T Minus 5 Months (or thereabouts)

We got to hear the heartbeat of "the Bean" (as we have now affectionately dubbed Baby Ward) for the first time at the second appt with Dr. Van Der Linden Nov 8th - still very strong at 156 bpm. My blood pressure was a little low giving me the excuse to add more salt to my diet. The following week had my second appt with the diabetes team at VGH - have gained about 10 pounds and blood sugar looks great. Nov 21st was another day of bloodwork for the triple screen test to detect chromosomal abnormalities. Definitely suffering from more mood swings, skin getting itchy around my growing belly. One day your pants fit you and the next day they don't! Wierd. Ian has taken on his responsibility of dad very seriously by monitoring my diet like a hawk. Call him the food nazi. Have a big love of cheese and my lactose intolerance seems to have disappeared due to pregnancy hormones. Took first belly shot this month.

T Minus 6 Months (or thereabouts)

A month of firsts! Spent the first week of October in Las Vegas with 9 friends - stayed at the MGM Grand and had a blast (except for having to pass up on all those yummy giant alcoholic slurpies). Got to see the sights, play the slots, experience Cirque de Soleil and watched Jet at the Hard Rock Hotel. All in all a really fun few days - did not feel tired at all due to the constant inflow of pure oxygen being pumped throughout the hotel. Discovered flying in your first trimester however is not all that fun. Had my first obstetrician appointment Oct 11th with Dr. Ann Van Der Linden - just my kind of doctor - has a big sense of humour & makes me laugh. Figure I will get along with her fabulously. Had my first round of prenatal bloodwork done Oct 12th - took 7 viles! Spent the following Saturday shoppinat Thyme Maternity for my first maternity outfits, a pair of jeans and black pants (staples in any woman's closet). Regular pants definitely getting tighter. Oct 25th was my first appointment at the Gestational Diabetes Clinic at VGH (Victoria General Hospital) - spent a couple of hours with my endocrinologist, a dietician and diabetes nurse. Lots of work ahead making sure that my blood sugar is good while the baby develops but test results all great.

T Minus 7 Months (or thereabouts)

Came back from our fabulous sun & rum filled vacation in Bermuda on Fri Sept 1st. Noticed on the flight back home that I wasn't feeling all too good but did not pay much attention. After some mathematical calculations we decided to take a pregnancy test on Fri Sept 8th - the plus sign showed up before the test was even done! Had the first ultrasound at 5 weeks 6 days - could not see anything yet, but was told it was probably too soon. Went home feeling disappointed. Went back for a second ultrasound at 7 weeks 6 days and low and behold there was a tiny blob & strong heartbeat of 155 bpm. What a relief! Experiencing the usual early symptoms - lots of bathroom trips, very tired & having bouts of nausea - not to mention lettuce gives me the creeps!