12 weeks, 4 days

Things are going well. Had my 12 week appointment last week (was 11 + 5), and the heartbeat was so loud and clear, I couldn't believe it. I remember Ian's heartbeat being muted and hard to pick out (plus it was hard to find), but this time she found it within seconds and it was so easy to hear. We didn't get to listen long--baby didn't like the doppler and was bumping into it and moving away, and that was making me laugh. So we got maybe 5 seconds of listen time between the baby and me being incooperative. It was beating at about 160bpm, compared to 140 at 6 weeks, 5 days.

I'm starting to feel better. Still exhausted by the end of the day, but the nausea is slowing down. Haven't thrown up in about a week, knock on wood (though it has been replaced by a very irritating headache)!

The belly is starting to pooch. I'm pretty regularly in maternity wear these days, particularly the pants. It's hard to find pants that I like, that are in my size, and that don't cost a fortune. I refuse to spend a ton of money on maternity clothes, especially since I'm saving for my cloth diaper stash. Ross has been okay, but I've only found one pair of pants there. They should get me through the second trimester (which starts Friday!!!!), but I really don't think they'll be much help once the third hits. I also got three shirts that are cute, but I think they'll also be more for the second and useless to me in the last couple of months.

I am in such disbelief that I got my sticky baby already. I mean, 26 months isn't "already" by any means, but that the first positive tests I had actually resulted in a healthy baby (jumping ahead by 6 months, I know, but at this point it really looks like I'll be bringing home a squishy newborn in March!!). Based on our first experience, I expected a miscarriage. I don't know why, I just thought that I would get pregnant, miscarry, and then a few months later get pregnant with our keeper. It's twisted and stupid, I know, but it was my expectation. And then with the spotting and all...I just really thought it was over before we really got started.

And now, for some cheerful news--I felt the baby this morning! I've been really trying and focusing on it for the last week or so, and today the beanie obliged. I can't describe it, only a mommy who has been through the early movements can understand it, but it was unmistakably baby. I can't wait until I can feel it all regularly and have a little foot or bottom sticking out of my belly in weird angles...I LOVE the huge pregnant stage and I am looking so forward to it. I'm looking forward to it ALL. :)