Oooo, I feel good again.

The headache that has plagued me for a couple of weeks let up yesterday, and has yet to return. (Knock on wood.)

I actually felt good enough yesterday to get outside, rake the yard a bit, remove some dead grass and lay down some Patchmaster. It was a good feeling to get stuff done. Now, hopefully the Tree people that are coming by tomorrow don't ruin all my hard work.

So, yeah...that's that. Just counting down the days/hours until we see Smudge again. 45 hours from now! Squeee!!

12 weeks.

How far along? 12 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +/- 0, still. I fluctuate a bit, but still hovering around the same.
Maternity clothes? Still capris and bella band. Today the bella band is even uncomfortable.
Stretch marks? Not that I know of.
Sleep: Bought a body pillow that's too damn big to stuff in the bed with us. Sleep has been pretty good, still trying to train myself to sleep on my side.
Best moment this week: I bought my first item of baby clothing. That was weird. $6 at Target!
Movement: Nope.
Food cravings: Same as last week - PB&J, Cocoa Krispies, pickles - and most fruit.
Gender: I'm really wishing we were finding out.
Labor Signs: Nada.
Belly Button in or out? Innie, but getting wider. No likey.
What I miss: Not having a headache. I really miss not having a headache.
What I am looking forward to: The NT scan on Friday so we can see Smudge again!
Weekly Wisdom: Always bring snacks in your purse when you leave the house for more than an hour. I'm pretty sure just knowing I had nothing to eat while at that musical is what MADE me hungry.
Milestones: Yay! 12 WEEKS!

Fruit: 12 weeks.

As you move into the second trimester, baby shifts into the growth and maturation stage. After weeks in the critical development stage, almost all of baby's systems are fully formed.

Also in my email today from the bump - Is the dizziness hitting? Want natural headache relief? - it's quite ridiculous how predictable this pregnancy is...well, I've been having brain splitting headaches for 2 weeks now, and the dizziness is the worst (mostly only when going from sitting/laying down to standing). I'm actually going to call the clinic today about my headaches. I pretty much have them 12 hours out of every day. It's really starting to suck.

Another first.

This is so disgusting, I had to post it. Someone has to find humor in my agony.

Pregnant ladies have gas. BAD GAS. This is no secret.

I'm sitting on the couch, watching the Twins while the hubs washes some dishes, and let out a fart.

It's not an SBD. (Silent but deadly.) There's an audible noise.

But it is deadly. And I suddenly want to vomit.

My own flatulence has caused me to dry heave.

And...scene.

I totally failed to notice...

I'm less than 200 days away now! Eee! (Still, 197 to go, but...anyway.)

So...weekend recap.

Ended up seeing Louis CK FRONT ROW on Friday night (so effing funny), and stayed out too late. (Too late meaning 11:30pm. Grandma, party of one.)

Saturday, went out for breakfast with the hubs and then went to Lowe's and picked up some potted flowers for our house/yard. Two hanging, one tabletop and one patio rose bush. Here's hoping I don't kill any of them. (Yeah, right.) Then just stayed home that night, watched The Day the Earth Stood Still (F -) and then, to bed.

Sunday, slept until 8:30am (no longer capable of sleeping in on the weekends. Boo). Then went to see a friend perform in Seussical the Musical, then home, nap time, dinner, tv, bed.

Exciting, no?

Tomorrow, I'm officially 12 weeks! Yahoo!

Cleaning makes me sick.

It's true.

I've only really cleaned twice since being knocked up. Once last Thursday, and again last night. Both evenings of cleaning involved vacuuming and laundry, and both resulted in me feeling like ASS the next day, with a backache, headache, and even a little nausea.

Granted, when I clean... I really clean. (Also, I had no choice with the super cleaning, our house was a PIT - it's been since before Mexico (which was almost TWO MONTHS AGO) that I had actually cleaned.)

So, today...I pay for it. However, our bedroom and bathroom are spotless, and a couple loads of laundry have been done.

There's something about knowing it's going to be warm out that makes me want to clean. Like, open windows = vacuumed rug. I don't totally understand, but whatevs. I'm glad the house is clean.

Also, ain't it a bitch that while it WILL be warm today and tomorrow, the weekend forcast is for absolute suckage. Lamesauce. Looks like I'll be holed up at home...which is fine. I still have to tackle the guest room and the (finished) attic...which is going to absolutely suck. I've been piling crap on the stairs leading up to the attic for months...and as a whole, there's just stuff everywhere up there. So...maybe a rainy Saturday is what I need to get it done.

I think I'll start doing these now.

Your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through. But, fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds and nail beds are forming -- setting up a significantly more attractive future. (Yes, let's work on the attractive future. Mommy & Daddy are too good looking to have a wonky baby.) :)

11 weeks.

How far along? 11 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +/- 0, still. I fluctuate a bit, but still hovering around the same.
Maternity clothes? Maternity capris only. I had to send back the green dress from ON because it was too big (and I would never grow into it). :( Now I have to find a dress to wear for a wedding in less than 2 months!
Stretch marks? No.
Sleep: It varies. Some nights are good, others not so much. Trying to train myself to sleep on my left side, but always end up on my back.
Best moment this week: It was WARM! Yesss. And I actually vaccummed. Even better.
Movement: Nope.
Food cravings: PB&J, Cocoa Krispies, pickles.
Gender: Who knows.
Labor Signs: Nada.
Belly Button in or out? Innie.
What I miss: This week, I missed beer again. It was nice out, and we were sitting on our patio. That usually equals a beer.
What I am looking forward to: Getting the first trimester screening set up. Still waiting for the call back from the hospital on that one.
Weekly Wisdom: Sinus headaches are a beeetch. Get Sudafed on them ASAP when they strike.
Milestones: Being so close to the 2nd Tri, I can TASTE it.

Another "first."

Roughly 5 minutes ago, I experienced the beginnings of one of my first unprovoked "hot flashes" of pregnancy. It sounds like they usually come on in the second trimester, but I'm working through one right now. I've had a few hot flashes earlier, but most were during exercise or activity. Fun!

I also contacted our insurance and verified that they do cover the first trimester screening, so I called my clinic and began the process of setting one up. I'm already nervous. Typical. I'm sure everything is fine though. It'll get set up anytime between tomorrow and May 5th (hopefully on a Friday so the hubs can come and see smudge again).

Other than that, the Mr. just called to inform me he just purchased Guitar Hero: Metallica, so I know what we'll be doing tonight. (That and taking a belly pic!)

Call me Frida Kahlo.

One thing I never knew about being pregnant was the ridiculous pace at which one's hair will grow. EVERYWHERE. No matter how much I pluck, I continually have the beginnings of a uni-brow. SO not cool. I also found a hair on my toe that had grown to about 1.5 inches long. ::gag::

So, already aside from my past nausea, the whole "you're glowing" portion of pregnancy has yet to show it's face.

Otherwise, I've had a weekend of not feeling super great. Granted, I've eaten like shit, which is more than likely contributing to my ill feeling. However, I made a vow to begin eating healthier and more often, starting this evening. I started out the day with two chocolate donuts, followed by the inevitable PB&J...which is when I started to feel like crap. So, after an hour nap, I woke up and had a bowl of chicken & rice soup, which was DELICIOUS. Tonight, a salad, and...something. I'll figure that out in a bit.

I can't believe I'm only a little over a week away from being 12 weeks along. The 1st trimester has really kind of flown by. I'm looking forward to actually looking pregnant and feeling better in the next few months.

Now I'm starving since I was talking about food. Time to eat. :)

(Also, I'm well aware my belly pic taking has been lame. I know. I promise you, you're not missing anything. If anything, I'm less bloated and looking more normal. I PROMISE to take one tomorrow night before my 11 week post.)

Yeah, I got nothin...

...aside from some mild lower back pain...I have no complaints.

It's so weird how my "morning sickness" went away. I still technically have 3 weeks before I'm out of the first trimester, but my fingers are crossed everything stays as it is. Yesterday I was so hungry at lunch, I could have eaten ANYTHING, which hasn't happened in a long time. (I went for a pork wrap and half of a Greek salad. Delish.)

Today, it is warm outside, I'm wearing my maternity capris, and actually got some work done already today. It's going well, although I really wish it were Friday. I have high aspirations of getting the house clean this weekend, since I still have yet to vacuum. It's going on 6 weeks now. Gross.

10 weeks.

How far along? 10 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +/- 0
Maternity clothes? Wore the maternity capris over the weekend, and sporting the bella band most days. (couldn't find it this morning, and I'm paying the price.)
Stretch marks? No.
Sleep: I can't get enough. And if I truly do not get enough, it's bad news.
Best moment this week: Best moment - having a WHOLE WEEK of no seabands. Yes.
Movement: Nope.
Food cravings: Still PB & J. The hubs made me one last night at 11:30. With pickles on the side. Bliss.
Gender: Now I'm kind of thinking girl.
Labor Signs: Nada.
Belly Button in or out? Innie.
What I miss: Shopping for clothes. NORMAL clothes.
What I am looking forward to: Being out of the 1st trimester. For so many reasons.
Weekly Wisdom: Don't attempt to stay awake when your body is refusing. It doesn't work. Even if it's 9:30am and you're at work.
Milestones: Hearing the HB on the doppler and being told my miscarriage chances are below 1%!

Yay for good news!

Well, I had an appointment this morning...which I, of course, was running late for. Running is the operative word in that sentence.

I had to take the bus to my appointment this morning since the hubs was already at work. I left the house, glanced at my watch, and I had ONE MINUTE until my bus came. And I had a block and a half to walk.

So I ran.

For the first time in like, YEARS.

But I caught the bus, had a mild asthma attack, and made it to my appointment on time. The Midwife I saw today was VERY nice. We chatted about my reoccurring sinus infections, my need for more calcium, and just chatted generally about my progress.

I am happy to report, that for the most part, my all day nausea is gone. I feel pretty decent aside from still being pretty tired all the time.

Anyway, she did an exam, and attempted the heartbeat on the doppler. It took her a little bit, but she found it....loud and clear. It again, was a totally surreal experience. She said it was about 165bpm, just right for this time in the pregnancy. My uterus was right where it should be and measuring well...everything is good.

The best news, she officially declared my chances of miscarriage to be less than 1%, which was almost better than hearing the heartbeat.

I also found out that my blood type is O-, so I'll need a Rogran (sp?) shot around 20 weeks.

All in all, a great appointment. Good news was desparately needed. :)

Today, I'll struggle through my annual review, a department meeting, and work in general. Then home for what seems to be a week of non-stop cleaning and laundry.

Even so, it's good to be home.

Time moves on.

I'm still at my parents house, funeral for my grandmother was yesterday. It was a really, really hard day. I bought some Sudafed beforehand - I knew all the crying would bring on a sinus headache of extreme proportions. And I was right. The Sudafed did nothing. ALL DAY. From about noon until almost midnight I had a headache that wouldn't quit. So, on top of being the most sad I've been in over a year, I felt like shit.

I'm glad the day is over. I miss her very, very much.

So, posting probably won't resume until Monday. I'll be here until Sunday evening. I swear I have a belly pic for the 9 week point, but I won't be able to post it until I get home.

Maybe a little early, but a letter.

My dearest babybee,

Today, you have been in my tummy for 9 weeks. In those 9 weeks, many things (not all of the exciting nature) have happened. I've been to Mexico, you've grown a liver and other vital organs, I've slept and complained a lot, and we both ventured to the Twins home opener last night. I'm sorry to report that they lost, but this shall not shape the season to come. I've gotten off track.

The reason for this letter is to tell you that something sad happened last night. Your Great Grandmother passed away. It saddens me to no end that she never got to meet you. More importantly, that you never got to met her. She was a hell of a woman (pardon my french, dear babybee, but she must be described in this manner) and made me who I am today because of it. She toughed through 5 years of ovarian cancer when they only gave her 2. And she smoked and drank her way through it! She was not about to let anyone or anything tell her what to do. She lived her life the way she wanted to, and for that I have the utmost respect for her.

Even though you're not aware of her existence right now, she knew about you. Just a couple weeks ago, she saw your very first picture, and she was so excited for you to be here. I know that she would have spoiled you rotten the way she spoiled me. And she would have loved you very very much.

Alright, momma has to stop right this now, since she is at work, at her desk, in a room full of people, and is about to cry.

Your daddy and I love you very much. Thank you for being with me, with us, to be the light in our lives in this dark time.

Momma

PS - Thank you for helping my body feel good for the second day in a week. I don't know how you knew I needed it today, but I did. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

9 weeks.

(This was the hubs first week on belly pic duty. Through no fault of his own, my face left much to be desired. Growing out bangs + no makeup = a frightful Jenna.)

How far along? 9 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Back to zero.
Maternity clothes? Bought a pair of capris this weekend at Gap Maternity. They're pretty comfy. Now if it'd just get warm enough to wear them. I am sporting the bella band now. LOVE it.
Stretch marks? No.
Sleep: Not too bad. I occasionally wake up a lot, but it's either due to hunger, pee or naughty cats.
Best moment this week: Having TWO days where I felt good (including today!)
Movement: Nope.
Food cravings: Peanut Butter & Jelly is my new love.
Gender: I'm still wishing girl but thinking boy.
Labor Signs: Nada.
Belly Button in or out? Innie.
What I miss: Brewskis.
What I am looking forward to: My next appointment - first full one with the midwife. It was supposed to be Friday, but rescheduled to Monday.
Weekly Wisdom: Tell your loved ones you love them as much as possible.
Milestones: Hospital tour and MY FIRST DAYS FEELING OKAY!

So much for that.

Yeah - today? Not so much. I would have been the luckiest in the world had my good day lasted through today.

Instead, I started my day out by laying in bed wishing for another 3 hours of sleep. I slept like CRAP last night (including waking up at 2am absolutely STARVING - what's up with that?), showered, dressed, and got to work. I ate some dry Cheerios and a banana, with some water. Then, around 10:30 - I dry heave all over my keyboard. I ran to the bathroom in fear that this was it - I was finally going to barf...and then, nothing. Nothing except feeling like ass. So, I went to the little store in my building and got a chicken & stars Soup at Hand and some gingerale. It helped.

Then, around 1pm, I was starving, and yet again - nothing sounds good AT ALL. Except...peanut butter & jelly. OH MY GOD PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY. It sounds like heaven. I rush to Macy's Marketplace (they have triple-decker PB&Js that are the BOMB) and run to the pre-made sammich section. There are none to be found. WTF. I begin fighting back tears and bile, as my stomach is reacting horribly to the thought of not eating a PB&J.

And then, there it was - the last one, hiding with some turkey sandwiches. BLISS. I nabbed some pretzels and a fountain cherry coke and I'm back to work.

That PB&J was delicious. I'd actually like another, but I know they're gone since I ate the last one.

Today's goal is just feeling well enough to make it through the Twins home opener. I'd REALLY like a dome dog too (think ballpark frank but plumper and THE BEST EVER) but I don't know if my stomach will go with it. I'll just keep my goal on staying well enough to last through the game.

Wait, wait, wait. I feel...good.

Today, I woke up around 11am. I haven't slept this late in a long while.

I don't know if it was the tremendous amount of sleep, the italian beef sammich I had last night, or just a fluke...

...but I feel...good.

I, as a force of habit, put on the SeaBands this morning. However, I felt like maybe I didn't need them. So I took them off.

Here I sit, 2.5 hours later...3 eggos and a glass of juice later, and I still feel okay.

I'm just sitting, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying this with every inch of my being. I'm going to clean the house today, something I haven't done in over a month. I think the hubs will be pleased that I'm getting my ass off the couch and doing something.

But first, I have to get my ass off the couch.

Hospital tour.

The hubs and I toured the hospital of choice today. Aside from it being under construction (making it a freakin long walk to the east wing of the hospital) everything seemed nice. It certainly isn't the Ritz Carlton of birthing centers, but it was nice and clean.

What really sealed the deal was that there is a NICU on site. Not that I anticipate needing that, but knowing that there's one there if need be, is very reassuring.

I'm dumb.

So, this came in the mail this week. (the lotus flower "blanket")

I apparently don't enjoy reading because the description of the product clearly says it's a "security blankie or changing mat." I thought it was a straight up blanket. So imagine my dismay when I open it and it's 18" x 19" - I felt cheated and wronged and like the woman who runs the etsy store must have sent me the wrong thing.

Oh no, I'm just a moron. I suppose I'll get use out of it, but I was flabbergasted.

I'm still waiting on the owl blankie.

I'm also still waiting on taking a nap and wanting to leave work and never come back. Stay tuned for those.

It's been decided.

I need to win the lotto, as I have NO attention span or desire to be at work, EVER. If I could just not ever work again, I'd be golden.

Thus, I'm going to go ahead and win the lotto.

Pregnancy brain is a total bitch. Like, seriously. I lost the drive to complete this post at the word desire.

Things I think even non-pregnant people should own.

A Be Band (or Bella Band).

Seriously, I have like, 3 pairs of pants that, pre-knockedupedness (I like making up words), I might have been able to continue wearing thanks to this contraption.

However, now that I am a bloat machine, this is a GODSEND. I was able to eat McDonald's today and sit with my pants unbuttoned with my coworkers being none the wiser.

I bought two today at Target, one in black and one in white.

I love it. LOVE.

Seabands, you've only been working half the time, so I am now offering marriage to the Be Band. Sorry. Step up your game and it might be back to you.