16 weeks

I went off to my scan yesterday, hoping the baby would co-operate and let us have a look between its legs but I just KNEW it wouldn't. Dr Katayama manoeuvred the doppler over my abdomen for 10 minutes , with no luck, and concluded, 'How do I say?.... maybe no protruding... so, maybe girl,' though he wasn't convinced the angle was a good one. He said it will be easier at my next scan at 20 weeks on 19 January. Most importantly, the appointment was a great one. The heartbeat was loud and strong, at 160bpm, and the ultrasound machine even shows the blood flowing through her body (her?!). She's measuring 8.4cm from the top of her head to her bony buttocks. (I'm sorry, little one, if we do, in fact, find out you are a boy in 4 weeks time!)

Amongst many, many old wives tales, I've just read that baby boys bring beauty to the mother, and baby girls take it away (for themselves), so going by that, I think I have a baby girl in my tummy! I bought our baby 'girl' her first Christmas present yesterday, which REALLY wouldn't suit a boy, so let's hope Dr Katayama is right! I just couldn't resist.

I really noticed yesterday, for the first time, that my tummy is sticking out a little more, (though my weight or tummy measurement hasn't changed from my last appointment). I just look a little bit fat! I'm looking forward to actually looking pregnant, and not just a bit tubby. Nug has promised he won't call me fat 'too often'. Another thing I've noticed, I now cry at anything and everything. Christmas carols are the end of me at the moment, and of course the shops are filled with them, albeit terrible Japanese renditions!

Merry Christmas everyone xx

Boshi Techo

Today, I went and picked up my Boshi Techo, which is translated to Mother/Child Handbook, but is really just a massive pile of books and leaflets that I can't read. I think there are some coupons that give me a discount on some of my tests and bloodwork (excellent), and a very thorough book in English that charts my child's condition up until 6 years old (I'll be long gone) but most importantly, is this fantastic little key chain that categorises me with the disabled and elderly, and allows me to sit in the special seats on the train. Repeat fainting scenario avoided! Me 1 - Baby 0.

So, I've started to feel better! Last Tuesday night - the night before I was 14 weeks - I had a stern word with the baby and told it that even though I'm still here to look after it and keep it safe etc, its getting 'bigger' now and is about time it started 'looking after itself' a bit more and stopped (for no better words) killing me.

Sure enough, on Wednesday, I felt better! Nug was able to get away from work for a couple of hours so I asked if he wanted to go out to lunch with me. I could have told him we'd just just won the lotto, or that Robbie Deans called and needed his expert opinion, he was THAT excited. I was back! I've been on the improve little by little every day since then so I am sure the second trimester is going to hold much more exciting things for me.

The Belly

I'm definately not in the habit of putting 'exposed' photos of myself up for all to see but a few people have been asking me for the money shot.... So, I put on my best tracksuit and here it is. This is today - at 13 weeks and 4 days. I think I am starting to fill out a little bit where my hip bones used to be, but that could just be all the potato I've been eating. I can't get enough, especially mashed, with salt. Yum.

Morning sickness is still lingering, mainly in the afternoon and evening. Everyone says the best thing to do is eat through the nausea, so I do, then it makes me sick, then I'm hungry again, so I eat, and then I'm sick. It's a vicious cycle. I've been getting some energy back during the day which is a good sign, fingers crossed. No marathons just yet though.

My next doctor's appointment is on 22 December and hopefully we'll be able to find out the baby's sex. We're both dying to know. I have a feeling it's a boy, though everyone else I've spoken to seems to think it's a girl. I absoloutely don't mind either way. Nug says he doesn't either, but I think he 51% wants a boy, as opposed to 49% for a girl. Of course, a healthy bub trumps all.