Today was sonogram day and we found out that we are the proud parents of a new baby boy! I can't tell you how thrilled I am to think of Augie and a brother, being rough and tumble play-mates for life. Here is the evidence:
It was kind of funny how the sonographer went on and on about how "obvious" his male parts were. "There is no mistaking that penis and those testicles!" Haha. Forrest may have looked a little proud.
She told me that I have a fundal placenta, which means it is attached way at the top. That explains how early I felt kicking and how frequently I still do!
This week I had another appointment, and Friday the 10th is my 16 week marker! Over the past few weeks I have noticed a steep drop in nausea, and have essentially none to speak of this week. Something curious and unlike my previous pregnancy took place though. Even though I was feeling better and able to eat plenty I still felt terribly exhausted. I could barely stand for very long and would get winded walking across a parking lot. I thought that maybe I was just out of shape, but I would also get rapid heart rate for no reason, sore muscles, and even really fitful, sleepless nights. Being the hypochondriac that I am, I assumed I was soon going to be diagnosed with a pregnancy induced myocardial issue. Well, apparently those are just symptoms of severe iron deficiency/anemia. Glad to know my solution lies in an Fe supplement and some orange juice (Vitamin C helps the body absorb Iron!). Carol said that it would likely just be a week or two before I noticed a big difference. Phew!
At this appointment I heard the heartbeat again, and got multiple questions answered about potentially doing a home birth. Before anyone gets into a tizzy, don't. The same medical/life-saving equipment that is at the birth center will be brought to my house by the midwife, and my house is equidistant to the hospital should I need a transfer. My reasons for doing this are copious, but basically it happened like this: I was lying in bed and thinking about how much floor-space was left in our bedroom since the crib was gone. Which led to the thought that it is the perfect space for a birthing tub. Which led to the thought that I hated getting into the car while I was in labor, and HATE-HATE-HATED strapping my newborn into a cold car-seat to come home. Why not cut out the middle man? I asked Forrest what he thought, got the go-ahead, and the rest is history.
Jim Gaffigan is HILARIOUS, and his take on home-birth is priceless. Do yourself a favor and watch. If you have no time at all to make your own day much better, skip to 1:30 for the stuff I am taking about. But seriously, take 7 minutes to laugh.
Stats!
Weight Gain:-2lbs
Cravings: This week I ate my weight in pesto. Sandwiches, pasta, mmm!!
Sleep: Freaky dreams and a lot of waking up, but hopefully that will be fixed soon.
Moods: Better every day.
What I am looking forward to: Feeling energetic and peaceful.
Lately I have been feeling little things that I could swear were tiny baby kicks, but I didn't want to believe it. I mean, I am only 13 weeks pregnant and last time I didn't feel them until about 18 weeks. Kind of crazy early. Last night, however, it became undeniable. I had an awful headache and was laying in bed trying to fall asleep when I felt the familiar little fluttering's. I excused it as digestion when all of a sudden I had a little "pow, pow!". I thought, "Aww, a little baby kick!" but it must have been a baby hand because a few seconds later I felt a much more swift "bam, bam!" on the other side of my belly. I got so happy that I forgot about my headache and fell asleep soundly with visions of my wee-baby sugar-plum dancing in my head.
Yesterday was my first appointment at the birth center and it was such a nice visit. Leslie was working, which was so much fun, and I got to hear the happy little heartbeat for the first time. Augie was a bit of a mess and kept trying to put toys on Leslie's desk and on me while I was stretched out on the table, but he was also cute so he got away with it. She drew my blood to make sure I am not suffering from any unknown ailments and that was that. I can't wait to go back next month and maybe not feel so ill then. I purposely made my next appointment around lunch time so that I can stop by Schlotzsky's on the way home. Always thinking ahead...
Weight Gain: -3lbs
Cravings: Not much. I am still quite nauseous.
Sleep: I sleep a TON. about 11 hours at night plus a nap. Same as Augie, who now has his crib in his own room!
Moods: Weepy or comatose.
What I am looking forward to: Not being ill and looking pregnant.
This week we took a little plane trip to visit Moo and Baba. Augie got to go to the Aquarium and the beach, twice each! We ate a lot and had so much fun.
This morning we went to the Heard Museum. It is really close to our house, so we have a membership. I brought my camera along to see if I could catch Augie smiling, but as per usual I have a stoic little man.
I have been slowly taking steps to eventually have Augie sleep in his own room. I decorated it, organized it, and so on. I am not going to transition him until we are both ready, because there is no sense in both of us not being happy to fit into a pointless social convention, but today we took a big step. I finally purchased a bed-spread that might tantalize him into wanting to sleep in a big kid bed. Lately I have been day-dreaming about watching movies at night, in the winter weather months, tucked away in bed next to Forrest... which obviously can't happen with a sleeping Augie in the room. We will see if my dreams become reality this season...
