You know you're pregnant when...

... you cry when you take out your belly button ring. Not because it hurt. But because I felt like I was saying goodbye to a part of my "youth". Yes. Seriously. That was me about an hour ago.
Ten years ago two of my best friends and I went and got our belly buttons pierced together once we had all turned 18 (since our mothers didn't approve and would only let us once we were "adults"). I have kept in a ring for that long. I think I only bought one or two other rings - and I know the one I took out today has been in for at least 5 years.
It was just getting way to uncomfortable. I feel like my skin is being stretched to the max with this pregnancy, and it was getting to the point where if I touched my belly ring, it was hurting me. So Drew convinced me that it had to go. It never bothered me when I was pregnant with Matthew, and therefore, I kept it in the entire time. Now its gone... probably forever. Some people are telling me that I will probably be able to get put another in once I deliver, but will I want to? Is it appropriate for a 28 year old mother of two to wear one? Long gone are the says of laying out in the sun with my girlfriends, spring break and skimpy clothes.... so what's the point? I doubt if I ever wear a bikini again.... I'm now more of a tankini kind of gal now anyways. Even when I'm not pregnant.
I know its so silly to dwell on this, even for a second.... but getting that belly ring was an important part of me being a young 18 year old... and I did it with my good friends. Friends that I still love dearly, and talk to occasionally, but I haven't seen in years. Maybe it's a reminder of them, and some of the good times we had. (Johanna and Heather - this must mean we need to get together soon. I miss you.)
Either way, it was good while it lasted. And I'm done dwelling on it now... I just hope I don't have a permanent "hole" in my belly button now. Eh....

I'm a swollen, nesting, slacker!

Those of you that check back regularly probably have been asking where I've been.... well, I'm slacking.... or I guess a better way to say it would be - I'm too too busy nesting to blog about, or worry about, anything else! I can proudly say that things are pretty much ready for Will's arrival. 0-3 month clothes are all washed and put away in his dresser. Diapers, wipes, rash cream, Vaseline, burp clothes, etc are all put in their proper places. Crib sheet is washed and on his crib. Matthew and ! spent the morning at Babies R Us getting the last of what I knew I needed (like the MUST HAVE Little Lamb infant seat - equivalent to the Baby Papasan Chair that was an absolute necessity when Matthew was a newborn). My mom was here the week of my baby shower and was in awe of how I wouldn't stop nesting. Once I was done purging the basement, I was in my underwear drawer - organizing everything in it - I didn't care if my mom saw me pulling out my black lacey lingerie - I was on a frickin' mission to get everything in order. Now that I'm 32 weeks, I want things to be ready when this little man decides to arrive! (ahem, and Matthew told me this morning that he thinks Will is coming at the end of August.... we'll see, big brother!)
My sister threw me a fabulous baby shower on the 17th. It was so fantastic. Actually, more than fantastic.... there are no words to how greatful I am for the amount of time and energy it took for her to put it together and all those people that helped her, as well! About 25 of my favorite people were there, and it was just exactly how I wanted it. The food was amazing, and the atmposphere was perfect. My sister and my mom made this sweet toast - and talked about how resilient I am, and how much I deserve the life I live now after the last 4 years of my life. (This amazing shower came a mere 3 days after my ex-husband was charged with 6 more felonies in Brown Co. - all from when we were dating/engaged/married). Talk about timing. Again, I am convinced that good things come to those who wait. I am extremely lucky to have those in my life that care for Drew, Matthew and me so much... and give us the support we need. My baby shower was just another reminder of how family and friends can be so wonderful - even after they've been through hell and back with me. Here are a couple photos from the shower... and yes, I'm puffy.

Check. Check. Check.

Drew had the entire week off of work (and school!) last week... it was AWESOME having him around. It gets lonely when Matty and I are here alone for five straight days (two of which Drew isn't home until nearly 10pm). We were able to do a lot of things that we have wanted to do for a while since he had so much time off. Slowly but surely, we are checking things off of our to-do list BEFORE baby. Drew is a few paint strokes away from finishing our kitchen cabinets (and they look fabulous, by the way.) Crib is bought, and assembled in Will's room. His adorable Pottery Barn wall letters came in the mail, and Drew got those up on his wall, too. We nailed several other things up in our hallway and in Matthew's room. My dear mother-in-law came and sewed some curtains for our bathroom to replace the hideous ones the previous home owners had up. We sold my Stratus (yippee!)... aaaannnnnddd we bought our first mini-van! Yep... I'm officially one of those Mom's with a mini-van. We found the best deal on a used 2006 Honda Odyssey. Let me tell you, it's SO much easier to get me and my belly in and out of. Easier to get Matthew buckled, and I know how much easier it will be once Will comes too. When Matthew was first born, I had a Jeep Cherokee Laredo, and a bigger vehicle is so much nicer when it comes to lugging around that bulky infant seat.
We also were able to spend some time together doing the things we love... like taking Matthew to Summerfest, having bonfires with our cousins, Drew and Matthew had a "boys-only" mini golf outing, we were out on our friends boat to watch the Milwaukee fireworks (Wow, was THAT amazing. BEST fireworks display I've ever seen. And even better on the shores of Lake Michigan looking out at the Milwaukee night time skyline.) We also spent the 4th of July at our house with my sisters family and my parents who had just arrived back from their 10 day vacation out East. It was so nice to all be together (although, we missed Uncle Jake!) We went to our first Greenfield 4th of July parade (where the Wisconsin Marching Band made a special appearance!) and also the fireworks at night, where we literally sat right underneath them.... The kids were all catching the debris and ash pieces from the fireworks. Drew and I were very impressed with the fireworks display.... being that Greenfield is only a suburb of Milwaukee. We weren't expecting them to be as great as they were... and we had been spoiled the night before!
And let me inform you all, that although it's hot, and we DO have our A/C on, I've been feeling pretty good being only 2 months away from my due date. Nevermind the "sausage fingers" and typically swollen feet.... the rest of me feels pretty good. I'm not complaining.... this time, I'm really LOVING being pregnant. I know that I feel different than with my first pregnancy and my mom tells me that I look different too... more"out there" or "basketball-like" - Hey, I'll take it! So mark my word... its July 6 and I'm still feeling pretty good. I'm hoping that I'm still saying this 3 or 4 weeks from now....