The Rookie's vessel is a bit older these days...

Hi folks! The Rookie is the size of a turnip this week, and it's noticeable almost daily when I wake up that I'm getting a little bit bigger. That said, I'm still wearing more of my normal clothes than pregnancy clothes, and sometimes still wonder if I just imagined the whole thing. Who knows?!?!?!!?
It's true-- I did get older this week, and celebrated my birthday last Saturday outside of Nashville (at a state park that was used as the setting for the epic 80s drama, Ernest Goes to Camp). On my birthday I got my first swim of 2008, and the Rookie's first swim as well... though, from her/his perspective, maybe it was no different-- always swimming! I've noticed that I've got some energy back-- I can stay up "late" (meaning, more of my normal bedtime) and almost not notice. It's worth noting, though, that I am firing off this email before going to sleep before 11 on a Friday. But, Chris and I have to rest up for our frisbee tournament this weekend and I admit that I am a bit nervous about playing up to 7 full games this weekend (four tomorrow, up to 3 on Sunday depending on how we do). I think I am game for it, though will probably move a bit slower. Good excuse to find the slowest member of the opposite team to guard. :) We did play some tennis last night and I think my game is compromised a bit-- felt an uncomfortable stretch when I was first serving or lunging after a ball, so I decided to not serve so hard or do so much lunging. Made for a not as competitive game (or an ego booster for Chris, who played particularly well).
The Rookie and I have a busy few weeks coming up-- short Monday morning- Tuesday night trip to Memphis to present at a conference, celebrating Kate and Robin's birthday in WV over Memorial Day, traveling to visit Annie O in PA and do some fun wedding planning May 28-30, then high school friend Kathy's wedding in Atlanta May 30-June 1, and another work conference at Allegheny College June 4-5. Good thing I'll have company for long drives to/from PA! Hopefully, I will be back well in time for Lea and Wes' new arrival-- their due date is June 20 and it's hard to imagine she's got a whole month of getting even bigger! I got to feel Charlie kick for the first time over dinner this evening-- very cool.
For those who want even *more* detail about week-by-week fetus development, read on below and you might want to check out this site: http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/calendar/week17. And, wish the Floppy Discs luck as we strive to finally win a season-end tournament!
love merrie