For Good Luck, Rub My Belly

So, I went to the doctor last week. Did I tell you that? I think I did. Baby's heart is still pumping away at about 150 and growing nicely. I have gained 4 lbs. It looks more like 40 and it might as well be 400. And after this weekend, it probably is 400. I am having a MAJOR clothing dilemma. I purchased some maternity goods for my growing body and I might as well be wearing a tent. My regular clothing is starting to look pretty ridiculous, so either way, I look like I'm wearing someone's hand-me-downs. I was thrilled at the idea of being a maternity fashion maven and now I just feel like a kid playing dress-up. It's painful to watch and even more painful being the one involved. It's a bitter cocktail that I'm having a hard time swallowing. I know that as soon as my belly "pops", so to speak, everything will fit fine, it's just the in-between that is horrendous. In-between is lasting longer than I thought, but I guess I should be thankful. I'm wondering if there is any actual "popping" involved though. It just seems to be growing at a steady rate.

I hear about these women who have ungodly appetites and I wonder what that's all about. 70 pound weight gains! Not saying I won't gain my fair share, but seriously, I will be starving and think I could eat an entire buffet at Western Sizzlin and then 5 bites into it, I'm full. I will admit, I am hungry a lot more often, but it takes a lot less to feed baby & I. Maybe the huge appetite is to come later. Also, the peeing. There are times when I can barely make it into the house because my bladder is bursting. I sit down and...tinkle. I suppose this is a result of the baby kicking my bladder like a soccer ball - and the fact that my bladder is quickly losing living space in my belly. And I obviously need to quit drinking after a certain point in the evening because having my slumber interrupted for urination is not my idea of a good time. Even better when hubby has just gone in his sleepy state and I wind up having to wipe my legs & ass as well from sitting on a wet seat. I'm thinking, the toilet opening is large, a stream of pee is not. I don't see the problem. Of course, it could also be that one of our dogs has taken a liking to the toilet and uses it as her personal water cooler. It's either that or plunging into the icy water because the seat is still up. Hence the reason I prefer the seat down.

Other than that, everything is progressing nicely. We did the triple screen, which was a bit scary. It tests for things like Spina Bifida, Down's Syndrome, or other neural defects and it has a very high false positive possibility - increasing the stress on mom & dad, too. It also means additional testing to determine actual results. I didn't realize how worried I was until I got an a-ok reading and then burst into tears. Then I sat in the chair & talked to my baby and praised it to high heaven. My baby is #1!

Let's all send our good vibes to Miss Shandi...she is having a little baby boy today - no doubt it will be gorgeous if it looks anything like its mother. Or its father for that matter. Let's keep them in our thoughts. Love you all!