17 Weeks

Wowza. Every week Scott takes these pictures and I'm shocked when I look at them. It's not as though I don't see myself in the mirror all week, but somehow seeing the whole effect - that everyone else sees all the time - is always surprising. Every week I look at the picture and say to Scott, "Look, sweetie! LOOK!" and he says, "Yeah! I know!" Somehow he's not as surprised as I always am. I told someone at church today that I feel like I'm looking at pictures of myself that have been doctored in PhotoShop. I've never seen myself look like this! I had literally been the same shape and size since 9th grade, but all that has changed. Whoa, has it.

It's been a good week. I'm feeling little flutters, I think, but I feel like I'm eating constantly. Constantly. As I'm eating one meal I'm thinking of the next one. The "hiccup warning" I wrote about before is still in effect, but the margin of time I have to act on it has definitely narrowed. Once I hiccup, I must act quickly.

I'm also getting the famous "round ligament pain" I've read so much about. Yeah, buddy.

The itching is better than it was, but not gone. I did read in one of my books this afternoon that I'm at least not the only one who gets this, but I haven't found anyone in person who has experienced this phenomenon. The little itchy bumps are the most bothersome part. I feel like I'm getting bit by something, but I'm not. Yuck.

Shortness of breath? Check.

I'm having trouble getting a good night's sleep, too. Comfort isn't as big an issue as dreams have been. I'm still having dreams that include random people from my past. Every night it's like I'm on the show "This Is Your Life." It's very weird and very unnerving. Sleeping on my back is officially Not An Option; stomach sleeping has been less than ideal for awhile now. I try to stay on my side but roll over a lot, smothering poor Scott with my plethora of pillows in the process. I have looked at those special pillows designed specifically for this purpose, but I can't bring myself to do that unless it gets really, really bad. In the meantime, I take naps during the day and try to keep my pillows off Scott's head so that he, at least, can get some sleep.

Scott put together the glider rocker this week, which was very exciting as it was the first official addition to the nursery.

I could get used to this!

Right now I'm excited but trying not to think about our appointment coming up at the end of this month. I can't wait to find out if we have a daughter or a son! In the meantime, I read to, play music for, and talk to the little one.