bellycast pic

[Note: this email was originally sent to just the women on my Rookie email list, but I figure after CNN did a whole story on artists who paint bellies, it was okay to go co-ed]
Hi gals! As many of you had heard, one of the highlights of the prenatal care and birth group sessions at the birth center is the infamous bellycasting. Today was bellycasting day, and here is a pic (from my phone, apologies for the quality) of my belly. We'll be painting this in two weeks at our next session.It was fun to sit around topless in a room with a bunch of pregnant women and recent moms (the breastfeeding peer counselors that are informal support staff/facilitators for many of our conversations), talking about how we are doing and hearing stories from women who have given birth at the birth center. I gotta say, a room full of 8-month pregnant topless gals is a gorgeous experience.The Rookie seems to be doing well-- heart rate's going strong, and he was kicking as the casting was drying. I actually lost a .5 lbs in the past two weeks-- a good sign after I gained slightly more weight than I probably should've while up north and celebrating Annie's wedding. I had, sorry to say, ice cream to celebrate this evening! :)That's the news here. Many of you may get to see the finished bellycasting product, painted and all, but I thought you might get a kick out of it in the meantime.xoxoxo md