Numb Fingertips

So I had the last test for the Combined Down Screening first thing this morning. I thought that the blood work was going to be like the first blood work, which was a finger prick and 5 drops. Unfortunately it turned out to be real blood work. Though I am not a fan of having blood drawn, I typically don't have a problem with it.

Typically.

I am not sure what happened, but when the nice (young) lady said, "okay, now take a deep breath" and stuck the needle in me, I got a huge fire that went from the midpoint of my arm straight into my fingertips. I thought that was odd. Then my fingertips of my middle and ring finger went numb. Once she was done, I almost fainted, and was sent on my way.

So here I am at the office, having started the day off poorly, and irritated that my fingertips are numb. Needless to say, I am not sunshiny and rosy this morning.... ah the things we do for our children.

In better news, we get the results of this blood work in a week, and then have another ultrasound on 10/17 where we can hopefully find out the boy/girl question. I can't wait for that!!

Worry Du Jour

So I used to believe that I was more or less a happy go lucky kind of person.... until I got knocked up. Now I find myself with an inexhaustible list of fears that do everything from distract to keep me awake. Sunday night's anxiety on the car we never bought is a good example of that one.

This week, I find myself concerned that I am not gaining enough weight. Maybe it's just that I can't feel Monday yet (other fear) and that I don't have another appointment for 2 more weeks to hear Monday, but I am all in a twine about not gaining enough weight. Upon research, it seems I am only about 2 lbs under what I should be, but percentage wise, it's like only 70% of where I should be. 2 weeks ago, according to the doctor's scale (all my clothes on after breakfast and trying to hydrate so I can pee) they had me at only gaining 2 pounds and they were not at all concerned.

All rationale thought tells me not to freak out.... I am just not so rational these days...

16 Week Update from Baby Center

How your baby's growing: At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of your pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails.

Dreamer's Remorse

So I spent the better part of last night awake. I woke up at 12:57 and didn't get back to sleep until after 4:33, and then fitfully from 6 - 7:30 as the world woke up and the streets were cleaned. I tried all my tricks to get back to sleep, like reading (twice!) and biofeedback relaxation (which finally worked) but I couldn't stop thinking about the car. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am saver. This purchase will be the single largest purchase of anything for myself ever and I am finding myself totally unnerved. Cars are expensive! And when I finally found one that I liked, wouldn't you know it, it was outside of our "range" and clearly (now) outside of my comfort zone.

Tim and I spoke this morning and I told him of my angst. He looked at me a grinned (as much as you can when you first wake up) and said, but we didn't buy it -- and we don't have to!

Which is true... but we still need a car...

Monday Preparations - Phase I

Today (Sunday) Lina and I spent ALL day on Stevens Creek Blvd.; if you are familiar with the area, you already can guess what we were doing ALL day. For those who are less familiar with Steven Creek, it is the Peninsula's car dealer thoroughfare. Car heaven if you like that kind of stuff. Every make and model lined up, glistening in an assortment of colors - like two and a half ton jelly beans. Lina and I decided, finally after some 4 years talking about it, to upgrade to a new or newish vehicle. The reason - Monday of course. We feel it is time to put Lina in a larger and more safe vehicle...considering the size of the trucks these days, our Honda, though peppy an fun to drive, is no match against today's SUV if something were to go wrong. We've looked at EVERYTHING, except Subaru (ran out of time). At present, the Lexus GX 470 has taken the lead over Chevy's Tahoe and ... well, we don't really like anything else that much. Toyota had no Land Cruisers to look at, so we'll hold on deciding until we see the '08 or an '07 - if one can be found. Whatever we decide, it will be done with Monday and mother's safety in mind.

If anyone is interested in how the voting went to tip the scales in favor of the GX 470, here it is in vivid detail.

We rank the trucks based on size, options, warranty, cost, reliability and satisfaction ratings, residual value...add them all up, then Lina points at the one she wants to drive and thats the one that wins :) Between the two - hands down the Lexus is BEST and as usual, Lina and I are in complete agreement.

Most of the cats are out of the bag...

After thinking about it for a couple of weeks, and not having the time or energy to call all my favorite people, I just sent out a mass email to my friends about Monday. I am glad to have everyone find out, but am a little disappointed in myself that I couldn't call everyone individually.

Now I just have to tell the office, and we'll be completely out of the closet....

15 Week Update from Baby Center

How your baby's growing: At around 4 inches long, crown to rump, your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 ounces. He's busy inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, which will help develop the air sacs in his lungs. His legs are growing longer than his arms now, and he can move all his joints and limbs. That means his hands are more functional, too. Sweat glands are appearing, and although his eyelids are fused shut, he can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, he's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but his taste buds are beginning to form. And if you have an ultrasound, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or girl! (Don't be disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down the sex depends somewhat on how clear the picture is and the position of your baby during the ultrasound; he may be curled or turned in such a way as to keep you in suspense.)