The Clock Finally Started Ticking

I am sitting here quietly now and I don't want to move - that's because I keep feeling a little bubbly feeling in my belly below my bellybutton and I think it's the baby moving around...but maybe I'm wrong...I'm 18 weeks and 5 days so it might be a little too early, but I don't think so.

I got my IPS results yesterday. The risk for downs is 1:20000 and the risk for neural tube defects is 1:3200....both results are great and I don't need to go ahead with the amnio or worrying anymore - although I do tend to worry a lot. And I never thought I'd say this...but I am enjoying being pregnant...so far. I know I worry about each ache and pain that something is wrong, but it's only because it's the fear of the unknown and not feeling movement and feeling pain can be nerve wracking.

Yesterday I went to Old Navy with my mom to start looking at maternity pants. They are selling them on sale, and I do not want to spend a lot on maternity clothes...also they have a 90 day return policy, so if I don't grow into them, I can return them. All in all, I didn't spend very much...less than 150 for 6 pairs of pants - 2 for work, 2 pairs of jeans, and 2 that are like workout pants that I could wear for working out, casually, or to work. But, I really must say that I hate maternity pants. I don't like anything high waisted...so at old navy the flare jeans are high waisted (and they don't have my size) and the boot cut are low waisted...not that the size 2s fit me...they are huge and look huge, but it's the smallest size, and I'm thinking I'll grow into them or I'll return them. Once I shorten the bootcut jeans they will not be boot cut anymore...and I really like a flare look.

I think I'll go and sit outside and read...before I go back to work next week and lose my last chance to sit and read in the outdoors uninterrupted....next summer I'll have a 6 month old :)

I will update tomorrow with my u/s details and hopefully a gender!

Today was a fun day. At noon I picked up my new car, and I love it. I wasn't sentimental at all about saying goodbye to my old car...almost like picking up this new car was the start of my new life with my new baby.

Then I drove my new car to my OB appointment. Yes, there is still a heartbeat and everything is looking good (in a 5 minute appointment). But they gave me all the paperwork for the hospital...and I was VERY overwhelmed when I got home. I need to apply to be a patient at the hospital and decide on birthing classes and infancy classes - I kind of think I need the infancy classes more b/c I know squat about babies. I asked my mom if she would go with me to the classes b/c I don't want to go alone. She agreed, but is almost reluctant.

And I also need to research doulas for birthing. My mom is adament that she won't come into the room when I'm giving birth - she can't stand to see me in any pain. I have had a few friends who offered to be there with me, but I don't feel like I can ask anyone to do such a favour for me.

I wonder what the rest of you choice moms are doing for birthing. So much to think about.

In 2 weeks from tomorrow I have my next ultrasound and will find out the gender. Also in 2 weeks I will find out the results of my IPS test.

So so so nice (and ego boosting) of some of you to wonder where I am...I have been so busy this summer telling (and shocking) friends and buying things - new car with 4 doors (getting it tomorrow), dining room table, blinds - but I've thought of writing a lot!

My pregnancy is going really well - except for all of those aches in my abdomen...I now know that the sharp pains are round ligament pains - and boy do they hurt! But then I freak out about the pressure in my low abdomen or other aches. I must really be stretching!

My 16 week OB appointment is in 2 days, and tomorrow I go for the final part of the IPS test.

I started back at the gym -light weights for 30 minutes of the 60 minute classes - and I've been walking.

And thank goodness I have a friend with a doppler who has helped me get through these 4 weeks sanely. So much for breezing through this pregnancy!

My emotions have been crazy too. Today I witnessed a horrible accident. A dump truck plowed over a woman in a car stopped at a stop sign. I pulled over and started to shake and cry. My poor mom - I called her and immediately broke down and she thought I was hurt. If I had more control I would have told her right away that I was okay but that I saw a bad accident - instead I was hysterical. She told me it took her 2 hours to calm down after I called like that.

Anyway, I've had wonderful reactions from friends - everyone dealing with it in different ways but all very supportive (except one non-reaction which was so weird - "oh"). And my friend who I told first, finally got her first positive pregnancy test after 3 years...so, hopefully her betas will double :)

So glad to be back to blogging...I can't believe I was away for this long. Now I have to catch up on all of your lives.