Kicks, spins, appetite and a whole lot of absent-mindedness

It has been a long time since my last blog! What have I been up to? I seriously have no idea. In the past few weeks I feel like I have been in this super thick mental fog. It's not that I can't perform high-level (or even medium-level) cognitive thinking, it's just that I spend most of my time spacing out and thinking about absolutely nothing.

Now, for those of you who have known me for a while, I'm famously known for my ability to space out on cue. It's my way of decompressing when there is nothing going on (like in staff meetings). However lately I have found myself in this space-out mode even in busy times. My coworkers have labeled me as "The Confused One" and "Preggy". My habits are similar to that of a squirrel - forrage frantically for food, then space out staring at some inanimate object, then furiously gorging at whatever I have found. I am not all that happy about my mental capacity. My memory has deteriorated to a similar expanse of a goldfish - 3 seconds. In one ear, then out the other. Most often I am perfectly content in my stupefied disposition, but other times I am plain frustrated at my inability to recall and think. When I first heard of "Mommy fog" I considered it as a cheap excuse for being an airhead (sorry Sis). But now, I seriously give the symptom true recognition. I think it should be scientifically and medically studied. (That being said, your Aunt Julie is still an airhead sometimes : P )

What else has been going on? Lots of kicks. Lots of punches. Spins, rolls, shifts, and occasionally a feeling of something biting me on the inside - although I think this last feeling comes from what my midwife calls "loosening of the womb ligaments". Yeah it sounds painful, and it is.

The first kick I felt was a week after the last midwife visit. I was amazed from the Doppler that you were creating so many kicks and punches and yet I was unable to feel any of it. So one day I lied down on a treatment table at work and just kept very very still and silent. Sure enough, I felt something akin to a bubble popping underneath my belly skin. It almost felt like a fingertap. Ever since then, the taps have grown in intensity and frequency. They've evolved into rolls and kicks and now after 3 weeks I can feel EXACTLY where you are! Of course I'm not sure if what I'm feeling is your head or your rump, but I definitely know where the 'protrusion' is. You are the most active after dinner, especially when I'm relaxed and sitting down watching TV. You are the most silent when you are rocked to sleep by my constant activity at work, or when I'm exercising.

Your dad first felt your movements last night. All month long he's been so skeptic of me - thinking I'm making things up and acting all crazy claiming I know you so well. Did we disprove him! I put his hand on the bottom of my belly where you are the most active, turned off the TV and sat quietly for you to make your debut. Kick, KICK, then roll and PUNCH. Your dad was amazed. "Wow there really is something in there!" No, Scott, I have just really let myself go since the wedding - ate myself into stopping my period, and grew a Santa Claus belly from sour straws and cottage cheese. I think your dad now REALLY knows you're coming.

Next Friday we will find out whether you're a girl or a boy! But I think we know the answer to that question....!

3rd Midwife visit - timeline 17 weeks and 1 day

Oh gosh that must have been the most happiest visit I have ever had. Not only did she find your heartbeart so fast but you were kicking so much!!! She said it was hard to catch you and keep the doppler receiver on you because you were rolling around everywhere and doing flips. I could not feel a single thing. Sometimes I feel gurgling and "bubbles" when I'm lying on my side but I think it's just gas, I could be wrong though. We took your heart beat at 140 bpm with a LOT of intermittent muffled jolting noises that were your kicks/arm thrusts. What an active baby! She said it was a good sign. So far all signs point to normal - I've gained 5.5lbs and to me, that's on the low side but our midwife assures me that I'm right on track and should be gaining 1 lb a week. Next visit will be on Oct. 1st - the Big Reveal!!!