I started feeling the baby move a few weeks ago -- on the early side as these things go, but it was infrequent and easily confused with...you know, digestion-y stuff -- and now it's like a party in there almost every afternoon and evening. At first it was sort of burbly, a little vibration from time to time, but it has since increased in intensity to discernible bumps and rolls, and occasionally I burst out laughing because I swear it's like being tickled from the inside. He (or she) seems to like cocktail hour; between about 5 and 7pm, things get funky in there. If I could eat hot dogs, I'd serve the kid some pigs in blankets to contribute to the ambience.
Speaking of which, here are some of the other things I haven't been eating, thanks to Pregnancy Fear-Mongering: lunch meat (not that I ate it all that often before, but this does make me one of those people at a workplace lunch who stands over the sandwich platter for forty-five minutes trying to figure out which unidentified offering they can eat); burgers or steak (oh, the pain this brings, but if I can't have it medium-rare, I'm not having it at all); pepperoni (some "expert" on one of those crazy-making Ba*byCenter emails said it can harbor listeria, just like lunch meat, sigh); or any soft cheese that I have not confirmed to be pasteurized (I had a slice of white pizza some weeks ago and then nearly perished of anxiety because I hadn't made CERTAIN that the ricotta was "safe").
It's all quite silly, since I recently read that two of the foods that most commonly harbor food-borne illness are spinach and tomatoes, and I have been consuming those by the truckload. So logic and accurate assessment of risk may not play a central role here. Related: I heard that in France, the pregnant ladies are told that all meats and cheeses are fair game, but they should avoid salad. Salad! Zut alors! But since no gestation-related pamphlet or e-mail blast has specifically warned me against eating my beloved veggies here in the great US of A, I am forging ahead.
Also, there's no easy segue into this, but tonight I almost ate a spider. I was merrily finishing up my rosemary-garlic oven fries and suddenly something skittered across the plate, and it was a tiny SPIDER. I have no idea where it came from or how long it was lurking under my dinner, but all things considered, I was fairly unperturbed by it. I guess because spiders aren't on the verboten list; so while I'd really rather not eat one, at least I don't have to live with crushing guilt if I accidentally do. Whereas I have the distinct feeling that if I were to sneak a frankfurter into my diet, the Bad Mother police would find me and pummel me with rubber flipper-babies.
So! Next Monday, we have our big anatomy scan, which means that if the babe cooperates, we'll get to find out if our squirt is of the boy or girl persuasion. OMG, I CANNOT WAIT. And next Thursday, we'll be at 20 weeks. Halfway through! Holy moly. Time flies. I thought the big 20-week reveal would NEVER ARRIVE (and I'm sure this week is going to CRAWL by), but now it's mere days away. So place your bets, ladies and gents! You've got a 50-50 shot. (Not to bias you, but I am still totally convinced it's a boy, and I will fall off the ultrasound table if it turns out to be otherwise.)
I was absolutely, positively, 100% convinced I was having a boy - so much so that I wouldn't even consider girl names. Then we got the results back from the amnio. After telling me the baby was healthy, the genetic counselor asked if I wanted to know the sex. I actually told her that it would be great for her to confirm it for me. Guess what? I have a little girl! I asked the nice lady on the phone to make sure she was looking at the right test. ;)
Good luck with your anatomy scan - I hope your little darling is cooperative and shows you what he or she is.
Posted by: Kimberly | October 25, 2009 at 09:53 PM
I trust the mom sense because I was right about my baby being a girl, so I'll place my bet on a boy for you.
Posted by: Amy K | October 25, 2009 at 10:12 PM
If it comes in a container in the US, and is not, say, bought off a wagon in an artisanal cheese fair, then it is pasteurized and therefore, safe. True story. All cheese sold in the U.S. in mainstream establishments has been pasteurized.
And you know, pepperoni is ALSO fine if it's cooked, as is lunch meat.
Posted by: jonniker | October 25, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Am giggling. My first pregnancy I was insane about all the things I should not eat. Second pregnancy I lived on sushi and blue cheese. Also, I was absolutely convinced of the gender both times and was right once, so I am betting girl just to be difficult.
Posted by: Beth Fish | October 25, 2009 at 11:12 PM
My bet is on boy, but I thought I was having a boy and now there's been a pink and purple explosion in my house in anticipation of my daughter's birth. I am with the above poster on the things you're not supposed to eat. Rules are different in every country. Women in Japan still guzzle beer and eat raw eggs. Women in Europe drink wine liberally. When I want soft cheese or a proscuitto sandwich, I go for it! What the belly wants, the belly gets. :)
Oh, and I'm excited your little one has started moving so much! It's so amazing.
Posted by: Tara | October 26, 2009 at 12:10 AM
i was going to tell you about the french ladies, but you already know that. i wonder what pregnant ladies don't eat in korea, or south africa, or bolivia. this would make for an interesting study for sure.
i thought almost all cheese in the US is (unfortunately) pasturised?
i'm betting on a boy, because mamas usually know these things best. if you had posted a picture, your commentators would be debating the shape of the belly to figure it out...
Posted by: beyond | October 26, 2009 at 12:43 AM
I found this interesting, and you might, too.
http://www.megnut.com/2007/07/how-i-ate-while-pregnant
It's a shame she doesn't blog any longer...
Posted by: Alyce | October 26, 2009 at 01:39 AM
Alyce, I read that piece and mostly followed it while I was pregnant, too. (I didn't have sushi, but that's mostly because there isn't any decent sushi near us.)
The thing is, though, it's SO HARD to do, because pregnancy is fraught with guilt and terror no matter what. I think it's impossible to get through pregnancy without freaking out about what you eat, and we all pick our panic-buttons. Mine was artificial sweeteners, mostly. I was convinced my kid was going to have a flipper from Splenda, no matter how many times the doctors/literature told me it was okay in moderation. It was an issue for me because I HATE sugary soda. HATE. And I craved Diet Coke constantly.
Posted by: jonniker | October 26, 2009 at 10:20 AM
I can't believe it is almost 20 weeks already! Exciting!!!
I am going to guess that you are having a boy.
Posted by: -R- | October 26, 2009 at 10:45 AM
woohoo...almost halfway!!! can't wait to hear the news next wk!
by the way, Whole Foods sells hotdogs that are nitrate-free. I really like the turkey ones...in fact I still eat them now. :) I was an ultra-paranoid eater while pregnant too. I even avoided my ultimate favorite: soft-serve icecream/yogurt b/c of listeria scare.
Posted by: glenna | October 26, 2009 at 12:06 PM
I think girl. Because I was SO SURE I was having girl with my first, and he was not, and SO SURE I was having a boy with my second, and again, wrong.
Posted by: nonsoccermom | October 26, 2009 at 12:12 PM
I'm betting girl!
Posted by: Jennifer | October 26, 2009 at 12:30 PM
My money is on boy.
Posted by: kathy | October 26, 2009 at 01:43 PM
I was completely convinced I was having twin boys...I was only thinking of boy names. At our anatomy scan we found out we were having two girls! So much for my mother's intuition.
Drink something sugary before the scan so the baby moves!
Posted by: Allison | October 26, 2009 at 07:09 PM
I think you are having a girl, but what's weird is that I was typing that sentence and I wrote "I think you are having a bo..." before I realized I was typing the wrong thing. See how I have covered my bases? Either my guess is right, or else I am CHANNELING ANSWERS!
Posted by: Swistle | October 26, 2009 at 08:25 PM
I'm going girl.
Posted by: willikat | October 26, 2009 at 09:32 PM
I'm going with a boy! But - whatever it is... I know you and Joe are going to be amazing parents! Good luck with making it through this slow week Meredith!
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 27, 2009 at 07:51 AM
I am guessing a girl...although the comments above are right; it's usually what the mommy thinks! I'm just always rooting for the underdog!
Heather M.
Posted by: Heather M. | October 27, 2009 at 08:25 AM
I would die without pepperoni. Perish, I tell you.
My money's on a girl.
Posted by: Jamie | October 27, 2009 at 01:30 PM
I totally knew I was having a girl for my first child. Three girls in my family; never been around little boys; totally this was a girl. I was stunned when your brother was born. Ecstatic but stunned: so much for my motherly instincts. My friends all felt I would have a boy and gave me only boy shower gifts!
Posted by: terri | October 27, 2009 at 02:16 PM
Go with your gut (um, so to speak.) My inklings were right about both of my kids, despite people telling me I "carried like" it was one or the other. Your instincts are at least as reliable as wives tales about belly shape and food cravings. So, a boy it is!
Posted by: Sarah | October 29, 2009 at 10:27 PM
I think bebe has made you even funnier, because "rubber flipper babies"? OMG.
Posted by: Jen W. | October 30, 2009 at 01:30 AM
I think boy. Because you have all that girl stuff and the Universe is a bitch like that.
Oh man, I'm SO EXCITED!
Posted by: Leah | October 30, 2009 at 08:28 PM
Girl.
What an exciting milestone! Enjoy!
Posted by: H | November 01, 2009 at 12:39 AM