Stubborn Baby

We went today to get an ultrasound, and they were going to try to measure the nuchal translucency in the baby's neck to see if there was a risk for Down's Syndrome, but the baby WOULD NOT get in the right position for this, despite repeated efforts.  Anyway, here's the ultrasound image.  The baby is about two inches long right now.  We couldn't get this image to go in horizontally, but you can still see the baby.  Really, even if the baby had Down's Syndrome, we wouldn't stop the pregnancy anyway.  So, it's okay, baby.  You can be as stubborn as you want (for now). 

It was fun to see the baby today!  Sometimes I just wonder if everything is still okay, and sometimes for split seconds, I think that maybe there was a mistake, and I'm not really pregnant afterall.  I feel more positive about it all.  I was positive before, but when I found out I was pregnant, I kind of thought; "OK - there's no taking this back. Am I sure about this, and if not, I better get sure quick."  I feel happier about it.  It sounds odd to write "happier", because I was happy before, but now I feel more at ease about it all

Yesterday was the first time that I thought that my belly was starting to get a little more pronounced and a little firmer.  I bought a skirt and a couple of sweaters, because I need some new clothes!  I got an elastic waist skirt, so hopefully I can wear it throughout the pregnancy.  It is hard to buy clothes when you don't know how long you'll be able to wear them or when you'll be able to wear them again. Hopefully, soon after birth, I'll be able to not only fit back into my old clothes, but I'll probably need to size down, right? :)

This afternoon, I was driving down the street, after I'd gone to the grocery store.  It was sunny outside.  It was warm inside the car, and I was playing Steely Dan's Time Out of Mind, and it sure felt good.  That might be my favorite Steely Dan song.  A lyric in that song is:  "tonight when I chase the dragon..."  What he's talking about is smoking opium, but I think it could be a metaphor for birth.  I'll be chasing the baby out, and even though the baby isn't a dragon, it might feel like one!  Let's take it out with a little Steely Dan...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzDnhqGdKMk

Sol's encounter

Chris got me a JellyCat stuffed animal today, because I'd commented how I liked the one that looked like Sol over the weekend.  I don't have any stuffed animals, but I liked this one, and since there's a baby coming, it seemed like a double reason to get this stuffed cat.  What ensues makes us wonder if we should get a baby doll and bring it home as a test ahead of the real baby that'll be coming home eventually.

Week 11

Today begins week 11.  I feel okay today, and that's a good thing, because I have been really sick over the last week.  I finally went to the doctor on Friday and was diagnosed with a sinus infection and given antibiotics.  I cannot tell you how much better I am feeling today!  Yesterday was pretty good, and today is even better.

I have lost around five pounds.  I usually teeter between a loss of five to seven.  I haven't been throwing up or missing meals, either.  It doesn't bother me, though, because I know that my body is working hard to grow this fetus.  It's hard to eat all the things I know I should be eating, because vegetables, fish and some meats DO NOT sound or taste good to me now.  I am hoping this will pass, because I am looking forward to farmers market season and grilled fish this summer.  What I have really missed eating are deli meats on sandwiches, some soft cheeses (although I found out I can eat the goat cheese and feta we usually buy, because it's pastuerized), and smoked fish.  The smoked fish thing seems wierd, because fish itself doesn't sound good, but for some reason, smoked trout or salmon is something I kind of want a lot of the time.  I also find that my satiety cues are kicking in a lot quicker and I get full faster.  I find myself not being able to finish things that I once would have not only finished but would have eaten even more, if given a second portion.  This may be one of the only times of my life that I haven't regretted food I've consumed.  I know that my body is changing, and there are some clothes I don't feel like I look good in anymore, but it is one of the only times I haven't had food on my mind a lot of the time, either planning meals (because it's almost impossible to know what I'm going to like or what will make me nauseous at any given time), thinking about a meal I'm going to eat out with friends or family, or feeling guilty about what I've just consumed.  There is no more weekend vs. weekday eating - eating anything I want on the weekend and being very rigid in what I eat on weekdays.  I like this new relationship with food, and I have to say that being completely sober is also gratifying.  I am surprised but happy about how this particular part of pregnancy has turned out.

See you next time!

Why not?

I hadn't planned on coming back to post so soon, but I am at home sick with a cold, so I thought; "why not"?

Here's a video that talks about what's going on in this week of pregnancy.  It's pretty short.  Check it out, if you're interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iZ2RZtEMWg

The bad thing about having a cold and being pregnant is that you can't take any cold medications.  So, when my nose is stuffed up, it makes it difficult to sleep.  Boo Hoo - poor me!  Anyway, send the get well vibes my way, please!  Sol wants me to get better, too, because I haven't been in the mood to play with him.  I think my "cold voice" is weirding him out, too.

week 10, day 2

For those of you who don't know, Sol is our cat.  He's going to have a new baby brother or sister soon.  I have so many people who live away from me, and I want them to be up- to- date with the pregnancy, so here's the blog.

Yesterday began week 10.  Today is Monday.  I had planned to take the day off work anyway, because Chris is at a conference, and today is Erin's day home alone.  Unfortunately, there's a rhinovirus that has come to visit my body and is keeping me company on this day off.  So, I'm on the couch with Sol, and I'm getting ready to take a nap.

We had our first prenatal visit almost two weeks ago, and that was fairly quick, as I had already done all my bloodwork, family history and early ultrasound.  I like my doctor a lot!  I had a previous relationship with her, and she is really a good fit for us.  Everything is going normally at this point.  I have been nauseous from time to time, but I haven't thrown up yet (and hopefully won't)!  I am tired  a lot, but this is normal.  Sometimes I feel like I'm recovering from the flu in the morning - body aches, tired, unsure of my day, etc.  I am usually better by around 10-11am.

A lot of people have been really generous with offering to give us things we might need for the baby - we know some people who have had babies, so they have things to share, and that is really nice.

We think we have found a doula (birthing assistant).  We met her last weekend, and her name is Alissa.  We still have another one to interview, but we felt a really strong connection with Alissa.  I think she is going to be a great guide with the birthing process (something I don't think is going to be fun).  Having her with us will help us both do what we need to do at the birth without being totally in the dark.  I feel good about her.

Chris has been a real champ throughout the pregnancy so far.  He's always good to me, but he has DEFINITELY made being pregnant much easier!  Thanks, sweet buddy - you're the best!

This is it for now.  I'll come back regularly and let everyone know how things are progressing, and maybe Chris and Sol will add their posts sometimes, too.  Thanks for visiting!