i've developed a literal pain in my ass

To be honest, it's really my only pregnancy discomfort so far--sciatica. It literally feels like a sharp pain right in the middle of the butt check that stabs every time I put my foot down. It's bothered me off and on for about two months now, but recently, after I decided it would be good to wear heels to a wedding and dance in them, it has really flared up. As far as I understand it, it happens because the girl is sitting on my sciatic nerve, and she may or may not move the rest of the pregnancy. Usually it gets worse as you get bigger. We've been really great lately about exercising and going to the gym and I don't want to have to sit that out so I'm trying to find ways to improvise. The elliptical trainer has no impact, so I can do that and feel fine, but then I'm hobbling around the rest of the time. Yet even when I rest it seems to do nothing and even gets a bit worse. I guess I'll just resign myself to assuming the pregnancy waddle a bit early. Although I feel like I get major looks with my occasional waddle, I've found people are very understanding of pregnant women in general and just smile and get out of my way.

This week has otherwise been great; as I mentioned, we went to a wedding on Sunday and had a blast. It's been beautiful weather here for a change and I always root for a good day particularly for April brides, since I remember all to clearly our potential wedding rain-out. Here's a picture of me and my handsome husband at the reception:
On other wedding notes, our first anniversary is Monday. I can't believe it's been a year. So much has happened!! It's been the biggest whirlwind year of the five we've been together and I wouldn't change a thing. Even when times seemed tough--my weird bacterial infection and 5 days in the hospital, our trouble initially getting pregnant, having to move unexpectedly--I don't think either of us lost sight of the fact we make a good team and are each other's best friend. I'm just so excited and happy about this newest adventure we're embarking on now and I'm exponentially more in love with my husband today than I was on my wedding day. I didn't even know that was possible.

As you'll see, I've really popped this week. I feel like I woke up last Friday bigger and rounder than even two days prior. Etta Roo decided she wanted to be in the picture, too

Our next doctor's appointment is May 2, but I realized with sadness that our April 1 ultrasound was probably our last look at the girl before she makes her grand entrance. As I understand it, unless there's an issue, they won't be ordering any more ultrasounds. I guess I'll just have to keep imagining her (and not as a teenager with booty shorts and big boobs, which is often the image I have in my head). I guess I still have fears about raising a girl . . .

Until next time, with love . . .