I read in one of my books that scientific studies have shown that a woman's brain actually, physically shrinks by as much as 5% during pregnancy, returning to normal size postpartum.

I don't know if I believe that, but I'm starting to believe in the absentmindedness and hazy thinking that accompanies the condition.

I've taken some set of pills every single morning for more than five years. It's automatic. Get out of bed, go to the bathroom, go to the kitchen and feed the cat, take my pills. This morning? Walked right out of the house. Didn't even think about it until Matt kissed me good-bye, and - I dunno, something about the taste of his mouthwash, maybe? I was reminded. I had to dump all my stuff in the car and go back inside to take my pills.

I've been meaning to buy another round of maternity clothes for almost a week. Only just finally ordered the damn things last night.

I need to order my new car, too, and I haven't gotten around to that, either.

I've started using the "Task" section of Outlook, which until recently was the second-most useless feature of the damned program. (After the Journal, which I haven't even thought of a legitimate use for yet.)

I put on my dress with no waist today. It's not technically a maternity dress, but there's no reason it shouldn't be.

I discovered while I was combing my hair that if I lean back just a little, my tummy sticks out enough that I really look pregnant. (Matt took a picture of Colleen in the same pose last April when she was - come to think of it - about as pregnant as I am now. It's the only time in her whole pregnancy, practically, that she actually looked pregnant.)

For a while there, my stomach was shifting rather than growing, but now I think I'm definitely starting to show. It's kind of cool.

(My books all talk about women getting depressed as they start to look "fat", but I don't think that applies to me. I've been fat for years. Now what I am is pregnant. It's cool to have an excuse for at least some of the bulk.)

I've started feeling the baby move a little, too.

I think.

It's hard to tell. I've never really concentrated on my innards before much, so I suppose what I'm feeling could be digestion, or gas, or some other non-pregnancy-related function. And it's still very, very light. No punches or kicks. Just squirming that feels kind of like bubbles - and I have to close my eyes and concentrate to even feel that.

I'm pretty sure it's the baby. I'm looking forward to being more certain.

--Liz