My Guess Is ...

On Tuesday, I have my halfway-there appointment where -- among other things -- we get to see if Baby Pee is a little boy or little girl (assuming s/he behaves nicely). Lots of folks have asked me for my guess, so I figure I'll put it down before I actually find out for sure.

My guess right now? A boy. Why? Because this pregnancy seems so different from my first. Of course, as James says, every pregnancy is different, so it's hard to say; but since I've only had one other pregnancy and it's been different than this one, I'll go with the opposite of what I already have. Besides, it's a 50/50 shot, right?

Reasons ... it's not much but it's all I really have to go on ...

1. Morning Sickness
• Pregnancy 1: I was constantly nauseated during my first 12-14 weeks with #1 but was able to do a quick vomit and feel great for the rest of the day. It would start with waking slowly, creeping one eye open, feeling for the crackers next to my bed, and nibbling until the rocking boat settled down. Then nothing after that first trimester.
• Pregnancy 2: I felt pretty good for the most part with some nausea but nothing strong. NO vomiting at all until Week 13 ... and then a WHOLE WEEK'S worth all at once 24/7. Even now, the slightest thing might trigger my gag reflex, though I have been saved from any more vomiting since that terrible Week 13.
2. Skin
• Pregnancy 1: My skin with my first was AWFUL. Every day was another blemish, bump, pimple, breakout, zit to contend with. People would actually feel bad for me and say things like "don't worry; it will clear up after you have the baby, and you can take care of it then".
• Pregnancy 2: While I wouldn't say my skin is great (it never has been), it's at least not as bad as it was the first time. I can't say that it's glowing and smooth, but it's definitely not any worse than any normal point in my life.
3. Body
• Pregnancy 1: I expanded in every which direction last time. It was a serious spreading and swelling of the whole body to where, until the end, it looked like I was getting slowly fatter and smushed, less belly.
• Pregnancy 2: At least so far, it's been more belly than the rest of my body. Of course, it's early yet, but I'm hoping the trend will continue for the remainder of the pregnancy.

Overall, I have to say the second pregnancy is a lot different than the first in that I don't worry as much and can enjoy it more. During my first pregnancy, there are fears and worrying and thinking plus feeling out of control and just sort of ugly (I did!). This time around, I'm so busy with Claire and work and life that I'll sometimes forget that I'm even pregnant for a moment. Unless I have a dr appointment that week, I probably can't tell you what week I'm in, and I definitely don't have the time to spend reading baby books all the time.

So, my guess is a boy. I guess I'll find out in a couple of days if I'm right or not. People have asked which one I want more, and I'm going to be ecstatic no matter what. If it's a girl, having the two babies close together will be hard but rewarding, and I'll be able to re-use everything Claire had. If it's a boy, we'll have the "one of each" balance and it might alleviate some of the sibling rivalry that will come later in life. Either way, I'm just crossing my fingers in hopes that I have a happy, healthy baby and can't wait to greet him or her in a few months!