The last week of the first trimester.  And fully pregnant.  My belly’s getting bigger everyday.  Even the youngest around here pushes on it and says, “You belly get.ting bigger, Mama.”  Yep.  And evidently not all from the baby either.  When I went to the doctor yesterday the nurse informed me that I have gained 6.something pounds in the last 4 weeks and that I was “going to have to be careful.”  As I sat pondering how on earth I could be so ill and yet put on the pounds – all that couch sitting came back to me.  And the instant frozen foods, and the eating out, and the ice cream, and the chocolate milk by the gallons… and well, we get the picture.  And when I lamented to my husband the weight I had gained he so kindly figured up for me what 6 pounds a month for the next 6 months would equal.  Let’s not go there.  Really.  Because I’m already sick and all.  I did ask the doc about a solution for the sickness and he offered up some “as needed” medicine.  I’ll take it!  But as we discussed the peculiarities of my nausea, he mentioned that it sounded a little like acid reflux, which he informed me would not fade quietly away with the end of the trimester.  Beautiful.

Speaking of getting bigger, I’m gonna have to go buy some “around the house” maternity pants, because even my too-big jammie pants have stretched their elastic to their limit – they gotta slide up or below the belly now.

The inability to do anything is drifting away.  I’ve been more productive in the last week than I have in all the weeks prior combined.  I’ve picked up the house a little bit.  I’ve done a little bit of structured schoolwork.  And if the weather would continue to cooperate, I’ve even made it outside to sit on the porch a couple of times.

The baby’s doing great.  We had no trouble finding the heartbeat yesterday.  And it still brings tears to me eyes to hear it.  All the pregnancy update sites tell me the baby’s weight now registers at a 1/2 ounce and it measures about 2 1/2 inches long (approximately the size of a viennie weanie!)  The facial features continue to become more defined and it’s fingernails and toenails are forming.  And it can now swallow.

I have felt the kicks about 4 times now.  I’m sure that’s unheard of in the world of first-timer preggies, but knowing what to look for and laying really still and holding my breath I’m fairly certain that I have felt the Little One.  And this helps my down-trodden-pitiful-me-I’m-sick-all-the-time mindset.

In June we’ll be finding out the gender, if this new little one cooperates!

As far as my mental state, I seem to be more patient and understanding this time around.  For instance, BigMan (just turned 2 last month) is still sleeping in our room in his crib – I still don’t really trust the wanderer in other parts of the house yet.  And he still comes to bed with me in the middle of the night.  Part of me wants to stress on this and feels like I should begin “training” in preparation for the new baby.  However, time and experience have taught me that my stress is not needed.  That it all works out in the end whether I have fretted or not.  I have also learned that by the time the new one is here that BigMan will be a full 6 months older.  And in the world of a 2 year old that’s monumental development.  So, I’ll ride it out.  And know that it will all work out for the good.  See, Meg, I’m learning to take my own advice!!

I can’t figure out how to get my really cool pictures to upload to my ever small and outdated computer, and since my world is so visual I have a hard time posting without pictures.  But I miss hearing from all of y’all and I get so much from your feedback, so I’ll try to continue to post even without my beloved pics.