Dup dup dup dup dup

So, Scott and I went to The Doctor on Friday, eager to hear Baby Bean’s heartbeat for the first time. She looked at my belly and felt around and told me my uterus was growing “very well” and was “pretty high up already”. Then she busted out the doppler and started cruising around in search of the heartbeat.

For the first minute or so, she assured us that with “babies this small” it’s tricky to locate the heartbeat sometimes. After a few more minutes went by, the tension in the little examination room grew. At one point, I heard a “whoosh, whoosh” and I got a huge silly smile on my face. “Oh, that’s actually YOUR heartbeat,” she said apologetically. I glanced over at Scott and saw he was gripping his chair and starting to look worried. She went over and over my belly, up and down, left and right. Nothing.

Finally, she moves the doppler dramatically lower, and presses down quite firmly, tucking it right up underneath my bone. “DUP DUP DUP DUP DUP”. Apparently our baby was chillin’ head down in a far reach of my uterus and his heart was beating along just waiting for us to find it. Big grins from Scott and I and a nice long time to listen to that beautiful sound before we settled down enough to finish the appointment with the usual round of questioning.

This just in (or out, as the case may be)

Today, I couldn’t button my shorts. The Belly wouldn’t have it.

I’m 13 weeks along, today. I’ve only gained the ~2 lbs recommended for the first trimester, but my belly has already made an appearance. Scott grins every time he sees it, and I try to suck it in, but there’s nowhere for it to go.

What? You want to see a picture? Nope, sorry. I decided early on that the belly shots weren’t so much going to happen for me. Especially in this stage of looking “thick” instead of pregnant, the camera is not The Belly’s best friend.

What is The Belly’s best friend? Take your pick: Original hummus from Sunflower market on triscuits with extra salt on top, Anne’s homemade bean dip* on blue corn tortilla chips, or cold fresh strawberries, sliced. Those three foods have been on the menu every day for the last week. Mmmm… boy! (or girl?)

*Tricky recipe: Some non-fat Taco Bell refried beans from a can, stirred into an equal amount of Pace Picante salsa. Warm it up in the microwave, add a little salt if you’re really feeling pregnant, and enjoy!

The Dreaded Gamboo

Two days ago, things were definitely looking up. My nausea was subsiding, giving me several hours (not just minutes) each day to focus on things and feel like a real person. Energy levels were way up, to the point were I tentatively set out on several walks, and even attempted a run. Man, that felt good to be out in the sunshine taking useful gulps of air for the first time in weeks.

And then Thursday night, I had a foreboding tickle in the back of my throat. Do you know that feeling? For me, it’s a sense of impending doom. I went to sleep that night hoping that sleep would cure whatever I was getting.

No such luck. All day Friday and again today, I’ve been speeding through kleenex and cough drops and once again, completely exhausted. Here’s a new one, possibly due to being pregnant? Migraines. I was in agony all night, trying to shut out every hint of light, wandering around the house moaning like a crazy person. No medication I can take while pregnant helps the pain go away, but boy a cool washcloth covering my entire face is like a gift from heaven.

Scott has been so good to me this whole time, though the poor guy was so relieved to see me coming out of my morning sick-stupor that I think this caught him quite off guard. Soups and washcloth re-wetting, kleenex duty and runs to the library to get me books and DVDs that would distract me from my sick self… I’m continually amazed by how patient and loving he is towards me, especially when I’m snotty and raw from nose-blowing and crying.

I was looking forward to playing in my first soccer game in months this morning, along with my second baby shower in a week, but alas, they were not to be. Instead, I’ve got the A&E Pride and Prejudice DVDs to enjoy, a bagel with my name on it, a fantastic husband, and the hope that when I shake of The Gamboo my morning sickness will be completely behind me.

Oh! And in 10 short days, I’ll see my beautiful niece for the first time and I’m very optimistic that by then I’ll be out of quarantine.

The Rumors Are True

Baby Bean, meet my blog readers. Blog readers, meet Baby Bean.

I’m 11 1/2 weeks along, and yes.. I’m counting down the days. Morning sickness has been a beast for me and I’m hoping any day now I’ll start to feel much improved.

More details to come, of course. I’ve enjoyed reading way too many a pregnancy blog to completely avoid posting about this part of my life. Besides, this baby is pretty darn cute! I wish you could have seen the little foot kicking on our last u/s.

This week is the week of The Fig. This baby has been affectionately named “Lentil”, “Lima”, “Garbanzo”, and “Kidney” so far. But I think it’s now bigger than any bean I know… so Figgy it is.

Of course, Scott and I are thrilled and more than a bit nervous. I’m due Christmas, or shortly thereafter and this baby will definitely be the best Christmas present either of us have ever received.