And Baby Makes Three!

 The blog is about to get more exciting: Rick and I decided this spring that it was time for us to start a family, and our baby is due in December!  Things could not have gone any better for me so far in the pregnancy; I was never sick and have felt great throughout.  I was very anxious at first--I couldn't believe that the doctor didn't want to see me until 10 weeks and I had so many questions before that appointment.  Insert the Internet and trips to the public library.  Aside from being tired in the first trimester and cutting out some foods, my life has been largely unchanged at this point.  I know that's about to change, but I am grateful that things have gone so well so far.  We had an ultrasound last week (and a "bonus" ultrasound yesterday after a hard fall down the stairs) and everything looks great, so we couldn't be happier!  We do know the sex, but my mom wants a surprise so I'll keep that off of the blog in case she decides to read.

Obviously, grandparents-to-be are also very excited.  Our little one will be the first grandchild on both sides.  Well, maybe.  My sister is also pregnant with her first and is due the week before me.  Two pregnant sisters at the same time!  Mom has been asking for a grand baby for a few years and now she's getting two at once!  My best friend is also pregnant (due 3 weeks before me), so pregnancy has not been lonely.  It is so nice to have someone to talk to that you know so well that is going through the same thing at the same time.  My sister moved to town this spring, so we're able to get together frequently and it's been great sharing this experience so far.  We plan on delivering in the same hospital and taking birthing classes together as well.  Talk about bonding!

With the record heat we've been having, I thought I might struggle working outside.  My doctor told me that as long as I stayed hydrated she didn't see why I couldn't be outside, and to be honest, it hasn't been too bad.  Pregnancy is currently treating me well.  I'd like to credit a little of that to our timing; I thought the second trimester would be the best for working around my job and it was a good call.  We're lucky our planning worked out.  I didn't handle the very humid day as well as I think I would have normally, but breaks and water kept me going.  I figure women have been having babies for thousands of years and the luxury of air-conditioned desk jobs have only been around for less than a hundred (and even then only in well-developed countries), so I'm sure I'll make it.  I can't tell if my recent fatigue is from working in the heat 6 days a week for the past 6 weeks or the pregnancy or a combination of the two (most likely), but I am so excited that last weekend was our last weekend in the field.  Hello two day weekends!  More time to get ready for this little monster!

I thought I would leave you with a belly shot, though it's not terribly impressive.  I'm trying hard to make it look good in the shot below and the tight stripes help.  There are people at work who every day are surprised to hear the news since I'm not showing too much and tend to wear my t-shirts on the roomy side.  I haven't broken down and bought maternity clothes yet, partially because I've been so busy at work, partly because I don't want to buy clothes that I would ruin in the field, and partially because I'm lazy.  I did have to switch to what I like to call a fat band a couple of weeks ago which holds up my unbuttoned regular pants. For now.  Maybe with these 2-day weekends I'll go and buy myself something to wear!

Here's me (and baby) at 20 weeks--halfway there!