The 12 week 5 day doctor's visit...

Everything went well today. I had a net gain of one pound exactly in the past four weeks. (I was down two already when I went for the ultrasound, I lost two more, and then I gained three back.) Nicholas and I heard the little baby's heartbeat again, but this time with the little wand that they wave over your lower abdomen...165 beats per minute, which is normal. I asked about sleeping on my stomach since I am trying to stay off of it, but tend to wake up on it. Dr. Chwe was very reassuring, and said it didn't matter at all right now and that my body and my baby will make sure that I stay off of it when it does matter. I asked when that would be. He said about 26 weeks, but by then my belly will a big enough bump that I won't be able to sleep on it. I also asked about yoga and if it was safe to do headstands and back bends. He said that as long as I was not in danger of falling, I can do whatever.

Our next appointment is November 30 and we will be 17 weeks then--too early for the next ultrasound. I was hoping to have the ultrasound where we find out gender before Christmas, but it looks like it might be after! Well, January is usually a let down after the holidays, so this will be something to look forward to!!

No related pictures, but I'll add one of the color on our red maples in the front yard:

Could the nausea be over?

The latter part of the week was pretty good. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I was able to eat at every meal. I only threw up three times on Friday morning, so if we start from Friday noon, I almost feel normal again! Which is a good thing since Nicholas's brother Charlie and his crew came in for the Alabama vs. Tennessee game. Here's a picture of us in front of the stadium before the game. From back left, that's Gus, Matt King, Charlie, and Nicholas. Marcy, Charlie's girlfriend is in the front next to me. Thanks, Chuck, for the hounds tooth scarf!



Marcy and I went back to the house and carved pumpkins, and I must say that we did an awesome job! (The best I've ever done, at least!!)





As for the pregnancy, Charlie was pretty excited about our coming addition. I have the feeling that he is rooting for a boy, though! We'll see! I am sure he will be a great Uncle Chuck!

The baby is about 2.5 inches long now, and my uterus is beginning to move above my pelvic bones. I can definitely tell a tightening around my waist. I've gained back two of the four pounds I've lost, so hopefully the other two will be back soon. I am not into maternity clothes yet, but sometimes I appreciate those empire waist tops that cover the top of my pants so that I can unbutton my dress pants! Here are pictures at 7, 9, and 11 weeks, respectively:

The goods, the bad, and the haircut...

So week 11 had good points and bad ones. My mom and Grandma Clara came to visit Sunday the 11th. We visited about all their ten births! Whoa! Mom had all of us natural...and we were all about 10 lbs. (I was 10 lbs 1 ounce.) Incredible, Mom!! Their stay was short and they left the next morning, after dropping off "the goods."

Erin (friend from grade school, whose family and mine are have been friends for all my memory) sent a boat load of maternity clothes! Thanks, Erin!! I should have ironed first, but I am behind on my regular ironing, already. Winter coat, check. Dresses, check. Shirts, shorts, pants, check! Check out the closet! I might not have to buy anything except leggings! (I added those two green blouses, Erin. The only things I've brought!)



And Stephanie sent a shipment, too! Thanks, Steph! I love the books and the toys!! Check out the goods:


Stacey couldn't resist and sent me the cutest little onesies, which I love! Look at the message:


And, a couple things Nicholas and/or I picked up. We bought the sweet little toy in Kauai, the onesie at the Gap (isn't it perfect for the child of a computer scientist!), the over-the-shoulder-baby-holder for $2 at a yard sale, and the "utter cover" for free online:


That's all of the goods for now. Except that we did get rid of the home gym that had been in the baby room this week. Now, we just have to move my computer and desk out.

The bad was more of the same nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. I ended up calling the doctor this week. He said I can take Imodium AD and also gave me a prescription for phenergan. I hate that phenergan, though. It knocks me out. I am taking as little of it as possible.

And, for the haircut. I forgot about it until this post. I thought I would try to grow my hair out because I have this image of a new mom with long hair. But, it drives me crazy. So, I cut it on Tuesday...probably the worst day yet for all the bad pregnancy symptoms. Maybe not a good idea... I look a little like a kid who got a hold of a scissors. Here is a picture of Ringo and me before I gave him a bath on Saturday:



It's a good thing that my hair grows pretty quickly!!

10 Weeks!

Yesterday marked the end of my tenth week! And I must say that week ten was rough...more vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea than I care to remember. But, as part of the reason for this blog is to help me keep a "diary" of the pregnancy, I'll note that. I left work early Wednesday because of nausea and again yesterday. I hate doing that! But, yesterday I slept from three to seven and then again from nine through the night to seven the next morning. I walked the dogs then, and decided that I would skip yoga because I was still nauseous, my back was killing me, and I thought I could go back to sleep. I did...until almost noon. The nurse said that the baby is getting what it needs, so don't worry. I am down four pounds since pre-pregnancy, but (sister) Stephanie went through the same thing with her first, and my aunt June said that she didn't get back to pre-pregnancy weight until the beginning of her sixth month. So, I am trying not to worry. Despite losing weight, my pants are feeling tighter in the waist, so I guess that is a good sign.

In any case Nicholas and I are super excited. The books say that the baby is the size of a small plum now and we are entering into the "fetal stage," which means that all the wiring is finished and now it is about gaining weight and developing.

My book list now includes:

1. The Official Lamaze Guide: Giving Birth with Confidence
2. What to Expect When You're Expecting (courtesy of Stephanie!)
   
3. Your Pregnancy: Week by Week (courtesy of Stephanie!)
   
4. Becoming a Mother (from the library)
5. Taking Care of Your Child (from the Baby Yourself program through BCBS)
   
6. Death by Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandaries (the only non-pregnancy one)

I'll have to give a review when I finish each one.

Nicholas is reading The Expectant Father, and seems totally prepared for whatever I do or say lately. (Of course, I am often not prepared!) He's been great about helping not to feel guilty about not cooking; he's picked up my slack when I am too tired to clean or finish the laundry; and he still hasn't been freaked out by my crying jags, which seem to pop up for no reason.

The dogs haven't suffered too much with the pregnancy so far. Mostly, I am able to still walk them for at least two miles in the morning and two miles at night. Below is a photo when I tried to make them share Ringo's bed. I figured that Puck is small enough that he could just spoon with Ringo. They didn't go for it. We bought another bed.

Prenatal Yoga

This is my plug for Yoga Bliss! I went to my first prenatal yoga class yesterday, and it was awesome! I loved yoga before I got pregnant, and particularly loved the Tuesday/Thursday Open classes with Jennifer, where the workout is intense and you leave soaked from sweat. (Check out the class schedule if you are a beginner. There are classes for you, too!) In this prenatal class, Jennifer works with each mom-to-be individually to modify poses for where you are in your pregnancy. I loved it, recommend it, and will be back next Saturday!

The secret's out!

Everyone at work has now seen the blog (whether they wanted to or not!), so it's a free for all! I think Jane is sending an email as we speak to all the Krafts, so we know that soon, there will not be a man, woman, or child not in the know!