Just keep swimming, just keep swimming....

13 weeks 1 day

I've been doing about the same. My midwife was gone for my appointment on Thursday (which I knew about ahead of time; she was helping her daughter move) so I saw a different one, and she was also lovely. Matt and Mom both came with me. About two seconds after the midwife put the doppler on my belly, she found the heartbeat. Yay! We listened to it for a minute and Mom teared up a bit. I didn't even have any stupid questions to ask this time! I've gained two whole pounds since the beginning of my pregnancy, which is right on track. One to three pounds for the first trimester is normal and good.

Yep, I am in the last week of my first trimester. For the most part, this makes me feel pretty good because things seem to be going just fine, and after the first trimester, the risk of miscarriage goes way down. However, that's what I thought last time, too, and then we got the bad news at my 13-week appointment. I just have to not think like that. I'm still feeling sick in the afternoons and evenings, still exhausted (this is supposed to get better in the second trimester, right?? I have to be able to accomplish some stuff after 3 P.M.!), my chest is sore, and my tummy is pooching out.

Speaking of tummy, Mom and I were successful "shopping for fat pants" as Matt put it. I got a nice stretchy pair of black capris that are kind of swishy (gauchos, is that what they're called?) and two skirts, one grey and one navy with wiggly lines sewn in. It's very classy looking. All these things should fit me for several months. Yay elastic waists! So comfy. I also remembered I bought a pair of black long pants last year that I will be able to wear once I find them in one of the boxes in the top of the closet. With all this and my dresses, I will make it through the end of the school year just fine.

AngelSounds Fetal Doppler

We will be getting our own doppler soon! Mom and I looked when she was here and we found one for fairly cheap that had a lot of good reviews. There were women at only 11 weeks who could find the baby's heartbeat. I think this will help us feel better in between visits to the midwife when I'm not feeling too sick too often and before I can feel the baby move which isn't for at least another month, if not more. I just have to remember (and have Matt help remind me) that I shouldn't panic if I can't find the heartbeat. This little baby is swimming around a lot now and it might be hiding sometimes.

This week the baby has fingerprints! Amaaaaaaazing!