Week 15 appointment

Today I'm 15 weeks, and I had an appointment yesterday.

BP: 104/70 (I think)

Up 6 pounds (Total. I hadn't gained anything at my 10-week appointment, which means, yes, I've gained 6 pounds in 5 weeks. I blame vacation and the 2 dozen chocolate chip cookies I've eaten since Saturday. Val loves cookies.)

The heartbeat was strong and fast. The results of my echocardiogram and bloodwork all were fine. My doctor is scheduling a CT scan of my lungs, since the shortness of breath continues. I like my doctor, but yesterday she seemed a bit skeptical of my windedness. She asked me questions that made me realize she thinks I'm having panic attacks. I told her I wasn't anxious, heart not racing, etc. Maybe Val is running on a tiny treadmill in there and is hogging the oxygen we're supposed to be sharing.

Today I had to pin my pants

My pants have a button and a hook. I buttoned up ok, but I couldn't hook the hook without that sausage-in-a-casing feeling. I used a safety pin for extra security. I probably should get a bella band, but none of my shirts are long enough to cover it up. So, maybe I should get some maternity shirts. Or, just wear sweats until my maternity pants fit.

I told Sweet LJ I had to pin my pants, and he commented that Val must be getting fat. Sweet, smart LJ for not saying I'm getting fat.

New baby Ian

Today we visited some friends to meet their new baby, Ian. Ian is now six weeks old and tiny--very, very tiny--but I never thought to ask how much he weighs, just marveled at how newborn he looked. Sweet LJ was scared to hold him, I think because he was so little. Ian is very cute and sweet, and he pooped while I held him. (This happens to me a lot. I must give off a bowel-relaxing vibe to babies.) We're very happy for Ian's family. What a wonderful new addition.

Sweet and LJ and I rode bikes to Ian's house, and then we rode to lunch. I kept reminding myself that I'd have to ride home and not to eat too much, but I still ate a little too much. I guess it was about 14 miles in all. These days Sweet LJ rides very slowly with me so I can breathe. My days of kicking his ass on all the hills are over (for now).

Sweet LJ's first gift for his sweet baby

Deep down I knew that marrying a Gator might not be such a good idea.

Pants! Pants! Pants!

I had a mild panic attack one morning last week that I'd wake up one day and none of my work clothes would fit me, and I'd have to wear Sweet LJ's pajama pants to work. So, I went online and ordered 4 pairs of maternity pants.

The pants arrived today, and they're huge (but so comfy). I could probably get away with wearing them now, actually, but they're so baggy in the seat--like I could fit 2 butts in there. They'll probably fit perfectly in about a week at the rate I'm eating cheese and the mini twixes someone left in the office candy dish.

Echo

After my first OB appointment, my doc referred me for an echocardiogram. I've been really winded, nearly all the time, which isn't normal so early. Sweet LJ looked at me next to him on the couch one night and asked if I'd just gotten back from running. Needless to say, running is tricky these days because of the required breathing.

Anyway, I had the echo, and the tech said everything looked fine, but, of course, the cardiologist would *really* have to look at the images. I've never seen my heart, so the echo was pretty cool in that regard. I asked the tech if she'd throw in a free baby ultrasound, but she just laughed. The bonus shot was my liver. When I asked how it looked, she just laughed again. Happy tech! Funny liver!

Maybe I'll breathe easier when smog season is over? In the meantime, I wish my doctor would give me a little oxygen tank for an occasional hit. That would be so amazing.

Getting Started

Well, Melissa told me I should start a baby blog so my fans can keep up. Apparently she doesn't know about my other failed blog attempts including Run to Eat and Painful Misuse (to which I won't even link). I start off strong and then get so bored. Maybe if people read this one and nag me that they really miss reading about my Dreft comparison shopping and hemorrhoids, then I'll do better.

Actually, I'm not suffering from hemorrhoids and I haven't done one bit of baby shopping. I'm never sick, and I'm still running and cycling. People (mothers and pregnant ladies) give me nasty looks when I tell them of my good fortune.

Our baby--Valdosta for the next 6 months, because it's Sweet LJ's hometown and has a good nickname, Val--is due February 20. I'm hoping she'll hold out until early March to be a part of the huge March birthday extravaganza. We don't know for sure it's a "she," but Sweet LJ has convinced me it's a girl.

Nag me if I disappear for awhile!