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Ultrasound pics

I have put this off far too long because I have wanted to write a longer post. A few thoughts instead:

- I can feel the baby kick! It's crazy weird.
- I'm feeling mostly healthy, but when I don't, I have a new sense of anxiety about not feeling well.
- Everything is exciting and scary, all at once.

Approximately two weeks ago, we had the 19 week ultrasound. We did not find out the gender. Everything looks good, so as long as there are no issues that crop up, I shouldn't need another ultrasound. It's hard to believe I am halfway there, because I am just now starting to feel pregnant more often than not.

For the record, this week, I finally started wearing maternity pants on a regular basis. I have given up on my normal work pants. They can button, but they are not comfortable. Thus, this week, I am feeling especially grateful for the stylish friend that loaned me an entire tub of maternity clothes. The shot of me shows her clothes.

Below is a profile shot of the baby. I think you can also see the heart. Side note: during the ultrasound, we could clearly see all four chambers of the heart beating. Amazing!

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The face picture I have affectionately dubbed "Skeletor Baby":

Finally, my favorite picture of our little offspring:

For good measure, a gratuitous shot of me. It was so warm today (around 40F) that I didn't need a jacket, and I felt okay eating a popsicle while walking outside. There is over a foot of snow on the ground, but some melted today. I am excited for spring and warmer temperatures but will miss the snow. With the pregnancy and working to finish my master's thesis, I have not gotten outside enough this winter. I am hoping to squeeze in one cross-country ski outing or a little snowshoe trip before everything melts.

Seattle Pride

On Monday, I wore team colors to show my love for the Seahawks. I worked at games for several years and always loved the energy. Our home stadium is vibrant.  Nothing beats serving up steaming hot chocolate with whipped cream to excited fan. 

Even though the result looked inevitable to many, I didn't breathe easy until the end.  I worked for the Seahawks during the season of their last Superbowl game (and the Mariners during all their hot/cold seasons), and I know how easily Seattle sports teams can choke.

I know the game was boring for some. As a Seattle sports fan, I'm just glad my team showed up ready to play. The Broncos can't say the same, sadly. That first play resulting in a safety really seemed to rattle the whole team. Still, I don't think this detracts from Seattle. They played an A game and deserved the win. 

I may live far from home, but Seattle is still in my heart. Congrats to the superb players.

Rama-lama-ding-dong

I'm almost embarrassed to admit this, but part of my blogging reticence has been my awful computer. While I loved my first macbook, I've had a love-hate relationship with this current one. My macbook worked fine at first, but I had issues doing things that took a lot of work, like making videos. It's been a long time since I made a video on my computer (looks like it's been 3 years since I posted anything other than iphone videos on my youtube account). Then, I had issues if too many programs were open. In the past 6 months (or 8 . . . or more), I have had issues typing in MS word and doing work on the internet.

I've taken my computer in to the mac store multiple times, and each time I get the non-helpful "well, maybe you have too many tabs open. You know, you can't have so many programs open." I was frustrated because I wasn't doing anything I couldn't have done on my old macbook. In fact, I could still do those things on my old macbook except that it now resides with my mother.

Finally, I took matters into my own hands. Over Christmas, I ordered new RAM (computer memory) from Crucial. I have been busy, so I finally installed the memory this weekend. Instead of 4 dinky gigs, which was fine in my past macbook, I now have a screaming 16 gigs of joyfulness. I can surf the web! I can see myself typing! I don't lose whole sentences! I am ebullient.

Don't ask me why the same amount of memory didn't suffice in my new computer with a better processor. I don't have an answer. And definitely don't ask me why I waited so long when I suspected from the get-go that this was an issue. I don't know why either.

All I know is that I have a functioning computer now, and life is good. I'm even listening to itunes while I type! One of these days, I'll try to put together another video for everyone.

This does have me wondering: would more memory be good in me? Sometimes, I procrastinate, or I stall out on simple tasks. What if I could upgrade myself? Ah, if only. For now, I will have to resort to the old tried and true: got to go. I've got papers to grade.