Mini Panic Attack

Yesterday was a particularly stressful day. It's been a really rough week at work, and I headed to the gym afterwards to get in my daily exercise and blow off some steam. There I was, just minding my own business on the elliptical machine while reading 'Babies for Dummies: The First Year' on my Kindle. Then, I just happened to glance over to the right of me at the very large mirrors that adorn the walls from floor to ceiling . And wow - did I look pregnant in that mirror. I barely recognized myself. Then it hit me, I'm 9 weeks into the 2nd trimester already! Just 4 more weeks to go and I'm in the third trimester; the home stretch! Where has the time gone? I had mentioned to Rob at the beginning of the 2nd trimester that my goal was to get the nursery done during the 2nd tri before I was too big and uncomfortable to do it. We both sort of thought, "hey, it will get done - we've got plenty of time". And now, there's just 4 weeks left and we have finished....well, painting. And that's pretty much it. Sure, we've gone through and sorted some things, but we still have storage boxes strewn all over our room and the baby's room. So now, I've got a fire lit under my you-know-what to get all this done. Good thing putting a baby's room together is so much fun!

Beginning the first weekend in August we've got three fun-filled Saturdays in a row of pregnancy and childcare classes. First up is the CPR/Childcare class on the 6th. I'm really looking forward to this one. It should be both educating and fun, and I think the 6 hours will fly by for us. The following two Saturdays after that are what I'm dreading.....6 hours each day of Lamaze and childbirth. YIKES! I think the reality of the inevitable is going to make me stressed, scared, light-headed, who knows. I may need to bring a paper bag with me in case I hyperventilate! ;) This stuff is not for the faint hearted, which I am...so I'm just nervous! This is one reason why we chose to take this class in August rather than in October which is closer to D day...I think I will need as much time as possible to process all the information and accept the reality that is creeping up on me. At least the Lamaze class includes a tour of the maternity ward, so I'll get a chance to see the room options, nursery, etc.; the place where I will come to find very familiar for the first couple days of Baby D's life!



Moving on to Week #22! This Turkeybutt is about 11 inches long now and settling in right at about 1 pound (probably a bit more); the size of a spaghetti squash...he is also compared to the size and shape of a small doll on some websites. That gives me a much better visual! This week supposedly marks the beginning of some serious weight gain. Baby D's weight will double in the next four weeks alone (I guess another reason you begin to get so uncomfortable starting in the 3rd trimester!). His lips, eyelids and eyebrows are becoming more distinct. His eyes are formed now, but his irises still lack pigment. If I could see inside my womb, I'd be able to see the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he puts on some more weight and adds some padding of fat to fill them in.

This kiddo sure is coming up with his own schedule, and he's becoming more and more predictible in his movements. I can almost guarantee to feel him moving around at 5 a.m. while I'm still in bed, then again around 9 a.m., anytime after I eat something, and between 8-10 p.m. at night. I read the other day that at this fetal age, they make about 50 movements an hour! As much as I love the comfort of knowing he's okay in there, I'm grateful I can't feel all those movements every hour. I might not get anything done. My new favorite form of entertainment is to look down when he is most active and see how my belly twitches. Rob is certainly entertained with feeling these movements, but sometimes little D plays tricks on him and stops moving right when he places his hand on the belly. I think he's already referred to the baby as a booger for doing this. :)

Here's to hoping for another productive weekend...and I will share nursery photos as soon as we get a bit more done. On a side note, good luck to my best friend Leigh Ann, who is taking her law school Bar exam on Monday (even though I know she won't need it because she is sooo smart)!! You can do it!!!!