12 Weeks

Today marks week 12 of pregnancy. We have one more week left of the 1st trimester and, let me tell you, I will not miss it. I am ready for the nausea, exhaustion, and constant bathroom trips to end! I think it's getting a little better, but as soon as I go a few hours without eating, my blood sugar bottoms out and nasty nausea kicks in. My belly is starting to become more prominent, but my clothes are still fitting just fine.

The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Our baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if I prod my abdomen, our baby will squirm in response, although I won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder. Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in the baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, our baby is the size of a peach (3 in.).

David and I toured our hospital (UMC) today! Since I don't really feel pregnant, it was strange to see the birthing suites, nursery, etc. knowing that I will need to stay there in a mere 28 weeks. Once we find out the sex of the baby and once I can feel him/her kick, I think the reality will set in a little more. We are very excited to deliver at UMC. We heard that their c-section rate is 20% compared to 55% at Covenant. Although Covenant was recommended as being the newest and nicest, the determining factor was our doctor who only has privileges at UMC. Also, David and I decided to switch doctors. We are now with Dr. Robert Cassanova (yes, that's the name of an OB/GYN) since pretty much everyone in Lubbock recommended him. We haven't met him yet, but our first appointment with him will be on May 5 (Cinco de Mayo!). Our previous doctor was nice enough, but--long story short--her nurses were inconsiderate and rude to me when I called with concerns.

Last weekend was very eventful for both me and David. While he was away at AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs) in Denver, I went to Boston for an MD/MBA conference. They sent me so that I could better plan the conference next year when it is held in Lubbock.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about baby names. It's also one of the main questions that I am asked (after "How do you feel?" and "When will you find out the sex of the baby?"). David and I have pretty much decided on a boy name, but the girl name has been much more difficult. Here are the names that I like, not necessarily names that David likes. :) Let me know if you like any of them!


Girl names:
Scarlett

Leah

Lydia

Rachel

Fiona

Savannah

Felicity

Rebecca

Anna

Annette

Celeste

Constance

Camille

Caroline

Bianca

Charlotte

Margaret

Vera

Natalie

Vivian

Emilia

Boy names:

George David Clark, III (we would call him George)

Henry Thomas Clark