10 weeks: baby is the size of a strawberry

I suggested to Evan that we skip a week or two of baby bump photos since still there's nothing going on and he said, "Nooo! We'll regret it!"Apparently he is more invested in these than I realized. After all, he is the photographer. 

Baby has now completed the most critical part of development and all the vital organs are in place and functioning! Nails and hair are starting to appear now. Crazy to think all this is happening when I don't feel a thing.  

My symptoms are still full-force but I see a light at the end of the tunnel with the end of first trimester just a couple weeks away. Still haven't puked - woot woot! At this point I'm feeling pretty thick in the midsection but I can still button all my pants. I've only gained 3 lbs but it feels like 10, all in the midsection. I'm pretty emotional these days. Evan and I went to see a tuba Christmas concert last weekend and I started to cry during one of the songs. Evan goes, "Awww, does this remind you of a childhood memory? Are you missing your family?" Nope, just crying because I'm pregnant. Pay no attention to the lunatic crying in public at a tuba concert.

We had our first appointment with the obstetrician on Friday, which was exciting. It was fun to sit in the waiting room amongst a bunch of pregnant ladies at different stages of pregnancy. "I'm one of them now," I thought. Like part of a special club. Some had young children with them, too. "Boo-boos" as Evan calls them, dogs and babies are "boo-boos." It's endearing. We were mailed a folder when we made the appointment that included a bunch of information and a lengthy health history questionnaire. In the days leading up to the appointment we were reminded three times to bring the questionnaire. We brought the questionnaire. The first appointment lasted about an hour and included height, weight, a pelvic exam, an ultrasound, some blood work, discussion of genetic testing, and answering our questions. The best part of the appointment was getting to see baby with the ultrasound cart they rolled into the room. It wasn't as clear as the first one but we saw baby wiggling all over the place and the heart beat. I'm sharing one of the photos they gave us below where baby's arms are outstretched. So cute!

Since the appointment went well and we knew our risk of miscarriage is pretty low at this point, we decided to share the pregnancy news more broadly with friends and family. What a relief it has been to get this wonderful secret off my chest! And to share and compare my pregnancy experience with my family and other mommy friends.