17 weeks

Well I was waiting for Buddy to upload my first belly progress picture to the main page before I typed in, but that took a little over a week since he was out of state on business, so I'll just update over the past couple weeks!

My 16 week appt. went very well (the belly progress pic is from last week; week 16). It was my first appt. w/ my new Dr. since my regular Dr. has decided to be home w/ her children. I was more anxious really than nervous to meet her since I really liked my other Dr. She was great though, just as I had been told. We got to hear the baby's heartbeat & go over some questions/concerns I had. Mainly I was worried about what foods & ate in London & Paris since I couldn't be for sure what was in everything, even though I watched & read carefully. But, things are different there so I wondered if I was okay. She reassured me that I would have been pretty sick if I was affected by anything. She said I could resume exercise to a certain limit & still need to watch how much I lift, as any pregnant woman should. We discussed the Cystic Fibrosis testing & all agreed that since there is nothing you can do about it before the baby is born anyway, there was no reason to get it done since it wouldn't change our decision for having the baby. The other tests are different since they give options to help manage or cure some of the disorders. This was the timeframe to get the Tetra Screen. But, since I already had the Nuchal Screening for Down's (Down's testing is a part of the Tetra Screen but not nearly as detailed since it's just blood work), they just did the Spina Bifida/neural tube defects & Trisomy 18 blood work test. About 5 days later they called to say those tests came back negative. I go back on Thursday, May 22 for the answer to the latest...is it a girl or a boy? It was funny since my Dr. asked if I knew already so thought I'd take her up on finding out right then, but she just thought I may have already known from a previous appt. If you haven't voted in the poll to the right, you can do so until then!

I have gained a little weight, and as you can tell from the pic, I'm starting to show! I actually can still get by on some bigger shirts that aren't maternity, but that's out now for pants! And now that spring is here, the short sleeved tighter fitting shirts are out & I'm going to my spring/summer maternity clothes from I was pregnant w/ Kameron. I guess it worked out nicely that it's exactly the same seasons for my pregnancy since the baby is due just a couple weeks before Kameron was due. However, just like anyone else, I can't help but want a few new things this pregnancy, so I've found a couple cute summer shirts & comfy pants I can wear for when I do my shows.

Ever since shortly after I started my second trimester, I've been done w/ nausea, so that's been nice. I am still tired, but able to stay up until around 10 or 10:30, so a little longer than the first trimester. I am anxiously awaiting the day I can officially say I KNOW I have felt the baby (which normally happens between 16 & 20 weeks), but when I think I can say that, I later think it was just my stomach, so I'm not for sure yet.

Kameron is enjoying telling others that my belly is getting bigger (the guy in Sears the other day was impressed, I'm sure) & seeing the progress to make it more real. Lately he likes to 'tickle the baby' when he tickles my belly. He also really liked that he was the first to pick out the first toy for the baby. We went to the zoo & Babies R Us last week & he picked out the Baby Einstein Dragon (BLAH) clip on squeeze toy for the baby. I wondered if he'd actually give it up since he still loves that character, but that night he told Daddy that he didn't need Blah to sleep with him in his bed since Blah was for the baby. So, I guess he's fine giving a toy he enjoys; great sharing skills...hope it continues!

Other than that, nothing too exciting! Business for me is pretty slow right now, and that seems to be for a lot of Consultants w/ the economy so I'm doing what I can to get back on somewhat of a regular routine since this is my job, yet it's nice that I'm not to the point where we are hurting; just not doing as much as I would normally be doing. I guess that's not always a bad thing though since it gives more time to enjoy family, friends & hobbies. I do have a Breast Cancer fundraiser going on right now since May is our annual Help Whip Cancer month, in which each year we raise millions for Breast Cancer Education & Awareness programs through our limited edition pink products & fundraiser parties. So, we'll see how well I do in helping that great cause with my upcoming fundraiser open house. I'm also trying to work towards a pretty big award for Top Performance Cluster (I earned it last year) that ends in May, but with the economy & me being off my normal schedule w/ the couple in vitro procedures, I'm a bit short. It awards with recogntion, diamonds added to my ruby ring I was awarded with last year, money & an extra day/night on the next year's incentive trip! Hopefully it will come together, but if not, at least I know I tried my best due to the circumstances.

Well, I guess that's all for the update over the past two weeks. I should have another weekly pic of the belly posted soon for this week. I'll update again once or twice before our next appt. Keep in touch & feel free to post your comments so I know you were here!