Monday, December 29, 2008

34 Weeks - Happy New Year

Merry Post Christmas and Happy Early New Year!

We just had another successful trip up to Oregon. Mother Nature accommodated our travel nicely and even gave us our first White Christmas in recent memory. What a treat. Also had a wonderful time at my baby shower thrown for me by my mother and sisters. So much fun to see all the cute baby stuff - and thank you to all of you who made time to be there during the busy, and icy holidays.

Baby News: She's doing great. My sister, Lindsey, gave me little ultrasound scan over the weekend and she looked perfect. Was great to have an opportunity to get another look at her now that she's 5 times larger than when we saw her last at 18 weeks. Shes now 4 to 4.5 pounds, so still has some weight to gain before she's ready to make her grand entrance.

Only 2 more weeks of work before I start maternity leave. I have mixed feelings about it. I do really enjoy my job and will miss all (ok, most) of my collegues. I also look forward to having a little time to get all the things I want to get done before she arrives.

Best wishes to everyone!
SJ

Sunday, December 21, 2008

33 Weeks

Merry Christmas Everyone!
Fortunately the Christmas spirit has set in and I feel far more charitable towards my fellow man - no more ranting! Things are going well. I'm growing exponentially at this point. About ready to go up yet another scrub size. Disheartening, but oh SO grateful that I haven't had to drop loads of money on work clothes. My condolences to you out there that don't have the luxury of wearing pajama uniforms at work. I had the delusional idea last weekend that I'd finish up my Christmas shopping last weekend and actually managed to assemble a cute outfit with some cute shoes to match. What a joke! Or perhaps a stroke of brilliance because I my shopping trip became instantly more efficient because I couldn't standing walking any further than absolutely necessary.

We're still planning on heading up north for Christmas - I know nuts. Leaving sunny beautiful weather for the frozen tundra of the Northwest tho unarguably far more Christmasy. Good news that the roads look clear for our drive up.

To close out last month's poll about the pillows, the answer everyone has been waiting for . . . 4 pillows is the big winner. One being one of those enormous square Euro pillows then two more to build a ramp and the fourth, a squishy down pillow for my neck. I end up sleeping at about a 30 degree angle, but whatever works. Look forward to seeing the results of the next poll . . .

Merry Christmas!
SJ

Sunday, December 14, 2008

8 Months!

It's official. I'm 8 months pregnant. Unfortunately, it is popularly believed that you deliver at the 9 month mark. However, we ladies are painfully aware that this is merely a cruel joke crafted by many with potential vested interest:

1) Men: who just want their pre-pregnant, less-moody wives back
2) Hallmark: 9 months sounds better than 10 on a sappy "Congratulations!" card
3) Hollywood: so they can make goofy pregnancy movies with people like Kate Hudson and Hugh Grant

I actually have 6 weeks to go until she's considered "full term" or 8 weeks to be at my 40 week due date. On one hand that seems really, REALLY close, on the other, it seems a long time to wait to take a full deep breaths again, and to stop being lapped by 85-year old ladies with walkers at the mall.

I'd also like to take a moment to thank all my blog commentators for their support. Their fun to read and also nice to know that y'all been there too and sympathize.

On a different note, we have our 32 week midwife appointment this Wednesday, followed by a tour of the labor and delivery department. Even though I rotated through the OR at the hospital where we plan to deliver, I never saw the L&D rooms nor even know where to go! Will be important for Justin as I will likely be in no state of mind to help with directions when the time comes.

So very exciting stuff. Drawing closer to the end. It's about now that if I start to think about it too much I wonder how did we ever get ourselves into this (spare me the obvious answers, this is a rhetorical question :) How did we decide to go and have a baby and how in the heck is it going to be that we, Suzanne and Justin, are going to be Mommy and Daddy to an undoubtedly perfect little being? Look, I'm already biased, guess I'm supposed to be a mom :)

XOXO
SJ

Friday, December 12, 2008

31 Weeks - Ode to Weird Back Pains and Rude People

In the last few weeks I've been plagued with pains deep in my low back/sacral area that sometimes gives me a real hitch in my already slow-moving giddy-up. According to Babycenter.com - the most popular pregnancy website, my condition is "triggered by activities such as walking, climbing stairs, getting in and out of a tub or a low chair, rolling over in bed, or twisting and lifting." Yes! One more excuse to be able to sit around and do nothing! Don't think my work or Justin is going to buy it. :)

Despite my complaining of aches and pains, Baby J is continuing to grow. As one kind holiday Costco shopper informed me, "Wow, it looks like you're ready to pop at anytime". Gee thanks. I made the unfortunate mistake of telling her I still have 2 months to go. That got her started, "oh no honey, if you're this big now, she's coming early, you have no idea, you're going to be huge!" I love people. It's part of why I went into anesthesia. Strangers start shooting their mouths off, I get to shoot them full of drugs, shove a tube in their throat, and viola, no more rude or annoying conversation. It's a miracle.

On that ranting note, I'll make sure to work on my disposition so that my next entry is a little more upbeat. Really, everything is going fine and looking forward to the home stretch-
Lots of love,
SJ

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

30 Weeks

Dear Baby,
Now that you're 30, there's a few things we need to get straight. There will be no more lackadaisical days of your 20s left to be had. It's time to shape up. This staying up all night, kicking and tossing isn't going to make your "room" any larger. I promise. So please, stop ramming your head into my full bladder. Also, when I eat, please don't practice your flutter kicks into my full stomach. It's really quite uncomfortable. These little fits are just not becoming of a lady.

No, your job is now to behave like the little grown up fetus that you are. You should lie back and relax. Enjoy the last few weeks of vacation. Eat up, you still have 3-4 pounds to gain after all.

We look forward to meeting you at the ripe old age of 38-40 weeks, but also keep in mind that no one like someone who is too late to the party, if you know what I mean.

Lots of love always,
Your Mommy

Monday, November 24, 2008

29 Weeks - Bring on the GERD


For those of you not in healthcare or don't watch enough pharmaceutical television ads, GERD = Gastro-Esophogeal Reflux Disease, more commonly known as really bad heartburn. I knew this was likely going to hit at some point and did it ever. One night after dinner I had full on chest pain from it. Fortunately TUMS solves the problem - temporarily. But if I bend over too fast after eating, I pay the price.

Baby J is still moving and a grooving in there. I fear she's going to hamper my Thanksgiving feasting as she's not really interested in sharing too much space with my post-meal expanded stomach. I've been relegated to eating meals about half the size of my normal portion. But don't you worry, I'm hardly wasting away. I've been gaining weight right on target and have totally stopped weighing myself at home. Just better not to know.

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I can't believe it's already here and Christmas is around the corner. Soon I'll be 8 months, then delivery . . . Ahhh!

Gobble Gobble,
SJ

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Third Trimester and Rounding for Home

28 Weeks!
A good milestone. Only 6 more weeks to be comfortable that she is well baked and can be welcomed into the world at anytime. Until then, I waddle on.

You may have noticed that I'm late in posting this week - altho not terribly unusual. This week I have an excuse. My hormones kicked in. So when I spoke to my sister Lindsey last night, she said, "Oh, you need to write that stuff. That's what makes blogs interesting." So here it is.

Hormones totally mess with your mind and in my case, I became a walking Eore from Winnie the Pooh for 36 hours. It sucked. I felt gloomy and grouchy and tired. Went to bed at 9 o'clock, annoyed when my alarm went off at 6, still exhausted. Driving to work, invariably everyone was out to get me, Suzanne Jagger, in the silver Ford Escape. "Let's cut her off," they'd say and then I'd lay on the horn dripping my hot tea on my shirt. Arriving to work, we had a sick call so that made my day even busier and every one there is telling me, "Oh my gawd Suzanne, you're so big, are you sure you're not having twins??" Yeah, cute. And now I'd like to tell you how big you look and at least I have an excuse!

Fortunately by Wednesday, I woke up back to cheerful Suzanne. I was so ecstatic not to feel like a loping rain cloud. I knew I needed to write something for the week, but didn't know what to say because who really wants to hear me complain? Lindsey, for one :) So that's how I started my 3rd trimester. Hopefully it's out of my system, but we shall see. . .

Don't forget to make a guess in my new poll I just posted. I've learned that pillows are indeed the pregnant woman's best friend. So make a your guess and I'll post the answer in a few weeks.
Love to all and kicks from Baby J-
SJ

Monday, November 10, 2008

27 Weeks

Almost 7 months. Ahhh. Ok, it's starting to feel very real and it feels like in just the last week I've started to feel truly pregnant. I feel just big. It's starting to get hard to bend over and turn in bed. I can't even imagine what it's going to be like in just a few more weeks! She now weighs in at an estimated 2 pounds and is supposed to be gaining about half a pound a week until delivery. Wow. But I'm feeling good and she loves to move around in there. She was a big fan of the Giants' great win over the Eagles yesterday (sorry Shane) - she was shimmying all over the place.

Jim and Laurie will be visiting Casa Jagger de Remodel this weekend. Should be fun. The weather is still 70s and beautiful and you wet and cold Oregonians out there ask why we live here??? :)

Lots of love-
SJ

Monday, November 3, 2008

26 Weeks


Hey Everyone!

We just spent a lovely weekend with my parents who came down for a visit. Nice and relaxing even if the weather didn't cooperate. We had fun handing out candy to the neighborhood kids on Halloween even tho I missed out on my golden opportunity to dress up as a pregnant cheerleader. Ah, maybe I'll have opportunity again :)

The rain kept us from heading north for the Oregon vs Cal game on Saturday. It was raining and blowing so horrifically we watched the game from the comfort of our warm, albeit dusty, living room. Perhaps our absence was why they lost, but I'm still glad we didn't have to go be soaked to the bone.

On the baby front, Mom and I were very successful in wrapping up loose ends on the baby registry. I don't know a thing about all those little things that you need like baby lap pads and wipe warmers and different types of onesies. And perhaps most important was finding the crib. You'd think it'd be easy, I was so wrong. We have a small space and evidently I'm very picky, but we found the perfect thing and couldn't be happier.

SJ

Monday, October 27, 2008

25 Weeks

I'm finally on the road to recovery - yesterday was the first day that I felt truly human again, but the stuffy nose and hacking cough continue to linger. Can't complain too much, tho. We just enjoyed a lovely weekend in Palm Desert visiting my grandparents. We flew in Friday where we proceeded to have lunch and then crashed for a nap. Boy, aren't we fabulous house guests! On Saturday, we drove out to Joshua Tree for a look around. We tried to do a couple short walks, but anything longer than 20 minutes totally maxed me out. I'll be posting pictures in the next day or two. Sunday was spent as usual, Justin watching the Giants take it to the Steelers and Grandma and I had a bit of shopping. What a great weekend!

Baby is doing well. We had an appointment last week and everything looks good. Next appointment is Nov 18th. Between now and then, my mom is coming down to visit where we'll hopefully finally pick out a crib. I just can't make a decision and need some professional help.

Will post again next week or if anything exciting happens.
Happy Halloween (BTW, I'll be a pregnant witch this year. That should confuse some children!)
SJ

Saturday, October 18, 2008

24 Weeks

Hey Everyone!
I'm at work right now with some down time so I thought I'd get my blogging done. Unfortunately I have absolutely nothing exciting to report. Things are going along as they should. I did get my flu shot this week as is recommended to all pregnant women. What they failed to mention is the increased risk of pregnant women getting the "pseudo-flu". Yep, I got that. Low-grade fever, achy, icky, coughing, but not bad enough to stay home and be a total bum as much as I'd like to. This too shall pass and theoretically should reduce my chances of getting the full-blown badness and also is good antibodies for the baby. Already, I suffer for this child! Is it too early to start giving her a guilt complex??? :)

Lots of love-
SJ

Oct 22nd: 24 Week Addendum
As a little birthday present to myself, 2 days ago my "pseudo-flu" evolved into full blown, knock you on your butt, go ahead and call in sick, you're not going anywhere - flu. Awesome. I'm already tired of watching television, but whenever I get enough strength to do something, I take an hour (or three) to recover. Argh. At least my fever broke last night and this morning, I actually put on clean clothes. How's that for recovery. Could be worse. Couldn't imagine feeling like this 3 months from now, so I will count my blessings for which I have many, and go watch some more Bravo television :) As an aside, Baby J thinks all this coughing is fun. I think she enjoys the ride because after a coughing fit she starts rumbling around in there like, "can I ride again, pleeeaaase???"

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

23 Weeks = 6 Months?


Well according to the books, I'm now 6 months pregnant. Whoa. I'm looking pregnant, feeling good, still going about my business. Getting kicked a lot at night and with such force that you can now see my belly move when she gets busy in there.
The picture above was taken this past weekend when we went with Justin's mom to the new California Academy of Sciences museum up in Golden Gate Park. This was actually taken in their 3 story tall butterfly exhibit. Justin was a hit with the butterflies - one actually landed on his shoulder and proceeded to stay there for a good 10 minutes!

People have been asking what the nursery is going to look like. Here is a link to the bedding we chose. http://www.wendybellissimo.com/products/product_detail.php?id=63 Justin was sweet enough to dig up the last set in the state as it was recently discontinued, what a guy. Nothing in the nursery is really done yet at all. Hoping to start that in December as the next two months are being consumed by the kitchen which currently consists of floorboards and drywall. I have in the mean time made myself a respectable little kitchen with a microwave, double burner hotplate thingy and a prep area. It's working out so far and it allows us not to eat out every night. And bless the creator of paper plates - dramatically reducing my dish washing in the bathroom sink.

Will try and post in a more timely manner next week. Lots of love to all-
SJ


Sunday, October 5, 2008

22

How fast it's going. I'm blinking and the weeks are flying by I'm supposing because thus far, this has all been pretty easy. I feel good. Still going about my business. Had my last USTA tennis match on Wednesday - which was a lot of fun even tho we lost, but not before serving up a couple aces! Hoping to continue with the tennis as long as I can . . . one, because it's fun to see my opponent's concern about playing with a pregnant lady and two, because my strokes are still looking pretty good, if I do say so myself. :)

On the baby front, she's doing great and I feel now can be officially listed as a night owl. From about after dinner and through the entire night, she is moving moving moving! I wish I had a little window so I could see exactly what she is up to in there because her gyrations make me think she's working on a whole Saturday Night Fever dance routine.

Best wishes to everyone!
SJ

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Baby's First 21er!

Apologize for not being more timely in my postings; however, Justin and I were enjoying a little weekend getaway to Yosemite this past weekend. It was wonderful. Not only was it partly subsidized by work (I went to a conference while there), but the weather was a perfect 70 degrees, sunny, but cool. Very relaxing although I have to laugh at my decreased exercise tolerance. We went for a short, easy trail ride (and I use the word trail loosely) and you would have thought I was climbing a peak on the Tour de France. Whew, it was a work out. So the following day, I thought we'd take it easy with a short hike. It was short, and again, I was sucking wind. Justin had to laugh. I even took time to find a large downed tree that I could lay out on and put up my feet for a few minutes. I'm going to blame it on the altitude.

On the baby side of things, Baby J is one active little girl. Kick, kick, kick, rumble, rumble. She gets particularly active when we're watching football! (Go Giants by the way). Whenever I sit down for a few minutes, particularly in the evening, she decides it's time for her exercise routine. Everyday, the movements are getting a little stronger. Can barely feel them through my tummy, but I sure feel them on the inside. Also, I believe I spoke a little too smugly about my jeans fitting in my last posting because boy, that is history. I am amazed at the rate of my growing belly. Bring on the stretch maternity pants. Though we're swamped with work and the push into getting our kitchen remodelled, I don't think I have a choice but to go to the mall to get a couple pairs of pants so I have something other than scrubs and pajamas!

You'll notice a few new pictures. The first a short video of our ultrasound from a couple weeks ago and some pictures of the my belly at Yosemite - I think it could be called "Baby Half Dome"?

Lots of love to all
SJ

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Half Way! 20 Weeks

Hello Everyone!
I know it's been a little while since my last posting, but I had nothing to write as everything has been going along as it should. We had our appointment with our midwife yesterday. Very nice, very calm, my kind of gal. Also got the formal results from our ultrasound and Baby J is confirmed to be perfect, but we knew that.

I'm really starting to grow in the belly area. Still proudly wearing my old jeans, but shirts are becoming a real problem. Thank goodness long tank tops are around to go under my normal shirts for as long as I can pull it off, which may not be much longer. I also had to go the maternity store to get a pair of shorts as we're going to Yosemite this weekend. I have an anesthesia conference and we're going to enjoy a little hiking and R&R.

So things are going for all three of us and Samba too.
Lots of love-
SJ

Saturday, September 13, 2008

It's A Girl!

After much anticipation, we have conclusive evidence . . . It's a Girl! And she is totally healthy. Was great to see all her perfect little parts and she doesn't stop moving, which I can corroborate from all the little movements I've been feeling. Great news. Also, I've been given an official due date of February 10th - which literally means that there is a 95% chance she won't be born on that day. I also learned that I'm now closer to 19 weeks, 18 and 5 days to be exact. So things are going great.
Lots of love and check out the new poll!
SJ

Friday, September 5, 2008

17 Weeks

Short entry today as we're leaving for my surprise anniversary weekend. We alternate years planning a weekend away. Last year was my turn, now it's back to Justin so I'll have to let you know next week what we were up to.

On the pregnancy front, still feeling good. I think I felt the first movement a couple days ago. Just like everyone else describes it as this faint "fluttering" in my lower abdomen. First couple times I thought it might just be the power of suggestion after reading these "What to Expect . . ." books, but now I'm feeling something every few hours when I sit down for a moment, so that's pretty cool. Although, I'm still not totally convinced it's not all in my head - always a skeptic.

Only one week to go until the big ultrasound. Thanks everyone for casting their votes. I'm still waiting for a dream or something to allude to the possible outcome, but nothing yet.

Best wishes
SJ

Saturday, August 30, 2008

16 Weeks

Short post this week as we are laboring this Labor Day weekend, on none other than . . . the house. This weekend's adventure . . . painting the exterior. Ah, the fun of home ownership. At least Home Depot is running a sale on paint this weekend. And I also got a fun tennis game in this morning before it got too warm. Hoping if I play while Baby J is in utero, his/her groundstrokes may come a little more naturally and then we can retire on his/her Wimbledon winnings in a few years-

16 weeks, beginning of the 4th month. Now I'm really beginning to show. 3 people at work ran up to touch my "bump". Thank goodness for Bella Bands. Heard about them online. Essentially wide tubes of elastic fabric that look like the bottom of a shirt that you wear to hold up your now unbuttonable pants. Works great and saves having to buy pants at this early stage.

Counting down the days until the next ultrasound. Sept 12th is not coming fast enough! I also want to thank everyone for posting little comments. They're very fun to read and I do check them, so post away!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

15 Weeks

Morning All!
15 weeks, not much to report. Insomnia has resolved, thankfully, however napping still feels great regardless of how much sleep I got. Food aversions are in full swing. Chicken is out. How chicken can taste bad, I have no idea, but it does. Steak is in. Never been a huge red meat person, but evidently baby is. And ah, cottage cheese, never tasted better as does any kind of cereal, but that's always been true for me.

This week we bought our first baby item - a Bob Revolution stroller, orange. Thanks to my friend Stacey letting me know about a once a year sale, we were able to get a smoking deal on this highly coveted piece of baby transport equipment. Thanks Stac! Guess the thing is going to take up much needed space in the mean time, but how can you pass up 20% off?

On the home front, the kitchen remodel is in full swing. Although the kitchen cabinets and appliances are still intact for at least another month or so, the alcove to the skylight has been built, sheet rocked, and mudded. The useless wall between our kitchen and family room that used to house the washer and dryer is gone making the whole area feel much larger, and more dusty. I try to clean, but the dust always wins and will likely do so until the whole project is over.

Best wishes to everyone.
SJ

Saturday, August 16, 2008

14 Weeks - Second Trimester!

Good Morning-
We've made it officially into the second trimester - the so-called honeymoon phase of the pregnancy. Things are going well. Nausea has abated, but I still can only eat what sounds good, and that isn't much. Last week it was cottage cheese of all things. And being someone who is usually starving for dinner, now I'm more of a lunch person and a few bites at dinner is all I can stomach. Whatever, I'm not exactly wasting away :) Insomnia is creeping in. Approximately every other night I wake up at 2am and that's it, I'm up. Great for when I'm doing night shift, but it's becoming a real drag the rest of the time. Hopefully this will abate as well.

On a less complaining note, I found a midwife. Linds and Jen - good salesmanship! Learned that they keep a couple midwives locked away at the Kaiser San Jose that is actually closer to our house than the one I work at. Also, working in the OB dept at my Kaiser, Santa Clara, I just see way too many things that make me nervous and have heard nothing but good things about this other Kaiser's dept. So, I have my first appointment with Roseanna on Sept 23rd. At K-San Jose, midwives manage all the normal labors and have a very active roll in coaching you through the whole process. Perfect!

Heading off to the gym to try and stay as active as possible. Still hitting the ball about once a week - as that's all my schedule permits, but my work life looks much better in September.
Will post again next week. Lots of love-
SJ

Friday, August 8, 2008

First Trimester Screening - All Clear!

So exciting!!! We can breathe a huge sigh of relief now that Baby J. has passed his/her first test with flying colors (how could we expect anything less?). Everything looks perfect and it was amazing to see the little being move and hiccup. We saw all ten fingers and ten toes. We even saw a somersault. Not bad for only being 3 inches big. Really fantastic. I teared up of course. Next on the appointment schedule is September 12th for a good look at anatomical development as well as whether we're having a boy or a girl. I still can't get a read from the kid, maybe you have??? If so, put your vote in for boy or girl and half of you will likely be right :)

Saturday, August 2, 2008

12 Weeks

Hello Family and Friends!
What's new this week . . . my tummy is seriously starting to pooch. Not, cute, pregnant pooch, but, "has she gained a few???" kind of pooch. I've heard this is a drawback to this period of things. You don't look pregnant, you just look like you've been skipping the gym - which I haven't! Maybe not as often as I should, but I had a nice tennis game this morning.

On the home front. Our washer and dryer just went kaput last weekend. Ah appliances. I'm just glad they made it until I was out of school. So off to Sears we went and brought home these two beauties (see picture at left). Wasn't exactly in the budget, but are they wonderful. What a treat. And as cheesy as it sounds, I even got sentimental over the fact that there is a "baby wear" wash cycle. Likely useless, but makes me smile.

Hope this message finds you all well. Very much looking forward to our First Trimester Screening ultrasound on Friday morning. You can read about it if you wish thru this link http://sanjose.obstetrix.com/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=45&action=detail&AEProductID=Client%5FSanJoseM998383&AEArticleID=188
Will be sure to let you know how it goes-
Lots of Love,
SJ

Sunday, July 27, 2008

11 Weeks

1 week to go until the first trimester is over. Can't believe it's happened so quickly! Suppose that's how this whole thing is going to go. Wake up tomorrow and there will be a little Jermajesty Jagger. Like the name choice? Came with compliments from Jermaine Jackson who had the audacity to actually name his kid, "Jermajesty". Ouch.

Nothing too interesting to report at this point. Feeling pretty good. Still fit into normal clothes - hopefully that will last as long as possible. I read online somewhere this girl lamenting she gained 13 pounds in her first trimester. What a nightmare - I fortunately have avoided thus far. I do have weird food cravings and aversions. My new thing in the last couple weeks is drinking through a straw. It just tastes so much better, but like really, does it make a difference? Seriously odd. Thanks Jermajesty :)

Hope you like this week's baby image. It says that the kid is already moving around "busy kicking and stretching". Whoa.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

10 Weeks and Counting

Hello Family and Friends!

Welcome to my first entry and foray into the "blogosphere". This is at the behest of a very excited father-in-law, and you know who you are :) that I should start a blog to share this exciting time with everyone. Having never blogged before and not being a terribly clever or colorful writer, I hope I may at least post some fun photos and debatably interesting insights into my first pregnancy. Here it goes.

At 10 weeks, I think I'm starting to feel better. The fatigue I've had sporadically over the last 4 weeks was worse than I had expected. Just an overwhelming need to sleep - worse than my usual need to sleep which many of you know is already quite profound. The nausea is abating, although it now rears it's heaving head around 8pm, sometime after dinner and before bed. Fortunately I've found ginger is a great help, and feel fortunate that I've found something that does ease the queasies, which is better luck than many women have.

I'm also doing a pre-natal yoga class on Monday nights. While I'm one of the earliest ladies there, it's good to hear tips and advice from women going through the various stages of pregnancy. Makes it all feel more real. Without of having the tell-tale tummy, I'm often left feeling just unwell instead of appreciating the symptoms that come with carrying a 1 oz future human being. That alone is a mind-blowing concept. Babies are born everyday, and historically and naturally speaking this is not an unusual or unique event, but this one is ours and it's growing in me, and that makes me teary just contemplating how awesome that is.

That should do it for my first post. Not sure how often I'll write. Our next big appointment is Aug 8th - for the first trimester screening test, which looks for Downs and other chromosomal abnormalities. It will also again confirm that everything still looks viable, which is my greatest fear, that I think I'm still pregnant, but it's made a turn for the worse - tho unlikely. So positive thoughts until then-
SJ