33 Week Update

At my doctors appointment last Friday I weighed in at 162, which means that so far I have gained over 25 pounds. It might be too early to detect a trend, but it seems I am gaining about a pound a week, which is on track with the books I have been reading. At this pace I should be able to keep the weight gain to about 35 pounds. We are seeing the doctor every two weeks now and will be going every week as the pregnancy comes to a close. I had to see the one doctor in the practice that I don't like, and he was the only one with an open appointment next week (I wonder why?). He will, inevitably, be the turd on call when I go into labor. Here is a pic of my 33 week belly.



Even though I definitely have a baby belly, and even though it is pretty obvious that I am only a little chubby, but mostly pregnant, people are still terrified to ask me about the baby. I don't know if I just look bitchy or if people in Western Michigan just mind their manners. So far, I have only had two women ask when I was due and one waiter who told me "he ain't never heard of no pregnant woman ordering a steak medium rare." Thanks. I'll have my scotch on the rocks, too. When I meet with new people at work I will notice them staring uncomfortably at my belly for a good half hour, minds racing, "Is she pregnant? Yes, she is definitely pregnant. Shit, if I ask and she isn't pregnant I will just die." After making them sweat I will usually bring it up in casual conversation and the floodgates open "I was going to ask you when your baby was due! Oh my gosh that is so exciting! What are you having? Do you plan to breastfeed? Because you HAVE to breastfeed or your baby will die." And I am proud to say that so far I have only had one belly rubber. I didn't like it, but I let it happen. There was far too large an audience and she was far too old for me to body slam her.

In other news, Paul and I attended his family's Christmas Party at Oakley Hall where we contracted some strain of the flu from one of the lovely guests. At least ten others came down with the same thing. Paul and I spent a few days plastered to the couch in the fetal position before recovering. Here is a picture of Oli and Tay at the party just before they got the flu. They must've known it was coming.



Just prior to our bout with the flu, Grand Rapids was blessed with its first snow storm of the year. It pretty much snowed only on Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo like usual. Paul took a picture before we left to get the flu. (Mom, don't look at the bows. I still need two more!)