Tuesday, March 8, 2022- 9 weeks

Sheldon and I are up and out the door early this morning for another appointment with Doctor Finn. We left work early yesterday for our final walkthrough of the house. I'm sure between leaving early to take care of things for the house and getting to work late after doctor appointments, it's only a matter of time before someone figures out we've been hiding things.

We're waiting for Doctor Finn when I look at Sheldon, "Everything will be finalized next week for the house. When do you want to plan to actually move in?"

"I want to remove the wallpaper in the dining room and master bedroom and put a different ceiling fixture in the bedroom. It will be easiest to do that before moving in. If we get our friends to help with that next weekend, we could move in the following weekend. I think we could be fully moved in by the end of the month. If we," he trails off when there's a knock and the door swings open.

"Good morning!" Doctor Finn calls out, entering the room. "How are we feeling this morning?"

I feel Sheldon looking at me as I answer, "I've been feeling pretty good. A little tired, but not any worse than when I've been working a lot. No morning sickness so far. My best friend had horrible morning sickness, I feel a little bad for her knowing how I'm feeling."

"Sheldon? Any nerves or concerns?"

"No," Sheldon shakes his head. "Wait. We're moving in a few weeks. Is there anything Amy shouldn't do? We have to remove some wallpaper and paint a couple of rooms."

Doctor Finn shakes his head. "Normal household paints shouldn't cause any problems. Make sure you open windows and the rooms are well-ventilated while painting. If you're concerned about the paint fumes, you can wear a mask, just like the ones you've been wearing for Covid. As for moving, don't lift anything too heavy, Amy. I advise not lifting more than forty pounds at this point in your pregnancy. Leave the furniture and heavy boxes for Sheldon to take care of." The thought of Sheldon moving anything even remotely heavy brings a smile to my face. We'll be hiring movers, I'm sure of it. "Now, for the reason you're really here. Do you want to see your baby? We can try to hear the heartbeat today if you'd like."

"Yes, please." It's another internal scan, so I slide down to the edge of the table and place my feet in the stirrups. It takes a few moments for Doctor Finn to insert the probe and shift it while watching the screen. Suddenly, a whooshing sound emanates from the machine. "Is that the heartbeat?" I quietly ask.

"It is," the screen is being turned for Sheldon and me to look at it. "It's still too early to tell if it's a boy or a girl, but that is a very healthy baby. They're about an inch long, and right on track for where they should be. We'll print a couple of pictures for you and let you get out of here."

I'm staring at the images I've been handed while slowly getting up from the exam table. It's crazy how much this little one has grown since my last appointment less than a month ago. Only a few more weeks until we get to tell our friends and I can't wait.

Another night of Thai food across the hall. We're getting settled and sorting the food on the coffee table when Penny suddenly looks up from her plate. "Ames, Bernie and I have a work conference next Thursday and Friday in Vegas. Wanna fly out after work on Friday and we can stay till Sunday for a girls' weekend."

"Oh, uh, I don't think I can next weekend." A weekend in Vegas means drinking, which I can't do right now without telling them that I'm pregnant. I'm going to need a good reason to get out of this.

Bernadette nudges her shoulder against me. "Oh, come on. We haven't had one since before Halley was born. Howard and Leonard are fine with taking care of the kids for the weekend. I'm sure they'll keep an eye on Sheldon for you.

"I can't." Before I know what I'm saying, I blurt out, "Sheldon and I bought a house. We're hoping to start moving next weekend." Sheldon's going to berate me for telling everyone like this, but it was tell them about the house or the baby and the house is the safer option right now.

"What?" "Where are you moving?" "Why didn't you tell us sooner?" and "You're not going to be across the hall anymore?" were just a few of the questions our friends shot at us, all at the same time.

I look to my left to find Sheldon staring at me, mouth hanging open. "We were waiting to say anything until everything is finalized, which should be the beginning of next week."

"It's in Altadena. There are a few things like painting and taking down wallpaper we want to do before moving in. You can go with the girls, Amy. I think I can handle it if the guys are willing to help," offers Sheldon. He's so sweet. I'd love to go on a girls' weekend, but I don't think he realizes the real reason I said I can't go.

The guys quickly chime in that they're willing to help. I tell the girls, "Sheldon and I will talk later about me going next weekend. Can I let you know in the morning?"

Sheldon and I are getting into bed when what happened across the hall comes up, just as I suspected it would. "You should go next weekend. We can choose paint colors and everything before you go. Leonard, Howard, and Raj said they'd help paint. I can start packing this apartment in the evenings."

I love Sheldon's innocence so much. He truly doesn't understand why I'm resisting joining Penny and Bernadette for this trip. "I can't go to Vegas, Sheldon. A girl's trip means going out and drinking most of the weekend. What am I going to tell them when they ask why I'm not drinking? They'll understand why I didn't go when we tell them about the baby. I'd rather stay home and get our new home ready. I want to help paint, and look after the kids while the guys work, and start packing this apartment."

"Are you sure?" He rolls on his side, staring at me. "You can go if you want. You don't have to skip this, who knows when you'll be ready to leave the baby for a weekend. We can postpone painting until the following weekend if you want to be there. I don't mind, really."

I stretch to plant a soft kiss on his lips. "I want to be there for painting and I want it to be next weekend."