Week:19

Well it's Tuesday again... and you know what that means. Another week along... 19 weeks today! Pretty exciting! I was downtown Portland for a conference the last two days and I caught a glimpse of myself in a storefront window and I looked very pregnant. But alas! I didn't feel ugly or fat... I felt... hot. VERY different than how I have felt in recent weeks, thank you very much hormones. Finally though I feel like, there is no ..."is she pregnant?" accompanied with sideways glances... there is no mistaking this belly. And I like it.

Oh! Guess what else? My body is making up to 50% more blood! No blush on these rosy cheeks! I'm au naturel baby! <---- see what I did there?

I could feed a small starving village of Vampires

This week our little monster is said to be about the size of a grapefruit. Whoa. They grow up so fast! Why, it was just yesterday it was the size of a poppyseed... With the increase in size I've noticed I pee more, again. Zofran continues to be my friend, and this little baby is a night owl. 

So, now that my condition has become more and more evident... the comments flow in steady waves. This is not me complaining, this is me being amused. Everyone has a pregnancy / pregnant lady / scary baby story they feel compelled to share. And you know what? To be honest, I've sought some out online because I enjoy the nitty gritty. It's probably why I do what I do. I read somewhere that for like the first week after birth blood just dribbles down your legs, and that taking stool softeners is SUPER important because, well, not only will you have a new bundle of joy, but you may have a few raging hemorrhoids as a consolation prize!! Yay!! I've heard some really good tips too, like, lanolin for the nipples will be great, ( I imagine it's like Bag Balm for udders ) and vegetable oil around the 'ol StarGate so it can stretch properly and not rip in a bazillion places. I'd rather my StarGate doesn't look like the exit of a carwash...

Ouch. 

What are some of the awesome things people have shared with you? Of course I've gotten the "It's a boy because... / It's a girl because... " and the person goes on to point out a physical feature of mine that has tipped them off. Also questions like, "Do you have a midwife?" or "Are you doing a home birth?" Legit questions that people really want to know, not just a segway for them to tell you about how strongly they feel one way or another, just people genuinely curious. Which is nice. 

We've decided to deliver at the hospital I work at. For a number of reasons. It's where my doc is, it's where I work, we're equipped with a NICU... etc. Some folks have asked, "Aren't you concerned you may see someone in the halls that has SEEN you?" Not really. I figure they look at their patients like any other patient, I have girl parts, like girls do, and if they get to witness my screaming bundle of pain slide out into the world then cool :) and if something goes wrong and they're there to help, I'm grateful. :) Maybe if I rip to all Hell they can throw in an extra stitch at no extra cost... "Employee Discount" and when I see them in the halls at work I'll high five 'em. 

Is next week here yet? I sure would like to know what sort of baby is brewin' in there... Until then, I leave you with:

Food Porn