"Normal" for a Day

With an ultrasound looming tomorrow, I keep thinking about this babe I am carrying and about how little I've posted about the "normal" pregnancy stuff. I have no idea what may happen tomorrow & I remember a month ago thinking that God had just given me an ultrasound with no answers- which meant another month of just being a "normal" pregnant mommy. A normal pregnant mommy doesn't see specialists or cry daily in fear for her baby or book delivery rooms 6 hours away or locate specialists to serve her baby after delivery. A normal pregnant mommy doesn't spend doctor's appointments (& the days before them) in fear and prayer. She doesn't wonder if she should inform the random grocery store cashier about the baby's potential issues when they ask a simple question about the due date. She doesn't spend hours online futilely searching for other moms like her.
Instead, she talks about her symptoms and... I'm not exactly sure what else she does. I haven't walked the "normal" road for very long in any of my pregancies.
So, this past month has been a gift & I haven't fully appreciated it. I haven't celebrated this nearly enough!
Since I don't know what looms ahead this week, let me fill you in on my pregnancy (the fun stuff!)
My symptoms -

• not nearly as tired this time as I was with Will... although I have continued to be lazy & have not accomplished tons. This week I've felt like I am nesting - a bit early - lots of cleaning & double laundry & even nearly finished my scrapbook(s)!
• SICK!!! :) I think anyone who has experienced a miscarriage or who knows someone close to them who has gone through the pain and grief of miscarriage knows the celebration of being sick while pregnant! Some people have told me they hope I feel better soon! NOT ME!!! Seriously, I have only been at the toilet a few times (a few more times than I was with Will, however) yet each time, in between .... you know.... I was telling God thankyou.
• Sick - even when I haven't had to go to the toilet, I have spent most evenings being rather nauseous. Yahoo!
• Hormonal - I cry every single time a Procter & Gamble "thank you, Mom" commerical comes on during the Olympics. I cry talking to my friends. I cry cuddling Will. I cry when an American wins a gold medal. I cry when the camera finds their moms and dads. Of course, I've always been a crier so it's hard to really blame this on the hormones.
• Forgetful - Don't ask my husband how many times he has come home to the oven still on & some part of our dinner completely burned- usually the meat.
• Food Aversions - With Will, I ate everything in sight! As soon as I knew I was pregnant, I began packing on the pounds! Gained a lot & throughouly enjoyed my excuse to EAT! This time, I've actually lost a few pounds. Food has just in general not sounded good to me - especially at night. I've had almost no desire to cook (not like me!) and no creativity. Planning our week's menu has been torture as nothing appeals to me. Unfortunately, I live with two people who like meat. Meat has really been my most unappealing food item. I've nearly lost it at the butcher's counter in the store! I'm trying to cook it for people I love but ugh - can't eat but a bite. I've found that using my crock pot in the morning to cook the meat has really helped as by evening I just can't hardly look at raw meat.
• Gag Reflex- did not have this at all with Will and at nearly 14 weeks, it hasn't gone away. It started about 3-4 weeks ago & I can't tell you how many times I've suddenly run to the sink thinking I'm sick. Will coughing & my own coughing really get my gag reflex going. I've never experienced anything like it - bizarre!
• Maternity Clothes- I don't know why I waited so long to re-embrace these. Technically, I can still wear my old jeans (shirts - not really as the belly pouches out beneath them!) But, by the end of the day, buttoning the jeans is not so much comfortable. So, about a week ago, I took out my maternity clothes and fell in love all over again. Why oh why did I wait so long? There is something wonderfully efficient about not needing to zip & button!

That's all I can think of today! My symptoms (with the exception of a lack of exhaustion) have been much stronger this time & I am so thankful. I don't know if it the progesterone supplements I take or a gender difference (;) ) or just a different pregnancy therefore different symptoms issue. But, it's so fun to just think about the normal pregnancy things for a day!