Baby Update

We went in for a routine baby appointment today.

I've been praying since we found out we were pregnant that God would take my fear and hold it captive so that I can enjoy this pregnancy and trust Him with the life inside me. He's done an amazing work in that area, because I can feel myself embracing this new little one more each day. Even when the doctor took a minute to find the heartbeat, I wasn't afraid. What does scare me a little still, is going to my appointments alone. I'm so thankful that Gary's schedule is flexible enough to come with me to help corral the girls, but to be by my side most of all. I'm not counting on getting the horrible news that we did back in August, but should we have to do it again, I couldn't without Gary by my side. So thanks, Gary, for making the effort to be there. I know you wouldn't have it any other way.

So... here's the scoop. I've lost 1/2 pound since my appointment a month ago. Of course that's not too unusual, so it's no big deal. I start every pregnancy this way! In my last pregnancy, I broke even at 22 weeks - I lost a lot of weight and then gained it all back by 22 weeks! My blood pressure was 88 over 56 or something insanely low. Gary always turns to me and asks, "Are you alive?" They're not concerned about it, but it does explain why I blackout for a few seconds every time I stand up! (And they're not concerned?!) Finally, we got to hear the baby's heartbeat, which was 175 bpm (up from 171 last time). So all is well!

I can't believe I'm putting this up for the entire world to see, but here's my 13-week baby belly.

You can't really tell I'm showing yet in my clothes, since this is sweater weather, but I guess I am. I do, however, keep wondering if this is baby #1, 2, 3 or 4 that you see. (In other words... is this "new" or "leftover"?) Let's hope I'm starting to pop and it's not leftover from any of the others! Sorry about that flash... yikes. I should've cropped it out.