I've reached the growth spurt stage. Unfortunately I'm growing forward, not upward.
From now on and I guess till birth, my abdomen will grow a centimetre per week. Today I am 84cm (for the slow pokes who haven't switched to the metric system yet, that's 33"...). So all going good, before Tadpole pops out, I'll be 84+17=101cm (or 39.7"). No wait, maybe it'll grow an inch per week; in which case, I'll be 33+17=50" (127cm). Will have to get Bas to confirm. I don't dare taking out the tape measure to find out how big this is.
Although I guess I'm not too big, from what people are saying. I have more of a beer gut than a pregnant belly, but for those who know that I'm pregnant, it's getting obvious.
Just how obvious is it in my day-to-day life?
- My toes remain visible until I stand up straight. Now I see them, now I don't...
- Bending over to reach a glass of water, with the laptop over my lap, results in my belly mousing and clicking using the touchpad. I've learnt to save my work before doing so.
- Bas notices it getting in the way when we kiss and hug. I still maintain it's his belly.
- I have to hold my breath in when bending down to tie my shoes. That, or resign myself to heavily drop to the floor and sit in order to reach my feet.
- I'm starting to have very slight trouble getting in and out of the car, or the couch. I haven't dared touch the beanbag lately, but Jai insisted she wants some entertainment when she comes over for lunch next week-end.
- People briefly divert their eyes from mine when we talk. Interestingly enough, women seem to do it more openly than men.
- Naliah, our cat, is finding it increasingly difficult to claim my lap space when I'm using the laptop.
- Bas keeps on rubbing my belly as if a genie was going to come out of it. I guess something will, eventually.
- I now wish I hadn't teased Trudy about how much she waddled like a duck when she was pregnant. I have to remind myself that I can still walk gracefully.
- I've bought a belly band and a maternity belt. If I don't, my belly will get cold and my now mostly unzipped trousers will fall off.
- At the end of the day, I love to slip into something more comfortable. Like track pants with elasticated waist.
