Bellyworld was my first home ever. It felt safe and warm and there was usually plenty to eat. I could also play and sleep as long and often as I wanted. It changed everyday and so did I. It's hard to explain but it seemed like we grew together. Bellyworld wasn't so much a place as it was a friend that liked having me around, so much that it tried to accomodate me even as I grew bigger and bigger. Fortunately, its neighbors didn't protest against our expansion but I did hear quite a lot of grumbling, sometimes even from Mommy.
Mommy didn't know I was a resident of Bellyworld for some time. Enough changes were occurring though that she developed a stubborn, stuffy nose and felt a little tired. That's when she started wondering. I wasn't sure what she might think. She tried to determine if Bellyworld was occupied using tests that initially told her the place was vacant. My cover was blown on the sixth day of August. Mommy and Daddy called all my family to tell them about me. It was really flattering to know that they were all excited. I liked Bellyworld and it liked me and so did everyone else for that matter!
After a few months, I began hearing the voices of my Mommy and Daddy and pretty soon I realized they were often talking about me, and sometimes, even to me! Occassionally, when I got real, real big, I'd kick my feet out past the edges of Bellyworld and I could feel Mommy's hand tickling my heels. That was the first game I learned to play. I liked feeling her grab them so much that I'd keep my feet kicked out as long as I could. I loved knowing that life existed beyond my little Bellyworld and I became more and more curious about it with each passing day.
Mommy and Daddy got some photographs of me in Bellyworld. The first photograph was taken in early September, 2006. She was able to see my heartbeating and it took her breath away. She actually started crying.
I slept well in Bellyworld and usually was on the same schedule as Mommy and Daddy. Still, plenty of exciting things happened when I was in Bellyworld.
One thing I am proud of - I was so easy on Mommy that she and Daddy were able to run the Chicago Marathon when I was thirteen and a half bellywinks old. I like to say I ran it "in utero". Daddy had to slow down a bit for us, but we all finished together. It was one of the most joyful moments ever for Mommy and Daddy! I am so happy that I did my first marathon in Bellyland. I remember the sound of Mommy's heartbeat and recognize that it was working hard. There were plenty of joy chemicals hanging around when we all finished. She says she felt me kick for the first time ever after drinking a large glass of icy cold water. The water must have frozen my rump because I kicked like an olympian athlete. I didn't begin kicking regularly until I was 17 bellywinks old and from that point on, I moved around often when we were awake but when I slept, Mommy could hardly arouse me. By 34 bellywinks, I was oriented head down and Mommy said that's when she started grabbing at my feed when I stretched my legs out. My feet usually kicked out beneath her right ribs. Mommy started an in utero piggybank for me that held any random silver change she found during my stay in Bellyworld. She managed to fit three quarters in it the day before I was born and figured I'd be born soon afterwards.
I slept well in Bellyworld and usually was on the same schedule as Mommy and Daddy. Still, plenty of exciting things happened when I was in Bellyworld.
One thing I was happy of - I was easy on Mommy that she and Daddy were able to run the Chicago Marathon when I was thirteen and a half bellywinks old. I like to say I ran it "in utero". Daddy had to slow down a bit for us, but we all finished together. It was one of the most joyful moments ever for Mommy and Daddy! I am so happy that I did my first marathon in Bellyland. I remember the sound of Mommy's heartbeat and recognize that it was working hard. There were plenty of joy chemicals hanging around when we all finished.
Pictures were taken of me on the 16th of November that revealed I was a girl! Mommy remembers Daddy saying, "Little boys are made of frogs, snails, and puppy dog tails. Little girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice!"
Mommy and Daddy celebrated Thanksgiving in Durham after moving into the house the day before. Granny helps Mommy use the mixer. Mommy's bump is not that prominent even at four months.
Uncle Charles lit candels for Charlotte's forth birthday. He would pass away a little over a month later. He was a good man and valued nature, family, and liked to spend spare time playing lots of games!
Christmas came and went and Mommy and Daddy looked so forward to Christmas, 2007 when I would be there to share it with them!
Grandpa published his book, It's More Than Just Winning. He travelled a bit in the spring and into the summer and sold quite a few copies. The autobiography describes Grandpa's experiences while playing basketball, and weaves in moralistic tales emphasizing the importance of character in the midst of elation and/or adversity.
Harrison turned one year old in early February and got to paint himself green with green icing!
By 34 bellywinks, I was oriented head down and Mommy said that's when she started grabbing at my feed when I stretched my legs out. My feet usually kicked out beneath her right ribs.
My family held a Welcome-to-the-World party for me about a month before I was due to make my big debut. They had cake, mimosas, and all sorts of fun appetizers. Mommy and Daddy were both there and that means I was too!
Mommy's work threw her a baby shower and that was super fun! I got a diaper cake and lots of stuff that I would use during the first months of my life, including some precious clothes that Mommy would later photograph me in. The diaper cake below was almost too pretty for consumption!
Mommy sold her BMW Z3 in March and purchased a Toyota Camry. The Camry is safe and has a bunch of airbags and gets great gas mileage! Mommy enjoyed the convertable but it wasn't really her style!
Aunt Elizabeth gives my rump a big rub. This is the last picture taken of Mommy before I was born.
Mommy and Daddy hosted Easter Dinner and after cleaning the house really hard, Mommy started having her first symptoms of labor.
Mommy started an in utero piggybank for me that held any random silver change she found during my stay in Bellyworld. She managed to fit three quarters in it the day before I was born and figured I'd be born soon afterwards.
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