17 weeks

Definitely popping out more now. I feel like the bump looks bigger when I am looking down at it than it does from other peoples viewpoint. Justin agrees. in less than 48 hours we'll get to see the little monkey again. I am SO anxious. For the last few days the heartbeat has seemed faint and erratic. Several friends have said they experienced the same thing and their OBs told them it was perfectly normal even for the baby's heart to stop beating for a few seconds. So that makes me feel a little bit better. But I can't help but be paranoid that something is terribly wrong. Here's to another 48 hours of holding my breath.

Anyone that sees an optometrist might remember the test that evaulates periphreal vision. You look into a machine and stare at the black dot and click a button whenever you see squiggly vibrating lines somewhere on the screen. Well I haven't been able to determine if I'm feeling anymore movement, but I have been feel something similar to the squiggly vibrating areas on this particular eye exam. And sometimes I feel thumping, but not sharp like that first kick, this thumping is more like the bass from a passing car with some punk kid in it, rattling the windows.

I really lucked out this week when my friend Amber called to say she was chucking all her son's baby stuff and to came and take what I wanted. Her son Connor is 4 so I was thinking, I guess I'll take a look, but how much could she really have after 4 years? I was overwhlemingly surprised! Not only did I score a ton of bibs, onsies, toys, lap pads, blankets, burp clothes, and towles; I also got a bouncy chair that vibrates, an infantino baby carrier (in a stylish black and grey print), bath time stuff, a training potty, a diaper genie, and best of all: This awesome little tent that shields baby from sun and sand at the beach! So thanks a million Amber (and Connor) for all the great hand-me-downs. Connor was just adorable while I was pilaging. He kept showing me what he thought I should have and putting it in my pile. Then he insisted on helping me take everything to my car. He is such a sweetheart. I told him he's going to have to give my kid lessons. Okay, this beach tent this is just too cool. I've got to post some pictures:

I'm now in the process of washing all my loot with Dreft. And NO WONDER babies always smell so darn good! This detergent is making my whole house smell like babies. It's great!

Now for the not so great: I'm still having a dificult time eating. Nothing sounds appetizing. But if I don't eat I get sick. It's just no fun having to force food down. I used to get so much pleasure from food. It's really disappointing to have lost the ability to experience that. Especially with Thanksgiving coming up in a few weeks. And my back is aching more and more. But that's all I really have to complain about. All things considered, I'm feeling pretty lucky.