My Life, As Told Between (Baby Cakes') Naps

Felt the baby kick for the first time this morning!  I think I’ve been feeling Baby Cakes moving around for a few weeks now, but today I felt two solid kicks on my right side (a little weird since Baby Cakes primarily likes to hang out on the left side) that woke me up at 6am, an hour before my alarm went off.  I immediately woke T up so he could feel it too, but Baby Cakes quickly settled down.  Although I kept feeling some tiny bumps for another minute or so – I think he had hiccups – they weren’t strong enough for T to feel.  Nevertheless, I was so excited I couldn’t go back to sleep! 

Speaking of sleep, I’d been waking up with really bad back pain recently.  After a little research, I bought a Snoogle pillow last week.  The silliest looking thing ever, but it has worked wonders!  No more back pain (well, in the mornings anyways, it still comes on during the day at work) and no more waking up in a panic because I’m on my back (bad because the pressure could decrease blood flow to the baby) instead of my left side (the recommended side because of improving blood flow, etc.).

More than half-way done baking!  Today, T and I went in for our anatomy ultrasound, where they measured Baby Cakes and checked out his organs.  All seems to be well so far.  (*knock on wood*)  I’m at 21 weeks, 4 days and have gained about 14 pounds, which puts me on track to be at the upper end of the recommended 25-35 pound gain!  I was somewhat reassured when my very petite, very slim co-worker told me she had gained 50 pounds with her second child.  

Anyways, I could stare at Baby Cakes all day, but during the ultrasound, he covered his face with his hands a couple of times.  I think he was telling us he wanted some privacy.  I imagine he knows he’ll be the center of attention in about four months so he’s enjoying his privacy while he can.  =)

Oh, and in case you’re wondering why we call the baby Baby Cakes, it’s because we were originally calling the baby by whatever size fruit the baby was being compared to on any given week on The Bump.  At one point, the baby was apparently the size of an onion and neither of us found the name Baby Onion appealing.  T thought of that line in Shrek about both onions and cakes having layers and…well…Baby Cakes was born.  He’s been Baby Cakes ever since.  

(I’m always so hesitant to post anything about the baby because I’m paranoid and superstitious.  On the other hand, I also want to be able to look back on my blog and remember this time so I’m trying to overcome the superstition.  After all, left unchecked, my paranoia would have me wait until the baby is born before we start the nursery or buy anything…)

5: 30 pm email exchange at work.

Coworker A (to Coworker B and I):  I’m going to bring Baby A in at 6:30 today if you guys will be around and want to see her.

Me:  I would love to see her, but am STARVING and may have to head out at 6.  Otherwise, I may start gnawing at my desk.

Coworker B:  I’d love to see her too, but am heading out to a spinning class.  Will you and Baby A be around until 7?

Me:  Really Coworker B?  You had to follow up my email, wherein I threaten to eat my desk in hunger, with your email about going to spinning class?  I may have to hate you a little.  =)

T:  Babe, you look super pregnant with your cardigan buttoned like that.

Me:  What do you mean?  I was thinking it hides my belly more.

T:  Not when you can only button one of the buttons and that button is clearly clinging on to dear life.

Me:  So you’re saying this clever disguise does not hide my stomach?

Me:  *Getting out of bed this morning, arms slightly flailing*

T:  *Laughing softly*

Me:  Why are you laughing?

T:  You’re starting to move like a pregnant woman.

Me:  What do you mean?

T:  Well, just now, you looked a little like a turtle flipped over on its shell.

Me:  Just wait.  I hear that in a few months, I may need you to lend me a hand flipping me over.

Remember how I mentioned that the LA Marathon this year was the first one I’d ever felt like giving up on?  And that I had to take two bathroom breaks? Also, I didn’t write about it, but it was the first marathon where I felt like crying half-way through and just quitting. 

Turns out the likely explanation for all of the above is that I was pregnant.  =)  Probably only by a couple of weeks, but enough for my hormones to wreck havoc during the race.  In fact, it was my unusual moodiness that prompted T to claim that I was pregnant several weeks later.  I refused to believe him at first, but seven pregnancy tests (could you tell I had a hard time believing him?) and three ultrasounds later and I have to admit, he seems to have a point.  =)  It turns out we’re expecting a baby boy in early December!

So far so good, but I’m constantly worried something is wrong or could go wrong.  Being an (almost) parent is nerve-wracking.  Um, being an actual parent is totally easier, right?