Baby Made Me Laugh!

Today's appointment was wonderful! The other midwife, Denise, seemed really great. We started off checking my weight. I thought for sure with Thanksgiving thrown in there and my growing belly I would have gained 5 or 10 lbs. Then I'd be in trouble for gaining 1/3 or 2/3 of my total weight gain goal. That was definitely my biggest concern. However, I have gained 0 lbs! And yes, that is good. As long as I am not trying to lose weight and I get the nutrition I need, then minimal weight gain is good. That was a huge relief! Now I just have to do the same thing for the next four weeks only with Christmas thrown in the mix...

Of course we chatted about a few things, then checked for the baby's heartbeat. That was the fun part! Last time, we found baby's heartbeat right away. Denise started moving the doppler probe around my belly. She'd pick up a heartbeat, then it'd be gone. Then we'd get a loud thump sound. She'd move it around again, pick up a heartbeat again, then it'd be gone. Another thump. Apparently Baby has a sense of humor and was playing games with Denise. Each thump was the baby kicking at the probe, then Baby would move away from the probe. She chased that baby all over my belly, and finally was able to get a consistent heartbeat, which by the way was still strong. I tried not to laugh, but I couldn't help it. She even called Baby a little stinker and guessed Baby is a boy based on his activity. It was such a special moment. That was the first moment my child has ever made me laugh. Baby has made me smile and brought tears of joy, but this was the first time Baby's actions made me laugh. How awesome is that?

My next appointment is for an ultrasound in four weeks, then I'll see Lynda again two days later. And every appointment so far has fallen on Nathan's Monday off which has been perfect! Its really important to both of us that Nathan get to share in these very special milestones. And while we should be able to find out the gender in four weeks, we are keeping it a surprise. So don't ask... we won't know!