Half-Way Point

We are 20 weeks in (21 tomorrow) and all is well.

The little one inside is very active and responsive to my eating (or lack-there-of) habits. If I haven't eaten in a while, she lets me know it's time to do so by kicking me right in the bladder. And usually after dinner and dessert she happily rewards me with a seemingly raucous dance party.

I had a strange impulse this past week to apply for a part-time job. It was very all-of-a-sudden and was over just as quickly as it began. There was a position open in the Disney Pixar library/archives which I was made aware of by an old friend who works in Pixar's IT Dept. So I spent an entire day and night working on a resume, the application, cover letter, got two Pixar friends to refer me internally and send emails on my behalf. The next morning, I was contacted by Pixar saying the position had already been taken. Whew! That was close. And all very exhausting. Disappointing to a degree because I know I was super qualified for it. Anyway, my heart was not really in it 100%; I don't really wanna get into a situation that leaves my unborn baby girl already on a waiting list for infant daycare. My intention has always been for her to stay home with me until she is walking and no longer nursing. I suppose the Pixar whirlwind was good practice for when the time comes for me to actually go back to work full-time.

For now, as was the original plan.... my work is at home, taking care of two beautiful little girls (one almost 3, one negative 20 weeks), and one wonderful, gorgeous man. And myself. Cannot forget that part.

Ultrasound pics, 19 wks

Three of these 4 ultrasounds have been rendered in 3-D! I know they look strange and alien, but as a mom, I think they are beautiful. Our little girl is a bit camera-shy! And her head is perfectly round. She may have a nose like her daddy! Can't wait to see her when she is born! (Secret Spoiler: We are pretty sure we know her first name already! Brett dreamed it before we even knew she was a girl!)

Emotions, Hunger, and Sleep? Crazy Town.

I am pregnant, yes. And that may have a lot or very little to do with the manic swings of happy and melancholy states I am lately finding myself to be in. I know it's impossible to determine. And luckily the bad moods and bouts of depression are light and quickly pass into something more normal and/or just pure exhaustion. Sleep. I think I need lots more of it. And Also, I probably shouldn't being pushing myself as hard as I have been to keep up with my daughter, my husband, and our friends. I do love getting out and doing things like walking, exploring, camping, hiking, beaching etc, and I know it's smart to get exercise and try to keep in shape. But dude! I am so tired all the time! So, sorry if I'm bitchy. But I'm trying to keep it together here, people. Cuz, all of a sudden, I am huge and fat and all my joints hurt and my muscles and ligaments are all tight and uncomfortable. And I'm so thirsty! So give me a bit of a break, ok. Ok. Thanks.

She likes Chocolate Donuts & Oreos

Well obviously. She is a girl! And part Vega. So chocolate foods are going to of course turn her right on. This baby is MOVING, people! I started feeling her kick or slam into the walls of my insides last week and it is so cool. An exciting reminder that she is healthy and growing and full of life!

Also, here is a first baby bump photo for you all to see. I am getting large. It's normal to grow way faster during a pregnancy when you already had a full-term one within recent years. So even though I am only 4.5 months preg, I look more like 6 months along.
(Yes, I know it is totally generic to take photos of myself with a cell phone! If you must know, my husband is working late at a "hack day". Don't ask me what that is.)

15 weeks, 4 days.

I am officially going to publish this whole bunch of blog posts about the Baby Girl Duncavage #2! I've been saviving drafts until all was well and ready to make public. We are so happy and excited to grow our family to size 4! Now you all know, so here goes the big blog post push!

Please go back in time to read all new post posts. And if you want a recap of my first pregnancy (Nova Alexandra), please feel free to go even further back in the blog to re-live that magical time as well.

Don't forget to FOLLOW THIS BLOG or just watch for post notices on my facebook page.

It's a Girl!!!

These ultrasound pics were taken during the CVS procedure - which was very uncomfortable and not a smooth operation, but did end up being successful at getting enough placental tissue to culture and test. The results were all negative for everything we tested for! That's very good news for us. Now we have nothing major to worry about! Annnnnd.... we found out she's a baby girl in there! Just what Brett and I were hoping for (although Nova wanted a baby brother, sorry my love).

Week 7.5

Brett and I had an apt today with a genetics councilor at UCSF. She surveyed us on our family histories and then gave us the low down on some options we have on how I and this fetus can be tested and screened for any chromosomal abnormalities. We decided to go ahead and schedule a CVS for three weeks from now. It will tell us most accurately whether or not we have anything to worry about. Since we don't want to worry at all and get going feeling all the happy exciting stuff about the pregnancy we think its worth it to find out asap. The CVS is a bit invasive as it requires cells and blood from the placenta. There is a 1/350 chance it could cause a miscarriage. But we are optimistic and not scared! An extra perk is we could find out the baby's sex right then! We are impatient people and like that.