Actual Conversation

Me: Hey, Shawn, what do you want for Christmas?
Shawn: I don't know. Hey, how about like a cloth that I could put over my shoulder, so if the baby throws up, it won't get on my clothes? Isn't that a good idea?
Me: Wow. Did you just think of that yourself?
Shawn: Well, yeah.
Me: Cause I'm pretty sure we're going to get some of those.

First Kick

No, not the first one I've felt, obviously. Last night, I was lying in bed while Shawn was brushing teeth, etc. The baby was kicking so hard, I was sure I could see a body part protruding if I looked. I called Shawn over, since I was afraid if I sat up, it would stop. He grudgingly put his hand on my belly, and surprise! He could feel the baby kick! How cool. Of course, it took me an additional 45 minutes to go to sleep, because apparently we had woken the dragon. There was some kind of party. Somersaults, kicks, hits, stretching. Every movement you could imagine, all going on until after 11 pm. I fear my childhood sins are coming back to haunt me. You see, I never slept the night through until I was three. Not only did I not sleep through the night, but I was a night owl, up partying. I'm REALLY hoping this baby will take its sleeping cues from Daddy.

Disco Mama

There is the belly, just at 22 weeks. I've heard the womb described as a "discoteque" for the baby - all the noises created by my insides, combined with the relatively dark atmosphere, and muffled noises from the outside. No one informed me that my entire abdomen was going to be a combination disco/mosh pit/soccer field/bongo drum. Between the indigestion, general intestinal issues (TMI), and baby practicing its dance moves/penalty kick/rhythm skills, it's like a party in my shirt! Whoo! I'm not complaining about the baby part, it's not generally hard enough to hurt yet, but the combo effect is drastic.

Also drastic is my new diet. Due to unforeseen heartburn issues, the Gremminger household is seriously cutting back on tomato intake. While this doesn't sound like a hardship, this includes tomato soup (my favorite), pizza, tacos, spaghetti, pretty much anything that has ever been within 5 feet of a tomato. Also on the bad list is orange juice, medium amounts of soda, many fried foods, and most citrus. I can stomach a clementine, thank goodness, because I LOVE THEM. However, this kind of cuts my options for healthy eating down. Actually, upon looking at that list, it kind of cuts my options for unhealthy eating down. Hmm. This would be why I've been so unhappy. I like chicken fingers, tomato soup, soda, and pizza! (No, I'm not secretly 8 years old, contrary to what Shawn might try to tell you) The one benefit - I am totally happy with mac and cheese...

Also interesting: had the first case of internal hiccups this weekend. Despite feeling like exactly what you think it might feel like, I still sat there wondering about it for about 10 minutes. Nobody ever said preggos are very smart. Shawn can't work out how a creature that is not breathing air could possibly have the hiccups, despite being reassured that it is a muscle spasm, capable of being experienced by any animal with a diaphragm. Hiccups have nothing to do with air.

My Darling Husband

I am on a baby high. I got to stop by and see Erin and Gracie tonight - too cute! Additionally, over the last week, I have purchased and received several baby items. We got the car seat and stroller, as previously mentioned. I found the bedding I wanted on serious discount on ebay, and that came in on Thursday. I also found two of those swaddly things (Shawn insists on calling them "swaddling clothes"), and they arrived from ebay Friday. Shawn picked up some cloth diapers for me that I bought off Craig's List on Wednesday. I am happily surrounded by baby paraphernalia. The ultimate bit though, is that my darling husband painted the baby's room on Thursday. Not only did he paint it, he picked out the color! And it is perfect! I try not to brag too often, but he really is the most amazing man. Not only has he not yet made fun of me for the myriad ridiculous things I have begun doing in the last 5 months (watch a women try to fall asleep in a pillow fortress while madly chewing tums...), but he has actually offered himself up to help me in various ways. He has offered to rub my back, make me food, go get me food, carry things for me. Maybe these are things husbands are simply supposed to do. But my husband continues to do them, with a smile on his face, through the complaints of TOO HOT, HEARTBURN, MUST PEE! He continually asks me what he can do for me, whether it is to make me feel better physically or emotionally. He never mocks my many physical issues, or sudden needs. He is just there for me, without question, without judgement, or even a snicker (when one is usually well deserved).

All of this is my way of saying that I am somehow not surprised that as I sit amidst the baby explosion that is causing my happiness, he is buried in the basement, calmly and completely ignoring me and my stuff. I think he's earned it.

Baby Stuff!

I feel like Christmas came early! The nice UPS man just delivered me some baby stuff...a carseat and a stroller! THANKS, PATSY! I also found the bedding we want on super discount on ebay, and it should be delivered tomorrow. I've been trying not to spend a bunch of money on baby things yet, so having stuff to play with and set up is QUITE exciting. And Shawn's not around tonight, so he won't be rolling his eyes at me as I play. Woot for baby stuff!

Ultrasound Results

Shawn and I had our mid pregnancy ultrasound today. It was really long, took about 45 minutes. How awesome though! We got to see just about everything - the brain, the eyes, the nose, the ears, the spine, ribs, hands, feet (too cute), bladder, stomach, heart, umbilical cord, etc. The whole shebang. No spina bifida, no cleft palate, no club foot. All four chambers of the heart were present and accounted for, the umbilical cord was normal. This office had the technology to do the 3D stuff too, so they gave us a few print outs of 3D profiles. It really made this more real than the other appointments have. The baby is measuring in the 68th percentile for size, weighs 10 oz, and measuring 3 days ahead of my due date. The tech said that's totally normal, and doesn't really mean much. Also important, the placenta is where it's supposed to be. In the last two days I thought of placenta previa as a whole new thing to worry about, so I was relieved to find out that it was right in its normal home. So, to repeat what I've been hearing: This is a boring pregnancy. Which is great. Now, I'm just worried about the birth. Based on Kate's experience, easy pregnancy led to terribly difficult birth, while difficult pregnancy led to easy birth. Which brings me to my next point:

Happy Birthday Nuri!
Happy Anniversary Connie and Jelani!
Waiting with bated breath for news from the Gibbens!

Turns out August 19th is a very important day in our CA circle of friends.

Confessions

- I have not taken my prenatal vitamins every day.
- I still drink caffeine, although I have cut back significantly.
- I have slept on my back during the second trimester.
- I have eaten shellfish.
- I have eaten sushi.
- I have eaten lunch meat.
- I have no plans to discontinue eating any of the above.
- I have taken Nyquil (I swear, it's on my doctor's approved list! Why do you think I'm still with her?)
- I have used chemicals that I suspect are verboten (benzoyl peroxide? sounds scary enough.)
- I don't wash fruit before I eat it.
- I may have blinded my baby in utero by provoking early movement with a flashlight for my own selfish pleasure.
I confess this to the world with no reservations, so that when this baby comes out totally normal, other mothers can relax and be ok with the decisions they make every day. OR, so that when the baby comes out disfigured, my conscience will be clear. Either way.