My Bellybutton Popped Out!

Forgive me.  It’s been a while since I’ve posted a blog.  I’ve been a little side-tracked with this whole pregnancy thing that I’m going through.  Let me just say, it’s quite the journey!  Life has changed a whole lot for me during these last 5 months. 

The first major change was not drinking alcohol, which actually hasn’t been too big of a deal for me.  In fact, it can be pretty humorous at times.  Have you ever been to the Willy T sober?  I made the brilliant choice to try this during Gay Pride Week in the BVI.  Entertaining doesn’t begin to describe the level of humor this little exercise in sobriety offered.  There were beautiful, Speedo clad and heavily intoxicated men coming into Norman Island by loads on their catamarans.  They were like a bunch of sharks, circling their prey for the night.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay for the evening, but all signs were pointing to the Willy T getting totally devoured.

Don’t get me wrong, I like my wine and cocktails, but this hasn’t been the struggle I thought it was going to be.  I actually can have some fun without a good buzz going, which says a lot since I live in the land of free flowing rum.  So, now that I’ve confirmed that I’m not an alcoholic (yay!), I can enjoy basking in the world of sobriety for a few more months.  I don’t have to wonder if I’m okay to drive.  I don’t have to worry about whatever offensive thing I said the night before.  And, I don’t have to deal with a hangover!  Side note: for about 3-4 weeks during my 1^st trimester I did feel like I was walking around with a minor hangover all day, so I technically haven’t avoided this entirely. 

What do I have to deal with?  Bathing suits.  In fact, bathing suits were the first thing this baby mama bought upon finding out that she was pregnant.  Not because of my belly, but because of my boobs!  I now have them, and they’re pretty great.  Stick with me here folks because I’ve been waiting for this moment since I was 14. 

I think I realized that I had a serious problem on my hands when I accidentally exposed myself to my best friend in my pre-pregnancy bikini top.  That’s when I decided I had an emergency on my hands, and she agreed.  I marched right over to the nearest surf shop to try on some swimsuits.  For the love of God, could retailers please start putting softer lighting in dressing rooms???!!!  Nothing, and I mean nothing can break a pregnant woman more than having to try on bikinis in a dressing room that's blasting with neon white lighting.  Don’t they know that we would buy more if they made us look better?  I almost had to abort (poor choice of words?) this mission, but I was too desperate.  Thankfully, when I got home and tried on my new purchase, things looked much better. 

Good thing, because we recently got a boat, which I refer to as our ‘first baby’, or my husband’s ‘mistress’ (I could write an entire blog about this alone), so we are out on the water every weekend.  That means that there is no avoiding this baby belly.  I can’t avoid it, and…neither can anyone else.  It’s out there for the world to see, and it’s only going to get bigger and bigger.  Apparently, it’s also getting whiter and whiter, which I still can’t figure out.  Also, it has come to my attention that my belly button cannot withstand much pressure because at 4 months mine unabashedly popped right out.  I think it has a freckle on it. 

I have to say that I’m pretty lucky though.  Living in the islands means that I can get away with wearing some wonderfully comfy clothes like sundresses, maxi dresses and flat sandals.  I don’t have to squeeze into work pants and high heels anymore, and that is by far the biggest gift that a pregnant woman could ask for! 

Speaking of loose clothing, not that I’m necessarily ‘eating for two’ because I’ve heard that’s not really a good idea, but I have taken it upon myself to conduct some very critical research over which island bar/grill offers the best cheeseburger.  Every weekend I treat myself to a nice, fat, juicy burger.  Hey, the baby needs the iron, and I’m happy to oblige!

My analysis has included the following places listed below in no particular order:

Pirate’s Bite – Norman Island

Tap and Still- St. Thomas
Soggy Dollar – Jost Van Dyke
Bee Lines – Little Jost Van Dyke
Waterfront Bistro – St. John
Miss Lucy’s – St. John

I’ve gotta say that burgers around here are pretty damn good.  However, to me, up to this point Pirate’s Bite has the best burger around with Waterfront Bistro’s blue cheese burger being a close second and Miss Lucy’s being third.  My tireless research will continue in this regard.  Abi Bar in St. Thomas this weekend will be my next victim.

Anyway, before I wrap it up, I should probably use this blog to address one more thing.  The most common question I get asked is if I’m going to have the baby in St. Thomas.  Almost everyone I know has asked.  The answer is, yes, without a doubt.  Unless something major goes wrong, I will be having our baby in St. Thomas and taking our little bundle of joy straight home with us as soon as possible.  If you ask anyone, and I mean anyone, that lives here they all say the same thing - birthing babies is what they do best here.  After all, Islanders LOVE nothing more than a ‘ripe mango’ (aka pregnant woman) and a newborn baby.  To them, it’s the best thing in life to have a baby of your own.  I have no hesitation about this what-so-ever. 

So my island pregnancy continues.  As my belly grows and this little tyke kicks around in there, we are busy getting our house ready and registering for baby items.  It is, by far, the most exciting time in my life, and I could not be more thankful for this truly amazing experience. 

 

18 Weeks