Twelve Weeks

Twelve Weeks
Originally uploaded by KLLippoldt.

We have arrived at a major benchmark. Or, at least a traditionally breathe a sigh of relief resting point. I've gotten to 12 weeks and have a mere 1-2 weeks (depending on who's counting) until the end of this trimester.

"WHAT?!?" you say? How did it whip by so fast? Gosh, I wish I could tell you. I should be relaxing. Peanut is growing strong and measuring age-appropriate. I even got to see her move at my appointment on Monday! I cannot express how incredible that was. Not only did I get a second ultrasound (practically unheard of in low-risk cases like mine), but I saw my baby wiggling around alive inside of me. And, you could tell he was a baby!

But, despite all this joy, I'm a little freaked out. About being a parent? No way. Completely and totally about STUFF. Merchandise. Products. Baby aisles and registries. I haven't given it a single thought, and here I am closing in on my 2nd trimester. There are so many choices that it's completely overwhelming and I long for even my parents' time. Before we knew all this safety crap. I clearly remember we had one of those folding playpens they ended up banning because it folded on top of babies.

So, being overwhelmed and not wanting to jinx myself, I had completely ignored the baby STUFF issue. And those early months before I had to go back to work are gone. And Peanut is sapping all my mental resources. And I have crazy dreams every night. And I have no clue how to decorate the nursery. And I just want to EAT! And, now, I have to start researching car seats and playpens and cribs and diapers and bottles and . . .

On the upside, I got my first shipment of maternity clothes last weekend from Old Navy. Yes, it's relatively early. But, the pants have been a little snug and why be uncomfortable? Besides, Old Navy sizes pants based on trimester. OH MY GOD, I LOVE THESE PANTS. I would marry these pants and have pant babies. No joke, I will wear them even when I'm not pregnant. Can I buy stock in The Gap?

11 Weeks (29 to go!)

So much for my ambition to post an update once a week. I’ve got to get better about that, if only for my own recollection in the future.

Definite changes going on. Aside from the one major blessing/curse, the Peanut has begun to make itself known. Being the obsessor that I am, and having watched my dear friend Anne palpating herself non-stop in her pregnancy, I haven’t been able to get my hands off my abdomen. When would I feel something? Early last week I was leaning over the bathroom sink (truth time: I only pluck my eyebrows without my contacts because I can see better, but I have to be one inch from the mirror) when I noticed “resistance” where there had not been any before. Was it Peanut? And then a few days later, a noticeable hard spot about 3 fingers below my belly button. So exciting! I made BJ feel it—he thought it was “alien” and “weird”, but he was smiling.

I really am feeling fabulous. BJ’s aunt Julie, when she asked how I was, responded that “fabulous was never a word I used during my pregnancy.” But I am! It was a little anxiety provoking at first, but since the doctor’s appointment I’m just blissful. Very thankful that I feel so well and that I really get to enjoy this. I mean, what could be better than feeling hungry every 5 seconds and actually getting to eat! And, not just “getting” to, but being ordered by your doctor to! True, it’s not license to eat crap like there’s no tomorrow, but that’s OK. Aside from the occasional cheeseburger (I think it’s the iron), I have been craving healthy food. As in, “ooh, look at that asparagus! And those plums!” My mouth waters over vegetables. Is that so wrong?

I had a major milestone last Friday: I couldn’t fasten my pants. I’d have been fine were we allowed to wear jeans at work, but no. I have to squeeze into a pair of khakis. I pulled them up and they were comfortable with the zipper down, forget about the button. So, yes, I pulled out a rubber band. I rubber-banded the top of my pants together. Needless to say, it was shopping time on Saturday. Which was the most depressing shopping trip I’ve ever taken. Stupid transitional period. My pre-preg clothes aren’t fitting, but I’m not really big enough for true maternity clothes. And, since I’ll be bigger next week than I am this week (and so on), I don’t want to spend money on regular clothes. I thought I was going to cry in the middle of Target. I did end up buying one (only one!) pair of khakis in a size bigger—that I still need to hem—and a lot of light-weight sweaters a size bigger. The idea being, they are longer and will cover any pathetic attempts to loosen my pants or skirts. But let’s not forget the coups de gras—2 bigger bras! That was exciting. Then came the major order from Old Navy today. I discovered they do address the transitional period (they actually tell you what months different styles fit!) and went bananas. Well, bananas for me, the woman who has been budgeting her clothes spending for years.

And that concludes our superficial entry. I feel like I should have more in-depth thoughts on my pregnancy and the Peanut. But, truth be told, I have been so busy lately that I haven’t had time to think beyond work and flags and eating. I’m looking forward to relaxing and hitting a groove now that the first football game is behind us. Maybe then I can ponder the massive consequences (and joys!) of having a little baby with us in about 6 months.