Here's what's happening

I am not sure EXACTLY when the second trimester starts (I have conflicting sources of information), so let's say that it starts.....

Now.

In general I feel really good. Morning sickness is gone, as is the need to take a nap every afternoon and still fall asleep by 9pm. My energy level is great, and I am enjoying working out again, though it saddens me that I have lost most of my endurance and muscle definition. I am still able to run a couple of miles, though, despite my growing belly.

I have been in maternity clothes since about week 8, and it is not that I really had THAT big of a belly that quickly, but enough that my regular clothes didn't fit comfortably. And really all I want is to be comfortable.

Did I mention, no more morning sickness? Which, by the way, lasted ALL DAY LONG. I actually lost weight during my first trimester, which is a stark contrast to the 12 or 13 that I put on with Eli. I had a couple of weeks where I ate nothing but milk and crackers. The thing that really turns my stomach? Red meat. Especially ground beef. Oddly, this is still the case. The thought of eating a hamburger is enough to send me running to the bathroom. I also still have some issues with toothpaste, and oftentimes have to use Chris' sensitive teeth brand because the mint is very mild. But in general, I am always hungry and can (and do) eat just about anything.

Around 11 1/2 weeks I felt the baby move for the first time. At least, I am pretty sure it was the baby. At that stage it is hard to tell if it is baby or gas, but I am pretty sure it was baby. Of course, now I definitely know that I am feeling little squirms and kicks, which is very reassuring. I always am nervous at the early ultrasounds until they find a heartbeat, because I am afraid that there will not be one there. Now that I can feel the baby, I do not worry so much. The frequent kicks in the bladder remind me our little one is still alive and, well, kicking.




Belly shots at 13 weeks, 5 days. Until I saw the pictures I thought my belly was bigger, but it could be that it just looks small compared to the size of my butt. Maybe it is just the jeans....

Who says you have fewer pictures of the second child?

For those of you that are counting, this makes ultrasound #3.

And I am only 13 weeks along.



Why so many ultrasounds, you ask? Well, ultrasound number one occurred because the nurse did not believe me when I told her my ovulation date and my due date. According to her charts, I should have been due October 5th. Guess which one of has was correct (to the day, I might add).

Ultrasound number two was actually standard of care. They offer an early genetic screen between 11 weeks and 13 weeks 6 days to screen for trisomy 13,18, and 21 (down's syndrome). This is done by measuring the nuchal translucency on the back of the baby's neck and having a couple of blood tests.

Ultrasound number three was the result of a failed second ultrasound,which was done when I was 11 1/2 weeks pregnant. When I came in, the tech said, "I don't know why they schedule them this early because most of the time we are not able to get a measurement." At least we got some good pictures out of the deal, and we met our deductible with the first ultrasound, so everything else from here on out is free (because insurance is just that simple, right?).

In case you were wondering, all of the test results were normal and everything looks great. The ultrasound is a side profile of the face and upper body. It is hard to see, but the baby is facing the left.

Second ultrasound

Pictures from the ultrasound on 4/4/07. Eli is convinced it is a girl, as he keeps calling it "baby sister".



This is a hand. Kind of hard to see, and I am not sure if those are fingers or bones in the hand or what.



A little more clear. On the left is the face (tilt your head to the left... it looks a lot like an alien). The big circle on the right is the abdomen, and the smaller dot at the top is a hand.



Follow the arrow and you will see a foot. There are 3 1/2 toes visible and the sole of the foot is very clear. Amazing!

Belly Laughs

Babycenter.com sends me weekly emails with information about our growing baby. Things like "this week your baby is the size of this type of food and grew ears." At the bottom of the page is usually something witty about pregnancy. i just had to share this weeks words of wisdom:

How to explain the new baby to your toddler

• "When a man and a woman love each other very much..."
• "One day a stork comes flying by..."
• "When God decides that the world needs another angel..."
• "Daddy is a bad, bad man."