Natalie & Ryan: Phew!

The only thing I can think to do to start this post is let out a big sigh of relief. Baby Goodrich is still a girl! Compared to our last appointment, I was super relaxed. Of course, like all parents, I just wanted to see her heart beating and know that she was okay. Once I got that confirmation, my next paranoia was "is it still a girl?". Yep! She's already showing signs of being exactly like me. She was all rolled up in a ball, sleeping, and then she woke up once we started prodding her. She immediately threw her hands over her eyes, as if we flicked on a light or something. Then she started stretching and sucking on her thumb. The tech wasn't sure if she was sucking her thumb, but then she said "look! She's moving her mouth and sucking." It was so cute. So we know this: She likes to sleep, she likes a good stretch, she's stubborn, and she sucks her thumb. I think I'll call her Mini-me. I don't suck my thumb, but I sucked my thumb from birth to age 10. Yeah, embarrassing, but true.

On top of finding out that baby girl is doing perfectly, I learned a few things about me today. 1) Since my nausea has lightened up, I have gained a bit of weight. I wasn't putting anything on at first, but now that I can eat, I'm doing a good job at putting on pounds. I blame the holidays. 2) I have what's called "PSD". It stands for "Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction." The pubic symphysis is the cartilage material that holds the pubic bones together. In pregnancy, it softens and stretches (just like everything else), but mine is stretching too much. I was relieved to hear that it's fairly common and normal. It is, however, excruciatingly painful, which would explain why I'm ALWAYS in agony. It was funny because I was trying to explain it to my doctor. (Warning, TMI) I was telling her that it felt like my pubic bones were going to rip apart and the baby was going to fall out, and she says "well, basically that's what's happening. Your ligaments are tearing and stretching, but don't worry, the baby won't fall out." Haha, oh good! And just like with any other pregnancy pain, what is the solution? Nothing! Just rest. But as long as the baby is healthy and happy, I can put up with any pains. Luckily I have an amazing hubby who takes care of me and makes sure I don't have to do anything that makes the pain worse. He even helps me up the stairs by leaning over and pushing my bum with his head. Which, in the end, makes it harder because I can't walk up the stairs when I'm laughing that hard. Thanks, babe!