Milestones

There are a lot of milestones in pregnancy, and I have a little party in my head for each one.

First, there was the positive blood test, then the next and the first ultrasound.  Check that off the list, baby is there.

Next, we had to get past the point where we lost the first.  Every day dragged out until we could see and/or hear the heart again and be reassured.  Baby still there, check.

Then there was the subchorionic hemorrhage.  Probably nothing, but watch it.  That cleared up, another check.

Next, an abonormal pap for me...because why not.  Cells came back non cancerous.  I'm ok, check the box.

The hemorrhage cleared to make way for placenta previa.  No big deal until the end, but let's watch it to make sure.  That cleared up, check the box.

Blood test done for gender and chromosomal issues.  It's a girl and she's low risk (less than 1 in 10,000 chance of chromosomal issues).  Check and check.

20 week appointment.  Here's where it starts to really get exciting!  Because she has hands and feet, and organs (that look like little blobs to me, thankfully the ultrasound tech knows her stuff).  Ms. Thing hid her face from the ultrasound, so no good photos to share, sorry.  No good photos of the heart either, so we're back again at the end of the month for another scan.  Hopefully our little diva will have decided to reveal her beautiful little face by then.  She moves around an awful lot, according to what we see in the scans, though I couldn't feel it because my placenta is in the front and cushions the blows.  Limbs and organs are a check.

Last week, I was waiting for my Mexican take out for dinner, and an older man offered me his grandson to "practice".  SOMEONE KNEW I WAS PREGNANT AND NOT JUST FAT!!  And, was confident enough to start a conversation.  I beamed the whole way home.  THIS is one of the milestones I was waiting for, one of my big check marks.  Yes, the medical stuff is important, but I want the full experience. Yes, I want strangers touching my belly and giving unwanted advice that makes me roll my eyes (on the inside, of course).  I want to get kicked in the ribs from the inside.  I want to wake up at 3am craving something ridiculous.  I want the silly maternity t-shirts, like the ones that say "pumpkin smuggler" for fall.  I want it all - the good, the bad, and the gross things no one likes to tell you.

Just when I couldn't been more giddy, this weekend, I finally started to feel her move.  CHECK!!  Now, I can have a little relief that everything is ok.  Well, that and the doppler that they say not to buy, but I needed to have for some peace of mind.  I don't use it every day, and probably won't use it very often now, but before the 20 week scan, we didn't have anything for like a month and a half.  My anxiety was going off the charts!!  She is moving and I can feel it.  How I'm going to keep up with that energy later is another issue entirely, but for now, I'm enjoying the karate practice on my insides.  Because that means she's there and getting ready for this world.  And the world had better prepare itself for her, too.