Pregnancy... Nature's way of cleaning out your belly button.

I've come to the conclusion that pregnancy is really just nature's way of cleaning out your belly button. While my belly button hasn't "popped" in the traditional sense, it is pretty darn shallow. I had a pretty deep innie pre-pregnancy, so I doubt I'm really going to pop like a turkey on Thanksgiving, but I have now gained insight into my belly button that I've never had before.

Three years ago I had my appendix out. They did the surgery laparoscopically, which means they made three tiny incisions instead of one big one. Well, one of those incisions, and the biggest one, was in my belly button. I've never really been able to see it before, but now I can't stop looking at it. It completely freaks me out! Logically I know it's not possible, but I keep wondering if my skin will stretch so much that the incision my open back up. Ouch!

I've also discovered that I have a beauty mark inside my belly button. My mom always told me I had a lot of them because I was so pretty (awe... isn't she nice?). My dermatologist said that they were from exposure to the sun. I'm pretty sure that the inner depths of my belly button has not had much exposure to the sun... 1 point for Mom!

If no other good things (except for Piper, of course) come out of this pregnancy, at least I'll have a clean belly button!

Ross is my new addiction!

I stopped at Ross last night because my coworker mentioned that they had lots of cute baby stuff over there. And yes, this is completely, 100% TRUE!

Not only was I able to find Piper the cutest green and blue polka dot dress (see pic below), but I found a lot of things that I had planned on buying this weekend anyway at Babies R Us, for almost 60% off.

I am trying to refrain from buying too many teeny, tiny, baby clothes because I know she'll grow out of them so fast, but... to be honest... it's not going very well. How can I resist when everything is so cute?

Piper's New Dress

Only 7 more weeks...

It's crazy to think that Piper's expected due date is only 7 weeks away. It seems like just yesterday I was 7 weeks pregnant. Of course, if she's anything like her mom she'll be late. But wow... time really does fly.

Jason was lucky enough to have off this past Monday (I can't say the same for myself) and he got a lot done around the house. The nursery is technically done. All the furniture is put together and the closet now has more shelves for extra storage. Now we just need to organize and decorate. Chester is also excited because he now has his own door down to the basement (and boy what a difference that makes in the temperature of our kitchen... it's nice to be able to keep that door closed).

We have been keeping ourselves busy with various baby classes. We just finished up our Childbirth classes last weekend. At the end of the class was a tour of Labor & Delivery. The rooms seem pretty nice. I don't know why, but I am paranoid that every other pregnant woman in Philadelphia is going to be in labor at the same time as me and there are going to be no open room available when we arrive at the hospital and I'll have to give birth in a wheelchair in the hallway. Keep your fingers crossed that doesn't happen. The same is true for the postpartum floor. They have mostly private rooms, but also a few shared rooms. They said that they use the shared rooms as a last resort, when all the private rooms fill up. But of course, going along with my fear of having to deliver in the hallway, I'm worried I'm going to get stuck in one of the shared rooms with some crazy lady with loud crazy family members. Why don't you all cross your toes for me too... I need all the luck I can get.

I've also been keeping myself busy shopping for baby clothes. I never knew how much fun shopping for baby clothes could be. Granted I really have no idea what babies are supposed to wear and how many of each item they're supposed to have, but that doesn't really matter. Piper is still going to look cute, no matter what. She may outgrow half of her wardrobe before she hits 3 months, but then we can just dress up the cat in it (he looks really cute in a onesie).

This week now brings us an Infant CPR class on Thursday night and a shopping spree at Babies R Us on Saturday morning. First we need to learn how to save Piper's life, then we get to finish buying all the stuff she needs (who knew babies needed so much stuff?). I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

Baby Shower

Yesterday was my baby shower. My mom threw a beautiful shower at a little cafe in Quakertown. It was a small group of close friends and family and we had so much fun. Sarah McSpiritt and her sharp ear easily won the "Don't Say Baby Game" (When each person got there they were given a sticker. If someone else heard them say the word 'baby' that person could take their sticker away. The person with the most stickers at the end of the shower won a prize). There was also a rousing game of "Baby Bingo" while I opened presents.

Baby Piper recieved so many beautiful gifts. Thank you to everyone (those who attended and also those who were with us in spirit) for making it such a wonderful day. Below are some of my favorite pictures. There is also a link to all of the pictures in the 'Links' section on the right. These pictures are courtesy of Grandpa Bob. I will post updates when I upload the rest of the pictures from our camera.