Banished

Let me just tell you, these little gems are DELICIOUS.  But they are no longer allowed in my home.  Why?  Perhaps it has to do with the fact that I've cleared through 2 boxes (with some help from Mark, but I have to accept the lion's share here) in the past 3-4 weeks.  And that's only because I exercised a smidge of self-control this week and we were out of town most of last week.

In case you were wondering, yes, I've gained more weight than is normal in this timespan and have now learned my lesson that a pregnant woman should not eat anything and everything her little heart desires -- especially if said little heart is possessed by a sweet tooth so large it could rival Mount Rushmore. 

Incidentally, because I'm too lazy to drag out the camera and take a picture of my now-empty box of cookies, I did a quick search online to see if I could find a photo.  I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to see these guys on sale at places like e*Bay and Ama*zon. After all, they are limited edition.  And thank goodness for that.  I'm not sure how long my will power will remain intact.

Our pitter-pattering little feet...

will be clad in black patent leather Mary Janes!

The doc was 90% sure about our little one being a girl.  I'm going to try to finagle another peek down the road, but the absence of "outdoor plumbing" and the presence of two little lines seemed pretty convincing.

Most importantly, Baby had two hands, two feet, an excellent spine, and a strong heartbeat.  She looks perfect and we can't wait to meet her this spring.  God is good and we are blessed!

Is there truth to the tale?

There's been a lot of talk and speculation surrounding whether or not we have Baby Boy or Baby Girl on the way.  We've got less than two weeks till we find out, provided he or she is feeling cooperative.  (Here's hoping!)

There are so many old wives' tales about how to tell if it's a boy or girl.  The one I am most familiar with is the heart rate.  I asked the doc today when she checked, and she said "it's 154 -- but that doesn't mean anything!"  We'll see...

Did the heart rate thing hold true for you?  What other tricks did you try?

Update:
Myra suggested I take some quizzes, so I've busied myself with that task.  Here are the results...
- 58% it's a girl according to Just Mommies
- 63% chance of a girl according to Childbirth
- it was a toss up at Parents
- the ancient Chinese birth chart says boy
- 53% it's a girl at Baby Gender Prediction

pop!

In case you were wondering, yes, I'm pregnant.  And no, it's not multiples.  But thanks for being shocked at how gargantuan I am already.  Really, it does wonders for my self-esteem. 

Just three weeks till we learn the answer to the boy/girl question.  I have no idea how to even try to guess whether we've got a he or she since I can't compare pregnancies and such.  But cast your vote in the poll for funsies!

Sometimes my little pregnancy ticker thing at the top of the page gets behind.  That frustrates me, as I don't want to be any less pregnant than I am.  I want to move ahead, move forward, keep going. 

That's probably why, when my doctor decided to put April 16th as my EDD on my chart at our last visit even though my EDD is really April 14th -- because the 14th is based on my ovulation date and the 16th is based on the date of my last P -- I smiled sweetly and said okay.  But as soon as we left the office, I told Mark in no uncertain terms that I am due April 14th and I am going to continue counting my pregnancy weeks as renewing on Wednesdays rather than Fridays (today puts me at 15 weeks, thanks).  I don't know why I'm so sensitive and unrelenting on this.  It'll serve me right if he or she holds out on being born till April 16th, huh?

In other Baby B news, we're scheduled for the big ultrasound on November 24th.  Stay tuned to find out whether you'll be aunts or uncles!

why we won't be surprised if I get gestational diabetes

My friend Jill and I were talking the other day about how I've not gained any weight yet with this pregnancy.  She marveled at my ability to make good food choices.  Pride goeth before the fall, people.  Monday afternoon, I ate an entire 3-serving bag of gummy worms over the course of 2 hours.  Yeah...

Last Thursday, we had an ultrasound done as part of the neural tube defect and Downs screening.  Baby was perfectly compliant while the sonographer worked on all the measurements and such.  At one point, it appeared that Baby might be praying with his/her hands placed together.  Afterward, Baby had a ball flipping, turning, and even giving a nice wave to Mom and Dad.

I realize I've not posted any preggo pics of me.  They're not great.  Let's face it, pregnancy has an overwhelming ability to make a girl feel utterly exhausted and incapable of functioning.  The second trimester glory days are before me, though, and I'm hoping to make full use of them!

no answers, lots of questions

I'm pretty sure the title of this post will sum up the next 18+ years of our lives now that we're in the family way.  Here are just a few of the questions that have popped into mind lately....

- Does your hair really not dye evenly in the 1st trimester or is that a scare tactic?
- I keep hearing that diapers fit differently.  Who can tell me the "makes and models" of this?
- That "itzben" thingy looks handy.  Is it really, or does it just prey upon the insecurity of first-time parents?
- What would you consider as your must-have items?
- What do you wish you'd not wasted the money on getting?

Mark wants to take preggo pics of me on Sunday mornings as I'm rushing out the door, late for work after a hard morning and overwhelming exhaustion.  He's only been successful once.  If not for the aforementioned exhaustion, I might take the time to find the camera and upload the pic.  Better luck next time, dear reader!