Congratulations, Danielle!

I just got word that Bob's cousin, Danielle, a regular visitor to The Kidney Bean, gave birth to a boy, Tommy, on Wednesday, the 25th. Sounds like there were some problems, b/c the poor guy had to spend awhile in neonatal ICU, but I understand he's doing great now. Congrats, Danielle!

Fat 'n' happy

What can I say? I've never been so happy in my life to be fat. Earlier today in the women's restroom, I turned sideways to look at my profile and actually smiled at my stomach all pooched out. I've even been pointing out my belly to people. Good lord, I need help. :)

Feeling fine

I want to mention that I'm feeling pretty good these days. No more morning sickness, and my stuffy nose is not nearly as bad as it was. (So, Danielle, you were right. It did ease up!) I'm not so tired anymore, and I'm not crying all the time, either. I could almost forget I'm pregnant but for the cold sore and frequent heartburn and the desire to eat all the time and the people in the hallway calling me "mom"...

I take it back. There's obviously no way I could forget I'm pregnant.

New shoes

I bought two pairs of no-tie, slip-on shoes for when I get too fat to bend over. My boss asked if I bought them three sizes too big. Sigh. I didn't. Does that mean I've wasted my money?

Resurgence in morning sickness

It's more frustrating now than previously because I'm now nearly sixteen weeks and shouldn't be having any more morning sickness. Maybe I'll be one of the lucky few who have morning sickness the whole nine months. How nice.

Fifteen-week ultrasound

Here it is -- the fifteen-week ultrasound. The baby is in mid-kick.

It was an abdominal ultrasound instead of a vaginal ultrasound, so it's not as clear as previous ones. I really ought to label it.

For a printable version, click here.

I wasn't actually scheduled for an ultrasound this time, but the midwife couldn't pick up a heartbeat with the handheld doppler thingie she had. It turns out the placenta is right in front, which prevented us from hearing anything. It's also going to prevent me from feeling the kicks as soon. :(

Other bad news: The midwife informed me that only five percent of their patients get epidurals. Five percent! The national average is sixty percent! She said the national average is so high only because most people go to big metropolitan hospitals that have expensive OB anesthesiologists on staff, which they have to pay for somehow. In other words, hospitals encourage women to get them unnecessarily to help pay for the anesthesiologists. I have money! I'll pay for the epidural!

The five-percent thing upset me so much that I actually started crying right there, which was humiliating. Now that I'm pregnant, I cry all the time, and I hate it.

You know, my previous OB (who I left b/c I didn't like him) said that half of his patients get epidurals. What have I done?

Pop goes the uterus

I had an OB appointment today, where the midwife informed me that my uterus has "popped right out." I guess that means if I didn't already have a belly, I'd be "showing."

Got a new ultrasound today, too. I'll post the pic tomorrow. (Have to go home to scan it.)

Other news: I gained five pounds last month. Waaaaaay too much. I shouldn't have gained any weight. I wasn't supposed to start gaining until now (second trimester), and I'm only supposed to gain half a pound per week. Sigh. Blood pressure is good, though, and my previous blood tests all came back normal. She was very pleased, in fact, with my iron levels.