The Foster Family

I have learned all of this just in time to impart my wisdom on a family that does not need pregnancy advice…. but here it is…

1. These pants are the most comfortable for a pregnant belly. Instead of folding the flap over, I put it over my belly… automatic tummy sleeve. Genius. They’re Victoria’s Secret, and you can find ‘em for about $10.

2. I had a hard time finding something I could wear to church. Cheleyne gave me two dresses, but they both go up to about my mid-thigh, so… eee….

Anyhoo, I found a swim cover at Target for $17 that is the best thing in the world. It’s supposed to be worn as like a strapless tube dress over a bathing suit, so it’s super stretchy, but as I’m about 8 feet tall, I wear the top of it around my belly instead of around my chest. It’s perfect! And once again, automatic tummy sleeve.

3. Pregnancy is harder than I thought it would be. I mean I knew it could be really hard, but I always thought it was all the symptoms that made it hard. But the truth is, I have been really lucky as far as not having bad symptoms, but still everything kind of hurts and feels enormous. And sleeping is HARD. I roll over every few minutes it seems to try to get comfortable, and it hurts to roll over! How do I have more than 20 nieces and nephews and I never knew what pregnancy was really like? I missed most of ‘em I guess. I wish I had been more involved when I could have though. But now I know, you cannot be truly sympathetic until you’ve experienced it. I salute all you moms out there. Especially mine! Holy moley. Doing this eight times!

4. Maybe eating everything you want whenever you want is not the best way to go. I know this is the time to gain weight, but I really wish I had cut out a lot of the bored eating I did. I do not regret the countless bean burritos, but maybe I could have decreased the late-night Oreo count…. It was high… and wonderful. I don’t know. I weigh as much as Nat now (which I realize he’s pretty skinny, but the dude is 6′5″).

5. There might not be anything cooler in the world than feeling a baby wiggle around in your belly. I get excited every time. Even when she’s kicking my bladder or pushing her buns against my ribs. I love it when you think you know what body part you feel. I picture her little knees and elbows poking out a little. So cute. She’s gonna be awesome. I asked Nat if we’re still set on the name Josephine, or if we should change it last minute to something like Shatiqua. We’ll see.