Photography, Belly Paint, Month Eight!

Welcome to month 8! Week 33. Only three more weeks to go until we reach the average gestational period for twins, 36 weeks. Pregnancy goes by so quickly. I'm somewhat saddened by the fact that I am beginning to realize our pregnancy is nearly complete. I love being pregnant. I love having a round baby belly. It's a real conversation starter and I've noticed that people seem to be so much nicer to you when you're pregnant. Many people have told me that I'll be wishing for these babies to come out. I haven't reached that point and am not sure that I will. I try to appreciate everything about being pregnant, to hold on just a little longer, to watch our babies move through my skin, to be conscious of their kicks, to talk to them, sing to them and read books to them, to absorb this time period in our lives and never forget.

Saying goodbye to my nice round pregnant belly will be bittersweet. I look forward to meeting our healthy babies in the next month or so (I'm still aiming for Jan 8-11th and 6lbs for each baby), and am sure that I will fall in love with our cubs the minute I lay eyes on them. I look forward to seeing who they look like, how big they are, how teeny they are. I look forward to holding them in my arms and just marveling at life that we've created.

Last Sundays photo shoot went really well. Melinda, from Melinda Gombert Photography, was a wonderful photographer. She gave us direction, was very detail oriented (which I loved!) and had so many ideas for belly photos. Some were of Phil & I together some of just me, and some of cub belly. We had so much fun with the props and we can not wait to see them all in a couple of weeks!

On Wednesday I spent some time swimming at the gym. It was great to feel like I am taking care of myself again, even if it's going to be awhile before I can get a consistent routine back underway. I'm hoping for late February or March. I've missed it. It was also very lovely to float in the water, swim some laps and get a workout. In the late afternoon, Phil and I went shopping for a new mattress to go with our soon to be delivered bedroom furniture. We decided to go with a plushy Serta from Sleep Country with some fancy spring coil system. All I know was that it was comfy in a fluffy happy kind of way and made my hips stop aching. Sold. Hoping it's everything we imagine. Having a nice place to sleep, even if it's only for a few hours at a time, is going to be wonderful.

In the evening, a girlfriend of mine came over to paint my belly! She runs a face painting business here in the city called Facial Expressions. She designed a few ideas and decided to paint a cute picture of two sweet peas in a pod. It was a lot of fun to watch her create artwork on my tummy. The babies were both quite active. They must have loved the tickley paintbrushes as much as I did. Baby boy kept kicking right where she was painting. I found it entertaining and was glad to see them moving around so much.

Thursday evening Phil and I went to a class called New Baby, Old Pet at the Humane Society. It was about how to integrate your new arrival into your household and how to help your pets feel that the babies are part of our "pack". I was worried more so about our cats jumping onto/peeing on the babies' things or trying to sleep with them, than the dog. I think River will do just fine with the babies. She's a very gentle dog and has been around quite a few babies of friends. She will likely be curious more than anything. I suspect Blossom will be scared and stay away mostly. Halo may try to claim their things as his own and sleep in random places. I hope to be able to somehow train him or keep the nursery door shut. Koda, I think will have his nose out of joint the most. He didn't seem to like babies when we had our neighbours son over to babysit him.

Friday, my girlfriend & I are going for a manicure, pedicure and mini facial. It is going to be great! Phil is going watch her 10 month old while we are at the spa, for some "baby practice". He's also going to organize the furnace cleaners, and possibly the guys who are stippling our basement ceiling. (He's still a really busy guy!) Then, once we're home, he's off to buy paint and paint supplies. We have three guys helping Phil paint our master bedroom on Saturday afternoon. It's going to look and feel so great to have the room ready for furniture the following weekend. Ahh, things are getting done.

While the guys are painting Saturday, the ladies will be next door. My girlfriend has graciously offered to throw us a baby shower! I thought we weren't going to get the chance to have a shower, so I'm very happy that she offered to be the hostess. I bought her a little thank you gift last weekend at the Christmas market. My mom is also coming into the city to help with our shower. I think she's just so excited that our cubs will be here in just over a month. I can't wait for her to meet the babies (though I'm not sure she will ever put them down.) At the shower we're expecting about 15 people. I'm thankful to have so many people who care about us and our babies. I look forward to seeing good friends.. and to cake...

Week 33 belly o' cubs ♥