The First One for Heather and Michael

At the suggestion of our friend (well, she's practically family!), Ellen, I am starting a blog about our baby that's currently "on the way" and due the first week of January.

The pregnancy officially began March 31st, but I figure it's easier for quick math if we say the pregnancy started on April 1st, which also happens to be Michael's birthday. That means as of today I'm about 4.5 months along. To be precise, that's exactly 20 weeks. My doctor keeps telling me that "we measure these things in weeks" when I tell her how many months along I am.

So, what have people been asking me? I'll try to answer a few of the questions, so you won't have to ask me, too!
Yes, I've had morning sickness - though thankfully not as bad as my mother.
Yes, I've been tired - I never realized that afternoon naps are not only a very nice thing, but also a necessity!
Do I miss caffeine? Yes, but I indulge in a bit from time to time. Perfectly within safe levels!
Do I miss alcohol? Yes, but Michael is kind enough to give me a sip of beer every now and then because beer is one of my cravings! (I no longer care one way or the other about wine... and the thought of hard alcohol makes me sick to my stomach.)
Have I been emotionally up and down? Not so much. When I start feeling emotional, I "logic" my way out of it. "You're just feeling this way because you're pregnant. Get over yourself."
CRAVINGS:
peanut butter (at the beginning),
beer (non-alcoholic beer tastes pretty good when it's your only option),
red grapes (sweet, crunchy, and thirst-quenching - what could be better?)
dairy products (laughing cow cheese, most any cheese, milk, chocolate milk, vanilla yogurt)
chocolate (you don't want to get between me and a piece of chocolate right now)
water (I've never been so thirsty in my entire life. Wow, do I appreciate water!!!)
Have I sent Michael anyplace to get food in the middle of the night? NO.

Really, I have to say that Michael has been VERY lucky with me as a pregnant wife. It also helps a lot that he has voluntarily, without complaining, starting helping out a lot more around the house. And he also gives me foot and back rubs whenever I ask for them. He's been a most fabulous support.

Best moment of the pregnancy so far? Hearing the baby's heart beat for the first time. It was nice to have it confirmed that I'm not getting fat for nothing.

Oh, and at 20 weeks, I've now gained about 20 pounds. 10 more to go before I get past the limit my doctor has recommended, but I'm sure if I go past that, she'll just tell me that "whatever an individual woman gains is 'normal' for her." My doctor is great.

So... I don't think I'll share the sex of the baby in this post, but at the ultrasound last Thursday (19 weeks, 3 days), all indications were that the baby is perfectly healthy and just where he/she should be in terms of growth.

Let's just see now if I can figure out how to include a picture in the post...