Rookie *hearts* rhubarb

Hi everyone! I'm back from a short but rather exhausting trip to Memphis earlier this week-- got up at 4:45 Monday am and got back last night around 2 am after a 3.5 hour flight delay in Atlanta... so the Rookie, and I, are looking forward to a good night's sleep. I felt a bit like an incomplete tourist in Memphis as a pregnant vegetarian: no barbecue, no night out on the town, but I did get to take a walk to/down Beale Street and hear some live music before taking off yesterday. I think the tiredness is contributing to my lack of decision-making ability when it comes to getting dressed these days -- certainly, the extra 15 minutes it took me to get dressed today. Basically, I can't decide how "pregnant" I look, or should look-- for those who don't know me (and the fact I gain weight in my hips and thighs), I am looking chubby but probably not pregnant. I don't have much clothing that is semi-maternity; though a good chunk of my wardrobe is still working, when I am tempted to stray into the generously provided maternity clothes of Stacey and Lea, I end up discarding them (and taking lots of extra time) because I don't want to look that pregnant yet. They are smart gals who bought tops with plenty of room for a growing belly. I can tell that my uterus is getting bigger and, as it does that, moving up as well as out-- it is now a hard ball that almost goes as far up as my belly button. It's spring here so that means I've had some rhubarb! Kate generously made dessert (and dinner) last week before she took off for a work trip to Yellowstone, and I made a rhubarb crisp that I enjoyed for breakfast this am (and will again the next couple of days). I'm thinking of Dad, and Uncle Ned, as I introduce the Rookie to that essential ingredient indrectly. Nice and tart! I/we haven't yet felt any Rookie flutterings... but I'm on the lookout! (or "feel"out!). To answer a question many are asking, we will do an ultrasound in a few weeks and will find out the gender. The birth center doesn't do ultrasounds onsite so it will be a separate appointment from our normal pre-natal checkup next Wednesday. But, we'll get to hear that heart rate again, an experience I find addicting! And, for those wondering how the frisbee tourney went: despite valiant play by many on our team (and perhaps because of the absence of others, including rockstar player Kate), we went 1-3 in Saturday's games and so our season (and my 2008 playing, I think) has come to an end. I felt pretty great overall-- not necessarily any more exhausted or sore than is typical after 6+ hours of running around, though there were several discs flying beyond my reach in the end zone and I noticed I'm not as fast (not that I'm all that fast anyways...) as normal. Overall I feel proud of my body (and a little relieved) for being strong enough for a full day of activity this far into the process. Ironically, it was Chris whose play was limited-- he's torn a muscle or something in his back he's getting treated as I type by a chiropractor. I'm very excited to celebrate Bub and Kate's birthday this weekend, and spend good quality time with my family in the wilds of WV. For more on the pepper-size participant's latest developments as we head into the holiday time off, read on below. Hope all is well! love merrie