18 weeks
Today marks my 18th week of pregnancy, and the look on my face has a little to do with the way I'm feeling, although it's more about the fact that Jon was trying to get me to smile. Nothing to me is more obnoxious, except maybe someone calling me sweetheart or darling with a Boston accent. That look is a warning, it's me going dude, if you would like this kid to grow up and know its father you had better shut it. I will smile when I am damn good and ready, thank you very much, just take the photo before things turn ugly and I start using your middle name.
The past couple of weeks have physically been a breeze, but emotionally I'm a bit of a wreck. I think it has very little to do with pregnancy and everything to do with the weather. It's a seasonal dip I struggle with every year at about this time when I crave warm weather, sun, and late afternoons on the porch but am living day after day of cloudy skies, snow, and 4:30 PM sunsets. This is probably the hardest thing about living in Utah, and I know there are far colder places than Salt Lake City, but when I stopped to pinpoint exactly what was making me so sad I realized it was just a matter of not seeing blue sky in fourteen days. And the constant act of bending over to towel off the dogs so they don't drag snow into the house. Nothing tragic, no, but it was enough to make me start yelling obscenities at a carton of orange juice because I couldn't get the safety cap off.
There's not much I can really do to combat this other than get out in the sun on days when that is possible and continue my exercise routine. Yes, I've heard about those lamps people use to treat themselves for seasonal affective disorder, and while I do think I am sensitive to light, I'm willing to bet that my case has more to do with actual sun and warmth and the smell of fragrant, blooming plants in the air. Which is why we've planned a trip to Southern California for the last week of February. Which is why we should move to Southern California in February, except for all those other mitigating factors like "house" and "family" that routinely tell my winter mood to suck it.
In other news, I have an ultrasound scheduled for Friday morning, and our plan is to find out the sex of the baby. We have been referring to it as Stretch, although Leta thinks that's horrifying. I asked her to suggest a name then, and what do you know, she's now calling it Princess Aurora. I told her we couldn't name the baby that if it's a boy because, you know, middle school, and she said, not a problem! No worries! If it's a boy we'll just call him Prince Aurora.
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FM Living
Jacinta said:
Congrats on the baby :)
01.13.09 - 05:05 PM / 1Catherine said:
First comment! You look beautiful! Thanks for the postcard...Chuck is now glaring at me from my bulletin board with a lovely blue wig on his head.
01.13.09 - 05:05 PM / 2Sarah said:
How exciting! Are you going to tell us if it's a Prince Aurora or a Princess Aurora?
Good luck!
01.13.09 - 05:05 PM / 3cj said:
my husband knows that face well. Umm. not yours. Mine
01.13.09 - 05:06 PM / 4Kristan said:
LOL see? Leta's got it all figured out.
Prince Aurora is going to think he was a rather unwelcome baby when s/he sees these photos later in life... :P
01.13.09 - 05:06 PM / 5Briana said:
My mom and her sister wanted to name their youngest sister Tinkerbell after seeing Peter Pan. Her parents compromised with Wendy!
It could be worse. My cousin wanted to name her brother "Chili".
01.13.09 - 05:07 PM / 6Guinhyvar said:
You look lovely, and Leta's suggestions are brilliant.
And, as a resident of So Cal... today it was 88* and not a cloud in the sky. I feel your pain; I grew up in Utah, and moved here six years ago. I'll be honest... I don't miss it. I think Utah is beautiful, and I do miss the mountains, but I far prefer the sun and surf anyday :)
01.13.09 - 05:09 PM / 7Anonymous said:
I know someone who ACTUALLY called their baby Aurora...
01.13.09 - 05:09 PM / 8teegees said:
Prince Aurora. I like it! It's better than Phinneaus or Apple...
01.13.09 - 05:09 PM / 9jayne said:
At least Prince Aurora is a name. My daughter would suggest something descriptive...like "Naked" or "Tiny Weiner."
01.13.09 - 05:09 PM / 10Jen on the Edge said:
Prince Aurora Armstrong has a very nice ring to it. He won't necessarily get his ass kicked in middle school.
01.13.09 - 05:10 PM / 11Elinda said:
If it makes you feel any better, you are looking very petite for being almost half way there! I must have been a real cow. I guess I did gain 60 lbs. with my most recent pregnancy!
My older son wanted to name the baby Max for a boy... and Pinky for a girl.
01.13.09 - 05:11 PM / 12Bex said:
Ahhh, you're clever. Finding out the sex sounds like a good move. Can't wait to hear the news! Hope you feel better about the weather soon :)
01.13.09 - 05:12 PM / 13repliderium.com said:
Prince Aurora. Classic. At least she's ALLOWING for the possibility of boy.
Yeah, winter is fun for about three weeks and then it just turns into the season of cold grey hate.
Bring on spring. (PLEEEEEASE)
01.13.09 - 05:15 PM / 14Anonymous said:
my oldest wanted to call my middle child Paprika - we were in the midst of a big Blues Clues addiction!!
01.13.09 - 05:15 PM / 15franny said:
I feel you completely on the lack of sunshine- I live in Portland, Oregon and every year around late November I start to feel a mounting pressure in my head that gets worse and worse with the continuing absence of sunlight. By January I am pretty much a moody, emotional wreck. I have started to use a light box and it has helped but it's still a shoddy substitute for the real thing. I also started taking 1,000 mg. of Vitamin D, and that's supposed to help too. I'm still not totally convinced, but it's worth a shot.
Good luck.
01.13.09 - 05:15 PM / 16Melissa said:
At least in SLC you have the gorgeous mountain view! Here in ND we have nothing, just the cold, wind, snow and gray sky. Yes, I am feeling that bout of mid-winter moodiness and the yearn for the sun as well.
You look amazing!
01.13.09 - 05:16 PM / 17Keyona said:
Goodness, I'm afraid of that warning look. I hope you start to feel better.
Love your blog! :o)
01.13.09 - 05:18 PM / 18Kathy said:
Heather,
You should apply for this job. Sun, sand, blogging, and $100,000 for a 6 month gig.
http://www.wusa9.com/news/watercooler/story.aspx?s...
01.13.09 - 05:18 PM / 19Elea said:
Well, you know, at least Leta's suggestions indicate that she's still happy about getting a sibling thus far. It's when she tells you that the kid needs to be named Poophead, Coco Jr., or That Thing that some concern might be warranted.
01.13.09 - 05:19 PM / 20Amy said:
I do wish I had been that skinny at 18 weeks!!
01.13.09 - 05:19 PM / 21Catherine said:
I too loathe Disney princesses but, except for that little affliction, Leta is quite awesome.
We've had a miserable winter up here in the normally sunny Calgary too. I can most definitely relate.
You really do look beautiful, albeit pissed off. It's nice to see pregnancy agreeing with you.
01.13.09 - 05:20 PM / 22WonderMike said:
Prince Aurora will most definitely be his drag name.
01.13.09 - 05:20 PM / 23stella said:
I feel your pain - we are off to Hawaii in February and I cannot wait. Winter darkness is NOT fun and I can't stand going and leaving work in the dark. It's not right, I tell you. Hang in there and Vitamin D does work. Trust me.
01.13.09 - 05:23 PM / 24fallgirly said:
You are so cute! I wish I was that tiny at 18 weeks.
01.13.09 - 05:24 PM / 25Heather B. said:
I am SoCal bound for the end of February, too. Every morning I wake up and announce how much I despise Upstate NY and by midday I'm in tears. Let's hope that the vacation helps or else it is going to be a long trek to May.
01.13.09 - 05:25 PM / 26Kim in AK said:
That's hysterical!
Is Leta going to get mad if the new baby looks at her books and toys?
01.13.09 - 05:25 PM / 27April said:
I have seen that look and given it many times. It is so nice to not always have to use words... it is surprising that after a root canal with half your face numb you can still give that look.
I am with you on needing some sunshine. I am from California and 14 days without sun is unheard of. Even in Tahoe you get sun more often than that.
Hope we get some sunny skies for you.
01.13.09 - 05:26 PM / 28Maureen said:
I, too, suffer from the winter blues and I live in Calgary, too!! I feel your pain; hang in there... the days will get longer and sunnier... we love you!
01.13.09 - 05:30 PM / 29Marieke said:
At least Leta has opened up to the idea of the baby being a boy :)
01.13.09 - 05:31 PM / 30