“Oh bless your heart…you are pregnant in the summertime!” I’ve heard this many times this summer. “Bless your heart” was not a phrase that was used in my household or anywhere near where I grew up, so I’ve always found it a bit puzzling in its anatomical specificity. My own mother was more likely to say “suck it up and deal with it!”, and really, she had a valid point.

Anyway, no one should feel the need to bless my heart or any other body part that it is, in fact, summer, and I am, in fact, pregnant. I think being pregnant in the summer is great, IF one has to be pregnant at all. I have enjoyed my cotton sundresses, flip-flops, and bikinis even more this summer than usual. You know who else enjoys it? MY DOG. I have a large golden retriever, Abby, who has been with me for 6 ½ years now. She absolutely loves to swim. This summer I have spent a lot of time in my backyard pool with my dog paddling around me chasing toys. We can pass hours like this and it is a really enjoyable way to spend a summer. Here are some pictures of our summer fun.