Week 11: Almost There

Another week closer to the end of the first trimester and it couldn't go fast enough! I had started to feel better last week, but after all the craziness with Frankie's seizure, the crappy/exhausted feelings seemed to creep back in daily. I can usually start each day with some good energy, but I'm way tuckered out by noon. Nausea is also less prevalent, thank goodness. Only the occasional wave. Mostly, its just a lack of appetite at all at this point.

On Wednesday, I had a doctor's appointment to listen to the baby's heartbeat and get my blood drawn for my genetic prenatal testing. When the time came to listen to the baby's heartbeat, the doctor could not find it. I sat there paralyzed for five whole minutes as she searched my abdomen for a heart beat that wasn't mine (mine was POUNDING, of course). Eventually, she had to call in for an actual ultrasound. There we found that the baby was fine, just very far to my left and back. Heart rate was 163. Mine must have been 2,000x times that. Although the scare was brief, it left me shook for the rest of the day. I'd thought most of my anxiety about pregnancy was going to ease the second go-round, but apparently, the baby wanted to shake things up.

In better news, my blood was sent off to the lab for chromosomal testing (NIPT testing). In this test, they will be checking for any chromosomal abnormalities and also they will tell us the sex of the baby! I am hoping that by next week's update, I'll be able to announce if this little brussel sprout is a girl or boy. During Frankie's pregnancy, I did a whole host of old wives tales. Since I'm finding out so much earlier in this pregnancy, I really don't feel like a lot of the theories apply! My gut instinct says girl, but I was wrong last time. Who knows!

How far along? 11 weeks
Maternity clothes? In that weird phase. I have a decent bump, but it doesn't fully fill out lots of my maternity wear.
Stretch marks? No
Ankle Watch: Still fine
Sleep: Some days, I'm back to my usual energy levels. Some days, I can't keep my eyes open. Come on, second trimester! 
Best moment(s) this week: Best and also worst... getting my blood drawn for our NIPT testing and also having to wait for the results!
Miss Anything? Being care-free. I'm so full of anxiety these days between Frankie, the pregnancy, the future.
Movement: Nothing yet. I'm ready!
Food cravings: Sweets. If I eat anything other than a sweet, I get sick to my stomach. It is so obnoxious.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Normal people food that I should be eating instead of toaster strudels and donuts.
Gender: Blood drawn on Wednesday- hopefully the results will be quick! 
Labor Signs: Nope
Pregnancy Symptoms: Painful knee joints, nausea, exhaustion, and breast pain.
Belly Button in or out? In
Rings on or off? On, but a little tight this week. Its hot out.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, but tired and tired of being sick. I need an extra three hours in the middle of each day just to nap and rest. 
Looking forward to: Extra hands. My sister and brother in law arrive today for a whole week! Having someone else chase Frankie occasionally is a huge blessing.