11 Weeks!

Doing great. Lately I've been OFF veggies though and want more fruit. So weird b/c I was so into veggies and fruit at the beginning but lately the thought of veggies leave me clammy. I'm still eating salad though. The other day I went to Kroger and bought bananas, oranges, grapes, and pineapple and I've been carrying those around as snacks and have been a happy camper.

Still tired/sleepy a lot. Have to go to my car and lie down sometimes when I'm out and about (which is all the time). Had some strange cramping yesterday which was the 1st time I've felt that since I was about 5 weeks pregnant and at the time thought it meant my period was about to start but later learned that was the uterus growing. The cramping seems to have completely subsided today though. I was really really gassy yesterday too.

It was BLISS, pure bliss, on Tuesday nite when I did not have to rush off to Spring, exhausted (even with Reggie driving) to play in that damn smoky bar. Paul got some other bassist (who was lame I later found out) and I went home from Job #2, rested on the couch, watched "Cupcake Wars", ate leftover spaghetti, talked to the cat, did my nails, did a face mask, lay in bed and watched "Bad Teacher", and got to sleep shortly after 11. It was BLISS, I tell you! Of course, a text msg did come in around 10:40 from Paul saying I was a badass bassist and he missed me. Aww! But yeah, I am so done with the Tuesday nite jam gig. No more. I hope they get a decent bassist soon though.

At the gig last nite I was rested although I couldn't wear the shorts I wanted to wear. Broke down and bought 3 pairs of pants (capri length) with elastic waistbands on Monday. I need them for work. I've had to unbutton my pants a couple times while sitting, so it was time. Also, at the beach on Sunday I bent over and broke my bathing suit strap so I guess it's time for a bigger bathing suit too. My middle is definitely thick and I think my boobs are bigger (hence the broken bathing suit). The gig went well and lots of friends came out, even my pater familias came out! I dedicated "Daddy's Little Pumpkin" to him. The 2nd set though I had to sit. I was feeling pretty tired, hell, it WAS after midnite. Our friend Rich brought me tres leches cake which was so sweet.

Almost 10 Weeks

Creeping up on 10 weeks. That's 2 1/2 months! I fell asleep in my chair at work today; sometimes that happens, AND I even got 8 hrs sleep last nite!!! This progesterone is a hell of a drug.

This past weekend I had to break down and buy 3 pairs of flats. They are cute, shiny, sparkly, etc., but I don't wear flats. I'm so glad I bought them though. It's time. Also, I think it's time I started sleeping in a bra, a comfy one. I did last nite and it helped, for when I wake up in the middle of the nite to pee and as well as when I get up every morning, my tits are soooo sore and feel so heavy, I have to cradle them when I walk to the bathroom. They're fine as soon as I'm up and moving though--weird!

I've decided that I don't want to play any more Tuesday nite gigs w/the PRB. We are finishing up the Bluesday Tuesday jam at Beach Bums this month but after that, I've decided it's not worth it for me anymore. I am too fucking exhausted on Wednesdays and the drive to outer beltway is too fucking far (even though Reg drives me, the sweetheart) and I don't want to be around all that cigarette smoke anymore. I don't care how much it pays. My health and this baby's health is at stake. Not worth it. It's just a jam, they can use any bassist for that.

Have told Leo to consider a backup bassist as well; I can't be choosing between the 2 bands anymore and they both want me in July. I don't need the stress, and fortunately Leo says he is putting out the feelers for a backup bassist. He understands, and that's nice.

Toured the Hospital Yesterday

Reg & I went on the tour of TCH's new Women's Pavilion and it was pretty impressive. I love that it's a new hospital (opened in March) and therefore I am praying it's not as filthy as most hospitals, less E Coli, staph infection, etc. I found the Pavilion listed on my insurance website today so that's good; I still need to figure out if I'm covered under Midwife services. They sent me an email saying I wasn't but I heard from a birthing center that they can be covered under "Nurse Practitioners." God I hope so. I want to birth with a midwife!!!

Have shown the baby video to a few people, and to my family last nite at dinner. I was craving cheese enchiladas from La Mexicana so that's where we went. To my delight, my bro and his GF have agreed to be with me when I deliver, even if it means they'll miss work! Yay! I told Reg my bro makes me laugh and also he's a pharmacy tech so I might need him to interpret if I need any meds which I am not planning on needing except for maybe an analgesic. And his GF has a teen so I might need her birthing experience/expertise as mine goes down. She even offered to film it (she's filmed a couple other births) but I haven't decided if that'll happen yet or not.

I was craving Chinese buffet on Sat so that's what Reg & I had for dinner between my 2 gigs. Right now I'm just feeling tired again. Sleepy, even on 8 hrs sleep last nite. I'm definitely looking forward to my energy returning in a couple weeks at 2nd trimester. Reg & I are planning our "babymoon" trip, I've told him I don't care where we go. We both recently got our passports so it could be anywhere, it's just based on price/convenience/etc. So glad I have tonite off and I can't wait for this Tuesday jam gig to be over with at the end of May. I'm just TIRED, y'all.

Last Thursday, I think it was, I finally had to undo the button on my pants at work. My middle is definitely thicker. But b/c I have such a short waist and long legs I already own a lot of long/loose tops (since I tend to pair them with short skirts/shorts), empire waist tops, things like that, so I think I can get away w/out maternity wear for a loooong while. Will prob have to buy some pants though. Lotsa that stuff on Craigslist and I will definitely exploit that resource!

Baby Heartbeat

Had my 2nd U/S today, which was scheduled b/c the OB/GYN just wanted to make sure the baby is ok. I scheduled it specifically for today so Reg could be there but unfortunately he had to work after all and just couldn't get anyone to cover for him. Sad, but at least he's making $ for us and the baby. The Dr. had a resident with her and I am 9w/1-2 days today. The baby is much much bigger than the last U/S but it is measuring right on target! It is now filling the uterus up! And it has little arm/leg buds (I knew in advance from reading so wasn't surprised) and it was wiggling and moving around like crazy! Yes, this IS Reg's baby!!! Then we saw the tiny heart beating and I wasn't sure we'd be able to hear it but sure enough the Dr. turned up the machine volume and we sure as hell heard it! I burst into tears--I couldn't help it plus I'm emotional these days anyway. She asked if I wanted a video so the resident took my phone and made a video of the baby moving around (its little head is so big already!) and we got the heart beating too. Amazing. The Dr. said b/c the baby is moving around so much her vote is that's a boy. We'll know for sure at ~20 weeks!

Yesterday I went for an orientation with the midwives group at St. Lukes/Texas Children's Hospital and I liked everything I heard. On Sunday Reg and I will tour the actual hospital. I'm going to sign up with them. They are into doing natural births, have extremely low rates of episiotomies, epidurals, and C-sections and I just like the style of midwifery. Women-friendly. Baby-friendly. Birth is a natural part of life, not a medical procedure. My baby will stay with me the whole time after it's born and will immediately begin to breastfeed. Yep! Sign me up!

I'm feeling even more tired/sleepy/exhausted these days, as if that were possible. I can now sleep sitting up in my chair at work (reclined, but still). I have to lie down in my car on all breaks at all gigs. Last nite Reg and Paul even put a chair up onstage for me, which I didn't ask for but accepted and ended up appreciating immensely. Otherwise, still no morning sickness/nausea (thank God!) and my boob soreness has tapered off but I'm feeling like I'm even colder than ever everywhere I go. My black pashmina and leather jacket travel with me now, always. The Dr. said the baby will eventually make me feel hot. Really??? Also, poor Reg has been the brunt of 3 yelling/angry spells by me. Sure, he triggered them but didn't really deserve them. I have warned him to just be careful right now and that this is temporary. He's amazing and so wonderful to me and I'm so happy this is his baby.

Progress

Things is progressing. Today I had NO idea what to have for lunch. NOTHING sounded appetizing. I'm craving veggies actually which is a very very good thing. I walked around Hermann Hospital cafeteria for awhile looking, wondering, pondering. Finally, although I had mushroom pizza on Tues. night I did the salad bar and got a veggie personal pizza. That was the only thing I could think of to stomach. I do feel myself becoming a pickier and pickier eater.

I'm exhausted, more so than I already was. I don't care about my posture anymore sitting at work, I'll slump in the chair and let my tummy stick out. I'm already bloated! Last nite I took a nap before the gig but at the gig I still brought in my wooby and lay down on the wooden bench seats before playing. We played over 2 hrs straight and I thought I was a trouper for doing that and not having to go pee. I sat down for a couple songs near the end though.

I want to go home and sleep but I asked Reggie if we could go for a walk tonite. I still want to exercise and stay strong. I can't think of anything good for dinner although we do have our Banh Mi from last night and that sounds ok although I want a side of veggies or fruit with it. Thank Gott in Himmel I'm working from home tomorrow!!! Oops, pause while I go to the bathroom... again! :)

Ok I'm back! So I believe I've now told all my closest friends. The only people that remain are Aunt P and Uncle J and tomorrow at my bday dinner at Natachee's is when Reggie and I will tell them. Reggie's worried Uncle J will wring his neck, LOL. I also got my 1st offer for a baby shower, from J Fu which I thought was so sweet and of course I accepted! Also today my Dr. called me to schedule the genetic testing, which will be in June. I am not worried though, I just don't feel the need to worry. Reggie and I are still arguing over names too which is fun and funny.

So Far, Mostly Good

I am on all these pregnancy forums such as TheBump.com, Babycenter.com and there's lots of informative and interesting reading there. It seems so far I'm lucky in that I don't have a lot of the problems that other December expectant moms are having (Dec. 2012 meaning we're all about 5-9 weeks pregnant right now). I don't have trouble eating (though I do feel myself getting pickier and pickier about what TO eat), I'm not as fatigued as a lot of them sound (though yes, I am definitely tired a lot, but then I was tired before what with my crazy schedule), I don't have chills (though I certainly am cold[er] all the time), no throwing up, no discharges, no weird back pains, my prenatal vitamins aren't making me sick, and there's more I feel lucky to not be experiencing.

Last nite I got home from Atascocita ~8:30p, I finished off the meatloaf w/a salad and yummy garlic bread, lay down on the couch fully intending to just chill for a 1/2 hour or so before getting up to do laundry, practice, etc., but no, my body had other plans. I passed out on the couch and finally woke up around 2am to go upstairs to bed. Today I had some delicious Honey Nut Cheerios for b-fast but at lunch the only thing I could tolerate the thought of was a cheeseburger/fries. Not my fave salad, not pasta, nothing sounded good but burger/fries so I got it and it was awesome. The baby also made me buy her a brownie parfait LOL but I still haven't eaten that b/c I'm so full still.

Took a pic of my bare tummy in profile today. Reggie needs to help me with this monthly tummy foto project, which he's agreed to do. Gig tonite and I'm already tired thinking of it. I hate the smoky bars and am trying to sit as far away from smokers as possible. Thank God in heaven I get to work from home this Friday and have Thursday nite off. I've asked Reggie to go for a bike ride or walk/run w/me. I gotta keep up the exercise, it'll help me be strong in labor.