heartbeat!

Well I had my first doctor's appointment a few hours ago - it wasn't really as bad as I expected. They did have to draw some blood, which I never enjoy, but that wasn't even horrible - the lady did a great job and was really fast!

We finally got to hear our Little One's heartbeat - a solid and strong 164 bpm (sounded like a boy to me)! The doctor said everything looked and sounded great and that we should expect a healthy pregnancy from here on out! It was very exciting and VERY strange to hear the heart beating - mostly because it still doesn't seem real that there is actually a tiny little person growing inside of me... it's all very very bizarre and surreal... I suppose it won't really feel real until I'm actually holding Baby for the first time!

Funny thing though - they ask all of these questions on your first appointment, and when they got to the "do you want an epidural" and I said "no", the nurse's head shot up in disbelief - "Really? Are you serious??" She was shocked, and I laughed nervously... I'm going to try to go au naturale, but I won't be disappointed or bummed out if I do end up resorting to pain relief... so I'm planning on no meds, but I may end up signing the paperwork for them, just in case! ;)

It was quite an exciting morning, and now I'm ready for a nap!

____ we're in a tight spot!

Well, my body has certainly been doing some strange things... it's amazing how it seems to have revolted on me, as if I have no control or say in any matters physical henceforth. It's definitely calling the shots, that's for sure.

I've had a few more cravings since the cheese incident, mainly for other dairy products. I really wanted Honey Nut Clusters, and then realized that I mostly wanted it for the milk (although I still don't like to drink it alone). I've always hated milk, so this has been strange (having 1-2 bowls of cereal each day *sigh*). Then I found out that Baby is growing teeth right now, and that my body needs extra calcium! Ahhh, the wonders of nature - it's amazing how God made our bodies to be so in tune with baby, even if we have no actual idea of what's going on, it just knows!

So I love milk, red meat (which is very very very unusual) and un-ripe bananas (unheard of - I have always HATED bananas - except when I was in Ethiopia where they have the most amazing bananas EVER! I'm serious - I hate bananas but these were the most delicious and wonderful things I have ever eaten... you should go there and try for yourself!)... Other than that, I hate pizza crust (previously my favorite part), and I've only recently been able to stomach the sweeter side of life (and unfortunately, this has brought on yearnings for ice cream and red velvet cake - both of which I have indulged)... *sigh*

We have our first doctor's appointment tomorrow - eek and yay! I really don't like going to the doctor (I never grew out of that one) but I'm REEEALLY hoping that we'll get to hear the heartbeat, so I'm also excited! Andy's going to come with me - hopefully to hear the heartbeat and also to find out what blood type he is (because I'm A-Negative and I may have to take some medication to protect the baby if he is a positive blood type).

Oh, and in regards to the title of this post - I have still not gained a single pound (in fact I lost about 5-7 lbs. in the first few weeks), and yet somehow, miraculously, my pants are all too tight! I don't have a baby bump yet, but I'm definitely getting a little extra padding in the waist regions - so, even though I haven't gained any weight, I'm getting fatter! Ahh, the wonders of nature at work yet again!

Well, I'm off to bake dinner for a family who just had a baby - even though it's naptime!

Midnight Cheese...

Well I can't sleep at the moment - I'm wide awake because I suddenly got the strongest craving for Sharp White Cheddar about an hour ago... so I indulged and now I'm not sleepy! It's my first official craving, which is pretty exciting - thankfully it was a healthy one! I have wanted to eat a lot of grapefruit (well, just fruit in general I guess) but I haven't craved it, it just sounds good. I definitely was craving some cheese though - thankfully for my dear husband there just happened to be some in the frig... I don't know if I could have fallen asleep without it!

I'm still feeling pretty good - although I have had some pretty unpleasant nausea the last week+. It's not unbearable though, and I'm hoping it won't get worse!

I am starting to research some non-traditional birth options... no, I'm too paranoid for a home birth - but I definitely want to do things naturally, and I'm trying to see if there are any midwives in the area that I feel like I can trust. I'd rather not deliver at a regular hospital (I'm interested in finding out more about water births), but I don't know if there are any birthing centers in Nashville... It will probably take me awhile to make these big decisions, but meanwhile I do have a regular OB that I'm going to (the same Dr. my sister went to for her last 2 girls) - my first appointment is the 23rd! I'll be 8 weeks this Saturday and, although I haven't gained any weight yet, I definitely have a teeny-tiny pooch starting to form. I feel like it would be weird to post pictures of it on here... maybe when it's a little bigger?

Well, I am going to make a final attempt at sleeping - hopefully I won't get in bed and realize I have a hankerin' for anything else!

Bon soir!


p.s. I should probably start watching Wallace and Gromit every night - just so I can feel some comradery with Wallace as we both yearn for cheese!