The Calming Heartbeat

I don't think there has been anything more satisfying than hearing our baby's heartbeat. It's difficult to describe but without being able to feel the baby move yet, its hard to believe something is really in there. Even with my growing belly I sometimes (especially now that I feel great), completely forget that I'm pregnant, or worse, worry that something is wrong. However, when those appointments come around and you are able to listen to the heartbeat, it makes everything right in the world again.

We had our 16 week appointment yesterday and as usual, we were very anxious. Once our Dr. put that doppler on my stomach and we immediately heard the heartbeat we both felt this overwhelming sense of calm. Ahhh.... My friend Caroline told me recently that you can rent the dopplers and that way check the heartbeat on your own at any time. I think we might seriously look into that. Having that bit of reassurance could go a long way right now.

In other exciting news...I thought last week that I felt my first flutter. I wasn't quite sure until today when the Dr. was getting ready to hear the heartbeat and I told her where I thought the baby was (due to the flutter) and I was dead on! So exciting. It pretty much solidified my flutter feel as a baby movement and not just horrible gas. No ultrasound picture this time, but we'll be sure to keep those and the belly pics coming as we get them.

My First Sober Wedding

First of all, let me start off by saying this title is a little mis-leading. I'm not usually drunk at all weddings. However, I do usually enjoy a good wedding and along with that some good vino. Two weekends ago one of my closest friends got married and it was officially my first zero alcohol wedding (not counting the weddings I went to prior to the legal drinking age).

This was truly an experience. Let me start by saying I love to dance. And weddings are the best place for this. However, what I learned the other weekend is that without a little alcohol to get my blood flowing, my dance moves are terrible. My mentality going into the night was to just pretend I felt amazing (not dead tired), pretend I had a little alchy in me (not stone cold sober) and dance the night away like I normally would. Well, I succeeded in all of these, but when I stepped out on that dance floor without an ounce of "feel good medicine" I froze. I couldn't think of ANY moves. I did a standard back and forth motion and while I watched as my friends around me came up with a thousand different moves I was completely at a loss. It was sad. And depressing. Luckily they were all too drunk too notice ;)

Here are some pics from the wedding night.....a little bump is forming!

The Deli Meat Debate

So lately I've been struggling with the "No deli meat" rule of a pregnant woman. First of all, I've done some research, and of the 310 million people living in the United States only 2,500 become seriously ill with listeria each year. I mean, that is roughly the same chance as if an airplane were to fall out of the sky and land on me. Second, I don't go to the sketchy gas station down the street to get my deli meat, and I'm pretty sure Whole Foods is a clean, safe, hormone free environment. Third, my sister had a baby just 5 years ago and no one seemed to care about deli meats then. In fact, no one even questioned it. Fourth, have you seen the TLC show "I didn't know I was pregnant?". If not, you HAVE to check it out but that is another story. Anyway, they don't know they are pregnant up until they give birth (to healthy babies I might add) and I'm willing to bet that they munch away on deli meat sammys the entire time.

As for me, I've decided that if I crave a sandwich and I know where the meat is coming from, then I'm going to indulge. After all, there is nothing worse than depriving a pregnant woman of something she is craving.

My Dog Can Smell My Pregnancy From A Mile Away

According to Babycenter.com, "It's common for dogs to go on alert and become overprotective of their expecting owner from the very beginning of her pregnancy. Other dogs will treat their pregnant owner with more attention and care than usual."

In my experience, the above is an extreme understatement! Yes, I'm absolutely 100% in love with my dog, but she has become completely obsessed with me lately. For instance, in the past it was perfectly normal for me to wake up in the early morning to go to the gym, all while she was sound asleep on the floor aware of my being up, but not in the least bit interested. She could care less that I was awake at an ungodly hour because all she knew was that it was NOT time to get up. HOWEVER, in the last few weeks my alarm will go off as usual, I'll barely get my feet on the floor before she shoots straight up runs over to me and proceeds to follow me around the entire room while i get dressed for the gym. Lately she has even gone as far as literally coming into the closet with me. And this is just the morning. Imagine how the entire day goes. It essentially involves her following my every footstep and greeting me enthusiastically every time I enter the room even though I have just seen her 5 minutes prior.

Now many of you might think this is sweet, but let me tell you, when you have something following your every move 24 hrs a day it gets super annoying. For once, I would like to go to the bathroom without a companion.

This is a picture of Josh attempting to get a picture of JUST me and my little bump, but look who popped in unexpectedly. Heaven forbid if Josh tries to get me alone for 10 sec to take a picture.





Have any of my other mommy friends every experienced this? If so, would love to hear how you dealt with it. I think I need to join a support group....