17.5 Weeks

We went to the doctor yesterday for the montly fetus checkup. Stewart came with me this time. We heard its heartbeat – still 150 beats per minute (well within normal range, says the doc). Along with the watery “woosh woosh” sound, there was another noise, like the baby was clapping. The doc said that’s just the heartbeat, and it’s louder now. Also, there was some static, which the doc said was the baby moving! I couldn’t feel it, though. Not that I would notice – there’s so much activity going on in my digestive system all the time that I’m sure I will mistake fetal movement for gas.

We left the office on a high that lasted through the day. But then…maybe it was the bad reality TV, maybe it was the chill in the air, but the mood turned.

Here’s me not enjoying being pregnant:

9:00 PM I had three sips of wine and I’m falling asleep watching Great Surf Competitions of the World on the Outdoor Living Network.

2:00 AM ish: First time I have to get up to pee.

4:30 AM: I’m on my way to sleeping through the night, but the dog is barking. And she won’t stop. I get up to let her out. It’s cold and the kitten is trying to bust out of her house-prison. It’s quite a battle, but I win.

4:45 AM: I can’t fall back to sleep. My back hurts. I can’t sleep on my stomach anymore because it is actually too big and squishy. I can’t sleep on my back or the baby will CRUSH MY AORTA! According to the big wise pregnancy book. Sleeping on my side is getting old.

4:50 AM: I have a sneezing attack. Stewart wakes up. “You okay?” he asks. “Yes…” I say, prepared to go on, happy for the company, but he’s already gone back to sleep.

5:15 AM: I’m still friggin’ awake. My stomach hurts because 2 drops of pee have collected in my bladder so I’m bloated again. I have to get up to pee.

6:00 AM: Finally starting to drift back to sleep, and the DOG BARKS. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, ANIMAL, CAN’T YOU SEE I’M PREGNANT?! Stewart gets up to deal with her. I can’t fall asleep.

6:35 AM: We both give up, and Stewart goes to the kitchen to make the coffee. I join him. I’m in a very, very bad mood.