Don't Forget to Stretch

Oh, boy, do I have news! Well, it's not news so much as a small development: I have a stretch mark. Two, to be exact. They're right next to each other, and I am honestly a little alarmed. This is because the internet told me I wouldn't see any belly gain until about three months, and it's barely been two! I don't notice a difference in my stomach size, but those broken veins suggest otherwise. I was worried I that would get stretch marks, as I have quite a few from a crazy growth spurt I had in middle school, and it appears that my fears are valid. Luckily, I have some cream that is supposed to help prevent them, along with water consumption; water is supposed to allow the skin to be more elastic. However, I'm now concerned the internet's claims were either lies or that they just don't apply to me, which is honestly a shame.

I have to apologize to you little one; I'm not blaming you, it's just that it seems as though the female body isn't actually equipped to carry and birth a baby without intervention, and that is infuriating. Our bodies react to you like you're some dangerous foreign object instead of a precious miracle that actually happens literally all the time and has for a long time. Your father says that, because of medical advances, we haven't evolved enough to better handle pregnancy and birth. I think he's right, because I may have read the same explanation, but darn if I'm still not miffed! I would just prefer pregnancy and birth be somewhat "easy" so that our memories of the pain and difficulty of childbirth don't have to be erased instead. Did you know about that? It's real, real messed up.

A bit off topic: you and I went to a concert a couple of days ago to see a singer named Tilian. He is a handsome man with a beautiful voice, and I hope you had fun. I danced a little, and man do my back, feet, and shoulders hurt! Having pain in my back and feet after a show are normal, but I've never had my shoulders hurt before, and I'm going to guess that that might have a little some thing to do with you. That's alright, though! I still plan on going to concerts with you, but, for harder ones, I plan on standing away from the crowd for your protection. I usually like to be right in the front to get a good view and possible crowd interaction from the band or artist, but I can tolerate the back for you.

Lastly, you're about the size of a raspberry now, and you are becoming more and more real each week. I cannot wait to see your tiny little self on the doctor's ultrasound screen in two days. Remember, I love you.