Ch-ch-ch-changes

1. Breasts. I knew they were supposed to get bigger, but I wasn't prepared for this. I have jumped two cup sizes and in profile look like a two-humped camel with my belly. I know some women welcome the size change, but I'm 5'3" and boobies this size make me feel like one of those Paleolithic fertility goddess statues. And nobody tells you that your nipples get bigger too. How does that work? I thought that was sort of a defined territory. Like elbows and fingertips. Oh, and they change color. From a nice rosy, pretty pink, to a ruddy sort of brownish pink.

2. Mucous. My nose seems to be much leakier these days and I've had a few minor nosebleeds. The Doctor says all mucous membranes are in flux with the hormones right now, so anything that can be lubricated is being lubricated. Including my vajayjay. After the whole implantation bleeding episode, I had a hard time getting used to this development but it seems to be part of the entire process and while annoying, certainly manageable.

3. Sex. See above, but when you're consistently lubricated and most of the blood you produce is gathering in that area, it's like being in a constant state of arousal. Really wonderful if you have a cooperative partner, really unfulfilling if you have a paranoid, neurotic, safety-obsessed husband who probably doesn't find your large brown nipples too exciting anyway.

4. Skin and Hair. This is where it starts to get good. My skin is spectacular right now. I haven't had a breakout or blemish in months and I really do see a different tone to my skin. A pretty, healthy glow that wasn't there before. And my hair which has always been on the fine side, is thick and shiny and full. I feel like a Pantene commercial when I brush my hair in the morning. Of course, all of my girlfriends tell me this is a short-lived luxury and all of that extra hair will fall out in clumps after the baby comes. Will report back on this, but I'm loving it for now.

5. Vertigo. Apparently with all of this extra blood in the network, standing and sitting can cause a bit of the dizzies as all of the blood rushes to reconfigure itself to my feet and head when I change position. So when I stand up, I often get really lightheaded and have to dive my head between my knees to keep from passing out. Not an issue at all at home, but rather funny in a restaurant, parking lot, or some other public place.

6. Gas and Kicks. I mentioned in a past blog about how excited I was for Justin to feel the baby kick. It's such an alien, funny feeling and reassures me that the baby is rocking and rolling in there. So one night about a week ago, I grabbed his hand and put it on my belly, because she was really popping around. He kept his hand there for a minute or two and felt her movements and then took his hand off and turned over to sleep. Really disappointed that he wasn't as thrilled with this new experience as I was, I kept after him, asking "Did you feel it? Isn't it cool? What do you think?" He said, "It feels like you have an upset stomach. It feels like you have gas." I married him for the romance, you know. He's loaded with it.