Smitten

When we announced that we were getting a puppy about a year and a half ago some of our friends were surprised to find out that it was me pushing for the pup, rather than Collin. However, when we picked her up from the breeder that cool March day you wouldn't have known that this wasn't his doing. As soon as we got there and saw the hot pink ribbon around her neck he looked up at me with wide eyes and asked "That one's ours?" We had been looking at pictures online since the puppies birth (our breeder was located in Iowa so we didn't have the opportunity to see her in person until pick-up) and were so thrilled when we learned that we would be getting the "Hot Pink" girl. There were only 4 girls in her litter and our breeder was keeping one and the owner of the mother was keeping 2. Because of this we didn't get our choice in pups, but had we been given our choice we would have picked Hot Pink.

That night, on the trip home, Collin had me drive so he could hold her wrapped in a hot pink towel on his lap. So much for the kennel we had purchased especially for this ride home :) She slept for most of the drive and when she did wake up he rocked her back to sleep. I received an email from our breeder that weekend that said she would never forget the look on Collin's face when he first saw her.

Of course a couple of weeks into Maia joining our family things changed a bit. She was peeing and pooping all over the house and we were in the the thick of puppy classes and training that didn't seem to be going anywhere. This is about when Collin's attitude shifted back to a "she's your dog" mentality. As I was the one doing most of the feedings and potty breaks, especially over lunch, Maia became very much "my dog." She'd follow me around everywhere, have to sit right be me on the couch, and she listened to me better.

I'm not exactly sure when this all changed but it has become apparent to me in the last few weeks that Maia is no long my dog. Not at all. Without my even realizing it she has most definitely become a daddy's girl. She whines to be with him outside when he's mowing the lawn, sits by his side as he rubs her belly watching tv, and the one that irks me the most, she only listens to his commands.

A couple of weeks ago on vacation we were watching a Judge Judy (or something of the sort) and there was a case in which an ex-boyfriend was asking for his dog back. I jokingly said to Collin that if we were in that situation I'm taking the animals with me and he quickly gave me a dirty look and said, oh no, I'm taking Maia. Appears he is smitten with her again.

The Requested Belly Pics

As I am flipping through these pictures getting ready for this post I realized I think I've committed every cardinal sin of the legendary "belly shots".

1) I am NOT wearing the same outfit in every shot

2) The pictures are taken at varying angles

3) I'm not even facing the same direction in all these pictures

As an extreme Type A I know seeing these pictures in a row, all disorganized like this, is going to drive me nuts. But I'll provide them anyway.

The other thing I noticed while flipping through these is that I really am getting pretty big. Last week we went out to eat for our anniversary and as the lady was seating us she asked if the table she picked was okay. I told her yes and then she immediately said "oh, actually, she's smoking here, so maybe you'd rather be over here...." as she walked to the other side of the patio she kinda gave me a little grin and touched my elbow. Collin and I were both certain she did it because she could tell I was pregnant. I guess I didn't realize that it was that obvious yet, I still just feel plain 'ol fat.

And speaking of getting bigger, why is it that my ass and thighs seem to be growing at a much faster rate than my belly? This is only mitigated by the fact that so are my boobs. You guys. I'm a C cup!! C. cup. And, I have cleavage. Score!

So where were we? Ah yes, the belly shots.....

9 Weeks:

12 weeks:

17 weeks (taken yesterday):