How peculiar. Looking at today's year-ago quote on the sidebar, it seems that my face was itching a lot last year about this time, too. It started up around mid-day yesterday - half-a-dozen scratchy spots on my face and neck.

I wonder if there's something blooming now-ish that I'm allergic to. But it's weird that it only affects my face.

Another four weeks, another trip to see the OB. Another new doctor this time, unless he's not available. (Why, yes, it does comfort me that the doctors drop their routine exams to attend actual births. That's the advantage of a practice over a single practitioner - there's usually someone else around to fill in.)

As far as I know, nothing exciting will happen today. They won't even be taking any blood (for the first time). This will be a strictly routine visit. Pee in the cup, get on the scale, wait for the doctor, meet the doctor, get poked and prodded, listen to the baby's heartbeat, do I have any questions?

Which makes it a good time, actually, to ask the multitude of questions that we've been saving up.

When should we go over to the hospital for a tour and to pre-register and sign up for classes? Though actually, since my insurance will be changing in June or July, we might have to pre-register twice.

When should we sign up for which classes? We know some classes we want to take - Lamaze (which we'll be taking strictly for the information and to help me get to the point where they can give me the lovely epidural) and breastfeeding and infant first aid/CPR... What else?

Is this pain and that peculiar feeling (without getting into TMI) normal? Is there anything I can do to alleviate the pain?

The other doctor said I'd have to go elsewhere for my next ultrasound - when and how do I set that up? Should it be before my May appointment in four weeks, or after it? Will it be late enough to try to determine gender?

When do we need to pick a pediatrician? How soon should we start shopping for daycare?

Will I ever have a normal appetite again? After spending most of last week ravenously hungry, this week I can't seem to even finish my one packet of oatmeal for breakfast.

("Questions, Mr. Bond? You have questions?")

--Liz