9

I've got nine more weeks to go, and it's amazing how much my body has changed. My belly seems to be bigger than life (especially after I eat), and it's really starting to get in the way. Bending down to pick things up has now because a struggle, and the other day I had to call my husband in the room for help because I couldn't reach across the kitchen counter to open the window. But the good news is, no stretch marks (yet), and no nasty black line down the center of my belly. Oh yeah... and no popped out belly button!!!

My wrists are both totally messed up, and with each passing day my hands become more and more useless. I read that as your pregnancy progresses, your ligaments loosen up causing aches and pains, and carpel tunnel. I'm almost relieved not to be working anymore because my job required LOTS of hand writing and typing. I don't know how i would have survived.

Acid reflux had really become a bigger problem, and I often wake up in the middle of the night choking. I've gone through an entire bottle of Tums in the past month, and although my doctor told me it's ok to take Zantac, I'm still uneasy about putting anything in my body that has a warning label on the bottle. I had to give up jalapenos, but as I said my tearful goodbye, I promised them I'll see them again in no time at all... and that's a promise I intend to keep.

As far as baby goes, that's a whole other story. He's rocking and rolling and moving all over the place. The other day my husband and I were driving home from visiting family and suddenly I felt something poking my stomach hard. I looked down, and there was a little foot sticking out of my belly. No joke... I could hold it in my hand, and even my husband was able to feel it. I guess our little guy is ticklish because after we touched it, he pulled his foot back and kicked hard, and then we were too freaked out to touch him again. The sensation of feeling a baby move inside your body is indescribable. Everyone says, "It feels like gas," but to me, it feels like a giant fish is stuck in my body and trying desperately to get out. I don't think I care for the feeling, especially since I know he's only going to get bigger... and stronger.

My overall disposition at the moment is relaxed, but I still have my moments of absolute fear and dread. Today I had a doctor appointment (I go every two weeks now), and there was a newborn baby boy in the waiting room that I got stupid giddy over. I kept pulling on my husband's sleeve pointing at the baby carrier squealing, "Isn't he adorable?!?" The mother of the infant wasn't too pleased with my gawking and quickly covered him up, but it was too late, baby fever had hit hard, and I think I'm ready for this. But then again, ask me how I feel tomorrow and I'm sure I'll be a weeping mess.