Zzzzz

With this pregnancy, I've had one symptom I can't seem to shake -- extreme laziness.

I'm talking about lying down on the couch and passing out cold. Not even Jordan's active jumping up and down wakes me up.

I feel bad because I feel like I'm not helping Jon out at all. And it's tough having to come home, cook and deal with a whiney wife and active two-year-old. I know what you're thinking: "You're pregnant! It's ok!" But it's not, because it's so unlike me. This baby is socking it to me. And she's winning.

Speaking of being a "she," I really don't know what the sex is yet, but if the old wive's tales prove correct, then it's definitely a girl. I've had more nausea with this pregnancy and my skin looks like an Arizona desert -- dry, flaky and splotchy. It's so bad my boss said something to me today. Note: Don't ever ask a pregnant woman if she's breaking out or if there's "something wrong with your skin." She'll either gouge your eyes out or go into hysterics. I did the latter, quietly, and fantasized about the former.

This week marks the beginning of my second trimester.

Symptoms this week: The aforementioned extreme tiredness and some cramping, due to the exciting growth that's happening.

Going along for the ride

Man, where has time gone??

In ramping up for baby 3.0, we've kept our gear-buying to a minimum. So far, we haven't gone as crazy buying stuff as we did with Jordan, for obvious reasons (we already have a lot of gear from baby 2.0). But yesterday, we made by far the largest investment of this baby's life. Well, college funds aside.

We bought a new car.

We traded in my much loved (and much hated) Audi for an Acura MDX. I didn't originally intend on getting such a large car. In fact, I was leaning more toward the RDX, which is a smaller, sporty SUV, similar to the Rav 4. The RDX test drive proved to be fun, fast and very much sporty. And very much bouncy. While I was cruising at Mach 5 through some windy curves, something clicked. I realized it was time to grow up. I can't have two kids bouncing around in the back seat of a glorified sports car on higher wheels. The RDX really wasn't that much different from my sporty little Audi.

So I test drove the MDX. And fell in love. It's everything we need. It's spacious, it's a smooth ride, and it's luxurious enough inside that it doesn't feel like a utilitarian vehicle. And it has an optional third row seat. Yes, I'm driving a car with a third row seat. Does that make me a soccer mom?

Perhaps. But at least I'll be able to fit everyone in the car.

Hairy situation

What is it about impending motherhood that makes you want to chop all your hair off? Recently, I've been contemplating cutting my hair into a bob. Much like Heidi's here.

And I started to think why-- was it because I don't have time to do my hair? Is it because with two kids, the chances of me flat ironing my hair every morning will go by the wayside? Or is it my way of asserting control over one part of my body?

Whatever the reason, I guess I need a change. If it's not the hair, it's the car. And if it's not the car, it's the house. It seems I'm looking for change all around.

In the meantime, I'll sleep on this new hairstyle idea a little more. At least that's one radical change that will eventually grow out.

Baby is 10 weeks old

Today marks baby's 10th week of creation. I had another ultrasound today and the doctor says everything looks good. The baby's growth is on track and it's little heart is beating strong.

As she did the ultrasound, baby started moving around. That's when it finally felt real to me. This little being inside of me is actually responding. And man did he/she move around. I even teared up a little.

Next baby doc appointment is set for March 1.

I *heart* heart docs

I had my cardiologist appointment Monday, appropriately enough, on Valentine's Day. And apparently, she heard something because she made me wear a heart monitor all day yesterday.

That was unexpected. The appointment started off ok. She speculated that I might have a mitral valve prolapse, which is apparently really common in women. Or it could be because of my thyroid condition. To be on the safe side, she suggested I get hooked up to a portable heart monitor.

She must've noticed the look of horror on my face.

"Is it really bulky?" I asked. Because at this point, it's 2 pm and I would have to go back to work.

"Nah, it's not that bad."

Riiiight. I looked like a modern-day Frankenmom, with wires darting all across my chest and a box the size of a Sony Walkman. Sure, it'd be cool if it were 1988.

And the worst part? I wouldn't be able to do any "strenuous activity" for the 24 hours. On Valentine's Day. You do the math.

Fortunately, the contraption is off and my next appointment is set for two weeks, at which point I'll have an echogram of my heart, or an ultrasound of my heart.

Symptoms this week: Surprisingly few. The nausea is gone for the most part, but I do feel like I've been hit by a truck. Usually around 4-5 pm is when I start to crash.

And now, introducting....lima bean!

Here ya go. The first shot of our little lima bean.

The doctor gave us an in-depth rundown of how we can expect this pregnancy to go. To summarize -- there will be doctors. And more doctors. And when you think they're gone? More doctors.

I'm scheduled for my next appointment in two weeks, and in the interim, I'll also be seeing a maternal-fetal medicine doctor, or a specialist in high-risk mommies and babies.

My doctor also recommended I go to a cardiologist, just to make sure the ticker is ok.

My next normal doc appointment is scheduled for two weeks from now. I'll be having lots of sonograms and visiting ALOT more often. I don't know how I plan on pulling this off during the first trimester.

After the 24th week, I'll be getting a sonogram every three weeks. Needless to say, my blood pressure will be closely monitored. She also mentioned the possibility of bedrest should my blood pressure rise. And if things really hit the fan, then I'll be transferred to the Texas Women's hospital/Children's Hospital downtown. If you're a fan of TLC's "The Little Couple," you'd know that's where she works as a neonatologist. But let's hope I won't need to have a celebrity encounter.

Other than that, baby is looking good!

First doctor's appointment!

Today is my first doctor's appointment! Funny how I get all gussied up like I'm going on a first date.

I'll let you guys know what she says. Update to come.