160bpm

On Friday, Nov. 17th, we had our 2nd appointment to check on the baby.  The doctor used the doppler to hear the heartbeat: 160bpm!!!  That's so fast!  My bloodwork all came back fine and the doctor said everything is good.  What a good report!  Every appointment brings on a little bit of nerves (the first one more than this one, of course).  Jared went with me and we got in and out a lot more quickly than the time before.  It's so fun to see the other pregnant women going in and out.
The doctor felt my belly and said that I feel more like 14 weeks than 12, but I've only gained 3 pounds- probably because I didn't ever get sick.  I can feel the baby bump and it seems to be growing quickly.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but it feels more firm than I thought it would.  I bought 3 pairs of maternity pants last week.  I wanted to be set for the holidays.  The next few weeks will be very busy with Jared's family in this week (so exciting!) for Thanksgiving, then two full weeks of work and prep for Christmas, and finally our trip to Alabama and Texas for Christmas.  I actually wore the Bella band today.  It's this crazy band you wear around your waist/hips region over the top of your pants, so that you can unbutton your pants to make them more comfortable.  It looks more like a tube-top or a miniskirt.  It was much more comfortable!!!  I'm definitely in the in-between stage where I can still wear my normal pants, but, if I eat too much (and you know how that goes around the holidays), my pants are NOT comfortable.  As soon as I think you can tell in a picture, I'll post one. I plan to have Dan, my brother-in-law, take a good picture of Jared, me, and Bernie this week, so I'll probably post that one.
I wouldn't say I'm feeling all energetic all of a sudden like I thought I might at the start of the second trimester, but I am feeling pretty good.  Jared and I went to bed by 10 last night and slept until 7:30!!!!  I guess he needs lots of sympathy sleep too : )
Like I said, we're having Jared's mom and dad visit this week. It's so good to have them here.  Jared's mom is an awesome cook and is taking care of a lot of it for me, since I still have to work this week.  I love Thanksgiving and this year I think I am more thankful than ever for life and the blessings God has given us.  We seem to be making more and more friends that have had trouble conceiving or cannot conceive and I am just incredibly thankful for our baby and for not having to try too long.  We tried for about ten months (Jared was gone a couple of those) and even that was so hard! Each month is more and more stressful and you start to feel more and more hopeless.  God is faithful though.  I do want to say though, if you know of people in your life who may be trying or are around the age of trying to have babies- be sensitive!!!  It was sometimes difficult to even answer the question, "When are you going to start trying?"  I'll give you a hint- most people who are trying won't just come out and say it.  Just be easy on those 20 or 30 somethings out there.  It's hard- it's much harder than I thought, at least.
Anyways,  I'm thankful for each of you.  I'm thankful for the abundance of life- may we not take it for granted.  May God bless you all this Thanksgiving.
Another update in two weeks- my next appointment is Dec. 9.  No ultrasound then, so we aren't going to know the gender of the baby until after Christmas, but I'll hear the heartbeat again and just get checked out one more time before the holidays.
Until next time-- Katie and the bun-in-the-oven