I had my first root canal on Monday. Whee! It wasn’t too bad, except for the drilling, all the stuff they clamp on your mouth, and the gagging. And the fact that I have to go back for the filling, and then again for the crown. Blah. Getting my teeth checked was on my list of things to do before I got pregnant, but nobody told me I’d only have a few weeks! Did I miss the memo? Anyway, at least it’s underway. No nuts or chips for me for a little while.

Tiny Miss Quimby spent yesterday using my bladder as a trampoline. She apparently wanted to give me a preview of the ENTIRE THIRD TRIMESTER. Fun to feel her moving, not so much fun having to pee every five minutes or so. She mightily protests waistbands of any kind, so I’ve been wearing a pair of jeans that really won’t fit me until  a couple months from now.

I think about half the female population of Austin is pregnant right now. I know a bunch of other pregnant ladies, and they know a bunch – most of my dentist’s office is pregnant (or recently gave birth). They told me not to drink the water – but it’s too late. I call them recession babies. We all stayed at home a lot this last year and availed ourselves of free entertainment. By which I mean cable TV and the internet, of course.

In other news I have a new article coming out in the next issue of The Systems Thinker, and am pitching a series to Austin Woman. So keep your fingers and toes crossed on that one!

Despite my best efforts to avoid all the viruses making the rounds in Austin right now, I finally succumbed to a nasty head cold. While certainly better than the flu for many reasons, it’s wicked uncomfortable and lame. I’m going to the doctor to get checked out just in case, mostly because any virus tends to kick up my asthma which is no fun. I seriously wish I had avoided this, but at least it’s not an ass-kicking flu, which I continue to hope to avoid. Luckily, I’ve been on a soup kick, so I have some good leftovers. I’m headed to the doc this afternoon just to be on the safe side. Any cold or flu tends to wreak havoc on my asthma.

On the good news front, I didn’t get sick until Saturday night, so David and I had a great Saturday walking around the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center taking pictures. Best. Light. Ever. Cloudy days rock for the photography. David got some particularly nice shots – he kept stealing the big camera from me.

Tiny Miss Quimby is definitely kicking up a storm now. As we speak. At first it seemed like only when I was sitting up and had something elastic-y on my lower abdomen, now it’s pretty much whenever. And I can feel it in several points in the same general area, rather than just one spot like at first. I’m looking forward to looking in on her on Thursday at the anatomy ultrasound. I guess I could be paranoid about that too, but since we made it through all the genetic mishigas I’m feeling a bit more pragmatic. I’ll post more pictures after the appointment!

* Update: after two frustrating and painful  hours – a big swab stuck way up the nose and twisted around when you have swollen sinuses is NOT FUN – I do not have the flu. Just an annoying cold.

Cool stuff from Nerdy Baby. Check it out!

The final amnio results came back this morning and all is good in genetic babyland. Even though our insurance company will probably gouge us, getting the early results were well worth it, as I would have had several heart attacks by now if I’d been forced to wait. And while I’m mostly loving living chemical free, I’ve missed my xanex like you wouldn’t believe over the past two weeks.

Still, now we know stuff is good, and we can RELAX a bit. We’re having a high-power ultrasound in a couple weeks with Dr. Barry, and I think after that it’s back to regular old prenatal care.

Things are stretching. Ever heard of Round Ligament Pain? Look it up. I’m hoping it stays as intermittent as it is right now, because OW. I took a good long walk today, so hopefully that won’t make it worse.

Plans are underway for TMQ’s room. All I can say is it’s not going to involve any baby pink and it’s going to be wicked cool. I will probably want to move in. We should have the paint and carpet picked out shortly, and then Daddy and Grandpa will get to work! I may get enlisted to paint some furniture, but I’m cool with that. Anybody enjoy sanding? Anyone?