DMickey - Adi's right, I did have that ultrasound already. Like you, we were kinda pulling for a girl, and turns out it is. That ultrasound I was 18 weeks and change, but with my 1st 2 kids I was 16 weeks (just due to scheduling issues) so waiting longer this time was a bit of a challenge. I'd probably just wait till your 'real' ultrasound to find out, but I totally understand that anticipation!
Oh, and this ultrasound was to check my cervical length. Since my son was preterm and I am on these progesterone injections to prevent another preterm birth, my dr wants to check and be sure that the contractions that I'm having are benign and not causing any shortening or dilation. My contractions ceased for a good 3-4 weeks after starting the shots, but have since resumed.
Cappygirl - I did get the 'cough-y' bug already, but I don't really know where it came from as neither of my kids had it, for a change. Luckily, Madison seems totally fine and is now playing with one of the new kittens so I hope it was a short-lived bug.
Adi - I took birthing/parenting classes with my first too. I do think they helped, though I will say once I was in the delivery room I totally forgot about finding a focal point, breathing, etc. I made my husband do the parenting class (more than for myself that is) and I do think that they helped him feel more comfortable in the beginning.
With that said, I did have my son totally naturally, so keep that in mind when you forget the techniques and are all in a panic and whatever! I know you're hoping to go that route and it can be done! Of course, that is not at all to say you shouldn't get pain relief if you want/need to. I did get an epi with my 1st kid and it was a blessing that I did as she needed forceps to come out and they tore me up internally. So not only would that have hurt, but the stitching afterwards would have been nuts! So remember that things happen for a reason and not to get upset or disappointed in yourself if that's how it turns out. Now, someone remind me of that come January!
And thanks for the good trip wishes. Neither one is particularly exciting to me. I HATE driving to NJ and the baby shower is for a cousin who is having her 2nd child, 2nd girl no less, due 2 weeks after the 1st one's birthday (meaning she could reuse all her old stuff), and, well, I could go on. I think I'm partially just annoyed that she's having another kid cause she's single, it's a different dad than the 1st one, it wasn't really an 'accident' (I had 2 unplanned, I know how that is and would totally get that), and she doesn't seem to care that these kids have crappy lives. She's living in a 1 bedroom apt that she rents from her parents, only works part time, etc. It truly is crazy and sad for the kids involved.
The other trip is a conference my husband has to attend/in-law visit. My husband's whole family is in New Orleans so it's pretty convenient for us that the conference is there. Of course, he'll be working most of the time so we can't do too much family stuff with him, but at least my kids can see their cousins and I can meet my newest niece (she was born in April).
I am going to weight like 80 lbs more than I did last week if I don't stop eating my son's birthday cake! It is insane, and honestly it's not even that good (it's a grocery store cake, so pretty generic), yet it's all I have eaten today.
Or at least coach me some. DH went to only one class (because of work) but he also went to "Daddy Bootcamp" and he came back very informed and feeling better about everything (except he's still concerned abut diaper changes 
). 
We'll see!!
