Every day brings something new

I know the title is a cliche, but for pretty much the first time in my life, this is true. Sorry for waiting so long to post, but these past two and a half weeks have been the most difficult so far. I was feeling really horrible for about 10 days-- lots of nausea (but still no vomiting, just that nausea where you wish you would but you don't) and horrible headaches. By the end of that, I also started coming down with a cold and slept for an entire Sunday and still didn't feel much better. The dizziness that had mostly subsided is back in greater and lesser degrees depending on the day, how hungry I am, and how much sleep I've gotten. And exhaustion is a constant-- took a nap Friday, two Saturday, one Sunday, and two yesterday (I worked from home because of the snow and actually did a lot of work between the two naps).

Food is good and bad-- chicken in particular is difficult, but that's not surprising because it has never really been my favorite. But the dry texture and the way it smells when it's cooking is grossing me out. Ice cream, which I don't usually eat in winter, goes down easy and is becoming a nightly ritual. This is not good for VH. :) Every day, there is a new food experience. At first, lunch was a bit of a problem. Now dinner is getting harder but at lunch I am absolutely ravenous. I definitely eat my extra 350 calories before 3 PM. And most recently, I've been able to eat dinner but then feel absolutely awful as soon as I'm done. The most annoying thing about all of this is the inconsistency. I never know what to expect when I wake up or sit down to eat.

Enough complaining, that's the physical status report. The extremely cool thing that happened was that I went to the doctor two Saturdays ago and heard the baby's heartbeat! The anxiety-ridden nightmares went away for three whole nights after that. At least I know she's alive in there. The midwife was looking for her all on one side and said "This is where they like to hang out". Nothing. So she started to move the doppler around, and of course my baby is in the exact opposite spot of where the midwife expected to find her. Like mother, like daughter! We are very happy that the baby seems to be doing well. Special thank yous and hugs to my friend the MD for going with me to the appointment and for loaning us a personal doppler so VH can hear the heartbeat too. We haven't gotten a gel yet so we can do that, but we will very soon.

VH is still being more supportive and helpful than I had ever imagined possible, to the point of making me feel bad for being a lazy bum and neglecting him and the apartment. Unfortunately, we were in a bit of disarray during these two weeks that I wasn't feeling well because I was not able to do anything at all, and VH is going through some tough times at work. He had to work when I had my appointment, which was really disappointing, and has been working Saturday and Sunday every weekend which is exhausting for both of us. But we're working on it.

Many other people have been so helpful and generous lately too and I really want to thank them, particularly my three work friends who have not only guarded my secret but have cared for me and given me presents!

I have so many more things to write about but this post is already super-long. I promise the next one will be less about nausea and more about something interesting. Up next: Genetic testing-- Will we do it just for the ultrasound photo? and Why do we keep referring to it as a girl?