My new right hip

Fat Dog (aka Rodney) snuggling on the couch

Even before I knew I was pregnant (at least for sure!), I noticed that our lab was all up in my grill. And sure enough, his attention continues. Everywhere I go, he follows me. I sit on the couch, he begs to come up next to me. Even  the bathroom is no longer sacred, which I guess is great practice for when the kid won't let me go to the bathroom by myself! Since he was little he's always been Scott's dog, so it particularly amusing that he's now my best friend. Maybe he's just trying to soak up all the attention before there's a new chief in town! I'll be interested to see if he starts stalking the baby after s/he is out, or if he just feels the need to be near the gestating. Either way, you know me! I love attention any way I can get it! LOL

Happy Fetus Day!

Today's a big day in Scooter land! He/she is no longer an embryo and has officially entered fetushood! This is actually a very cool thing because it means that all vital organs and body parts are now in place and the main thing is growing now. In case anyone is wondering, below is a synopsis from baby center about where Scoot is in the developmental process:

How your baby's growing:

Though he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature.

He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.

If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

In other developments: Your baby's limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.

Just in case anyone wanted to see

Scooter at 8weeks 4days

Here's Scooter's latest picture! At the very top is the yolk sac and the from the right to the left is the head, arms, body and feet.

For some reason I was in baltimore?

I had my first labor dream last night, although darn it I didn't have the baby to see if it was a boy or a girl! I keep waiting for that dream to see if it confirms my thoughts of boy. I was in my grandparents row home in Baltimore and I was laboring in the basement. It was one of those situations where I knew where I was but it didn't look like it. So funny. I also knew I was in labor but the pains we weird. I had gas pains in real life all night so maybe it was my body incorporating them.

I had my first OB visit last week, which was an exciting milestone. We got the best pic yet of the baby too, you can actually see the head and arms and legs. It really does bring it home there's a life in there!

I wasn't too pleased with the doctor. Its the practice I've been going to since I was 23, but the doctor I LOVED left to take care of her own kids and I haven't really felt happy there since. I'm considered high risk for a few reasons but I've been considered high risk for my whole life and am generally healthy. I felt like this doctor was already planning my bed rest and booking the hospital. That is not my thought process, I consider being high risk a reason to watch me closer, but not a reason to assume bad things are going to happen. I get it, I'm very realistic about the possibilities of what could happen, but statistics are just that, they are by no means a promise and I think its important to keep a positive attitude. In addition to that, they don't deliver at the hospital I'd like to use, so I'm going to be switching practices. I spoke with my SIL sister and she recommended her practice. I did some research online and I couldn't find a negative thing about them, crazy right? You always find negative reviews. So I'm excited to met with them and see how that goes.

Other than that I'm feeling pretty good. The few symptoms I have are always reassuring actually, its good to know things are progressing as they should!

I've also gone public! Its really nice to not have to hide it anymore, I'm excited to share with the world!

The milestone I could live without

So  I know its a bit early to start bragging, but I have the smartest child ever. Yes, its true. How do I know this? Because its only 8 weeks into its gestation and it can already tell time. It somehow knew that 8-10 weeks is when morning sickness is supposed to be at its worst and sure enough at midnight on the very day I turned 8 weeks, I broke the barrier from nausea to vomit. I'm so proud. Way to go Scooter!

....However, if you'd like to make this a one time thing, Mommy has no problem with that! I'm feeling that might be unlikely though as its currently 6:58 on the next day and I'm munching triscuits in bed. I'll repeat the mantra of the next 8 months, it'll be worth it!

Weird side note: There was very little nausea last night actually, maybe 2 minutes worth before the worship of the porcelain goddess? Strange new stage. Ah the joys of pregnancy, its like a box of chocolates :o)

A little scare and a lot of awesomeness

On Sunday, I had some weird pain/discomfort on my right side and it really freaked me out. I think you always go worst case scenario and I was straight thinking ectopic. All this for an ectopic pregnancy. I called my doctor and he was really sweet and reassuring, told me that was probably a cyst and I was instantly reassured. Phew. I was still uncomfortable but really don't care cause I just need Scooter to be okay. Pregnancy is pretty uncomfortable anyways!

On Tuesday, I saw the most awesome thing ever, Scooter on the ultrasound screen. It's still just a little peanut of cells, but we saw a heartbeat and I am sooooo happy. There's a baby in there! It really does feel like a miracle. I'm doing my best to stay positive and appreciate everyday but I'm still a little scared something could go wrong, however its becoming more real that there might be a bonafide actual baby at the end of this craziness!

I do have some cysts on my ovaries, which was also oddly reassuring since I'll have some random pain still and its good to know that its those and not anything wrong with the baby. I go back for another ultrasound next week so we can monitor them but then I think I start with the OB. They shouldn't be a big deal, so we just watch. Craziness!