Olive on a toothpick

This is how one of Gene's coworkers described thin pregnant women: "Like an olive on a toothpick." It does seem that if you're thin you spend the first 3-4 months saying, "No, Really, I am pregnant!" and then within about 3 days it's suddenly so obvious that complete strangers keep coming up and asking when you're due. For me, that 3 day period was this week. I had a client suddenly notice, another client eyeing my tummy, a waitress asking if I'm pregnant, and a cashier asking when I'm due. I even had someone at church say, "When I look at you from the side, I see something that I didn't see before..." Apparently he missed my announcement to the church on Mother's day. Now, to be fair, I do feel huge, but I've felt that way for months now. Apparently I've finally reached the olive on a toothpick stage and people can tell. And now this olive and toothpick are off to the hardware store for a new fan and a new blade to repair the lawnmower...Olive/Toothpick Woman, Away!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Thump!

Gene and I had our next baby appointment today. All is well so far, and we got to hear the heartbeat again, and a little more. The baby's tiny swish swish heartbeat is now a loud Whoosh! Whoosh! sound. Every now and then there would be a Thud! Apparently, that's the baby kicking around in there. Tiny baby is about 7-8 inches now, and growing like crazy. We did our quad screen blood test today. That's the one that checks for Down's syndrome and neural tube defects. We won't get the results for a few days. The ultrasound is in about a month now. Here's hoping the baby isn't shy.

Not showing indeed!

Gene took a picture of my tummy today. I might add that I am very very hot in the hot weather we've been having. I don't know how my grandma, who gave birth to my dad in August, ever managed the heat. Gene bought me creamsickles the other day, because I needed them for some reason. My grandma said that when she was pregnant she had an out of season craving for watermellon, which I have also been craving a lot. My grandfather drove all over town till he finally found the one place that had watermellon to take home to his pregnant wife. I may be the one carrying the baby, but never underestimate the importance of a truly good husband.

Vampires and Cheerleaders

What does this title have to do with pregnancy? Well, not much, except that it was the theme for my husband's 31st birthday party last week. Gene thought it would be tremendously funny if I went as a pregnant cheerleader. Two weeks earlier this costume fit, but by the time of the party it was a close call. This is a picture of me with my vampire husband, celebrating our last birthday party together with just the two of us. You'll note that I am most definitely showing at this point.

My expanding equator

I've had a few people say that they don't believe I'm big. I hereby offer proof that I am indeed big. And, if there were still any doubt, my husband will attest that his sweat pants and pajama bottoms keep being appropriated by his wife. Mine don't fit anymore. The nightie picture is 3.5 months (about 2 weeks ago), and I think the other picture is about 2 weeks before that.

The longest minute

Gene and I toured the birthing facility and had our second baby appointment. Everything went smoothly except for being told that I'm not gaining/eating enough and I need to eat at least every 2-3 hours. That is, it went smoothly until they checked for the heartbeat. I'll spare you the suspense and cut to the end of the story where they find a nice healthy baby heartbeat, but that was the longest minute of my life. It turns out that they baby is higher, and therefore bigger than they'd expect at this stage. All good news, but a very very long minute in the meantime. Apparently not getting enough building blocks isn't really a problem for the baby as much as it is for me. I guess the baby gets it one way or another, which is a tremendous relief.