I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up - 11 Weeks

Ian, being the sweet man that he is, gives me a ride to campus in the morning as to spare me the brutal ten minute walk from our apartment, which is only probably about 50 feet from 6 dorms. But unlike most of my fellow undergrads, I have pregnancy card to play, and I'm also hopelessly lazy and I don't want to walk in the cold monrings (In my defense though, I do walk home).

Me, being the complete spazz that I am, manage to somehow throw out my back while getting out of the car this morning. Perhaps it is karma for being so lazy, and my first thought is "great, what if I won't even able to lift my newborn now?!"

But if you know me, you'll also know how rational I am about injuries, and how I always make sure I take good care of myself to fast-track my recovery. So, that's why I spent this afternoon cleaning out my closet and cleaning the bathroom. My reason, of course, is that my mother is visiting tomorrow, and she may look in my closet.

I also had a crazy dream last night. I dreamt that I was in labor, but had somehow managed to skip from 11 weeks to 40 staying the same size I am now. Then somehow I had 6 babies instead of one, and my doctor was somehow unaware that I was pregnant with six babies. They were all about the size of one-month-olds, and all I can remember was no one understood that I didn't want six babies (imagine that) - like I said, crazy, but I've read that it's pretty common for expectant mothers to have wild, vivid dreams, so I guess it's normal.

Hopefully my back will get better soon, I don't want to start having dreams about paralysis - I don't care how normal it is, I don't think I could handle that.

Wtar Sars, Unemployment, and the Weather Takes a Decided Turn for the Worse - 10 Weeks

As I speed-walked home today through what can only be described as freezing rain that wasn't quite frozen with the wind whipping through my sweater, I thought to myself "who am I kidding, it isn't October 17th anymore". Gone are the mild temperatures of just last week, when one could actually stand outside one's car while pumping gas. Yes kiddies, winter has hit the Palouse with full force, and if you're even thinking of walking out that door without your winter coat again before, say, May, think agian. Just as summer is spent dashing from your air conditioning in the car to air conditioning in a store or at home, winter is spent shivering in your car until that delicious moment when the heat kicks in and you're actually warm... for five seconds before you actually reach your destination and are forced to face to nature once again. It's not even the cold or the snow, or even the rain, it's the wind over here. Pullman has brought a whole new level of understanding of the phrase 'wind chill'.

Now, you're probably asking yourself 'Isn't this blog called Kate's Pregnancy Journal, what does this have to do with being pregnant?'. Well I'll tell you. I have read on numerous occasions that women who are pregnant have a higher body temperature than the average joe. While most people probably don't enjoy that particular symptom, I was looking forward to it. If I'm going to spend the winter pregnant, it's really the least this baby could do for me.

In other news unrelated to anything prenatal, I finally quit my job, and I even begin to describe how awesome it is that I don't have to be anywhere tomorrow. Not that working for a couple of hours on Saturdays and Sundays was all that difficult, it will just be so wonderful to spend the morning home with Ian and Emily, and not having to tear myself away to go water some plants I don't care about.

Other than that, things are gonig well. I've noticed my stomach has started to show a bit, although I have my doubts on whether it's the baby or my recent eating habits - I swear the only way to fight nausea is to keep something on my stomach. Luckily my biggest craving is Nutri-Grain bars and milk, and the occasional pizza with artichokes. Also, I'm wondering if it may just be psychological, since I'm very excited to actually have a pregnant tummy. In any case, we plan to spend my first weekend off watching Star Wars (Wtar Sars, as Emily calls it) snuggled up in bed - so bring on the rain and wind.

Our First Sonogram - 9 Weeks

We had our first sonogram yesterday, and everything went really well. It was amazing to actually see this little tiny peanut, it really makes this all much more real. It was very reassuring to see that everything is where its supposed to be. The only real concern was my blood pressure, which usually runs on the high side, but has always been especially high at the doctor's office so they always worrry. I have a bit of anxiety about the doctor, which is pretty irrational, but still...

Emily and Ian both got to come along, which was a bit strange having such an audience at the doctor (especially this kind of doctor) but it is wonderful to have my family so involved with this pregnancy. Ian is new to all this, but very egar to learn (as long as the descriptions aren't too explicit).

It's funny how after you have a child how nothing is really off limits about your body. My friend Sara just had her first child in September and we were discussing all the various humliations you must go through during childbirth. She told me about how a nurse was showing Sara some breastfeeding techniques and the nurse asked her if she could touch her. This was the same nurse who had assisted the entire birth, so Sara said "I'm pretty sure we're past the point of you asking."

A few weeks ago I was having an "emotional moment" (which will make Ian laugh when he reads this) about not feeling like myself, but I guess not owning your own body is the recurring theme of pregnancy.