week 11

Best Moment: Last Saturday night we had a group of good friends over for dinner, with the intent to share our news. While Saturday was technically week 10, who’s counting? It was a fabulous evening filled with lots of love and happiness! We are so incredibly lucky to have such supportive friends in our lives. How easy it is to take those closest to us for granted, but times like these serve as long overdue reminders as to why we chose to bring them into our lives and why they have stayed for so long.
I’d be remiss not to mention the visit from my parents on Sunday. Reminiscent of their visits in college, they came bearing the necessities to ensure their daughter is eating (not necessarily eating well, but eating in general) and being taken care of. In they walk with bags full of mac n’ cheese (my current obsession), carbs in multiple forms (still a savior), cottage cheese (love) OJ, and catalogs from Land of Nod and Pottery Barn Kids. Even though my hormones were telling me that any form of social interaction wasn’t going to bode well for any involved, my parents didn’t seem to mind and ordered us dinner and stayed to chat about lil’ Sodi. At the risk of sounding redundant, have I mentioned how lucky we are?!
Symptoms:  If last week I was taking a turn for the worst, this week is looking a bit sunnier. I’m not as nauseous as before, although the constant hum is still, well, constant, but things are definitely looking up. My face is still that of a teenager’s going through puberty but I’m hoping a facial this weekend will help rectify the situation. Otherwise, mama and baby are doing just fine!
Cravings/Aversions: Boxed mac n’ cheese. You know, the really really good kind. The kind you devoured without a second thought in college, yet would only purchase if incognito (or pregnant) in your adult life.  I know, I know, it’s not the most nutritious (although there is dairy in it), but when your belly is dictating what you eat, you must listen.  Cottage cheese is also at the top of the list (incidentally, for Evan as well), along with the usual suspects, OJ, cranberry juice and goldfish.  Regarding aversions, it’s the same old song and dance. See previous weeks for a refresher.
What I Miss: Shopping with ease. Last night I received the Nordstrom bible in the mail and was heartbroken to admit that while there were many items on my “must have” list, a list it would only be.  This year, updating my spring wardrobe takes on a whole new meaning, and means experiencing new stores (A Pea in the Pod, Gap Maternity, etc.) for “cute” mummu type tops and dresses that will accommodate my expanding belly. I’m already completely discouraged by the choices out there.  What sane woman is wearing khakis A) ever And B) when pregnant? I don’t mean to offend, but unless you’re working as a Starbucks barista or Home Depot, why khakis? Sure there are some options that are acceptable (think camel color, trouser fit) but for the majority that are sold, unacceptable in my book (Old Navy, I’m talking to you).  Of course, this is really the least of my pregnancy concerns, and I’ll end up in my standard uniform of black, grey and white, but for all the women who’ve experienced this before, I now feel your pain.
What I Can't Wait For: We have the first appointment with our new OB, Dr. Emanuel, today and I can’t wait to meet her! I switched OB’s before even meeting the first one, because I found out that the Ballard Swedish does in fact deliver babies, and the thought of moving this operation to our neighborhood was extremely appealing.  I’m hoping we can hear the little babe’s heartbeat today and discuss “what’s next.”
Milestones: Little bumble bee is just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a lime and now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden. She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.
Every week when I read about the baby’s development, I’m simply amazed. How surreal it is to know that all of it is happening, inside me, RIGHT NOW!