“Excuse me, m’am?”

Due to popular demand, I’m updating this post with a recent picture and the most recent comments I’ve been receiving.  I’m nearing the end…must….persevere….3ish weeks!  Scroll to the very end for updates.

Okay people, the comments have started and aren’t going to stop. After skyping with my mom on the phone today, I decided that I need to do something about it.  Give everyone an outlet to voice their opinion about when they think the baby is coming.

What comments?  Specifically:

Random person (or my MOM or friend,  or…just anyone):  “When are you due?”  or “How much longer do you have?”

Me:  “About 9 weeks”

Random person: (shock, awe, flabergasted)  “9 weeks?!?!?!  There’s no way you’ll make it that long!”

———-

Random Person:  “You don’t look pregnant from behind, but when you turn around, WOOMP!  there it is!”

Me: (um, what do I say to that other than laugh?)

———-

Random big guy at the gym while pregnant with Brant:  “Excuse me, m’am?”

Me, 7 or 8 months pregnant, hesitant to take out my headphones thinking some young military guy only has something smart to say: “Yes?”

Random big guy at the gym while pregnant with Brant”  “I see you here all the time and that baby is going to be SUPERMAN!”

Me: *speechless*  (I have it written down somewhere)

(nobody at the gym could get over the fact that a woman with a *huge* belly was still frequenting the gym.  I had to talk to myself the whole way walking in because of the looks that I knew were coming)

———

And so on and so forth.  Lest you mistake me, these comments don’t bother me.  In fact, they make me laugh nearly every time because, I kid you not, I have heard the same exact comments every.single.pregnancy.  And I hear the same.exact comments regularly right now.  Literally, word for word.

And both of my other kids were past there due dates–6 and then 10 days.  I have *little* hope that this one will be different (though I am open to being pleasantly surprised!).

So, here’s the deal.  Since everyone has an opinion about when this baby’s birthday is, I’ve started a little poll.  First, here are pictures from when I was pregnant with Tara and then Brant, both just days before having them, so that you have something to go on, and then a picture of what I look like now, just shy of 32 weeks (I was actually in labor in the second picture with Brant).

 

 

And currently…

So, here’s the deal.  My official “due date” is August 18, but nearly everyone (except myself, Blane, and my midwife) seems to think I will make it another 8 weeks (I’ll be 32 weeks tomorrow).  What do you think?  Just click the link below and follow the instructions!

Latest picture:

And now for the comments.

I forgot to add one that really took the cake for awhile, and probably still does.  But actually, I have several comments from the same person that I’ll put in here together:

“Here, let me help you, you look like you’ve eaten a few too many jelly doughnuts.”

“Wow! You’ve doubled in size since the last time I saw you!”  (which was a week before)

“Hey fatty!”

I’m not joking.  I couldn’t make these things up, people.

This week has won the award thus far for the number of comments. If I continue to venture out into public over the next few weeks, which I plan to do, I’m sure I’ll continue to receive more.  Here they are…

Two women in their car across the parking lot had my mother-in-law call me over to their car, and proceeded to squeal over me. “Ohhhh, we just think you’re belly is the cutest thing ever!  It looks like someone stuck a basketball up your shirt! You’re just all baby!”

Man sitting at cafe counter in the grocery eating lunch.  I noticed him look over at me and then as I walked by, “M’am, how do you feel?”  Me: pretty good!”  Man, shaking his head, staring at my belly: “Unbelievable!”

Sympathetic 20-something bagger at the grocery, “You’re about to pop!”  Thank you, I didn’t notice.

Older man in the self-checkout line at the store as I waddled past, “That’s a baby!”

And finally, my mom, who is  in town for the week…”Kelly, you look like you’re about to pop. You’re not going to make it to your due date.”

At this point, I’m ready.  And yes, I do feel like I’m about to pop.  And I do not feel like I’m all baby, but kindly say “thank you.”  I daydream about when I can run again and have been making plans for a half-marathon (don’t worry, I won’t rush anything). Walking hurts right now, sadly.  I told Blane tonight I can’t wait to exercise again.  It’s sad.  It’s a normal part of my life, but for the most part, I’ve had to stop due to pain.

Saturday, I’ll technically be full-term, so she can come anytime.  I’d prefer to be closer to my due date (not past!!), as life is very challenging right now.  I think I spend about as much time in tears due to exhaustion as I do laughing at myself due to exhaustion, inability to perform basic everyday tasks easily, etc.

Needless to say, I’m counting down.  I am talking to myself, reassuring me that I won’t be pregnant forever, as my Bradley instructor said she battled with during her pregnancies. It’s that irrational thought that pregnancy will never end and you’ll be subjected to feeling like a beached whale in bed at night, every night for the rest of your life, among other things.

I’m thankful there is an end in sight and am so excited to meet this baby!  (And to sleep on my back again!)  I feel like a first time mom, I get so impatient toward the end. What will she look like? Another light haired, light eyed child?  How much will she weigh (she better be 10 lbs with the way I feel), and much more. I can’t wait to hold her and see Tara and Brant meet her for the first time.  It’s priceless.

So, come on three weeks, hurry up and go by.  I’m ready!