The end is nigh...

I am 8 months pregnant today. Four more weeks till this unknown is unleashed upon me. Now seems to be the perfect time to reflect upon the last few months and sum them up.

• Freakiest thing: seeing my abdomen bubble, move and wave as Tadpole kicks around.
• Freakiest thought: knowing that I have two brains. Unfortunately despite what Stefan thinks, neither of them is currently fully functional.
• Funniest pregnancy announcement: I skyped my parents and they wouldn't believe me when I told them that I was pregnant. Had to pass them onto Bas and they believed him!
• Funniest pregnancy realisation: meeting Sue in the lift and receiving several sideways glances at my stomach till she summoned the courage to ask me if I was pregnant (could have been a beer gut!)
• Most annoying thing: No sushi. No sashimi. No carpaccio. No antipasto. No pâté. No V. No cocktails.
• Most daunting thing: the sheer amount of information (sometimes contradicting) available out there. I have learnt so much about the human body I'm ready to attend 'Who wants to be a millionnaire?'.
• Most embarrassing moment: being in a business phone conference with five people in Wellington, three people in Auckland, and releasing a 70dB, conversation-stopping burp.
• Most hair-raising moment: watching the first drop of milk come out.
• Most notable moment: rushing over to a sleepy Bas to show him the positive pregnancy test. And the instructions after he wouldn't believe me it was positive.
• Most painful thing: hip pains, which started about a week ago. The wet and cold spring weather aggravated it.
• Most panick-stricken moment (to date): being told on Thursday that Tadpole's head was now engaged. This means that it could be any time now.
• Most relieving moment: being told that Tadpole had settled into the best position possible for birth and that there'd be remote chances of him moving. This meant less chances of needing a caesarean.
• Most surprising thing: how much an unborn mini-me can cost, considering there's no demand for luxurious accommodation, lavish food and drinks, fancy clothing, expensive entertainment or unecessary beauty products.
• Most tiresome thing: baby brain. Not being able to focus during meetings or remember whether I've already asked/done/said something, being constantly mentally and physically drained and taking twice as long doing stuff, is making me feel fairly useless both at home and at work.
• Most useful outcome (or so I hope): becoming more domesticated, or at least learning how to cook a wider range of healthyish meals.
• Nicest thing: having a cleavage for the first time in my life.
• Sweetest thing: family, friends, co-workers and even strangers showering us with kindness and presents.