A Brief List of Updates

Just to keep you up-to-date:

1. Today is the beginning of week 27 - it's the last week of the Second Trimester!

2. I had a 3 hour fasting glucose test last week, and I passed with flying colors! This test diagnoses gestational diabetes, which is a growing concern for pregnant women. Special thanks to Dave for always making me eat my vegetables - it helps that he makes such great food. Last night he made his first sauerbrauten roast with cabbage and potatoes... what a feast!

3. In the past week both Dave and I have dreamt about the baby as a human being, and both of us have attached a face to the baby in our dreams. It seems strange to dream about someone's face whom you haven't even met.

4. I can no longer read aloud - I become winded and start panting like I just raced up the stairs two-at-a-time. My lungs are squished!

5. We bought a crib. It was becoming an existential dilemma, but then we asked our landlord John point-blank what he thought, and he gave us some very sound advice: all new cribs are built with safety in mind, so go with what you like. It was a good thing we went ahead and ordered the crib, too - it takes 10-12 weeks for delivery, which in my book is cutting it a little close.

6. We are starting a baby registry, but we aren't going to tell you the site yet. I need to tweak a few things first.

7. My uterus is the size of a basketball, which is exactly what I look like. A basketball with four limbs and a head. Today I tried on four different shirts while getting dressed, and when Dave asked what was taking so long, I told him that I felt like a lump. He said, "You don't feel cute and pregnant and adorable, which is what you are?" I reiterated that, no, in fact, I felt like a lump. But it's nice to know that my husband isn't thinking, "Why is there a lump in my bed?"

Welcoming the Second Trimester

I have welcomed the Second Trimester a couple of different ways.

1. I look very cute in maternity clothing. This bodes well for the next six months.

2. I am less tired - hooray! But I still want 9 hours of sleep every night.

3. Today I walked through the Marshall's baby aisle and looked at shoes and clothes and baby furniture. It was scary - everything is either baby pink or baby blue. Apparently we will scare little children by dressing them in real colors. But then I got stuck looking at baby books, and my heart about melted.

4. I gained two whole pounds during the first 12 weeks. It's time to start eating - which I welcome, because I am finally feeling hungry. I celebrated my returning appetite with my favorite treat: french fries and chocolate milkshakes.

5. Our cat Purna, who many of you know is not fond of sitting on human laps, has taken to mine recently like she's making up for lost time. My theory is that suddenly she knows how good she's got it, and how much her life will be different in 6 months. Plus she'll have a plethora of baby toys to keep her busy. But I think she might be too advanced for the newborn toys - so if/when we have a baby shower, please, someone remember poor Purna and buy her an Erector set or some blocks.

6. I cried on Sunday because Dave was sitting too far away in the house. This is a good sign, right? So I've been told, but thinking about it now, I can only shake my head in wonderment.