Feeling fruity

I am a Bartlett pear or Anjou pear or whichever one is green and not reddish. I am wearing a sort of apple green shirt today and just caught a glimpse of my profile in the mirror. From the waist up in side view, I look just like a pear. I am officially HUGE!

And the breasts have grown again. I've had to buy a couple of new larger bras, and I'm afraid that those may not be the last purchase. I'll admit that I had always thought it might be nice to have a slightly larger, fuller bust, but as I'm entering D territory, this is getting ridiculous (not to mention cumbersome!). I feel like I'm smuggling grapefruits.

Epi-curious

So I went to the Epidural class yesterday, which is mandatory if you wish to have the epidural as a pain-relief option during labor. Basically, one must sign an informed consent that states you have been made aware of the benefits (localized pain relief that allows you to stay aware) and risks (could make labor longer and slow baby's heart rate, e.g.). I don't really want to have one, but I want to have it as an option just in case. It's not the prospect of the big needle being inserted near my spine that concerns me; it's the prospect of not being able to get up and walk around for hours afterward (during the labor and post-partum, while the drug effect wears off).

I don't want to become a victim of hubris, so I won't ask "How bad can it hurt, anyway?" I'm sure that labor pain is quite intense, and I'm also sure it's different for everyone. I'd like to go as far as I can without relying on drugs. Maybe I'll be the ultimate weenie and ask for an epidural before I'm even far enough along to be eligible for one. Maybe I will make it through without one. Who knows? It's all part of this nine-month baby waiting game.

New photo added

New progress photo added with a very explanatory formula for how we got where we are today.