9 Weeks and counting...

I'm 9 weeks pregnant today. Should be a little further (9 days to be exact), but the little peanut was a tad smaller at the ultrasound a couple weeks ago. That's okay... will (maybe) give me a bit more time to get used to the idea of having three kids! I've pretty much gotten over the shock of this huge surprise and am happy. Do you know the guilt I felt the first couple weeks because I wasn't truly happy? I'm a very plan-oriented person, and this just wasn't in the plans just yet. I think because Lauren is such a happy, content baby it's made it much easier on me. Knowing that, and that Carter and Lauren can keep each other company when the baby comes, makes having this one so close to Lauren a little less stressful.

So here's what's going on with baby: "Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain." (In other words, baby looks more like a baby than the "blob" we saw in the first ultrasound.)

And here's what's going on with me: "You still may not look pregnant even if your waist is thickening a bit. You probably feel pregnant, though. Not only are morning sickness and other physical symptoms out in full force for most women, but you may feel like an emotional pinball as well. Mood swings are common now — it's perfectly normal to feel alternately elated and terrified about becoming a parent. Try to cut yourself some slack. Most women find that moodiness flares up at around six to ten weeks, eases up in the second trimester, and then reappears as pregnancy winds to a close."

Boy, did they get that right! I'm super tired, nauseous, and grumpy most the time these days. I apologize to Matt for being grumpy, and I think Carter's starting to get used to his crazy Mama! I try to catch a little nap in the afternoons (Carter and I have quiet time on the couch), but sometimes that doesn't even help. Eating hasn't been easy, despite being quite hungry. :) I know things will get better, so hang in there with me guys!

I'll try to post little updates weekly like this, just for those interested in what's going on. I'll also post updates after doctor appointments, the next of which is on May 12th. Once I start showing (more than just the leftover Lauren-baby-belly) I'll post pics with the weekly updates. Something to look forward to! :)