25 weeks: sciatica in paradise

I've just returned to London after ten days in Miami singing with Seraphic Fire.  I had a fabulous time and got to sing some spectacular music, but I came back home with much worse sciatica than when I left.  I was only able to stand during our performances with Tylenol (not ideal, I know) and butt massages (don't tell Jason).  My guess is that all of the sitting I did in both rehearsal and in the car really did me in.  I just saw a doctor today and got referred for physical therapy, so hopefully that will help things.  The pain has already improved since my activity level has returned to normal, but I'm still pretty uncomfortable.  Mostly, I'm worried about things being this bad at six months, what will it be like at nine months!

Last night I read this article on a design blog about a friend of a friend who miscarried at six months (which is where I nearly am in my pregnancy).  I bawled my eyes out and was reminded of the three little ones I lost so early on.  Losing babies just seems like the most unfair thing that anyone has to live through and I will never understand why it happens.  Life is delicate and unpredictable and sometimes just really unfair.  It breaks my heart to think about miscarriage, but it is a good reminder to try to enjoy every moment of this pregnancy, even the painful bits, because this may be the only time I have with this sweet life within me.  That being said, all is well and I got to hear his little heartbeat again today which is always a comfort.  I can't say that it is because I am blessed (because your'e not blessed if you miscarry?) or that I am anything other than simply lucky to have this little life in me.  With this in mind, it feels silly to be concerned about any pain or discomfort when the whole picture is considered . . .

23 weeks: profile pic

Isn't he cute?!  I had to go back for another ultrasound when they couldn't see the bottom of his spine at my 20 week scan.  He is still very strong and healthy and his spine checked out just fine!  While I was there, the technician got a great profile shot of our little guy.  For comparison, here is the profile shot we got of Charlie in utero:

I'd marvel at the similarities, but don't all ultrasound pictures look about the same?

All has been well this last week, though I'm starting to get some more frequent sciatic nerve pain.  I was told I could ask my doctor about a referral to a physical therapist so perhaps it's time I do that.  Last time my sciatic nerve pain got so bad that I literally could not walk.  Jason would wheel me around the house in an office chair and had to get up with me in the middle of the night to lift me onto the toilet.  It was a humbling experience that I'd prefer not to repeat.  The worst of it only lasted a few days to a week, but I did have to sing a concert with my medieval trio from a chair.  It was such a hassle getting me on stage and in the chair that I just sat there during the intermission!  Talk about embarrassing!

I leave for Miami a week from today, so my next update will hopefully include a belly shot of me look tan and svelte in a bikini on the beach!  (Yeah, right!)

PS:  Here's what I was up to when I was five months along with Charlie!