Almost 19 weeks

Josh has been gone to training since mid-October just about... almost a full month. I haven't spoken with him in over four days. I'm going crazy. Most of the days he called, we didn't have much to talk about of any importance... just chatted like we would over breakfast. I feel like there's so much I should tell him now though.

...for example, the fact that one of my stray dogs is heartworm positive and it breaks my own heart to know it. He's such a sweet boy. Fortunately, he's going to be treated and *should* be okay, but they're just such good dogs I hate that they'll have to experience it. For those unfamiliar with the parasite: Heartworms are transmitted via an infected host mosquito. The microfiliae (eggs) and larvae enter the blood stream, and as adults enter the heart and other organs. They generally classify infection level as Class 1-4, with Class 1 being the earliest stage and Class 4 being a goner. Carter is only Class 1 so far, but it still frustrates me that such a good dog has to deal with this. Treatment starts with regular Heartguard administration-- this kills the larvae and microfiliae, and sterilizes the adult parasites-- effectively breaking the breeding cycle. However, they then have to kill the adult parasites-- since they will still grow and complicate things. This treatment is arsenic-based and is delivered directly into the spine and is EXTREMELY painful for the dogs.

Side Note: While you may find it humorous... I currently do not: I tried to make Freddy wait to go outside til I finished submitting my paper which only meant I was scanning it into the computer, had to attach and send it with an email. He warned me he had to go, so he wet and messed simultaneously. Peed on himself: Needs a bath. While this was happening, I yelled out... and Carter happily obliges by lifting his leg ON Freddy. I need a dog-nanny :(

We had another midwife appointment yesterday. Josh, naturally, was not there. However, it all went well. I forgot my list of questions for her, but the baby seems healthy with a strong heartbeat of 150 beats per minute. The midwife was surprised when I told her I've been feeling the baby move for about a month now, she says it was probably gas bubbles... I say I'm farther than they think. They scheduled our next ultrasound on Wednesday November 24. This made my mom angry because it delays me and Josh leaving by a day, but at least Josh SHOULD be able to attend, which he'll love. The other option was to have an ultrasound towards the end of December, which was their next earliest appointment. Mom's angry because she feels I should've waited, since "the baby will come when it comes and be a girl or boy regardless when you do the ultrasound. You knew you were traveling. Dinner will be no later than 4pm on Thursday. That will give you 4 hours of screw around time considering your drive." It's a 20-hour drive. I don't even honestly want to go to Thanksgiving anymore. It's frustrating.

So we'll know how big the baby is, that it is developing properly, and if it's a boy or girl (as long as it's not modest...) next week. In time for the holidays. I have taken new pictures, we're almost 19 weeks:

It's hard to imagine I used to have abs...