Tummy Thursday

• I'm currently about halfway through my seventh week. Most of the important stuff should have been specified by now, and we are working on making a more defined head region. The neural tube will close soon, and the head folds are defining the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain. The eye, ear and nose are flat regions of epithelium called placodes, and the fore-limbs are starting to form. The kid has a tail, and hind-limbs might be "bumps" along the body axis right now. The placenta is definitely developing more, establishing a more firm connection with my blood stream, and sucking all the nutrients out of my body. Progesterone has taken over as my major hormone, slowing my gut considerably, but allowing the pregnancy to progress. Thankfully, my uterus is still tucked under my pubic bone, but it won't be for much longer.
• I've started to experience the wonderment and joy of morning sickness. Or, as it should be called, all the time sickness. Ugh.
• Most food doesn't sound good to me unless it's very plain, and very bland. Strong odors, or strong tastes really get my stomach churning. Except for chili and olives. Go figure that one out. 
• I have no desire for sweets, and most of the things I will eat involve fruits or veggies. My husband has taken to cutting up some carrots for me to take to work every day. I can't automatically know what I want to eat for lunch, so I've been getting lunch most days. It usually ends up being soup and a milk. 
• Strangely, dairy doesn't bother me, and a bowl of cereal has become my "go-to" settle my stomach situation.
• Yesterday was the first day I just couldn't do a thing. I was so nauseous, I could barely get up off the couch, and I definitely didn't make it to work. Today is a little bit better, but I'm filling up on peppermint tea, and I've got a stash of ginger ale and saltines in my desk. Ugh.
• My mind is definitely elsewhere, and not on my work. I am somewhat concerned that I have to attend a meeting in Cambria next weekend, where I'm rooming with one of my lab-mates. I am hoping she doesn't find my needing saltines, ginger ale, and a constant supply of weird food to be an obvious tip-off that I'm pregnant. I'm still feeling unsure about letting people know when things are still pretty early on. 
• My due date, according to the interwebs, is Oct 20. I like Oct. I think it's a good month. 
• I finally got an appointment with an OB/Gyn for the end of this month. I will be 10 weeks and 5 days (read, almost 11 weeks) at my first OB/Gyn appointment. And that appointment is not even with a doctor, it's with a nurse. I think it's ridiculous that I have to wait that long to see an actual doctor - I will be well into my second trimester, I am sure. I love that people think there isn't a health care crisis, but there really is. Not having prenatal care is a huge concern in the US, putting us somewhere around number 30 in the developed world for infant mortality and prenatal care. Disturbing, if you ask me.
• Sometimes, I just can't stomach my prenatal vitamins. Last night, before going to bed, I was so nauseous I just couldn't do it. And this morning, my stomach is still so sensitive. I guess it's a good thing this kid is a parasite. Hopefully, I can replace what it takes. 
• I think the news is starting to sink in a little bit to both my husband and I. We are both thoroughly freaked out, and fairly worried about the whole scenario, but we are working our way through our emotions. All I know is that somehow, we will do this, and we'll do it together, so that's comforting.
• My Mother-in-law called me the other day to tell me that they would do anything to help out in any way that they can. That's such a lovely comfort, I have to say. She has saved all of Alex's niece's clothes since she was born, so if we have a girl (or even if we have a boy - the first year stuff doesn't matter anyways) we are set for a bit. That's nice to know.
• Personally, I think we are having a boy. But that just might be because my friend's mom did this pendulum thing on me that is supposed to tell you how many kids you'll have. She said I was gonna have 4 boys. And then I fainted. Literally.