This is how serial killers are created

I might have blinded our child yesterday.
But it was for a good cause, I assure you.

You see, I was reading some posts on my August Mommies forum board at thebump.com where other mommies-to-be said they took a flashlight over their bellies and felt the baby's movement.
I'm so ridiculously excited to officially feel the baby that I might have tried this little experiment last night. There have been several times, especially in the last week or so that I "thought" I felt Baby, but wasn't entirely sure. It was often a fleeting feeling and pretty light, too, so I just couldn't be entirely sure.

Well the flashlight experiment, round one, was sort of a dud. As Scott looked at me as though I had three eyes, I couldn't really feel anything at all. Actually, I was hungry, but that feeling's a bit of a constant.
I tried the experiment again just before bedtime last night and *thought* I just.might.maybe.could.have.possibly felt the baby, two times, harder than other times, in about the same spot.

Could it have been baby? I'm not entirely convinced, but definitely hopeful.

And Baby? If you think shining a bright light in your face while you were trying to grow organs and all that jazz was bad, just wait until you're older. Muhahaha.

Countdown to Trimester Two

It's more exciting than Christmas, far more special than my birthday... it's almost time for the second trimester -- the time where babies are significantly safer, odds are in your favor and pregnant women (typically) feel like a human being again.

I can't wait. (This is an understatement)

I promise to never rush another part of my pregnancy. (This might be a lie, given what I've seen at the end of loved one's pregnancies... yes, Julie, I'm referring to witnessing first hand your difficult time with complications, swollen feet and discomfort).

I am starting to feel remarkably better.

I don't feel the need for a nap every three hours, although I still am getting 10 hours of sleep. Please remember that those 10 hours are interrupted by pee breaks, friends.

My appetite has gotten better. As in I don't run out of the room EVERY time Scott opens the refrigerator. I've been eating pretty well for the last week or so. It's still not really consistent. One day, I can't stop eating. The next day, I'm good at the bare minimum. (Worried loved ones, I am eating well though, girl scout's honor!)

While the weird aches, pains and yes, squeezes in parts of my body haven't gone away, I think I've become better adjusted to them. I complain about the boob soreness, but c'mon, what flat-chested girl doesn't love buying new bras because the old ones are too small???

It's comforting to compare weird symptoms with women who really are in the same boat as me. On my favorite Web site currently, www.thebump.com, there is a specific forum board for women who are due in August of this year. Our birth month board has more posts and views than any other birth month and one of the women has even created a chatroom that we can visit 24 hours a day. It's calmed me down on more than one hectic occasion.

MOST importantly, however, I'm just happy that we've made it this far with no problems or issues. I'll take a month's worth of constipation (oh yes, I am SO serious) if it means that Little Baby Z is growing right on schedule. As long as he or she doesn't grow an attitude or Pennsylvania accent. :-)