2nd Doctor's Appointment

Well, I've completely slacked off. I've been battling a really bad sinus infection and school has started again, so things have been a little hectic. Our 2nd appointment was on the 3rd and it went really well. They measured the fluid in the spine (a marker for Down Syndrome) and said that baby was fine. The tech tried to get a good view of little one's nether regions, but baby would have nothing of that. He/she threw their arms down between it's legs and kept them down there until we gave up and continued on our way. They say with a really good tech and machine, they can give you a guess of the sex as early as 12 weeks. Our tech told us that she had an idea of what it was, but didn't want to tell us until she was 100% sure. She said that might be at the next appointment on 10/6.

I have to crop the ultrasound pics so my name isn't in them, but hopefully they'll be up sometime today!

Girl Bedding Fabric

So after searching through bedding and being very disappointed (why do I want to pay so much money for something I don't love?) and a discussion with my crafty mom, she agreed to make a quilt for the bedding. So, although I know it's really early, I've started looking at fabrics.

For a girl, I wanted something feminine, but not necessarily pink. I found this collection at our local fabric store and fell in love. It's exactly what I wanted, a romantic bird theme, but not in your face. So this is what I'm thinking:

The top 5 fabrics would be quilted in either a baby block or brick pattern. I'm thinking minky dots for the backing. The bottom pink fabric would be used for the curtains and some accents. The bird egg pattern would be a band at the bottom of the curtains and a pillow and perhaps a few other accesories throughout the room.

If it's a boy, we'll use the egg print as inspiration and pick out solid colors that coordinate. I figure this is probably the best bet to keep with the bird theme and still keep it somewhat masculine (hubby will not allow floral in a boys room, haha).

So that's what I'm thinking for bedding. I have a few more things figured out for the nursery, but I think I'll keep them a surprise for another day.

Week 12 Survey

How far along: 12 weeks
Total weight gain: +1 pound
How big is baby: the size of a plum
Maternity clothes: still wearing maternity work pants
Stretch marks: none so far
Sleep: I'm still tired all the time
Best moment this week: Friday... this week was entirely too long
Movement: none so far
Food cravings: Crab legs! Yum!
Belly button in or out: innie
What I miss: still beer. could really use one right about now =(
What I'm looking forward to: our blue and pink party we're planning!
Milestone: My bloat bump is starting to be replaced by the baby bump. Amazing!

Week 11 Survey

I apologize, I do not have a belly pic this week. After finding out abour my friend's passing, it kind of go lost in all the chaos.

How far along: 11 weeks

Total weight gain: Still at pre-pregnancy weight

How big is baby: the size of a lime

Maternity clothes: still wearing maternity work pants

Stretch marks: none so far.

Sleep: still going pretty strong, but not sleeping quite as much.

Best moment this week: a 2 hour nap I took on Wednesday... ah

Movement: none so far.

Food cravings: Chips and onion dip

Belly button in or out: innie

What I miss: beer.

What I'm looking forward to: finding out the sex! It's too far away!

Milestone: heard a strong heart beat (178) for quite a long time on the home doppler!

Saying goodbye to an old friend...

I just found out that one of my old friends passed away this week. He was only 29 years old. I've been thinking about our friendship all day. How it dwindled away after I got married, how it all but disappeared when I moved to another state. I feel so incredibly guilty that we weren't as close as we used to be. I used to look up to him as an older brother.

So after a day of guilt and sadness, I've decided that I will no longer dwell on the negatives. I will remember all the good times we shared (and there were a lot). I'll never forget watching the Superman movies in your basement. I'll always remember that it was you that introduced me to chinchillas (amongst your other exotic pets). I'll remember sitting in the back of your grandpa's station wagon looking out the back window pretending to drive. I'll never, ever forget you trying to teach me how to in-line skate and my balance not cooperating at all. I'll remember that week one summer where our families rented a beach house and we would stay up for hours playing cards. I'll remember all the summers spent in your pool in the backyard. I'll remember always the days you would drive us home from school in your fancy Black Mustang. I'll remember the only date we ever went on... my freshman semi-formal. I'll remember you later apologizing for not dancing with me enough... and admitting you always had a crush on me. I'll never, ever forget you sticking up for me when you thought a guy was treating me wrong. I'll always get teary eyed when someone calls me Miss Danielle. The last time I saw you, you walked out of your room and commented that if someone would have told you such a pretty girl was going to be there, you would have dressed up. That was so long ago.

You were the best big brother I never had, and my only regret at this point is that I never told you that. I don't think you would have known how much your passing has affected me. I did care. I still do.

An observation...

So I am 10 weeks pregnant. Not a big deal when you first look at it, really. 10 is such a low number, but it's still such a huge milestone.

10 weeks is obviously the first week where you're in the double digits. My first quarter of pregnancy is over. In these past 70 days, my baby has grown from the size of a poppyseed to the size of a prune. He/she has grown arm and leg buds, then webbed hands and feet, then viable fingers and toes, and now working joints and fingernails. The baby's heart has been beating away for more than 4 weeks. I am one week closer to moving on to 2nd trimester.

I'm not saying it's all roses. I still have that fear that I will somehow lose this pregnancy. I am not out of the woods yet. I actually had a dream the other night that I did miscarry. There's been a lot of loses on my board recently, and it's really bothered me. I've tried using my doppler to hear the heartbeat and last night I finally heard a few minutes of it. Every other time I've tried, I've either been unsuccessful or it was very, very short. So baby is ok, for now. I'm trying to keep positive, but it's extremely hard.

Week 10 Survey

First off, sorry this is a few days late. I went back to work on Wednesday and then the morning sickness made it's self known. So I am just now getting around to posting this week's survey. I am hoping that this tiredness goes away quickly because I just don't know how I'm going to function!

How far along: 10 weeks

Total weight gain: I am back down to my pre-pregnancy weight. My appetite just hasn't been as big as it was.

How big is baby: the size of a prune

Maternity clothes: wearing maternity work pants

Stretch marks: none so far.

Sleep: school started, so I'm back to being tired all the time.

Best moment this week: we got an ultrasound at our first appointment! Saw baby and got to see and hear the heartbeat!

Movement: none so far.

Food cravings: none really.

Belly button in or out: innie

What I miss: beer.

What I'm looking forward to: the next ultrasound in a couple of weeks

Milestone: seeing the baby and his/her heartbeat!

1st Doctor's Appointment

So I made the appointment when I was about 5 weeks along and they didn't schedule me until now. My first ultrasound wasn't supposed to be until next week. I was kind of disappointed that I wouldn't get to see my baby, or even know if there was one in there, while others got to see their's several times. Whatever. Today makes the wait totally worth it.

We answered the usual family history questions. Peed in a cup to confirm the pregnancy. That was a piece of cake. Hit a small bump with blood being drawn. I am scared to death of needles. I'm talking hyperventilating, crying, no control over my limbs, trying to flee kind of scared. It's an actual honest to god phobia that not many people recognize.

Usually nurses and doctors take offense to my charades, take it to heart and generally get pissed off. How can someone at the age of 26 act like a child of 6 whenever a needle is in the room? Not my nurse today. She figured me out. She understood my irrational fear and got me through it. We talked about how twins run in my family, how we were hoping for one baby, but would be overjoyed at two. Before I knew it, she had drawn 5 viles of blood. It was over. My reward for good behavior? My first peek at the baby!

It was nothing like I imagined it. I've seen lots of ultrasound pictures, heard lots of stories about seeing the baby for the first time, but nothing prepared me for what was on the screen. As I prayed and prayed that something was in that egg, a little shadow of a baby appeared. My husband saw the flicker of the heartbeat first. What an amazing moment. It just hits you that there is something actually living inside of you. My heart allows it's heart to beat! I shifted my weight a little and all of a sudden the little gummy bear shape started shaking it's arms and legs and bouncing up and down rapidly. I swear at this point I can see a definition of anose, but the tech just says I have a vivd imagination. I think that with my husband and my huge honkers, it would have been one of the first things to develop! ;)

So here are the pics:

Week 9 Survey

How far along: 9 weeks

Total weight gain: 2.8 pounds

How big is baby: The size of a green olive!

Maternity clothes: Will go shopping tomorrow hopefully, if not, this weekend

Stretch marks: None yet.

Sleep: I'm not quite as tired as I have been in previous weeks. I actually get up at a reasonable time instead of sleeping the day away.

Best moment this week: Finally telling all of our friends and family!

Movement: None yet.

Food cravings: mac n cheese with rotel in it

Belly button in or out: Innie

What I miss: fitting into my skinny jeans =(

What I'm looking forward to: first appointment is tomorrow, but I look forward to the first ultrasound next week hopefully!

Milestone: let the secret out!

Week 8 Survey

How far along: 8 weeks

Total weight gain: been on vacation, so I haven't checked since week 7 survey

How big is baby: The size of a raspberry!

Maternity clothes: None yet.

Stretch marks: None yet.

Sleep: I've been sleeping really well recently. Around 9 every night, I feel absolutely exhausted.

Best moment this week: Telling a few of our friends

Movement: None yet.

Food cravings: I think I could seriously eat a bunch of cucumbers... but that was a pre-pregnancy craving... so not sure that counts.... oh, and ICE CREAM!

Belly button in or out: Innie

What I miss: being able to drink while on vacation visitng friends who we usually drink with.

What I'm looking forward to: my first appointment and ultrasound next week!

Milestone: started telling our friends

Dreaming about baby bedding....

So it's waaaay early, but I can't stop looking at baby bedding! It's like an addiction! These are three collections that we like, from most favorite to least favorite. Whatya think?

Girl

Boy

Week 7 Survey

I've seen a few other women do this, so I decided to go ahead and try it. I'll post the survey and bell pic every week!



How far along: 7 weeks

Total weight gain: 1.6 pounds - much better than the almost three pounds from last week! Holy cow!

How big is baby: The size of a blueberry!

Maternity clothes: None yet. Still fitting into my skinny jeans!

Stretch marks: None yet.

Sleep: I'm tired all. the. time. It usually takes me about an hour of tossing and turning for me to finally settle down at night. Once I'm alseep, I could sleep for 12 hours if I wanted to.

Best moment this week: Waking up with no bloat! Best feeling ever!

Movement: None yet.

Food cravings: ugh... sweets. On a healthy note, oatmeal and clementines!

Belly button in or out: Innie

What I miss: soda... I'm down to one serving a day!

What I'm looking forward to: Telling friends in NJ this coming week and then our 1st appointment to make sure everything is ok!

Milestone: reaching the 7 week mark! Whoo hoo! Grow baby grow!

Why Wait?

So, we're within a week of telling the world we're expecting. We've already passed the news on to our parents and a few friends. Everyone have been really excited so far, which has been helping me keep optimistic. So why have we decided to spill the beans before the oh so important first trimester is over? Well, it was simple decision, really.

Back in January of 2008, we found out that we were pregnant. After doing some research, we decided to wait for the first doctor's appointment to tell anyone, even our parents. Life went on as normal, even though we spent a little more time walking past the baby sections at our favorite stores. I was so amazed that I didn't feel anything. But it didn't last. At 5 1/2 weeks, I miscarried.

It was the most tramatic day of my adult life. 6 hours at the ER with an internal ultrasound that ultimately showed nothing. We lost the baby. On the way home, we called both sets of parents and gave the grim news. The first they heard of their grandchild was how my body failed to keep it. That day, we vowed not to go through that again. When we got pregnant again, we would make sure we surrounded ourselves with the people we trust, a support system.

So, on our 3rd anniversary, I called my mom and stepdad(who live 1,000 miles away) and told the in laws the great news. A couple of days after that, we started spreading the news to friends who would be physically helpful in the case of a repeat. Once I hit 6 weeks, I was ready to tell the world. We waited, however, for our trip back home so we could tell our friends face to face. Now the trip's almost here and I'm excited...

Lemonheads...

are my new best friend! Thanks to the ladies at thebump.com and my lovely husband, I have found a simple solution to nipping nausousness in the bud. Everytime I feel sick, just pop one of these puppies and it goes away. And they're pretty yummy, too!

I am lucky that I haven't actually gotten sick sick yet (knock on wood!). I have been battling acid reflux at night which stinks. I'm finding my favorite foods at the moment are sliced apples and peanut butter, bananas, clementines, wheat and cheddar cheese crackers, pickles, and Taco Bell, and anything sweet (to the chargin of my hips!).

Another way that I battle morning sickness is with sleep. I sleep all the time. If I get up early, I have to take a nap or I'm exhausted at the end of the night. This whole growing a human thing is exhausting!

5 and 6 week belly pics!

So one more for tonight. I plan, like so many pregnant ladies before me, to keep record of my progress with belly pics. Now, as a forwarning, my belly was not in the best of shape when I found out I was pregnant (probably from all those beers I talked about in my previous posts haha). I had, however, been trying to get into shape. Since finding out, I've been absolutely exhausted and exercise is the last thing I want to think about. I do plan on getting back into the groove soon!

On another note, I've been battling bloat, so I'm not showing already, in fact, my skinny jeans still fit!

Ok, on to the photos!

5 weeks

6 weeks

Drinking and Such...

So, I thought it would be such a big deal to give up drinking. I'm not an alcoholic by any means, but I enjoy a good time. I thought that there would be this longing to just taste a beer or enjoy a glass of wine, but so far I've been good.

The weekend of July 4th, we went to Louisville to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary on the 1st. I had a blast. We went to a baseball game, went to their bar/restaurant area, enjoyed a tour of the Louisville Slugger Museum, and just walked the streets lined with painted horse statues. A nice city, over all.

Both nights, hubby drank. I can't blame him. Honestly, the trip was planned before we found out we were pregnant and part of the reason we wanted to go there was because of their fabulous 4th Street Live bar area. It was all within walking distance to the hotel.

Sitting there watching my husband drink, his voice getting louder and a little more slurred with each sip, I had no stabbing regret. I actually did not want to drink. I found out that weekend that I can have fun while others libate. I think I'll stick to my cranberry juice and sprite, thanks!

The Start of a Dream Come True...

Saturday, June 27th- Hubby and I go to see a local band with a bunch of people from work. Good food, good music, and great friends. After several hours and a couple of beers, we make a pit stop at a local wing place and then head home.

Sunday, June 28th- I wake up with what I can only describe as the worst hang-over I've had in awhile (minus NYC on New Years Eve, but come on, not many nights compare!). This is my first indication that I am, in fact, knocked up. I didn't even drink that much the night before to suffer that much the next day.

Monday, June 29th- After waking up with another horrendous hang over, I break down and buy a 3 pack of pregnancy tests. I simply cannot wait for husband to come home from school and take one test. It's very faint, but there's no denying that there's a line. Husband is excited when I call him and tell him he's going to be a daddy.

Tuesday, June 30th- Just to be extra sure, I do another test after waking up. My theory behind this is that supposedly the hormone is easier to detect in morning pee. Lovely, I know. Another faint line meets me, and I'm slightly disappointed. I mean, I haven't pissed my period yet, but shouldn't the test be darker in the morning and when I'm one day more pregnant?

Monday, July 6th- So I decided to wait after the Louisville weekend to take the final test. At this point, my period was late about a week. Unlike the first two times, the line was not hard to see at all. In fact, forget the 3 minutes the directions on the tests tells you to wait, in 3 seconds the line was darker than the test line.

So, as proof, here are the pictures of test #1 and test #3. Yes, I kept all of them, which is kind of gross and not really comparable, but oh well.