Belly shots

For some odd reason, as I get closer to the end of each pregnancy, I become so nostalgic about being pregnant, and a little sad that it's coming to an end. I don't LOVE being pregnant, but there are aspects about it that I love. I love feeling my baby move inside of me and knowing that it's depending on me to keep it safe and healthy. I love the sense of well being that I have while I'm pregnant and the expectation of all the wonderful things to come. I love the thought of getting to meet my little one in a few short days or weeks and all that comes with that. So, despite the fact that I wasn't going to do belly shots with this pregnancy, I became a little sad at the thought of not documenting how I looked while carrying my little boy and how sweet my girl is when she kisses and hugs her baby brother. Optimally, I would have decided all of this about two weeks ago, BEFORE all the ugly stretch marks appeared on my belly! This is new territory for me--I didn't stretch with Maura, but this baby is coming WAY out! So, stretch marks and all, I had my sister, Lorie take some pictures of Maura and my belly. I know you all love me out there enough to look past the stretch marks and see how sweet the pictures turned out.

Maura giving the baby "brudder" a big hug. She frequently hugs my belly and talks about the baby "brudder" coming to live in the baby brother's room.
Not really sure why this picture turned out so tiny, but it's a good example of what Maura does every time I ask where the baby brother is. She comes over and lifts up my shirt to expose my belly, then points directly at my belly button. Apparently that's how he got in there, and that's how he'll get out!

Maura pointing at my belly button. It's actually pretty cute. I had a small accident while cooking awhile back and underestimated how close my belly was to the stove when I lifted a pot lid. The steam scalded a small place on my belly which has now healed over and scarred a bit. Now, when Maura sees it, she goes "Aww, I burned my belly," and she wants to give it a kiss.

Baby brother hug. It's hard to capture on film, because the hugs last about .2 seconds.

Quick kisses. Hopefully she'll be interested in kissing the baby brother after he's actually born too. I think she knows there is going to be a baby brother, but I'm not sure if she understands the reality of him being here to stay--forever!

Sweet girl and Mommy. I love how sweet and expressive she's becoming. She's a little personality and she knows what she wants these days. She's becoming VERY opinionated about dressing and will tell me, "No like that one, pick another shirt." Dressing is becoming MUCH more difficult these days. We just have to find ways to compromise.

Officially the silliest picture we took! We bribed her with dried pineapple to get her to even participate in the photo shoot and here she was asking for more. I told her that Mommy tastes like pineapple and she licked me!! What a goof!

Warily eyeing the tummy. Keeping an eye on that baby brother, perhaps? Maybe a preview of coming attractions.

My sweet girl is very sparing with her kisses, so we treasure each one we get!

Hope you enjoyed the pictures. I'm glad now that I had Lorie take them. I always want to remember what it felt like to carry this baby and love him before he was even born.