Adventures in Being Myself

At left is a scan of several 3D ultrasound photos from today's visit with my doctors. I continue in wonder at the technology available today, and cannot IMAGINE where we'll be in 20 years. I love the third shot...the sonographer thinks it is a bona fide smile since "babies don't have gas in utero..." We both got a good report today: baby is 2 lbs., 14 oz. (+/- .7 oz) and 15 inches long from tip to toe. Heartbeat was a "perfect" 150 bpm. The coolest news is, although I am 28 weeks, 5 days along, baby's development is at 29 weeks, 6 days, which means baby's development is 8 days ahead of my due date. The doctors have not adjusted my due date, but today's measurements indicate baby could make its grand entrance as early as 12/21. My sister thinks baby will arrive on Christmas Day. I would be okay with that...what greater gift could I ever receive? But, I am NOT okay with her suggestion for a name, should the baby arrive on Christmas Day. Someho...

I have just returned from babysitting the two reigning "most precious little boys on the planet" - my nephews, Kyle and Todd. My sister has frequently chastised me for the lack of blog space accorded to her children...and with good reason. Not only are they beautiful children, they are just as sweet-hearted as they are cute. As I put them down for bed tonight - amid repeated requests from Kyle for "just one more hug, Auntie" and from Todd, "I kiss you on forehead, Auntie" - I realized just how blessed I am to be their Auntie and how much I love that role in their lives. I have been told that we cannot know the depths of love until we hold our own child for the first time. We'll see, on or about December 29th of this year. In the meantime, I'm lucky to catch more than rare glimpses of it in my nephews. * Post script: sheesh! If I'm THIS gushy about my nephews, I may need the Paxil to prevent me from drowning in mush about my own child! My apolo...

The day has finally come...I can't avoid it any longer...I finally look pregnant . It's good timing because I'm back in Tallahassee for legislative committee meetings and (yet another) Special Session and all of my friends were expecting to see me pregnant . I'm 28 weeks along (that's expectant-mom-speak for "7 months pregnant") and things are still proceeding very well: no morning/all-day sickness, no weird cravings or aversions, no extreme fatigue, manageable weight gain, and decent energy for everyday life. The photograph at left was snapped by Kent LeBoutillier - Peegie's "Wicked Stepmother" - last Sunday. I think she successfully captured my good side.