We had been trying for over a year (maybe closer to 18 months) to get pregnant. In the midst of throwing birthday parties for The Little Clown and Thanksgiving festivities, we discovered we had succeeded. The doctor confirmed it four long agonizing days later. By that time we were about five weeks along. I immediately stopped drinking Coke, any alcohol, and slowed my consumption of chocolate. Big ol' horse pill sized prenatal vitamins replaced my daily generic Centrums, and I went from not being that hungry to being starving and eating a bunch of little meals all day long.

We told The Little Clown that she was going to be a big sister sometime this summer, and gave her the important task of telling our families about it.

We're all very excited about it. This baby is going to bring some changes to the Three Ring Circus. The name remains the same though. I imagine "Three Ring Circus" will be an even better description in a few short months.

Stats:

Due date: July 25, 2002

Names: We have a boy name and a girl name all picked out. No, we are not telling what they are. You're welcome to guess, though.

Will you find out what it is?: We're pretty sure it's a baby. (grin) Yes, we're going to see if we can find out boy or girl, but we won't take anything they tell us as gospel until we see this little Belly Bean face to, um, face.

Did you find out with The Little Clown?: We tried, but even the day before I went into labor, "her feet were covering the information" and the technicians and doctors could not tell us for sure either way.

Are you going back to work after the baby is born?: Yes, the plan is for me to go back to work at this time.

I've discovered a pregnancy site online and use it to follow the progress of the Belly Bean.

  Week number: 8
I'm feeling: Tired.
Weight gained: 1 lb.
Still fitting in those jeans?: You know it, baby.
Number of people who wanted to rub my belly: 0

We've told a few more people still about the baby. The Little Clown has come up with a couple of names on her own for the baby. "Frances" for a girl (I guess I should stop saying "Relax Frances" huh?) and "Even" for a boy. (If we had a boy, there would be two girls and two boys in the Three Ring Circus, so technically, it would be EVEN.)

The link says the Belly Bean is "about the size of a pinto bean."
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  Week number: 9
I'm feeling: More tired.
Weight gained: 1 lb.
Still fitting in those jeans?: Yeppers.
Dumb comment of the week: "Have you thrown up yet?!" (the asker was all excited to know if I'd gotten sick... goofy)
Number of people who wanted to rub my belly: 0

Woo-hoo! The Belly Bean is "close to the size of a medium green olive."

We've finally told the last of the people we needed to tell in person, so now I can post this Belly Bean page! Yippee! Be prepared for seven long months of Belly Bean-osity!
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  Week number: 10
I'm feeling: Still a bit tired, but at least the 'yucky' feeling that made me eat something every few hours is fading away.
Weight gained: 1 lb.
Best thing about being pregnant over the holidays: Not having to watch what I eat for fear of putting on those holiday pounds!
Still fitting in those jeans?: Yes, but it's not pretty, or comfortable. I'm now somewhere between my favorite regular jeans and maternity pants. Thank goodness for elastic waistbands.

I saw a little tray of "medium green olives" on Christmas day and thought "Hm. That's what our baby looks like, without the pimento, of course." The Belly Bean is "the size of a small plum." Maybe I should look ahead to see what week "casaba melon" or "the great pumpkin" is...

On Christmas Eve, I actually went to Target for a few items of clothing for me. Maternity clothes. I was uncomfortable in my favorite jeans, as well as my bra and was in desperate need of replacements. I found some maternity shirts on sale, and a couple of pants, as well as a lovely, soft, warm, blue nightgown that reaches to my ankles. It is not classified as maternity, but there is plenty of room in it for the Belly Bean, too. I love it.

My Mom and Dit bought me a couple of maternity outfits that I really love. I've already worn one of the shirts. Thank you!!
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  Week number: 11
I'm feeling: Right now, good. The last few days I've been cranky and headache-y.
Weight gained: 1 lb.
Still fitting in those jeans?: Jeans? No. BUT I think I have about 5-7 days left to fit into my black docker-like pants. Then it will be on to the maternity-wear. That's ok, too. I really don't mind.
Little Clown Suggested Baby Names: Girl names: Jesus, Ginger Ale, Frances (again). Boy names: Carl
Little Clown Imp-ism: She pointed to my belly and laughed the other day! The nerve!

Only once have I used the phrase "the baby wants (insert food item here)" so far. The Little Clown, however is a quick study and surprised me days later with this statement, "Mom, I think the baby wants you to go upstairs with me and play with me for a little while."

Everything is going along fine with the Belly Bean and I. The Belly Bean is "about the size of a large lime." I had a bit of spotting after I hefted a pretty heavy load of laundry up three flights of stairs, and lugged around my not-too-light "go-everywhere-with-me" backpack. I totally learned my lesson. No lifting heavy loads of laundry for me anymore.

My next doctor's appointment is January 9.

All I can think about is pizza. I have been having honest to goodness cravings for taco dip, spaghetti, tacos and pizza for the past week or two. I don't remember having any cravings the first time around... except for the standard chocolate and Coca-Cola (which I didn't give in to until after The Little Clown was born).

The Ringmaster and I were watching some of the Maternity Ward marathon on TLC the other day when it hit me. We are going to have another little baby! (I'm nothing if not quick)
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Week number: 12
I'm feeling: Pretty good. Tired.
Weight gained: 3 lbs.
Still fitting in those jeans?: Jeans? No on the blue jeans, yes (barely) on the stretchier black jeans. I recently discovered some of my 'regular' clothes still fit me! Yippee!
Little Clown Suggested Baby Names: Girl names: Mimi

We went to the doctor today and got the A-ok to stop taking the progesterone and listened to The Belly Bean's heartbeat for the first time. ( ! ) The 'yucky tummy' seems to have disappeared, and the sudden fondness (to put it mildly) for tacos, nacho dip and pizza seems to have stuck around.

Four words. Black Leather-looking Maternity Pants. Hee hee.

Ok, I must be pregnant. (duh) I just spilled something on my blazer. It's either tomato soup or chocolate shake. Ellyn commented how that combination sounds horrible. It didn't occur to me that it was.

The other day, I had bought a Sara Lee Butter Struesel Coffee Cake to cut into pieces for my breakfast throughout this week. The Little Clown called it a pie, and when she heard my stomach grumbling the next morning, she said "I think the baby wants some of that pie, Mom."

My profile around 11-1/2 weeks. This is the most comfortable nightgown, and worth every penny of the $12.50 I spent for it. Before you ask where my head is, realize I did you all a favor at this time by not having it in the picture. When The Ringmaster took the picture here, I told The Little Clown it was for my web site. Her response, "What beb site, Mom?"
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Week number: 13
I'm feeling: Like three of the seven dwarfs, and I don't mean size-wise.
Weight gained: 3 lbs. to date
Still fitting in those jeans?: Ha ha ha. Some of my other regular clothes still fit, though.
Conflicting statements of the week:"Are you sure it's not twins?" then a few days later "You're finally starting to look like you're pregnant!"

We're at week 13 and The Belly Bean is "about the size of a peach."

I've been achey and sleepy and whiney (aren't those three of Snow White's dwarfs?), and I'm very much looking forward to feeling this baby move around in there. I've felt a lot of muscle twitches recently, but it's too early to be the baby. Right now I'm at the stage where I just feel out of sorts for no reason. (Well, yes, there is a big reason, however...)

I was terribly uncomfortable in my regular jeans last night at school, even though they were unbuttoned at the waist (covered up by a baggy sweatshirt). The class was an hour longer than I had previously thought, and during the last hour, I reached the point where if he didn't dismiss us soon, I was going to run from the room screaming all the way home where I could remove my jeans, if I could still get them off without the jaws of life, that is.

My co-worker commented that I'm starting to look like I'm pregnant. That's because I opted for comfort today and dressed in the maternity dress my Mom bought me. It's wonderfully comfy and warm, and when I bend from the waist, it kind of "pouches" out a bit making me look more pregnant than I am.

I'm in a good mood, just very tired. I'm looking forward to that second trimester burst of energy I keep hearing about. (Someone wake me when they see it coming, ok? I don't want to miss it.)

Caffeine and pregnancy: I don't drink Coca-Cola and limit my chocolate while I'm pregnant. (I have too been limiting my chocolate. I think one pound a day is a good limit, don't you?) (kidding folks... I'm kidding)
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Week number: 14
I'm not sure what happened to the original week 14 entry, but I can't find it now. You'll have to settle for this.
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Week number: 15
I'm feeling: Not too shabby. Good, actually.
Weight gained: 5 lbs. to date
Still fitting in those jeans?: I've finally found *the perfect* maternity jeans. Finally.
Little Clown Suggested Baby Names: All are girl names: Funny, Alison, or "Little Baby Small Baby Me Bigger"

The Belly Bean is "close to the size of a softball." Our next appointment is next week. I'll post a new picture at that time.

The site says "Pregnancy may not be obvious to other people when you wear regular street clothes. But it may become obvious if you start wearing maternity clothes or put on a swimming suit." Bwahahahahaha!! A swimming suit! Hahaha -- oh, wait, I might have to get one of those, huh? I wonder if my bikini will fit me.
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Week number: 16
I'm feeling: Good, good.
Weight gained: 5 lbs. to date
Still fitting in those jeans?: Have I mentioned that I love my maternity jeans? I do.
Boy or Girl: We still don't know for sure, and we won't tell if we find out. I've had a few "boy dreams", but not for a couple of weeks now. The Little Clown is sure (this week) that it's a boy. "Just because"

We had our doctor's appointment this past week. I say "we" because the whole Three Ring Circus went. The Little Clown came with The Ringmaster and I this time so she could hear the Belly Bean's heartbeat. She thought it was "cool" and that it sounded a bit like a train.

It was different for The Little Clown to see me at the dr's office, and that I get weighed and my blood pressure checked, too, just like she does when she goes to the doctor.

My blood pressure is typically low, and I've been having some of those spontaneous headaches... you know the kind that go away within 15 seconds, but hurt like hell for that time? I've had a few of those, so the doctor has asked me to keep track of how often I get them, etc. It's probably nothing, but she wants to keep an eye on that.

Week 16 on the website (link above) is actually a bit boring, apparently there is nothing much going on. The Belly Bean is getting bigger, I'm getting bigger. I've rounded up all my old maternity clothes and determined which I'll wear this time around, and hung them up in the closet. The Ringmaster just shakes his head at my "get ups" these days. I have a fair amount of maternity clothes (some new, some from the first time around), but when I get home, I find something far more comfy to climb into -- the pants to my purple snowman jammies and one of The Ringmaster's old workshirts, or even a long t-shirt kind of nightgown, finished off with a pair of warm black socks with jelly beans on them, or some other white pair. I know I look like a bum, but I'm so darn comfortable that way.

I had about five or six people today comment. "Oh! Are you... you know...?" For grins, I told some of them it was a beer belly. Another woman said "So, you signed up again huh? I could have talked you out of it." I just thought, wow, how sad because I think she really meant it.
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Week number: 17
I'm feeling: Pretty darn good.
Weight gained: 6 lbs. to date
Still wearing the belly ring?: Yup.
Amusing comments: See Below

We're at week 17 now, and there's not much to tell, really. The Belly Bean "is about the size of your hand spread open wide," and I'm within the normal weight gain. Despite what this picture looks like.

I've felt "something" on a few separate occasions. It could have been a muscle twitch, or The Belly Bean checking out the surroundings. I'm not sure yet. I had a dream, though, that I could feel movement, and it felt awfully real. Maybe The Belly Bean is saving the tap dancing for when I'm sleeping.

Some amusing things that have been said to me, or that I've heard this past week include:

"Oh Kel, I saw that Sex In The City episode a few weeks ago where Miranda is hugely pregnant and totally flatulent. Did you see that one? It reminded me of you."

"Kelli front and cargo" (or maybe "Kelli's front cargo") and an alternate name for The Belly Bean "that blooming belly bulger." Both attributed to Doug. I just read an article on post partum depression. I'm not messing around with any post partum depression symptoms this time.
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Week number: 18
I'm feeling: I can't tell you how sexy I feel when the tops of all my underwear reach half way up my ribs.
Weight gained: 6 lbs. to date
Still wearing the belly ring?:Yup.
The Web Site says: "Your uterus is the size of a cantaloupe or a little larger." Ah, finally. I was wondering when "cantaloupe" would be mentioned.
The Web Site also says: "Your weight gain to this point should be 10 to 13 pounds." Cool. I'm below that.

Our next appointment is during the first week of March. The doctor will schedule the ultrasound at that time. Not for the same day as the doctor's appointment, but shortly after that.

We have new security badges with our picture on them for work now, and they have to be "prominently displayed at all times." Mine is on a cord so I can wear it like a necklace. The cord and the badge land just about to my waist (where it used to be anyway). It is vaguely amusing, actually. Rather than just hanging there, the badge bobbles back and forth across my ever-rounding belly when I walk.

My boss, a very nice man, was sitting at his desk the other day when I walked into his office with some paperwork. I do this quite a bit, and it never disturbs him. He is usually entirely focused on something, and I sometimes wonder if he even realizes I was just there. As I turned around and began to walk out of his office this time, I heard him say, "You're starting to look a little pregnant." What do I say to that? Thank you?
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Week number: 19
I'm feeling: I'm feeling a bit achey and tired, but I should be used to that by now.
Weight gained: 7 lbs. to date
Still wearing the belly ring?: Yup.
Still wearing the rings on your fingers?: Nope. I took them off last week for fear I wouldn't be able to take them off later.
The Web Site says: Your baby weighs about 7 ounces. It’s incredible to think your baby will increase its weight more than 15 times between now and delivery. Heh, "incredible" isn't the word I would use, Bub.
Fun fact: The waddle is settling in. I'm waddling already folks. Wooo.

I'm beginning to feel The Belly Bean move around, but it's nothing consistent. A few days ago, The Ringmaster and I watched The Learning Channel - Labor and Delivery. NOT a good idea. One woman delivered a 2 month premature 10 POUND baby. Can you imagine if she would have "cooked" that baby longer?! Holy cow. There were some other stories I probably shouldn't have watched, too. Bleh. One woman's labor progressed so fast, she couldn't have an epidural. I poked my belly and told the bean that he/she'd better give me enough time. I need that epidural.

Ask a rhetorical question, someone will come up with an answer, or even several. My dear e-pal Doug solved my dilemma about what to say to my boss (or anyone) when they say to me "You're looking a little pregnant today." Here are some of my favorites.

And you also, might be the beer though.

Thanks, you are the second man to notice.

It happened to me one night in a fit of madness, and boy am I mad.

Naaah, its just the way the light is coming in through the window.

Shh, don't say anything and nobody will notice.

Not bad for eight months, huh ?

Don't come too close, I hear its contagious.

Don't say that in anyone else's hearing, it is a top secret government thing.

Week number: 20
I'm feeling: Pregnant
Weight gained: 8 lbs. to date
Little Clown Suggested Baby Names: Girl - Emily Addison (first and middle name), Boy - Carl
Question of the week: "Kelli, it looks like we're expecting. Is that the case?" Well, it's not a toom-a. My reply: "I can't speak for you, but yes, I'm having another baby."
Comment of the week: You've really popped in the last week (golly, thanks)

We're at the halfway point, and the baby weighs about 9 ounces now. We've had both, a doctor's appointment and the ultrasound this week. The Belly Bean was moving around so much during the ultrasound, it was difficult for the technician to get the necessary measurements.

Did we find out what it is? You bet.

The Belly Bean is an alien, and we have six pictures to prove it.

There was no way we could have gotten a decent digital camera picture of the monitor during the ultrasound, and I think scanning these ultrasound pictures is out of the question. The little feet are the only thing visible in one picture, and just two little fists are visible in another one. In the other pictures, the head/face are the main focus.

Since The Belly Bean was moving so much, we couldn't tell if it would be a boy or girl. One thing we are sure of though, it's a baby. It just looks a little like an alien in the ultrasound pictures.

So, regardless of whether this Belly Bean will be a boy or a girl, we've seen two feet, two hands, ten fingers, ten toes and a head. That's all we really need to know.
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Week number: 21
I'm feeling: Fair to Mostly Sunny
Weight gained: 10 lbs. to date
Little Clown Suggested Baby Names: Girl - Emily Ann (first and middle name), Boy - Carl (Still)

Counting Down:
Days left until Due Date: 129
Days left until Maternity Leave: 19 weeks (this number is based on the due date)
Days left of School: 7 weeks (not including Spring Break)

Back to food comparisons! The Belly Bean "is about the size of a large banana."

The Belly Bean has been doing some great tap-dancing the last few days, and so far, I'm enjoying it. Both The Ringmaster and The Little Clown have been able to feel the baby move now, too. Last time around, it seemed like forever until The Ringmaster could feel it. He would often (jokingly) tell me I was making it up.

The first time The Little Clown felt The Belly Bean move, her eyes got real big and a really great smile lit up her whole face. That lasted all of about ten seconds before she went on to something else.

This week's comment was too funny not to mention (sorry!). During a conversation about how cold the temperature was of a certain house we were visiting, I commented that I was quite comfortable, and didn't feel chilled at all. *Someone's* reply to me was "Well, with the extra weight you've put on, you should feel warmer." It was an innocently intended comment, although if it came from anyone else, it might be suspect. When I told *this someone* how much weight I've put on, she again put her foot in her mouth by saying "WOW! That's a big jump!" (*Someone* is really a kind-hearted person, and always makes me smile.)

This morning, it occured to me that I only have (approximately) 19 more weeks left of work before my maternity leave. I guess I can make it through 19 more Mondays. I was still feeling a little down though until I received an email from The Ringmaster. All it said was "129 days". Now that made me smile.
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Week number: 22
I'm feeling: Fine, just fine.
Weight gained: 10 lbs. to date
Little Clown Suggested Baby Names: Girl - Emily Ann (first and middle name), Boy - Carl (Still)

Counting Down:
Days left until due date: 126
Weeks left until Maternity Leave: 18 (this number is based on the due date)
Weeks left of school: 6 (not including next week's Spring Break)

The website says "You may feel "comfortably pregnant." It’s kind of fun being pregnant now!" The sarcastic part of me says "Who the blazes wrote this?" The lighter side of me says "It mostly is."

Auugh! Somebody call the cops! My hips and waist have been stolen! They were just here a little while ago.

This week's reading includes sections on lower-back pain and fluid intake. The website says "It’s best to avoid fluids that contain a lot of calories, such as soda. Drink plain water or water with a little fruit juice added for flavor. You’ll find it can be very refreshing and tasty." Refreshing and tasty... oh yeah. Mmmm. Ice water on the rocks. Woo.

Ellyn sent me a Pregnancy Q and A last week, and I thought some of it was pretty funny. Here are the highlights:

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

Week number: 23
I'm feeling: Curvaceous
Weight gained: 11 lbs. to date
Little Clown Suggested Baby Names: Girl - Anna

Counting Down:
Days left until due date: 119
Weeks left until maternity leave: 17 (this number is based on the due date)
Weeks left of school: 6

From the website: "By this week, your baby weighs almost 1 pound (455g)! Its crown-to-rump length is 8 inches (20cm). Your baby is about the size of a small doll." I just pulled out a ruler to visualize 8 inches better. Cool. A whole pound, huh? Oh my. The Belly Bean is such a tiny thing to be moving around in there and testing the "padded walls" so much.

Also from the website: "...you definitely have a round appearance now. Your weight gain should be between 12 and 15 pounds." Hm. I'm only one little tiny pound under that. Excellent.

My dentist told me this week that I have been blessed with a kind of gingivitis that occurs in pregnancy. Oh joy. If I don't take proper care of my teeth and gums for the duration of my pregnancy, I may end up at a periodontist after the baby is born.

Oh, and I've been told that a filling needs to be replaced. I'm a little concerned about having the work done while I'm pregnant. I'm such a wuss, I always get Novocain when I get any teeth filled, and I'm afraid it may harm the baby. My tooth isn't going to fall out or anything, but I was told if it progresses rapidly, I might need a root canal rather than a re-filling.
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