18 Weeks

18 weeks, 1 day
Originally uploaded by KLLippoldt.

This is definitely BJ’s baby. The past 5 days, all I’ve wanted to snack on has been candy. Pure sugar candy. And, I don’t think Halloween has anything to do with it because on Sunday I actually made a special trip to Walgreens for candy since there wasn’t any in the house. Right now, instead of feasting on my usual healthy mid-morning snack, I am staring down the muzzle of a Snickers bar. Yum.

Beyond the yearning for candy (for the 2 weeks prior it was mashed potatoes, by the way), I am seriously getting bigger by the minute. I knew heading into the fourth month that this would happen; it was time to grow. But I’ve certainly got mixed feelings. Like, when BJ comments about my expanding abdomen, is it because he thinks it’s cool and exciting or is he disappointed / thinking I look fat? Most of the time, though, I feel I look great. Yesterday was a good self-image day: cute outfit, new boots, good hair, and the belly was looking truly pregnant. But now today, I wasn’t happy with what I picked out to wear (laundry time!) and feel bloated. Of course, the Snickers doesn’t help.

This week BJ and I plan on tackling the daunting task of registering for baby items. The overwhelming nature of this assignment has not in the least decreased. However, I actually did a little product research last night and feel a teensy bit better about some of our bigger ticket items. I hope to raid Dad’s collection of Consumer Reports later this afternoon. Given the heated nature of baby talk/advice, I hesitate to ask anyone besides my mother for help, too. This stuff is just so personal to people—I really don’t feel like getting into it with certain of the ladies I know who’ve already had children. You know, I may not have a scientifically sound reason for selecting Bottle A over Bottle B, which you chose, but I’m not going to permanently damage my baby by making such a choice. So, get over it. Now, were I asking you which helmet was better for my baby to wear skydiving . . .

One last report on a splurge purchase yesterday. As little as I still remain, with all the internal changes going on and shifting of weight, I’ve gotten pretty uncomfortable in my chair at work. Last week I brought a small camping pillow in to help out my back; it’s now smushed flat. It’s really the chair that’s a problem, but unless I can claim some significant damage or injury, I’m stuck with it. At Target yesterday I found this great pregnancy wedge from Boppy! Woo hoo! Hopefully I’ll be a little more comfy now; it’ll be a long 5 months otherwise!

Garr--Pirates!

My pirate name is:

Captain Anne Roberts

Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. Two things complete your pirate persona: style and swagger. Maybe a little too much swagger sometimes -- but who really cares? Arr!

Get your own pirate name from fidius.org.

Thanks, Bethie--I mean Mad Bess Read--for brightening up a rather crappy Wed-nes-day!

Wed-Nes-Day. Bite me.

I should have known. When I easily found something cute to wear this morning, I just should have known.
Do you know what it feels like to have candle wax run down your front? And inside your bra? And all over your pretty wool sweater? Let me tell you. It. Sucks. Donkey. Toes.*
Sucking Wednesday. It's all Tuesday afternoon's fault. Bickering teenage girls who turn me into super-bitch, McDonald's that doesn't taste as good as when I asked for it, no BJ until 8 pm. Then the joy of a child who's being obstinate just for the sake of it this morning. Yeah, kid--I hate doing these evals, too. Could you try not to remind me why? And then I go and dump candle wax all over myself.
And I want to cry. But I can't. Because I'm at work. And God forbid I show an emotion other than positivity or (ick) strength. You'd think I'd cut myself a break because other people would just chalk it up to hormonal ravages. But, no. Must be the pinnacle of perfection.
Stupid dysfunctional, people-pleasing coping mechanisms.

*Oddly enough, I did not get burned. It hardened super-fast, wasn't that hot, and peeled right off (no skin attached). Silver lining? Nah. I'd rather wallow in my misery.

Ta-da!

Two new photos up on Flickr (click on the left) from last week. I'm thinking of starting a new series, too. Not just a side shot but my own vantage point looking down. You know, the disappearing feet phenomenon. Figure week 16 is a good time to start!

Sixteen Weeks

Or 4 (lunar) months—24 weeks to go and almost at the halfway point. Wow.

Of course, I’ve once again gotten behind in keeping everyone updated, so I suppose there’s a lot to recap. This entire pregnancy has been pretty uneventful! Talk about a blessing! The past month has absolutely flown by. Otherwise, how else would I get so damn behind on this blog? Right.

I had my monthly appointment yesterday and I’ve finally gained some weight. A whopping 4 pounds! That’s actually very modest, considering the doc originally thought I’d gained 10 pounds in the third month alone. (A little clerical error—somehow the nurse wrote down I weighed 126 pounds at 8 weeks. Please! I don’t remember the last time I was under 130. Besides, I’m keeping track and I wrote down 136 in my book. Hold up—anyone else realize how forthcoming I’ve been about my weight? Cut it out, girl!) So, this time there was no attempt to lecture me about weight gain. In fact, I’m told to keep up the eating. Yippee! That’s particularly exciting because I’m now able to eat big meals again. That used to make me sick, eating too much at once.

Peanut also came out of hiding yesterday. We were able to get a heartbeat with the Doppler and it sounded wonderful . . . wow. What was funny is that s/he was right where I knew s/he would be. Starting last week, I’d definitely felt “flutters” and even a legitimate kick. Weirdest of all, I could feel these sliding sensations from (what I figured) was Peanut moving from one place to the other. The best way I could describe it is it was like if someone stroked their hand over your skin, just on the inside. Well, yesterday morning Peanut was right up front on my left side. By the afternoon, I knew s/he wasn’t up front anymore, but didn’t sense that sliding. Lo and behold, we found her heartbeat on my left side. And, my mom didn’t believe I could feel anything yet.

The weirdest, but also very exciting, experience I’ve had so far has been Peanut’s attempted escapes. At least, that’s what I’m calling them. A couple mornings I’ve woken up with this lump, always on my left, protruding from my lower belly. Not painful at all. Just Peanut trying to bump out in the night. A little prod with my hand and s/he slides back. Crazy! I’m sure it’s related to sleeping on that side and so everything shifts a little, which would include the Peanut. And, perhaps those last 20-30 minutes before I wake up are a time when s/he also has been sleeping.

Last time I mentioned my feeling overwhelmed by the whole STUFF issue. Yeah, still haven’t done anything about it. And, to make matters worse, my dear old neighbors are already thinking about when to have my shower—perhaps before Christmas. Golly, I’ve gotta get a move on. Because, let’s not forget about Christmas. I keep telling BJ, “What do you figure people are going to want to give us for Christmas? Baby stuff!” I have, however, settled on nursery décor and even have a crib picked out. But, I haven’t painted anything—tho, I want to do that before it gets too cold so I can throw open the windows. Doctor’s orders! Ventilation while painting!

Next up? Our “big” ultrasound at 20 weeks. While we don’t want to know the sex, it will be fun to see how our Peanut has grown. And, apparently the place they’re sending us does 4-D at no extra charge and we get a CD of the scan. Our baby’s first movie before they’re even born! I also got a list of local pediatricians at the doctor this week. Gosh! I’ve got to find a pediatrician! OK, breathe . . . I think I’m truly hitting the reality point. That in a little over 5 months we’re going to have a living, breathing baby to take care of. Exciting, indeed, but I’d be stupid if I wasn’t nervous or freaked just a little. In the meantime, I can have a little fun shopping (like when mom bought $30 worth of baby clothes at Old Navy yesterday) and planning Anne’s baby shower. Thank goodness she gets to go first! What are friends for?

PS—Pictures are forthcoming, some from 15 weeks, some from this week. I still need to get them off the camera and sorted out of the color guard/marching band photos. Stay tuned!