New Year...New Life

I have to start by wishing everyone a very Happy New Year! Our wild and crazy New Year's Eve consisted of yummy dinner and college football with family, a glass of sparkling cider and a simple kiss (from hubby and puppy...of course!) at midnight. C. said it's official...we're totally old.

I'm overjoyed to report that morning sickness symptoms are almost completely gone, but in its place there's heartburn and headaches! But I'll take heartburn any day over the constant sensation of needing to hurl. I still marvel when I realize that we've already made it through 17 weeks of pregnancy. With the start of week 18, I've also been feeling the "butterflies" of movement that I've dreamt about experiencing since the start of this journey. It's still very subtle, but undeniable, that someone in there is kicking and squirming...maybe even dancing? There is NO disputing that new life is growing inside me. It's crazy and amazing all at the same time! We still regularly listen to baby Pat's heart beat with the Doppler, and it's settled in to the 150-155 range for the time being. I still get goose bumps every time I hear the swoosh-swoosh of our little guy/girl! I've started to talk to baby Pat more often now too. Don't worry. It's generally in the privacy of my car on the way to or from work...not just randomly at the grocery store or mall. (Can you imagine?!)

T-minus 17 days until we find out if we have a baby she-Pat or a baby he-Pat. I keep dreaming about being late for the appointment or showing up at the wrong clinic. Just last night, I dreamt that the US tech wouldn't let C. come into the room while doing the scan, and then she proceeded to tell me that our baby girl had hip dysplasia?! Random, huh?

Daily Hep.arin shots are still going well, even though I freak out when I have to do the shots on my right side...the side of my uterus where baby P. is nestled. The needles are tiny, but I still worry about poking too deep or in the wrong spot. I can only imagine that I'm going to be even more paranoid as my belly expands and the skin I can pinch becomes less and less. Any tips or advice from my fellow Lov.enox/Hep.arin users?

Finally, I have to give a shout-out to my little sister! She started a blog of her very own, which you can find here. She's posted some great pictures of my adorable nephews. Go check it out and leave a comment if you have a chance.

Tuesday Tidbits

Hubby and I did our civic duty and cast ballots to "cancel out" one another's vote. We both lie on opposite ends of the political spectrum on most issues. However, I'm never one to vote and tell. I'll let you guess where my loyalties lie. I hate political rhetoric of any kind, but feel strongly about participating in our country's democratic process.

We're still waiting for my sister's "little" guy to arrive. She measuring at 41.5 weeks and I've warned her that babies on our side of the family tend to have huge heads...even bigger when they go past their due date! (Am I an awful sister, or what?!?) The baby still looks great. He passed the NST with flying colors today and she's set for induction on Sunday if he's not here before then. The midwife that she sees insists on stripping her membranes...youch! She's had it done twice now in the past week and a half. Seems a bit overzealous if you ask me. (Personally, would NOT let this lady anywhere near my lady parts. But you did not hear that from me.)

We had a bit of "excitement" with a relative this morning. My uncle's boat sunk while he was fishing alone last night, and it actually caused him to go into cardiac arrest. (His third heart attack.) He was in 50 degree water with just one small life jacket for over an hour. The first rescue team that showed-up didn't even have a boat to go out onto the water and get him. Huh?! He's in a local hospital and stable for the time being, but still very weak. C. and I will be with him tonight. If you think of it, please keep him and his family in your prayers.

*Update*

Uncle has been moved out of the cardiac ICU and hopes to be dicharged some time on Sunday. He still has his great sense of humor...he was very upset that he lost the 5 "monster" fish he had in the boat when it went down, and insisted that someone get him an absentee ballot to vote on Tuesday. He still has a long road to complete recovery, but feels lucky to be alive. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.