belly's getting bigger

Yep - the casual observer can now tell that I'm pregnant.  That is somewhat of a relief. 

I went to the doctor last Friday, and we got the chance to talk about some things, like birthing in a birthing tub.  I am going to try to go natural.  Having said that, I also realize that I don't know what the pain of childbirth is like, so I am keeping my options open.  I am also going into it knowing that some things can't be helped, and if I even have to have a C-section, then that is the way the cards fall.  I hope it goes the way I want, but if it doesn't, then I will deal with it.  I am not looking forward to laboring, but I do want to see what it is like.  I'm sure when I find out, I'll like to see what it's like to be finished!

I also took a blood test that tests for certain birth defects like Down's syndrome.  I think there are four things it tests for.  Anyway, my results came back negative.  That doesn't mean that it isn't still possible, but it is just less probable that I will have a baby with those particular defects.  I am glad it came back negative.  I didn't want to do any invasive proceedures after the blood test.  We weren't going to get the invasive proceedures anyway, but having my test be negative just puts our minds even more at ease.

Last Sunday (Mother's Day), I felt the baby move for the first time.  That was something!  It was neat to feel the movement.  I also think it is fun that it happened on Mother's Day.

We will find out on May 20th if the baby is a girl or a boy.  That will be exciting!  I feel kind of hypocritical, because I used to encourage people to not find out, if they were on the fence about it.  Chris wants to know, and I will be going in for more ultrasounds than typical in later pregnancy to make sure my cervix isn't thinning, and I know that I will let curiosity get the better of me.  So, we're finding out.  This will at least help with names.

Well, this is all for now.  I'm hoping to get Chris to take a picture of me soon, so you guys can see the belly popping out.  It's kind of cool, because I don't even worry about my fat rolls anymore.  They don't show up now. :)