Baby Erskine

Active

We had our September doctor's appointment today for Baby Erskine. Among other things, our doctor attempted to listen to the baby's heart rate with her dopplar instrument. She tried for several minutes, indicating a lot of static and trouble hearing the heartbeat. "There it is!...Oh...Hmm...," she'd say. We heard maybe a beat or two. Then she said, "The baby is rolling around, I can hear that!" Then after several more minutes, "Okay, those bumps are the baby kicking the dopplar." Finally, she said, "Okay, a baby who keeps kicking obviously has a heartbeat. I'm just going to write 'active baby.'" Active baby. That apple isn't going to fall far from the tree. ;)

In other news, our big ultrasound is tomorrow. We're not going to find out the gender. Natasha actually thinks she's okay with that, so we're just going to see our baby tomorrow and wait for the surprise. Sorry to Ang and all you other blog-reading, gender-interested friends.

LRE

Preganacy Insanity

I am currently reading a book a friend lent me from church called, "My Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy". Needless to say, I don't think I will ever be the same again :)

This afternoon I was reading a chapter called, Pregnancy Insanity. It starts off by saying that some pregnant women may read that title and assume it does not refer to them. They are the exception because they still feel rather normal. It continues, however, to reassure the pregnant women of one very simple truth: Crazy people are always the last people to find out that they're crazy.

When people ask me if I've had any cravings, I typically respond, "Well, no, not really. Other than some aversions, I eat about the same things I did before. I have this diet, you see, and well... I can only eat certain foods anyway so I guess that's why I'm not really having cravings."

When women ask me about the nausea, and whether or not it is subsiding, I typically respond, "Well, its hanging on, but its manageable. I just keep eating little snacks throughout the day and I'm just fine."

Then, some women pull me aside with that knowing and concerned look on their faces asking, "How ARE you?" as though I should instantly burst into tears. In these situations, I have typically responded, a little perplexed about their concern, "Well, I'm doing really well. I'm very tired; but for the most part doing great!"

I am discovering, however, that some people are asking these very same questions to my husband ...and he seems to have completely different answers!!!

Am I having cravings they ask... "Yes!" He exclaims. Apparently I am craving spicy foods, things like nachos with salsa (never without), this pasta dish with homemade, spicy marinara sauce we make, etc. I guess things are a little clearer from his perspective :)

With the nausea and emotional stability, I am a little up and down, but thankfully, we both agree that I am doing fine :)

(Insert note from Lynn: I do think Natasha's doing fine, really, particularly considering the horror stories that everyone feels will encourage our pregnancy. Compared to the majority of the people who talk about their pregnancies, Natasha's is great! However, it's little things like her "non-" cravings and when she lays in bed talking to me with a sparkle in her eye saying, "I'm really exhausted and need sleep!" that leave me puzzled. That and how worked up she gets about things. She said earlier today, "I feel like I'm on speed." All I could say was, "Mm-hmm.")

I guess I am to some degree experiencing what "the Girlfriends" call Pregnancy Insanity. I suppose my emotions and likes or dislikes have been a little extreme... I do sometimes feel like I'm wearing fuzzy glasses and have to squint to see the room clearly... Or I feel like I'm frozen in place due to all the anxieties of the rest of my life hitting me all at once... I also feel like somebody stole my body in the night and replaced it with something dramatically different that plays nasty tricks on me and always keeps me guessing about whats coming next...

Anyway, Pregnancy Insanity...

Sweetly Scheming.

Technically... we're not able to find out the gender of the baby in Nova Scotia. However, I am determined to be shrewd as a serpent and innocent as a dove :) I really want to find out!!! I'll be scheduled for the ultrasound in a couple of weeks, around September 20th.

So we shall see!

Natasha