15 Weeks and OMG--Baby Gender

Reg joined me yesterday for my ultrasound and MaterniT21 test. I was "15w0d" yesterday so I was amazed when the Dr. (a new Dr., one who specializes in perinatal care) said she could determine the sex. What!!! The books and websites all said 16-20 weeks!!! We told her NOT to tell us but to put the gender inside a sealed envelope so we can take it to the baker and have them make Baby Gender Reveal Cupcakes! I told Reg I was surprised at finding out the gender this early and that now we HAD to have our cupcake party THIS Saturday. I sent out the email to only our closest and dearest and am awaiting reply from them (Hey, those cupcakes are $4.25 each). It is a true test of my patience to let that sealed envelope taunt me... but it's good for me! Hey, I thought I wouldn't find out for another month so I can wait a few freakin' days!

My tummy is definitely round and sticking out. Janie gave me a few maternity items last week as a gift, some tops and 2 skirts which I will definitely  use. Yesterday at the Dr. I weighed 136 so have gained ~11 lbs. I had to buy some size L and XL (yes!) strapless bandeaus since I have so many strapless tops/dresses and these things are huge and I miss little bras and going braless! I have tried to wear some of my regular tops but some of them are tight going over my tits now. Jeez! I've never had big tits in my life, it's surreal! I'm totally enjoying my new maternity shorts and my elastic waistband pants.

Reg is being great around the house. He cleaned the entire downstairs a few days ago and it looks great. He even mopped! He made shelves for me for a bookcase I have that didn't have shelves and that is going to be a big help for storage. Last nite he took me to eat at Black Eyed Pea and we grubbed seriously and I got yummy banana pudding. Then we went to Kroger and I got organic peaches, clementines, bananas, red seedless grapes (I'm still on my fruit kick), and those popsicles what got real fruit on the inside. His neighbor lent me lots of her natural childbirth books and I'm devouring them. I'm also spending my days trying to remember to be committed to my Kegels!

14 Weeks! And...pop?

So Monday night I just HAD to go buy maternity shorts and new bigger bras. I bought 38C bras and man, they fit. Jeez. I've never had big tits, the other women in my family got 'em and I was left with 34B's. Mind you, I liked them, I liked being able to wear cute tight tops and loved how they never got in the way of jogging, shooting, etc. and I loved going braless at every opportunity. No more! I even had to buy a new (large) sports bra to wear while sleeping. These things need all the support I can give 'em. Reg likes them a lot!

I'm right at 14 weeks and I look like I've indeed "popped" out down there. Wearing my elastic pants today to work and the Bella Band all other days. I'm still hoping my energy is coming back. I've been doing pretty good at getting 8 hrs sleep the past few nights. My OB/GYN arranged for the next round of genetic testing (even though we still haven't gotten the results of the 1st, the nuchal fold) and that will be next week. This'll be another ultrasound with the Materni21 test. But after this I hope to be done with all the testing on the baby. These tests should tell me all I need to know.

For the next round of maternity wear I want to go explore the resale shops. These maternity clothes are expensive and I'm only going to wear them a few months. I just don't want too much of my $ going to clothes. It's bad enough I'm going to have to shell out $ for brand new bras and undies (yeah my hips seem to have spread a bit). I'm not above accepting hand me downs either from anyone, once I make the big announcement on Facebook, hopefully soon.

Been eating not as healthy lately, then again, we were literally on the road all weekend, going to gig in Louisiana. It's hard to eat healthy on the road when you're in the car, going, going, going. No matter what though I'm at least trying to get fruit in me as much as possible. I had a veggie sannich from Schlotzky's last night, but I still suddenly don't like onions anymore and had to pick them off. Weird.

13 Weeks!

On Monday Reg accompanied me to the OB/GYN for the 3rd ultrasound which was the nuchal fold testing. The baby is big and has a little face and fingers and toes and pouty lips! That is definitely my baby! They also took 6 vials of my blood and a urine sample. The lab will combine with the measuring of the skin on the back of the baby's neck to determine any chromosomal abnormalities. I am not worried. Test results back in 2-3 weeks. We got a whole mess of printouts this time, like a dozen pictures of the baby!

I weighed 132.5 on Monday so have gained about 7 lbs. I am now counting myself as entering the 2nd trimester! Please, energy, come back! I feel like it might be creeping back. But, as Paul pointed out, we've done 12 gigs in the past 14 days. Whew! But I need that $. I must buy new bras and shorts for the summer and a new bathing suit ASAP. My stomach is definitely sticking out now and my shorts won't close anymore!

I'm looking into taking some classes on the Bradley Method. I will also definitely take at least one breastfeeding class. I contacted a doula but her quote was $1200 and I just can't afford it, not if I want to take 3 mo's off from work after baby is here, and I do. Reg and I watched "The Business of Being Born" and I really liked it. I am reading all kinds of natural birth stories on internet blogs, websites, etc. and dammit, that's what my birth plan will reflect.

Reg & I want to take a "babymoon" and it looks like August might be a good time. He wants to go to Cancun or the likes; I don't care as long as it fits in our budget. He's going with me this weekend to our gigs in Louisiana Fri-Sat and I'm grateful b/c the drive last month wore my azz out. I am now 100% on flats at all gigs but don't care b/c I managed to find some cute ones. I still wear heels to work and around town, I just don't want to stand for 4 hrs in heels at gigs to help with any fatigue that might come on. That bass is pretty darn heavy too.

Yeah, Pretty Much 12 Weeks

I conceived this baby on a Tues-Thurs nite (according to my OB/GYN and the 1st ultrasound where she measured the embryo) the last week in March so I'm closing in on 12 weeks pretty much. The baby will be the size of a lime this week! The pants I'm wearing now I don't want to close w/the button so my long shirt is hiding the open zipper/button, however I did tie the little tie belt on it. I need to get to Target and see if they have Bella Bands. It's time!

Since Sunday I guess I've been suffering from pregnancy rhinitis. Had a congestion/sinus headache and had to break down and go visit the pharmacist yesterday, however he declined to recommend anything for me to take for the congestion/pressure. Wah! I did buy some acetaminophen however but only took 2 which didn't help hardly at all. I went home around 3:30pm determined to do some saline nasal washes but they helped for about 10 min. I also tried hot compresses which also didn't do much. Later I leaned over a pot of berling water and that helped slightly. I lay in bed all evening, didn't even make it to Job #2. Oh well. The headache went away but came back again this a.m. This afternoon it finally abated. Thank God!

Have to do sheriff work tonite and hope my gun belt fits. At least it's velcro. This Thursday we have a HUGE gig opening up for the great George Porter Jr and I have a new outfit that I hope I'll look good in (bought early this year b4 I got knocked up). It's a snug, short, leopard print jumper and it's sexy! I wonder how thick my middle will look, b/c my middle is definitely thick! :)