Big Week

Lots to update on, aside from my GI-NORMOUS belly. The biggest by far is that Critter is a boy, so moving forward, he'll still be Critter, but he'll be referred to as he. And no, we're not sharing names till he shows his face in September. We went for our 19 week ultrasound last Thursday, where they checked for a bunch of vital stuff, aside from the "goods." We saw Critter's 4 chambered beating heart, bladder, bones, everything. He was given a perfect bill of health, but interestingly, his sex was a bigger challenge. The ultrasound technician proudly announced "Girl" which was followed by cheering and tears. Only a minute later, she declared "Well, I don't know. I'm not so sure." Jason of course had to add, "Well, I am Irish." After much excitement, anticipation, and fear of really having a hermaphrodite (which the technician assuredly said no to), we had to wait for the official word from the Doctor, who joined us a half hour later. He confirmed "Boy" and we saw the twig and berries. Jason and I left overjoyed and promised to never tell Critter that story. The only downer of the day was that Critter is stubborn (like dad) and doesn't like pictures (like me). Even after a brief calisthenics session (running, jumping jacks and moon walking around the room), he still wouldn't move to show us his face. Thus, the crappy prior picture. We'll get him back as soon as he's born. We'll teach him.

Other big news - lots of kicking, punching and movement. And it wasn't gas (despite me trying to blame it on that and Jason not buying it). Critter's very active right after dinner (8pm-ish) and late night (11:30pm-ish). And I think he knows I'm writing about him right now. He's kicking away. This past Saturday night, the kicks were pretty strong. My OBGYN said that Jason wouldn't likely feel the kicks for another 2 weeks, but I had him feel me up, and sure he enough he felt a few kicks - and FREAKED OUT. Critter scared him and he was afraid to feel me up for the rest of the night. I have to admit, it is weird to feel something like an alien growing inside you and probably even weirder for Jason to feel it. According to my books, the Critter can hear us and is able to start distinguishing our voices, so Jason loves "talking" to it. Though, I'm not sure if talking is the right word. He loves to whistle at it like a dog and say "Yooooo Whooo" like he does with my Grandma Freda. Great - when Critter's born, we'll only have to whistle, and he'll come running. Maybe we can also train him to bring in the paper.

Also, a lot of thoughtful people are asking how I feel. (Thanks for asking). For the most part, I can't complain. I still haven't' given in to maternity clothes, though days of fully buttoning jeans are long gone. Rubber bands looped around the button are a godsend. Yeah, sleeping's been a bit tough with a watermelon between you and and the featherbed, but I deal. My biggest issue is are my lower extremities. I can't go 10 feet without my feet blowing up like balloons. And just today, my left calf (not the right) decided to join in the fun. I could only zip up my right boot. The left boot zipper is half way down the track with my calf fat oozing out of it. Bizarre. So other than that, I can't really bitch. So I won't. At least not this week.

I can't end this week's post without letting you know of the wonderful time we had with Jason's parents last week. We had lots to celebrate and Mamma Kris was the best at giving me advice and sharing stories of when Jason was a baby (that he conveniently had forgotten about).