I don't look pregnant, just fat

So, I'm in this really depressing stage where I'm definitely fat (up 8 pounds in three months - gotta slow it down or I'm going to be a whale when I give birth!) but not looking like I have a bun in the oven. It is miserable. Plus, I'm only a third of the way through my pregnancy and have already burned up nearly half the weight I'm supposed to gain. I'm only supposed to gain 25 pounds. Really? Is that realistic?? Lets analyze:

I've been dieting and/or watching what I eat since puberty - so for a good 15 years, I've tried to limit my intake of sugar, fatty foods, etc. (minus a few years for college - of course). Now, all of a sudden, those diet drinks are off limits, my body is constantly asking for carbs and cheese, no veggies thank you, and suddenly, I'm inexplicably drawn to anything with a high sugar content.

Add that to the fact that I rarely want to do anything but sleep and exercise is low on my list of "to-dos" and there is a possibility I'll tip the scales at 300 pounds come the joyous birth.

I had all of these weight realizations this morning, after which I ate two pop-tarts and had a breakfast burrito (don't judge me). Then I went to lunch where I sensibly ordered a salad, and ate the chicken, cheese, tortilla chips, ranch dressing and avacado and picked around the lettuce. I gave myself an "A" for effort.

2nd Trimester - Here We Come!

I'm officially 14.5 weeks and counting - and baby Edelbrock is the size of a lemon! This is the official start of my second trimester. I'm magically supposed to feel a zillion times better and have more energy and feel better than I ever have in my life.

Truth? I'm feeling much better, but still having heart burn nearly every time I eat. I read that heartburn is a sign that a baby will have a full head of hair, but since Ben and I were both baldies, I'm not putting a lot of stock in that prediction.

I finally told all the folks at my office - it was fun to have everyone so excited for me. Now I can finally just let my belly hang out and not feel self-concious that people think I'm just getting fat! I had one person tell me that they knew I was b/c I was wearing a bunch of baggie clothes, so I'm apparently not as sly as I thought. But I'm really excited that now it is common knowledge. The very last step is telling my clients, so I can post on my facebook and make my blog public. Just a few more weeks now and I should be totally out of the closet! :)

I've been busy - OKAY??

So I know, I send out an email to friends and family telling them to check the blog a few times a week, and that is officially the last time I post for TWO WHOLE WEEKS. I've been properly chastised by myself, plus there is a good chance no one actually reads this, so who is missing anything anways?

Work has jumped up and kicked my rear these past few weeks, and I've been in Chicago and New York for various activities with only one day between to wash the two dresses and one pair of pants that actually fit me. I'm exhausted and at some point during the last two weeks, broke out in a mysterious rash on my arms, which I either attribute to cheap hotel soap or stress - either one, its a pain.

Add the rash to the heart burn and bloat I'm currently sporting and I am LOVING pregnancy. I had lunch with my boss today and she mentioned that she had a really good pregnancy -- no heart burn, no morning sickness, and she hadn't even gained that much weight! I wanted to kick her under the table or drop food in her lap -- I guess you could call me a bad sport.

Excuse me, I'm going to eat a few Tums and get back to work now.

Week Twelve

This week, baby is officially the size of a plum. I have my second Dr.'s appointment on Wednesday morning, but I think it is going to be a pretty short visit. She asked us to come up with a list of questions about the pregnancy so she can answer them, and Ben and I have been beating our heads trying to come up with intelligent quesitons. So far, all I have is:

1. Will my feet grow? I've heard some people's do, and I don't want to spend $200 on a cute new pair of boots if they won't fit in a few months.

2. Can I really not sleep on my back now? Because I really, really like to sleep on my back.

That is it. I wonder if my Doctor will be worried about my abilities to be a parent since my biggest concerns run towards fashion and napping, but we'll see if I can come up with some other intelligent questions in the meantime.

For a more scientific outline of what baby is up to this week, see BabyCenter's update: The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be.

Week Eleven

Baby Edelbrock is now the size of a lime (or a fig)! This week, I already can tell I have a lot more energy and I think I'm coming out of the first trimester funk. Thank goodness for that. My next doctor appointment is next Wednesday and after that, I plan on telling my office the happy news.

Here is what Baby Edelbrock is doing this week:

Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. His/Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under gums, and some of his/her bones are beginning to harden. He/She's already busy kicking and stretching, and the tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as the body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel the baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

Baby Edelbrock - The First Picture

Baby Edelbrock, Week 9 - you can't see much, but Ben labeled the major things (head, feet, etc).

Courtney's Bachelorette Party

So last night was Court's bachelorette party - we headed out to Fort Worth for dinner and then a night on the town. Courtney had a shirt made specifically for her that said "Game Over" and all the single girls had shirts that said "Game On" Kat and I were the only two married ladies so our shirts were both going to say "Game Over" too, but they suprised me with a different shirt - "Game On Board"! It was really cute. Here are the two married ladies in their shirts!

We are pregnant!

Okay - the secret is out - we are pregnant! Today is Labor Day 2008 and I am officially 11 weeks along. I was having awful morning sickness and was tired all the time, luckily that is starting to pass and I'm feeling alive again.



Ben is being extremely supportive, picking up housework even when it is my turn to do the dishes or laundry b/c he knows how bad I feel. He is also makes sure that I never forget my vitamins and is starting to walk the neighborhood with me so I can get some exercise.



We are so blessed.



We went to see the doctor at nine weeks, and got to see the baby for the first time. It was amazing - we could see its heart beating and it even waved its arms and legs at us! Ben and I both got a little choked up to see our baby look so baby-like already. So young, yet already a little tiny person.



I'm finally getting to tell people and it is such a great feeling. I hate secrets, so in just a few more weeks, everyone should know (work, family, etc.) We can't wait to find out the sex of the baby so we can start decorating the nursery and registering for all the adorable baby stuff.



Until then though, we are going to spend our Labor Day vegging out in our back yard. Ben just bought a new grill and it setting it up as we speak, so I'm hoping for something delicious for dinner.