What is it they say about a picture?

Yeah, a picture is worth--in this case--three life-changing words: It's a boy.

We got the surprise today during the anatomy ultrasound, performed by our maternal-fetal specialist. I can't begin to imagine the ways in which this boy will steal my heart, make it swell, break it occasionally, but make it beat proudly.

I love you, my little buddy.

Mom Noms.

You know, the foods this mother-to-be is craving? Mom noms, I call them. Anyway, right now it's the soft-serve vanilla ice cream cones at McDonald's. Just had one on the way home from the doctor's office today, as a matter of fact. And it. was. nummy.

And what about the doctor's appointment, you ask? It was a routine monthly visit. Joey was with me this time. We got to hear the heartbeat, which is always the highlight of the visit. Everything is, in my doctor's words, "perfect--we couldn't ask for anything better!"

Tomorrow, we go back to the maternal-fetal specialist for the second round of the sequential screening blood tests. They might do an ultrasound tomorrow. If they do, do you know what that means? Yep, we'll find out whether to begin calling the baby a "he" or a "she"!

Until then, what to eat, what to eat?

Speaking of Mother's Day...

I wasn't sure whether I should observe Mother's Day this year. I mean, I'm not technically a mother yet, and the sacrifices I am now making cannot compare to the sacrifices I will be making once the child is in my arms.

However, I did get some nice surprises (including the one in the post below). My mom sent me a Mother's Day card for moms-to-be. Also, Andrew, Shane, and Christina sent me Happy Mother's Day text messages.

I've changed so much over the past four months as I try to transition into the role of a parent. I can't imagine how different I'll be next Mother's Day.

This time, I'm pretty sure it wasn't gas bubbles.

For the first time during this pregnancy, the rumblings I'm feeling inside me are not gas bubbles or digestive processes. He or she is kicking.

This is a Mother's Day I will not forget.

Week 17: Friday, May 7, 2010

Weight: 133 pounds
Symptoms: extreme fatigue, some food aversions

Any time now, I should start to feel the baby kicking and moving around. I've been told it feels like popcorn popping inside the belly. So far, I think what I've been feeling is just gas bubbles!

My appetite is on a continued upswing. Although I still have some food aversions, they're starting to go away a little bit. According to my scale here at home, I've gained only 2 pounds, so I hope my appetite picks up even more soon. My doctor might become concerned about my nonexistent weight gain, otherwise.

This week, I've been consumed with researching nursery furniture and baby names. No real progress on either front, but I'm trying!

Let the (shopping) games begin!

Well, I've gone and done it. I've made our first nursery-related purchase: the crib bedding.

I've had my heart set on the John Lennon "Real Love" baby collection ever since I can remember, but unfortunately, this line is no longer in production. Therefore, I had to find acceptable used items on eBay, and I did so this afternoon. Here's what the comforter looks like:



Of course, I'll probably use the comforter as a wall hanging. The set I bought also includes 2 fitted crib sheets, a dust ruffle, a receiving blanket, and a crib bumper.

There are tons of accessories out there for this collection, such as lamps, pictures, photo albums, rugs, birth announcements and so on...I see plenty of eBay shopping in my future!

Week 16: Saturday, May 1, 2010

Mood: calm, content
Symptoms: extreme fatigue
Cravings: I'm still pretty much stuck on bland foods such as potatoes; I also crave seafood such as salmon and crab (no shrimp, please). I have to watch my seafood intake, though, because of mercury.

Later today, Joey and I are meeting friends to go see the new remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street. We'll be seeing Andrew and Jennifer, Stacy and Shawn, Sarah and Russell, Sarah C., and probably some other people I haven't met yet. Afterward, we're all going to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings. I'm looking forward to it!

Week 16 has seen many of my most unpleasant symptoms subside, such as sensitivity to smells, nausea, indigestion, bloating, and sore breasts. The food aversions are sticking around, but they're not as severe as they used to be. I was actually able to eat Mexican food last night, thank goodness! It had been waaay too long!