fabulous) to shop around for us. We're confident she'll find us the best possible options for refinancing. She's gone out of her way to help us in the past, and I know she'll continue to do the absolute best she can for us.

In the mean time, we have to start hitting up family. UGH. Not something I'm looking forward to... but I suppose one does what one has to in order to make things work.

I really think my Grampa (who has been one of my best friends since I was in elementary school) is our greatest resource. He has knowledge out the wazoo! He's a former plumber and carpenter. He's built all sorts of things - from knick knacks to buildings. If anyone will be able to help us with this scheme, it will be him.

Grampa Wan Kanobi, You're our only hope!

Another Thing I Want. :)

Okay, one more thing to add to the list I'd previously posted. :)

Ergo Baby Carrier --> This carrier absolutely rocks! I've yet to find even a slightly negative sounding review, and I've read hundreds now. I'd still like some kind of a sling for when E first makes a showing... but this carrier sounds like it will last right from infancy to toddlerhood - what could be better!

The Countdown Begins... and Daddy Gets Kicked!

As of today we are 25 weeks and five days pregnant. What does this mean? Well, we're into the final countdown. 100 days till our due date! Yippee!!!

Last night was a bit of a treat. Damon felt his first kick! Little "E" has been hitting me hard for weeks, but yesterday evening E was especially active - and hitting up quite high near the surface. I've been able to feel kicks when my hands are resting on my belly for some time, but I know exactly where, and when the kicks are happening. Damon doesn't have the "benefit" of feeling them on the inside too.

Anyway...

I took Damons hand - which was, of course, on the keyboard as he played World of Warcraft - and placed it to the left of my belly button. I placed my hands on top of his to ensure he'd actually put a little pressure on my belly (he won't do that on his own, the fart). E got quiet for a second, and I'm sure Damon thought the activity was over. Then his eyes got so wide I thought they'd fall out of his head. LOL I've never seen a look like that on his face before. It was more amazed disbelief than anything else. He got kicked two more times, and then it was back to WoW.

It was pretty cool if I do say so myself.