10 pounds, all baby (yeah right)

Here I was, so proud of myself that I had been able to maintain my weight for the most part. My Dr. had even told me on a few occasions that she'd like to see me gain a few pounds. When do you ever hear that?! So to my horror, at my last appointment my Dr. looked at my weight gain and asked me, "What, did you eat the whole turkey on Thanksgiving?!" I had gained 10 pounds. 10 whole pounds since my visit 4 weeks prior. How does that happen? And no, I did not eat the whole turkey. I may have had an extra large serving of dessert, but really, that doesn't constitute 10 pounds worth. But even so, the Dr. wasn't worried about the weight gain. Apparently she is used to seeing this sort of trend with women who don't put on weight in the beginning, there is a spike in the second trimester. I was told, however, that it shouldn't be so dramatic for the next visit. Darn it, it's the holidays! The average person puts on 10 pounds for the holidays, and I've got an exception here right? Right?

24 weeks

Is it hot in here, or is it just me?

Another thing rarely mentioned, or maybe just unspoken...hot flashes while sleeping. Anyone experience this? I mean, besides my menopausal aunts (heh heh). I go to bed freezing and wake up around 2 AM drenched in my own sweat. Blech. Ick. Add this to the insomnia, the uncomfortable sleeping positions, getting up to pee 3 times, and sleepy night-night is not my best friend anymore. And then I feel her kick and all is right in the world.

Be careful what you wish for

I can't remember a time when I didn't want to be pregnant, ever since I was a little girl. I told my mom this all the time--I wanted a baby. They got me a puppy, Ms. T, the cutest thing ever. But who took care of her? My mom of course. I'm not sure what I wanted more, the pregnancy belly or the doll like animated creature I can cuddle and hold. I used to stand in front of the mirror and push out my gut as much as I could and rub my belly. You'd think I would grow out of this stage, but I found myself doing this when we were trying to get pregnant, those very long 2 years. I imagined what I would look like with a big pregnant belly. Well, now I'm on the road to realization, so to speak! Holy belly, it's here and now I'm afraid at how big it's going to get.

I had my first stranger comment on my belly the other day. Finally went shopping for the first outfit to commemorate finding out our baby is a girl (see picture below). The lady ringing up the purchase asked when I was due. I was beaming, just excited that someone outside my circle noticed I was pregnant! I proudly announced, "April!" She looks at me and says, "Wow, you are really big. My daughter is due in March and she's not as big as you." Hmm, OK-- not quite the response I was looking for. I started to panic and obsessed with this to Dione for a good amount of time after the purchase.

22 weeks


Outfit

And the moment of truth...

She's perfect! Major sigh of relief here. We got to see a very detailed scan of all her organs, her brain, heart, bones--everything. The tech said she is very active and stubborn. Ha, well look who the parents are, duh. She was so active in fact, that there aren't really any glamour shots I can post to brag about. They are all fuzzy and distorted. I do have the money shot though, which I'm sure she'll be embarrassed about one day, that her mom showed her intimates on a blog for all the world to see. But she'll get over it!

Thump

Rick felt the baby move this morning! I think. He could have just been going along with it after days and days of putting his hand on my tummy with no such luck. I swear that man has the thickest callouses on his hands, it's a wonder he feels anything. Anyway, I had some pretty big thumping going on and the baby was higher this morning, just under my belly button. I grabbed Rick's hand and I had a little dialogue with the baby on being a good little baby and please just kick hard for mommy, just this once because daddy thinks I'm making this stuff up. So like a good little baby, s/he cooperated. I even felt the kick with my hand over his hand! And the response...Tears of joy? Wide eyes of wonder and awe? Nope. Nothing. He said, "that was it? I thought it would be bigger." Oh well, we tried, the baby and I. I had a brief glimpse into the future when he comes home from work one day and I am jumping up and down because the baby rolled over and Rick says, "that's it? I thought s/he'd be walking by now."