Pregnancy update...17 weeks and a few days...or ETERNITY

I'm bummed I wasn't turned completely sideways, so you can see the full extent of my baby belly. I'm really popping out now. And according to some (really nice) friends at church, I actually look pregnant instead of just fat. I'm not quite sure. I can see people looking at me and wondering, but no one is asking. Except one brave person...and since I'm pregnant I can't remember who or where.

Speaking of forgetting. I am. Everything. All the time. A few months ago I set a pan of eggs to boil to make egg salad sandwich. A few hours later I remembered I left eggs on the oven boiling. Yummy! I've never done that before.

And in the last few weeks I've lost numerous things...which I don't usually do. Let's see...I lost some camcorder disks I had just bought. And I was almost positive I remembered Jeff putting them away for me. (Because Jeff is ALWAYS forgetful like that, he thought he remembered too.) When they were found, it was obvious that that was not the case. Then I lost my calendar, FILLED with events and dates for September that I could not possibly remember on my own. (As distressing as this is to admit, during one pregnancy I went on a date with Jeff, ON my nieces birthday party. I forgot it completely.) The weird (or magical, mystical) thing (that seems to happen ALL the time around here) about the calendar is that it showed up in the exact spot where it should have been, a few days later, after I had already looked there numerous times. Little elves...go figure. Now, I'm certain there are other things I've forgotten but I can't remember them.

Jeff still holds the record for forgetfulness though.

Jeff: Where's Asa?

Michelle: (Starting to quickly walk down the hall of the church in search of him.) YOU ARE HOLDING HIM.

Jeff: Oh.

So you see, I'm not that bad, yet.

Well, what else about this pregnancy?

I threw up the other day. For no reason. My mother in law asked if I had the swine flu. I didn't. I'm just pregnant. Jeff stopped and let me throw up in someones yard, which was mortifying...but what's a preggo to do?

So the tally:

throwing up this month: three times
wetting the pants: none (there is something to be proud of)

I'm not having as many migraines. Which is good because Jeff came home and gleefully said, "You did laundry!" Because he had been doing all the laundry. My baby is going to have three arms and two heads and no liver from all the Excedrin I've been taking.

So I get past the migraines and my Symphysis Pubis Disorder kicks in. Otherwise known as someone smashing a baseball bat into your pelvic region every time you take a step. The only known cure is delivering, but you do get some relief from a chiropractor (and/or a massage therapist). The problem with that is I keep forgetting my appointments and now I'm too embarrassed to call and make an appointment. Guess I'll suffer.

I haven't gained too much weight...but you know what? I don't care how much weight I gain. I'm feeding a baby here. I'm eating mostly healthy and taking good care of myself (unless you consider not exercising not taking good care of oneself and if you do, you obviously aren't pregnant) so it really doesn't matter how much weight I gain. I'll gain as much or as little as I need.

I'm still pretty tired but not as bad. I need a nap a day. So sue me.

I think I felt the baby moving around...but it was just that once and not since. They say fluffy moms will not feel the baby move as early and I'm starting to believe that. I'm ready though. That's the best part and makes all the early misery forgettable.

I'm in all maternity clothes, in case you were wondering, from about four weeks on. What? I LOVE maternity clothes: elastic waists, big shirts, panties that don't ride up.

Let's not forget, I have pimples covering all of my face and neck and even behind my ears. MY EARS???? HOW??? I'm one of those people (don't hate) who hardly ever gets break outs...you know, just at that time of the month. I feel for people who do. I just don't. So now my face is making up for 35 years of no acne. ALL AT ONCE. I'm a monster.

How about you? We need an update and a picture. MUST NOT FORGET THE PICTURE. I'll give my public service announcement again.

Even if you think you've never looked more terrible, you WILL one day want to see pictures of yourself. And even if you firmly believe you never will, your children and family will. Take a picture a month as a gift to your baby. They will LOVE it. One a month is all I'm asking for...you can't look worse than me.