Stretchy Pants!

I am getting to that point where it looks like I have eaten one-t00-many Double-Stuf Oreo cookies. While that may indeed be true, there is also another reason for my pants not fitting so well...Baby B is growing! Friends and co-workers have told me that I am starting to show. I still feel like it might be because of the Oreos! Nevertheless, I made my first maternity wear purchases this week. If I would have known how wonderful elastic-waisted pants felt, I probably would have been wearing them much sooner. However, my friends and I are keenly aware and try to avoid the "frumpy social worker" attire. That would likely include wearing elastic waisted pants with clogs (even if you weren't pregnant). While I don't plan on getting any clogs, a good pair of attractive comfort shoes would probably be a good idea. It's hard to be on your feet all day.

Another great thing happened yesterday. I met with my friend, Darshana, who has the most beautiful 1-year-old imaginable. Since that 1-year-old is out-growing her things, Darshana graciously is lending us many of the items that we need. She also gave me a bag full of books. Oh, I will have plenty of reading time when we drive to Michigan in July! She also gave me some great advice about classes to take here in Austin and other pointers. I am grateful for that!

So, today I am 16 weeks pregnant and everyone is asking, "How are you feeling?" I feel pretty good, thankfully. We have a busy weekend ahead. Lots of packing to do for the house. We move in 2 weeks!! Elizabeth and I checked out an adorable little daycare center near my work and our new place. With her urging we went in a toured it and it was so sweet! It changed my impression about what daycares are like. It looked like a really fun/educational place and made me want to be a Pre-schooler! After I got over the sticker-shock of the price, I kind of got excited imagining Baby B in a place like this socializing with other babies and learning. I know returning to work will likely make me feel sad at first, but seeing a place like this takes away some of the anxiety.

We Aced "Our" Test

Today was a big day for me personally and professionally. Six years after I started school to become a social worker, I have finally achieved my dream... I am a Licenced Clinical Social Worker! After two years of supervision and work, I finally sat for the exam today. I barely slept last night, waking at 3 a.m. thinking about the difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II. I thought I left with plenty of time to get downtown for the 8 am exam. I was wrong and traffic was a nightmare. I'd say the test was difficult, as I expected, but I was also struggling with sore throat (they don't let you take water or cough drops in) and about 2 hours into the exam, I was feeling a drop in my bloodsugar and was a bit dizzy. This baby needs some food! I pressed on and completed the exam. As I pressed the button to end, my heart was beating so fast and I was dizzy. I felt the same way when I took my LMSW exam 3 years ago--that "this could go either way!" Luckily it went MY way and when I saw the "Congratulations!" on the screen I was shaking. "Yes!" I said to myself. It felt great to actually be at this place in time and in my life that I have imagined and worked so hard for. I also felt grateful for all the people that helped me get here...especially those who I learned from in a clinical sense. I actually thought of some of my very first clients when I was an intern, and beyond...there are those people that will stick with me forever. What a privilege to do this work!

So, a few months ago I worried that "pregnancy brain" might hinder me in my ability to study and retain information, that it may make my brain turn to mush as I entered the testing center. But, we did it--Baby and Me passed this exam! I think I will only be prouder when I earn the credential of "Mom."

In Baby news, we had our 14 week exam today. The baby wasn't quite as active today, but we saw more detail in the spine, face and growth. Dr. Brown couldn't get an indication of the sex today. For that, we will have to wait 4 more weeks, until the appointment on April 23. We are on pins and needles! So, it was a great day. And the best thing about having the exam over with is now I can focus exclusively on this Baby and reading and learning about everything I can about attachment, development, and parenting! That sounds much more fun than studying the DSM!

Oh. My. Goodness!

Last week we announced the pregnancy to the rest of the world via Facebook, of course! We took this picture last month when we were in New Orleans for Mardi Gras with our friends, Cindi & Matt.

The photo was well-received and I think it captured exactly how we both felt when we learned that we were having a baby! It was so much fun to finally share this news with our friends and extended family.

Beating Heart

Today I went for the 12-week scan at a specialist's office, which is routine at this time. They do a blood test and ultrasound which can show some genetic abnormalities. Mainly, it was another excuse to get a peek at what is going on inside and see Baby B!

The baby is really moving around. The arms and legs were sticking out and visible on the screen. I could see the 2 parts of the brain and also the nasal cavity. Little fingers and toes are there, too! At this visit, I was also able to hear the baby's beating heart, which came in at 163 beats/minute. The technician said that is right on target. From all that she and I could see, things appear to be looking good! I was relieved because this weekend I experienced a little more spotting.

The results will be back in a week. I will come back to the specialist at 20 weeks and they said most women come to this appointment from Dr. Brown's already knowning the sex of the baby. Oh, I can't wait!

Cabbage Test

Right now I am only at 11 weeks, which means we will have to wait about another 8 or 9 weeks to know the sex of the baby. That feels like an eternity! I don't think I will even start seriously thinking about names until I know what we are having.

My mom sent me a link about the Cabbage Test, which is really a Ph test, and many say can reveal the sex of the baby. This weekend we decided to give it a try, just for fun. Cabbage is cheap and what have we got to lose? So for the test, all you have to go is chop up some red cabbage, boil it for 10 minutes and drain the water. You mix the cabbage water and your urine and watch for color change. If the water turns pink or red, it means you are having a boy. If the water is purple, then it's a girl.

Our test revealed a purple result...a GIRL! So we won't know for sure for a couple months, but it was a fun little test to try. Can't wait to see if it was right.

Ten Weeks

The 10-week scan revealed even more changes and we can see the tiny little person in there is taking shape! Dr. Brown showed me the 2 arms and 2 legs. She said Baby is 4 cm. I left this visit feeling a greater sense of relief. I began to start telling more people the news. We sent out a few cards to announce the news to close family and friends. Soon we will go "Facebook-official!" My mom is pressuring me every day- she can't wait to post!

My sense of relief was short-lived when that night I had some spotting before I went to bed. I immediately feared the worst and cried myself to sleep, calling the doctor first thing in the morning. Luckily I got to go in and she did another scan, showing that Baby was still going strong and urged me not to worry and to "take it easy." I wish I wasn't on my feet all day at work!

Work is getting a little rough. It's hard to stand up so much in the hospitals and there are also a lot of unpleasant sights and smells there, too! I haven't shared the news with my co-workers, who may be wondering why I am leaning up against walls so much. The main symptom I am dealing with at the moment is extreme fatigue. I barely get myself out of bed in the morning and then by noon, I am ready to go back to bed! I try to make it to 3:00 p.m. and then I know I have just a bi more time to go. Exercise has been non-existent, which I am sad to say. I hope to start pre-natal yoga soon and walking more when my energy levels get back to a more normal state.

This past week we also got a nice surprise in the mail- A gift from The Perry's. It is a book written by "Mommy Docs" and I have read all of it through the first trimester. Coming up next is my 12-week scan where they will check for genetic problems.

Grain of Rice

My second appointment for an ultrasound was on February 1, which was Nick's 34th birthday. I was uneasy all day while waiting for the 3:15 appointment. I was just so afraid the sack would be empty today. When I was waiting for her to start, I told Dr. Brown how worried I had been since last week and from my research on the Internet. She told me not to worry and that "that wouldn't be the worse thing." That did't feel very assuring.

Anyway, Nick came in and she started the exam. It just took a second for the image to appear and it was obvious that major changes had taken place in the last week. Our baby was there on the screen, the size of a grain of rice. Oh, I was so relieved! We could even see a little flicker, which was the heartbeat. Dr. Brown says its at 116 beats/minute, which is perfect. It ended up being a happy birthday for Nick and I finally had the assurance that I desperately wanted. My next visit will be in four weeks. So at this visit, Dr. Brown said I was 6 weeks and 5 days, with a due date of September 21, 2012!