16 WEEKS AND FINGERS CROSSED . . .

16 weeks, 3 days

Today was our 16 week appointment.  Well, it was supposed to be tomorrow, but got switched at the last minute because my doctor wasn't going to be in for the next few weeks.  Hopefully everything is ok with him. In any event, I got to meet another doctor in the practice a little earlier than I normally would have, which I suppose is just fine since he may very well be the one delivering my baby. Dr. Santiviago was very nice, laid back, and informative.  I had my blood drawn for the "quad screen" test, which measures four substances in my blood and gives us a better idea of the likelihood that LP has certain developmental or chromosomal conditions.  We'll get our results in 2 weeks. Praying that everything comes back normal.

I'm trying not to be a worrier, but you all know me, and know that I sometimes see a situation from the "worst possible scenario" perspective.  I'm pretty sure that over the years, I've become less and less optimistic (despite being voted "Most Optimistic" in high school!).  It's not that I'm trying to be negative or even that I actually expect something bad to happen.  I think it's a function of being lawyer and learning to look at the most extreme and unlikely outcome of any situation and guarding against it immediately.  In any event, I'm making a conscious effort to be as positive and calm as I can be throughout this pregnancy and to know that all will go well because I have a perfect little angel in my tummy.  Worrying obviously doesn't help anyone, but I also believe that, on some level, a mother's mood and stress level has an effect on the personality of her baby.  So, I'm trying to let my silly and carefree side (yes, I have one :-)) take over and to stop being so analytical.  Before getting pregnant, I actually worried that I would worry too much!  But, I have to say (yes, tooting my own horn), that I've done a pretty good job of keeping the stress and worry to a minimum (at least for me).  Of course, life happens and you can't always control it, but I'm doing my best and will continue to do that until LP is here safe and sound.  Fingers crossed for a healthy, happy, and laid back baby.

Oh, and we also had a chance to hear LP's heartbeat again.  This time was no less exciting than the first.  The heartbeat is still nice and strong at 158!  For those of you who are keeping track, this is down just a bit from the first heartbeat reading of 160 but keeps us in the GIRL category!  We'll know for sure if LP is a boy or girl in just a few weeks! Then, we have our next doctors appointment on March 1.  Wow-that'll be the HALF way mark!  I can't even believe how fast this pregnancy is going!  Hopefully I will have felt LP moving by then too :-)

Mommy's weight:  Well, let's just say that my weight gain is on track, and I officially need to use a belly band with a few pairs of pants.  Some still fit (barely), but I'm pretty sure I'll be unable to zip them up within the few weeks.