Pregnancy: Week 18
Not a lot to report in this update. This pregnancy is blessedly uneventful and I do hope that continues! I am recovering from a very unpleasant virus – lots of sinus pain and a persistent, dry, uncomfortable cough – ugh! My abs hurt from coughing so much. And let's just say it's risky for me to cough with a full bladder. 
It's been uncomfortable for the better part of 1.5 weeks, but today I seem to be on the mend.
I can report that my belly is definitely getting bigger, mostly because it's starting to get in the way – like when I bend over to put on socks, for example. 
I'm also finding myself requiring more lumbar support in my office chair, in the car, etc. I'm not feeling a lot of baby movement yet, but every once in awhile the baby seems really active and I get a cluster of rolling sensations, pokes and flutters.
I have a midwife appointment this coming Wednesday and an ultrasound exactly one week later.
Scott just snapped some belly pix in the backyard, many of them quite unflattering, lol. The sun was in my eyes. Plus the sun was feeling kinda warm and I was ready to get back into the cool house.
I was planning to delete the scowling face one (the last one in the set above) from the camera entirely, but my Scott says, "No! The one with the Mad Face? That's the cutest one! It's the real you!"
"Mad face? I wasn't mad, baby – look, that's just intensity."
Yeah, yeah – anyway, he thought I should not delete the photo because he says all the other smiling photos of me are not truly representative. I have to admit: I think he has a point. 
And just for fun comparison, the progression set:
Mom to 4 kids and 2 stepkids, I am a writer writing in the heart of chaos. I am the co-founder and former editor of 
I can remember wanting so badly for my pregnancy to get to the point where I "looked pregnant" and then being terrified that it was halfway over and I just wasn't ready for baby. Such an intense time! Congrats on a smooth pregnancy!
faerie~wings
17 Feb 07 at 5:50 pm
I just adore your boy!
PJ
17 Feb 07 at 6:16 pm
Kristine
17 Feb 07 at 6:38 pm
I loved those butterfly flutters when I was pregnant with my son. They are just the most magical movements.
Kristen
17 Feb 07 at 7:35 pm
You're even more adorable! Pregnancy becomes you, that's for sure! I'm trying to get over that horrible cough/flu too. Doesn't seem to want to go away. It feels like taking a sledge hammer to my head would feel better. LOL! Glad you're on the other side of that!
shellakers
17 Feb 07 at 8:34 pm
Yea, my belly (annoyingly) gets in my way too. I thought I was just exaggerating that feeling, until I saw you mention it aswell. Working at the pre-k, and having to bend over and pick up toys at the end of the day, is a KILLER.
papRheart.
19 Feb 07 at 5:50 pm
Hey hun, I know I've already commented on this post, but you mentioned having the yucky cough and stuff. Well, now I have it, and it is KILLING me. I cannot get any sleep and my throat feels like I drank acid lastnight.
I was wondering what, if anything, you took whenever you were sick? I dont want to have to call my doc AGAIN and ask him a stupid question (I fear he will be annoyed with me before too long..). Any advice would be good advice. Thanks. <33
papRheart.
23 Feb 07 at 11:08 am
Oh, I'm sorry you're sick!! I'm cross posting this to your blog entry about it, too.
It is hellish when you can't take Nyquil, isn't it???
First, I recommend a warm mist humidifier running all night.
Lots and lots and lots of fluids to help loosen the congestion. Cough
drops help, too. Hot soup for lunch. Warm, steamy baths (not too hot!)
and showers. Saline drops.
With those basic relief measures, I managed to avoid any medications,
but check with your doc, most will be okay with Tylenol for fever (some
even okay ibuprofen in the first and second trimesters, but I'm too
cautious to risk it) and Robitussin (expectorant ingredient only) to help loosen excretions.
I don't know if you have the sinus component (yet) and I've never tried this but have heard good things about using a neti pot for sinus congestion and cold symptom relief.
((hug)) Hang in there!
beba
23 Feb 07 at 12:15 pm