Sorry, baby

This morning I was pushing my stomach in, trying to envision it flat again. The boy rolled over in bed and said, "Hey. Be careful! There's a baby in there."

"The baby's not up here, it's down there," I said.

"But maybe when you push up there, it makes other stuff push down there."

"Well maybe the baby's pushing me, so I'm going to push it back."

"But it's little, and you're big, and you need to be nice to it."

God, he's going to be a great dad.

Wiggly

Dear Fetus,

Last week, we got to see you again. Wiggling little arms and legs. Your heart still fluttering. It's funny how distinctly human you looked on that screen -- despite your huge head. But in the pictures we took home, unfortunately, I'm afraid you just look like a blob.

The doctor said you're measuring a week ahead. If only that meant your hostess could stop throwing up a week early. I'm tired of it already. I hope you're worth it.

Love,
Mom

An education

This morning we had our "education" appointment with a nurse. It's required before meeting with the OB. I'm not sure who learned more: the nurse or us. She asked a bazillion questions (the most detailed medical history I've ever given). Then I learned fun facts like: every time I come to their office, I have to pee in a cup and sit in the waiting room holding my pee cup in a paper bag. (What a fun club!)

I also learned about a slew of genetic tests they offer. And I learned what to expect for future appointments — how frequent, etc. And she "educated" me on all the pregnancy don'ts (alcohol, drugs, tobacco, raw fish, etc.) I thought it was really weird they waited this late to share that information with me. I mean, I'm 10 weeks tomorrow, isn't most of the damage already done?

Then they drew an armful of blood, and I got a flu shot. Overall, a pretty productive 90 minutes.

The weirdest part (besides carrying around my pee cup) was checking out other procreators in the waiting room. We were the oldest and best dressed ... by about a decade and an outlet mall. To be fair, I was dressed for work -- but seriously, does no one else in this town go to work after an 8 a.m. doctor appointment?

The good, the bad and the ugly

It doesn't much uglier than layers of dinner in the toilet.

The bad news: I throw up every night.

Some good news (for the husband, at least): I just discovered mouthwash that's not (yet) vomit-inducing.

Nine weeks down. Will this ever end?

Week from hell

I just completed the work week from hell: five days of travel and working nights until 10 p.m. Motion sickness + pregnancy nausea = one very unhappy girl.

So now I'm home still trying to recover. Sleep, eat, sleep.