18 week update

I've come to some realizations this week:  I'm pretty much done with pregnancy books.  Almost every paragraph starts with the phrase "Everyone is different, but you may be experiencing this..." so it's not really helpful at all.  Furthermore, I'm almost at the Birth point in my reading, and I think I'd prefer to be blissfully ignorant.  Why should I freak myself out with everyone else's horror stories?  So I'll just assume that it will be painful and long and gross and not get into specifics.

Instead, I got a book about the first year or so of life so I know what to expect when the Sprout is actually here, since I am absolutely clueless when it comes to babies.  Well, let me tell you that those books do absolutely nothing to put you at ease either.  Your baby may be born with an incredibly ugly birthmark!  Or clubfoot!  Or some scary genetic disease you've never heard of!  But even if he's not, he might just die for no reason in his sleep.  So enjoy!

If that wasn't enough to worry about, I "should" be able to feel Sprout move by now, but so far nothing.  A couple of times, I've wondered, but I think it could just be digestion, you know?  One more thing to ask my doctor about in the next week.  That, and why am I way more tired now than I was the first three months?  Also, I swear I don't look that fat in real life, I was just too tired to go upstairs and change my shirt for the pic.

Illustrations this week by Scott and Griffin

How far along?  18 weeks

Total weight gain:   A friend kindly told me this week that my face hasn't gained any weight, so I'm taking that as a good sign.

Maternity clothes?  Mostly just loose dresses, sometimes my Gap pants for lounging.

Stretch marks?  Still fighting the good fight against them.

Sleep?  Delightful on our new bed!

Best moment of the week?  Weeding my whole garden and not feeling like passing out afterwards!

Miss anything?  My old body.  I feel like an unattractive blob most days.

Movement?  I don't think so and it's starting to worry me.  I'm sure it's fine but it would be nice to feel something.

Food craving?  Not really, but I have noticed my sense of smell rivals Belle's lately.  Last night we were out to dinner and I could sniff the Bloody Mary someone was drinking over at the bar.

Anything make you sick or queasy?  Not queasy but my head aches constantly and sunlight makes me nauseous.

Gender?  I had two dreams that I was having a blond haired, blue eyed girl, but I've heard that you have the opposite of whatever your dream is...so a swarthy boy, then?

Labor signs?  No

Symptoms?  Headaches, nosebleeds, soreness, shortness of breath and general fatigue.  I don't really know what to do about any of it, but I would be so happy to have one day where I feel 100%.

Belly button in or out?  In, but noticeably shallower than last week.

Wedding rings on or off?  On

Happy or moody most of the time?  Neither.  I'm either tired or anxious.

Looking forward to?  Starting on the quilt if I feel good this week (and have a rainy day)