Maleigha's First Christmas

Life is full of "firsts" --some we remember forever, some we never know about. Maleigha will never remember her first Christmas but it was our best Christmas ever! Not for any present or anything like that, for what it meant to our family. This was our first Christmas as parents, as a family.
It began with Sunday before Christmas because Chuck's mom, Nana Beth, was visiting for the weekend, for Christmas and for Chuck's birthday (12/21). She went to a "paint-it-yourself" party and painted a beautiful ladybug for Maleigha's room. She also brought Maleigha an engraved ornament for our tree next year.
Christmas Eve and Christmas was spent at Granny and Pawpaw's house. We stayed up til midnight just to say Merry 1st Christmas to baby girl. Needless to say, she was unimpressed as she remained asleep. Santa did pay a visit overnight bringing her a pony...yes, you read that right, she got a pony from Santa. Ok, it's a rocky-horse, but it does make a gallop sound and it neighs (is that how you spell that?) which is really cute. Doubt she'll sit on it for another year or so, but it's still too cute for words. She also got a stocking full--a pair of sunglasses from Pawpaw, a ladybug outfit, her first purse from Aunt Lisa just big enough to fit a paci!, and lots of other things. Mama Jessie & Arthur surprised her with her first luggage, a ladybug shaped rolling bag with a kid sized backpack. And, my favorite part of all Christmas---Mama Jessie & Arthur bought Maleigha her first Barbie. I'll explain more as to why this brought tears to my eyes---if you know me, you know that as a child, I was a Barbie addict. And Mama Jessie and Arthur contributed to my habit usually weekly and I had hundreds of Barbies and accessories. Since we found out I was pregnant with a girl, I've talked about how excited I was to be able to play with Barbies again, much to Chuck's laughter. Mama Jessie played Barbies with me all the time, it's some of my favorite memories of growing up. And as most know, Mama Jessie is older now, and isn't doing as good as she used to, so it means the absolute world to me that Maleigha's first Barbie was a gift from her & Arthur. It might be the only Barbie she ever gets from them, so it means everything to me. I doubt I'll even take it out of the box. Chuck laughs because the Barbie was inside the ladybug bag and when he unzipped the bag, I giggled and grabbed the Barbie almost knocking the bag out of his hands. Tickled me to death! (and yes, I'm her mother, not the child!)
Also, more sentimental notes---my parents gave us 2 pictures, 1 that says Christmas 2009 and is the pic of Chuck, Maleigha, and I from the hospital and one that the frame says something about family and it's the pic of the 3 of us at the top and Maleigha at the bottom. Yes I teared up! And we were also given Maleigha's hospital photo that had been made into a blanket by Nana Sherry and Poppa Jim, yep--teared up again! And I know I can't blame all this tearing up on hormones---I'm just weepy!
All in all, it was a great holiday, spent with lots of family and lots of memories made. None Maleigha will remember, but her mommy and daddy will forever!

Wee Hours of 12/15

It's 2:20 am and Maleigha just dozed off, unless she's faking again, as she's done since about 11 pm. We spent the weekend at mom's, in which I did get a few hours of sleep. I'm convinced that she has her days and nights mixed up and we're working on that. I'm hopeful that if she is indeed asleep now, she'll sleep til 7 or so. The bad news is it is 2:20 am and now I'm wide awake. I'm trying to be as quiet as possible because Chuck is working day shift this week and he has to be up at 7:30 and he's having a horrible time sleeping. I want him to get as much sleep as possible. I can at least nap on and off during the day with her, well sorta! I do have a day planned tomorrow, if sleeping allows! We are going to Midsouth to pick up some Avon things and a baby gift from a coworker. Then it's off to the bank and some light shopping to try and find Daddy a birthday gift. Everything he wants is wayyyy beyond my budget so we gotta be inventive this year! :)

Last night, we went to Palisades Park in Oneonta and looked at Christmas lights and sat in Santa's lap for the first time. He was GREAT Santa, very authentic and one of the nicest men! He really was Jolly! We got some great pics!

Ok, I feel some sleep coming on, because it looks like she is passed out! Fingers crossed!

Merry Christmas!

Maleigha's First Dr Appt

Maleigha saw her doctor in his office for the first time today. Her pediatrician is Dr Joseph Hamm and he is great. He came as a recommendation from a friend at work, and we are thrilled with him. He is so great with her.
Today she weighed 10 lbs, 2 oz and is 22 1/2 inches long. She is in perfect health. We've had some bad nights lately so I asked about that and he said he thinks it may just be her GI tract learning to work and her growing into it, basically, but if it continues until her next appt, Jan 17, or gets worse, then he will call her in some meds for reflux. He said the other thing it might be, and it's a long shot, that could be a mild case of colic, but he does not think it's colic. We are very hopeful it gets better on its own and she starts sleeping at night. Mommy is tired!
Also, just a note--I had my check up yesterday and I'm doing well too. My incision is healing well, swelling is down. I can now drive and lift up to 15 lbs. She released me to walk for exercise but no other exercises yet. I've lost 27 lbs since the Wednesday before Maleigha was born (last time I weighed). Chuck says I'm getting skinny, but I have never seen skinny, so I'm not holding my breath for that! :)
Hope all is well!

How a Baby Changes Things

I sit here today, on the couch, with two cats on either corner of the back of the couch, and a baby sleeping with her new paci on the cushion next to me. I can't find the remote, so the tv is on Dog the Bounty Hunter marathon since I can't turn it. I've had a half of a Mr Pibb and a handful of chips to eat today. There's a empty bottle on the coffee table. And I've learned to run to the bathroom, do my business, and run back---I've almost mastered the art of a 25 second potty break. My biggest roadblocks these days are wipes out of hands reach, a dropped paci on the floor, and a baby that doesn't like to keep her blanket over her legs. I swear she kicks harder and faster than any ninja ever wanted to! And it's the greatest days ever!
Laundry needs to be started, there are a few dishes in the sink, and a litter box that needs to be cleaned out. All of that is going to wait. I'm loving on my baby.
We had our first outing yesterday. We went to my office and met the folks there, then to lunch, then to Babies R Us to do some shopping. Maleigha did great, she rode in her Cadillac stroller and didn't make a peep. She started getting fussy about the time we were coming home, so all is good.
Of all the happiness in my life right now, it's weird that I still find myself sad sometimes. And, no, I don't feel like it's anything major. I cry. I'm hormonal. And it's not a real sadness, as in despair and the world is ending. It's almost a happy sadness. I look at Maleigha and I'm ecstatic. I'm fulfilled. I'm in love, the truest love there ever could be. She looks back at me, and my world is complete. She makes me want to be a better person. She makes me want to be the best mother and to be proud to be MY daughter. And then I get scared. What if I'm not? What if I screw up? What if something happens to her, something I can't control? What if she hates me? What if I do something to let her down? And yes, I know, all of these things will happen. I have a mother and all of these things happened between she and I and I think she's the greatest human on earth. I can only hope Maleigha thinks of me half as much as I think of my mom. Then I will have succeeded.
Chuck and I both have had a meltdown this week. Some tears and some laughs. Lots of hugs and reassurances have gotten us through. These two humans that share my home mean more to me than anything. I dont want to see either of them hurt or sad. When they are, I have to step up. Chuck is working day shift this week, so we have our nights as a family which is great. This is the life we've been wanting and waiting for.
The worst part of these days are knowing that I will have to go back to work soon. I dread it --not because of work, but because I will have to leave. We are still working out babysitting arrangements, at least until late February, when our babysitter will be available.
Other happenings this week was I won a trip to Las Vegas for New Years Eve from a local radio station. I had to turn it down though, Chuck has to work the day we would be leaving, and we don't have the money to spend right now to go. Still not exactly sure how bills are going to get paid the next couple of months, so definitely don't need to spend money in Vegas! It would be a great getaway for us, but not this time. Maybe it'll happen again!

Welcome to the World Baby Girl....

Chuck and I proudly announce the birth of Maleigha Claire Boyles. Born Nov 17, 2009 at 5:22pm, St Vincents Hospital, Birmingham, AL. She weighed 9 lbs, 6 oz, and was 21 1/5 inches long.

We were scheduled for induction on Nov 17 at 5 am. Dr Davis broke my water at about 5:45am and labor began. My contractions began almost immediately at around 4 minutes apart. I had dilated to 3. Doctor gave permission for epidural whenever I requested. At 8 am, I requested! Contractions were pretty hard at 3-4 minutes apart. I was dilated to 4. Besides Chuck, Mom, Daddy, Lisa, Beth (Chuck's Mom), Jim & Sherry (Chuck's dad and wife) and my cousin Kendall were all there. Kendall had to leave (she works at St Vincents overnight and had stuck around to see how things progressed in hopes they woudl progress quickly). Our nurse was Valle and she was awesome. Around noon, Dr Christine came and checked me to say I was dilated to 6 but baby was not dropping as they had hoped. In fact, she was very high and she would have to drop drastically for pushing to begin. I napped off and on, much to my mother's amazement. That eipdural was the BOMB! Around 3, Valle called Dr Christine back because there was some kind of concern with baby's heartrate. I was put on oxygen and Dr Christine said I was still dilated to 6 but may have dropped some, so she wanted to wait til about 4:30pm and would reassess. We all became very concerned at this point. It was a bit scary. Not knowing exactly what it all meant was frightening. We asked about the possibility of a C-section and Valle and Dr Christine had concerns with that due to my weight and the risks of a major surgery at this point.

At 4:30pm, Dr Christine reassessed me to say I had dilated to 7, but had not dropped. She called for a 5 pm C-section. The next 30 minutes went by so quickly I don't recall all of it. They took Chuck out to dress him in a gown, mask, hat and booties. The anestistiologist (or however you spell that), Valle and another nurse began prepping me. I started vomiting, from nerves I assume. All of our famil, including Chuck's brother, Michael, who was able to come after work and made it in time, came in quickly to kiss and hug and reassure us that all was ok, and baby girl would be here shortly. Dr Christine said that once we got to the OR, she would be here within 10 minutes. So in my head, I kept saying 5:10, 5:10, 5:10.

We arrived in the OR and the entire staff, all what seemed 50 of them!, were absolutely fantastic! The anestistiologist and his assistant stood behind me and prepped me explaining every step in advance. They put the sheet up so I couldn't see and brought Chuck in to sit beside me. He held my hand and rubbed my head. I heard Dr Christine come in and say hello and tell me it would just be a minute or two. They kept telling me I'd feel tugging and pressure but I never did. I did feel them put the clamps on when they opened me up. I thought it had been just a couple of minutes since we had gotten in there, but then the doctor said 522. I looked at Chuck and said what's that mean? and he didn't know. Then she said it again---"Cara, she's here, birth time 5:22 and she's a big girl!!!" We both started crying, and I started asking to see her. The nurse said she was bringing her around shortly. And she did and oh my gosh, there is no feeling in the world like the first time you see your child. Even all gooey and bloody, she was the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen. All I wanted to do was hold and kiss and hug and be her mommy. The nurse said she's being her back, they had to clean her up and weigh her. Chuck and I were absolutely elated. I did feel some pressure and tugging then as they began sewing and stapling and doing all they were doing. I found out later that the incision was much deeper and larger than usual, partly due to my size, her size, and her position in me. I've learned that the doctor almost had to climb up on the table with me and basically uncurl her out of me. She was in at an odd angle and being her size, was very difficult to remove.

I was thinking it had been about 10 or so minutes, but then found out it was almost 6:15 when they were finished and Maleigha was brought to Chuck to hold and for us to admire. Shortly after, he ran out to tell the family that were anxiously waiting.

I finally arrived in my room, baby girl in my arms, around 6:30. By 7, the family was allowed to join us. Needless to say they were all elated at the sight of this beautiful little girl.

Sadly, Jim and Sherry had to leave because they had to drive back to Mobile for Sherry to work on Wednesday. I so hated to see them leave. They are coming back Thanksgiving.

We were all so exhausted, but she is so worth it all.

I can not express in words what the entire pregnancy, birth and motherhood has meant to me. I have developed more emotions and feelings than I ever thought possible. Chuck and I have become much closer, not just as spouses, but as best friends and now parents. We have a bond, that is the most amazing thing ever-we created a child.

There are times she looks a lot like me, a lot like him. She has a lot of both of us, depends on the minute you look at her. I also see my brother, Tony, in her too. She has long fingers and long feet, lots of dark hair, beautiful eyes, sweet little ears and chin, and the most precious little lips ever! She has a little birthmark on her belly. She doesn't like diaper changes and is growing to not mind her feet being touched. She doesn't like to stretch her legs out just yet, so she stays in a frog like position most of the time. She loves sleep and has to be awakened to eat. We luckily, knock on wood, haven't heard her cry a lot yet. She's had some gas bubbles but they quickly resolve. She loves being in her daddy's arms, and he's pretty fond of it too!

On a side note, the staff at St Vincents was absolutely the most amazing bunch of people I've ever experienced. Valle, our delivery nurse was so wonderful. The entire C section staff was so nice and each made a point to come to us in the OR and congratulate us. The floor nurses, Jacqueline & Imagene especially, were phenomenal. They answered all our questions, especially being first time parents, with enthusiasm and patience. We had many other nurses and staff, but these stick out in our minds.

Today, we got the ok to come home and I was so happy. I had had just enough of that hospital bed that I could stand. Maleigha passed all her labs and hearing tests with flying colors. All of my labs were ok too, except for hemocrit, which I was told was due to losing as much blood as I did during delivery and that I needed to up my green leafy vegetable intake to correct. We left the hospital at 9 am today, made a couple of stops to pick up Chuck's check and go by the bank and through a drive-thru to get some lunch and we were home by 10:30. She did great in the carseat and slept the whole way home. I even dozed off myself, having had about an hour's worth of sleep last night.

Once home, greeted by Nana (chuck's mom who is here for a few day to help out) Maleigha met Garfield and Sassy. They didn't react, Sassy sniffed her hand but then ran off. Garfield looked, with amazement it seemed and then walked away. The next few days will be interesting I'm sure! We ate while she continued to sleep in her carseat. She and I then went to the bedroom to attempt breastfeeding which was partially successful, Chuck brought in the back up bottle and after feeding, we all laid down together for our first family nap! Although Maleigha had other idea and decided she would stay awake with hiccups! Nana was able to get her so me and Chuck could nap.

Then Chuck cooked an awesome lasagne dinner, Granny, Pawpaw and Uncle Tony came over for dinner and for him to meet Maleigha.

As of now, with this posting, Chuck is holding Maleigha and they are both sound asleep on the couch, and all is good! I love family!

Changes

I wasn't able to post before now because of a busy weekend, but induction has been changed to Tuesday Nov 17 @ 5 am. This is due to my doctor having an emergency or something like that and not going to be there on Monday, and for some reason, if you schedule an induction, your primary doctor has to do it, so we're stuck with changing it to Tuesday. I wasn't real happy with this but really had no choice. Plus I honestly thought she would come on her own before then any way. I was wrong.
It is now Monday morning, about 4 am, and I'm still pregnant. No contractions to speak of, a couple here and there. My feet are still swollen. My back still hurts, and as I said, it's 4 am and I'm awake! Let me just say, I'm not complaining.
Today is the last day I will ever be pregnant in my life. I've been very lucky to have had a great pregnancy. I've enjoyed being pregnant. Even the back ache and swollen feet and hands, I know what the end result will be and I'm smiling. Being pregnant is an experience that no one can describe, and if they tried, you wouldn't believe it. Seeing her for the first time during the ultrasound was awesome, feeling her kick for the first time was amazing, and I absolutely can not wait to hold her.
She will be my child. Chuck's child. Our child. It's so scary and amazing and nerveracking and beautiful--all at the same time. This baby will never know how wonderful she is, she will never know how many times we prayed for her, how much we tried for her, how much we went through to have her in our lives. Not because she won't read this one day and find out or be told, but because she won't understand how absolutely precious her mom and dad thinks she is. Before we've even met her. Not to mention the grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins that are here for her too. And even the ones that are no longer on earth with us, because I know each of them are watching for her too. No, she's not a miracle baby, she's OUR miracle baby.
And we'll get to meet her tomorrow.

Birth Day Any Day

I had my FINAL doctors appointment today. I had to see a different doctor b/c my doctor was off, but it was all good, because she was great. We really liked her (Chuck and I). Baby is measuring around 8 lbs, 5 oz, give or take a few oz either way. She's very long but they couldn't get an accurate length measurement since they can't actually stretch her out and measure. But I swear her thigh bone looked longer than my arm!!! Heartbeat was in the 140s. She is VERY head down, as in almost falling out. I have dilated to a "good 2" according to the doctor. And as she was examining me, she stopped quickly and said she almost broke my water doing it. She is confident that I am farther along than what they initially felt, as baby measured on average 40 weeks today. I am scheduled for induction on Monday at 5 am, but doctor seems thinks she'll be here before then. So we're now on full alert. Car is gased up, bags are in the car, camera batteries charged, phones charged, READY!
My feet are very swelled, flip flops are my new fashion statement! I hurt when I walk and my walk is very slow. We are both extremely excited, nervous, elated, ready, and scared to death, all at the same time. Is that possible??
Please pray for us all. It's been a long, rocky road, from the miscarriage, numerous tries, and the emotions of it all. It will all be so worth it, to hear her cry, to see her smile, to hold her close and to kiss her cheek. I can't wait. I can't wait. I can't wait.
My next post will probably be after I get home from the hospital and I will post pics as soon as possible. I wish I had a laptop and I could do it from the hospital, but no luck!!
Take care everyone and I'll see you when I'm a mommy!!!

MD appt 10/27/9

We had our 36 week check up today, the first of the weekly appts. No dilation, baby is head down and pressed against my back. Dr didnt measure her, which I'm bummed about but she's healthy, so that's the important part. I had gained 6 lbs, in 2 weeks, which I've been comforted in knowing it's all baby/fluid weight, not actually me, at least I hope not. Blood pressure was still on the low side, so all good there. Baby's heartbeat was 132 bpm which ultrasound lady told me that this was somewhat normal, as baby gets head down, comfy, they calm some in waiting for the big arrival day. Baby continues to be very active, with very strong kicks. I'm having a good bit of pressure, especially in my hips, groin, and lower abdomen. My feet are swollen most of the time now, and my hands and face have moments of swelling. Dr said all looks normal, in fact, on the low side of normal, so all is ok. I'm taking potty breaks every 30-45 minutes also, which makes for interesting sleeping. Chuck has even slept in the guestroom one night b/c my constant getting up was bothering him. I am trying not to bother him, but I guess it didn't work that night! My walking has slowed considerably and walking, sitting, standing, lying, you name it, it hurts. Dr assures me she should be here within 3 weeks, so I'm still hoping for Nov 14, Chuck still hopes for Nov. 13. We'll see!

just need to whine a minute....

I have a horrible backache. I hurt when I sit, when I walk, when I lay, you name it, it hurts! I'm also nauseated, have been since yesterday but tonite it seems to be a lot worse. Baby is moving some, and I think she had hiccups about an hour ago, she's probably growing!!!!
On a happy note, Mom, Lisa, and Mama Jessie came over today so they could see baby's room and Mom put up the valance and even bought a 2nd one to make it look perfect. So, for the most part, room is ready and just waiting on baby girl.
My shower at work is Wednesday, so I can't wait for that. I hope I feel better! I will post pics Wednesday night!

10/14 MD appt

First and foremost-Happy Birthday Granny!
Today's MD appointment was great. Baby is awesome as usual, 150 bpm and she's transverse, which I learned means she is lying almost diagonal across my stomach with her head turning to the lower left side and feet upwards of right side. She is beginning her turn downward for birth, just hasn't made it there quite yet. Dr thinks she will in the next 2 weeks or so. Also of note, baby girl is LONG. They didn't measure her but she is the length of my width according to ultrasound, with long legs. I guess that's what I get for procreating with a 6'3" tall man! And of course, as usual, baby girl was lying with her hard covered and butt sticking out, so we got a pretty picture of her bottom and confirmed again she is a girl. She's not bashful with that girl part, but her face is almost always hidden. I have gained a couple of more pounds and Dr said she is not in the least bit concerned about it, says I can gain 1-2 pounds per week for the rest of the time and she'll be fine with it, since I haven't gained much throughout, and most of what I gain now is going straight to baby and sack. She says I'll probably lose most of it with delivery. Swelling is still very minimal. Blood pressure still on the low side, so no problems there either. She says I'm still a very textbook pregnancy and she is more than pleased with all the good things going on. According to my due date, I'm about 5 weeks away, but we discussed again the fact that baby appeared to be a week or so early and she agreed, she thinks I'm more like 4 weeks away, but is maintaining the nov 23 due date. She says if things continue to go as they have been, textbook-like, she expects baby to turn in about 2 weeks and then delivery could be anytime after that, but she is looking at roughly 4 weeks. I go back in 2 weeks for pelvic exam and to measure baby for weight. Dr says she won't let her get too big so that we can be more assured of a safe healthy delivery. We'll know more in two weeks.
We've taken to calling baby girl Monkey Ninja because if she's not flipping around, she's kicking. As you can see by the time of this post (3:36 am) I'm awake because some little monkey has been moving and shaking and flipping and turning and doing all kinds of things for the past few hours. I did get a couple of hours of sleep, but she is not real fond of letting me sleep a lot. Oh, she sleeps fine from 8 am-noon, but after noon, it's on! She's a very active little girl. I guess she's got to be getting bored in there, but she's just gonna have to wait it out another few weeks, then she can kick, stretch, flip, do it all ever how often she wants--in her pack-n-play!

Baby's Room Pics

Baby's Room Pics with Packn Play (in our room) and Stroller/Car Seat.

shower pics --forgot to label pics!

from top to bottom:
1. Me, Lisa (sis) and Mom
2. Me and Amy
3. Opening the blanket that my late grandmother made before she died
4. Diaper wreath made by Grandma Sherry
5. Diaper Cake made by Amy
6. Shower Cake made by Grandma Sherry
7. Amy, me, Lisa, Rhonda (cousin)
8. Me and the Grandmas
9. Me--looking way big.

shower pics

Family/Friends Baby Shower

Oct 3 was baby shower at Mom's house, hosted by Lisa and Amy, with help from Nana Sherry and Rhonda. It was absolutely wonderful. We got soooo many gifts. Crib set, stroller and car seat, pack and play, diapers, clothes and clothes and clothes, wipes, bathtub, mobile, high chair x 2, money, gift cards, wall hangings, and much much more. I'm working on getting it all put away today and Lisa is coming over to help. Chuck has put the stroller together and will get the pack and play done later today. This child will never, never be naked.
Of all, the most special gift was one that was a total surprise and shock. A hand made blanket my Mammaw made before she died in 1997. She made it for my baby that she never got to see in person but I know she's watching from above. My mom had saved it for me and I knew nothing about it. I just can't believe it. The blanket even smells like my Mammaw which makes it even more special.
Guests were (I hope I can remember them all): Mom, Beth, Sherry, Lisa, Amy, Sue, Rhonda, Mama Jessie, Barbara, Maxine, Dorothy, Sherrie, Judy, Mo, Morgan, Alice, Olivia, Jamie, Wendy, June, Jenny, Mrs. Reece, Amanda, Sherri, Connie, and Denise. I may be missing someone and I truly do not mean to, it was such a wonderful day. It went by too quickly!!!
The food was fantastic, Lisa and Amy outdid themselves. Amy made 2 diaper cakes and homemade mints and Sherry made a diaper wreath and mint/ peanut guest bags. Sherry also made a beautiful cake with a ladybug on it. I'll post those pics soon!

MD appt 10/2

I had my MD appt on Friday 10/2 and my mother in law, Beth, was able to go with me. Boring stuff first: blood pressure good, gained 2 lbs, healthy, not a problem!! I didn't get to see my regular Dr, but saw a partner, Dr. Davis, who was just as nice and wonderful as Dr. Christine. I told her my latest things going on--heartburn, feet swelling a little, backache, sleeplessness---and she said it's all part of it and the swelling is minimal and since there is no blood pressure or protein in urine problems, that it is really nothing to be concerned with at this point, in addition it will get worse before baby gets here. I'm not complaining, I have had such a great, fairly uneventful pregnancy, that I am lucky and blessed! Baby is continuing to grow on target and her heartbeat was still extremely strong and healthy. And, BEST PART HERE, we got to see her face. She posed and posed and posed. She was loving it apparently! And me too!!! Jamie (the ultrasound angel) flipped it to 4D and took lots of pics. She has her Daddy's chin and my pouty lips, chubby cheeks, and a small nose just like my grandmother, Mama Jessie. I said that when we were there and just as I said, she smiled! It was the absolute most awesome thing. The only thing that would have it better would have been if Chuck could have experienced it with me. He was at work. But I got lots of pics and he was able to see them an hour or so later. He showed her off at his work--he's so proud! She's gonna be a daddy's girl.
Chuck is going to try and hook up our scanner, I hope today, and I will scan the photos in to share.

This past week....

I celebrated my 33rd bday and I feel every second of it!! haha. It's been a rough week at work, even with a day off. And, Chuck is sick, not sure what exactly, thought he had the flu to start with but now it 's more upper respiratory/coughing/achy/feel bad. We're finishing day 2 of it tonite, and he seems to be a bit better. He stayed home today and slept off and on and he's about to dose up with some meds and go to bed. He's got to be better quickly--firstly because I can't/won't get sick and secondly, we have a busy week next week. Shower is next Saturday and we have lots of guests coming into town!
As far as baby goes, she's kicking and moving, and doing her thing, quite well! On my bday night, Chuck took me to dinner and when we got home, I was sitting on the couch and my stomach was just rolling, a weird rolling, not a belly ache, just a funky feeling. So I lifted my gown to see and you could see all kinds of movement through my belly. It was hilarious. I'm guessing she must be about the size of my belly, because simultaneously there would be movement at my belly button and just under my breasts. What a monkey!! And on the sides there would be smaller movements, punches somewhat, so I'm assuming her hands and feet were there, not sure though. She did that most of the night. I woke up the next morning not feeling well, some nausea and just all over achiness, but it only lasted the day. Probably the 33 yr old blues! haha
Til next week.....

Sept 21 MD appt

Had a great MD appointment today. Lisa (my sis) went with me since she is back-up in case Chuck needs help during L&D. Doctor decided to do another ultrasound today and we got to see her, although she was being a little stinker and wouldn't show her face. She kept her arms up over her face the whole time, but she is growing, rapidly! Her belly was poked out there, fat & sassy, as my late grandmother would say! My blood pressure was still perfect and I've lost another pound. Doctor isn't concerned b/c I am eating all I can, I'm not skimping! Baby is just getting everything I eat. I go back in 2 weeks, on Oct 2nd, the day before my shower. Doctor said I would come again in another 2 weeks and then mid-October I would begin weekly appts and she would doing exams at that point to check for dilation and cervix placement, etc. It's getting close and the nerves are building. She did share an interesting thing with me today. I asked if there was any way to tell if I'd be able to deliver vaginally or if a C-Section would be necessary, as I was told many years ago that a vaginal delivery may be impossible, due to a malformation or something I have "down there". And she said that my pelvic bone is shaped in an odd direction and that vaginal may be difficult, however it hasn't been checked in a couple of years and with age, hormones, and pregnancy, that all could be totally changed and she would know more when she does a pelvic exam in late October, and will know more as to what we may could prepare for. Please pray that vaginal delivery is possible, although C-section isn't the most horrible thing in the world, I really want to have a vaginal delivery. I really want to experience it all, even though the thought scares the crap out of me all at the same time! I want the best for my baby and me and God has it all in His plan!
As of this point, we are about 2 months away from Birth Day! Shower is weekend after next. I can't for either but I am not wishing my days away. I'm enjoying every single one!!!

Parenting Class

We went to a day long parenting/birthing class yesterday and the biggest thing I learned was I am now officially scared to death! We got to tour the birthing suites and learn about vaginal vs Csection births. Yes, I know millions of women have done this before me, and have survived but that makes me no less scared! All in all I know when the time comes, it will all be fine and just holding her will all be worth it, but now I have 2 months to think about it!!!

Sept MD appt

Yesterday was my September monthly appt. All is great. Blood pressure is great, even a little low, but no concern. Weight still good. Dr. Christine couldn't get her heartbeat to pick up on the Doppler machine (or whatever you call that) so she sent me to ultrasound. Jamie (our favorite ultrasound lady!) found her right away, in which she was lying at my back, on her tummy. Heartbeat still very strong and loud! Jamie wiggled the wand and pushed down some and baby girl pushed her bottom up as if to say "kiss it!". It was really funny. She just took a couple of pics for Dr. Christine and then baby girl pulled her head up toward the camera and Jamie was able to see (notice, I typed Jamie was able to see, not me!) that she has some hair. Dr. Christine is maintaining that she is a little ahead of schedule, for a Nov 23 due date, so she's still estimating a week or so ahead. So, in essence, I'm about 30 weeks along this week, give or take a day or two. I have all the symptoms of week 30 according to babycenter.com. She'll be here before we know it!
Mom and Daddy brought the crib over on Monday and Chuck put it all up. It looks beautiful!! Mom also found a homemade quilt (that my Mammaw made) years ago that is pink and white that I have on the bed that is also in her room, which just makes it special and girly!
Chuck has a cold and is sickly right now, and I'm doing my best to stay away from him as much as possible. I really don't want or shouldn't be sick at this point, so I'm doing my best. Doctor told me to get a flu shot soon with all the sickness going around, which I plan to do this weekend.
We go to the parenting/birthing class this Saturday so I'm sure by sundown Saturday we'll both be completely freaked out!
Tomorrow is our 4th anniversary! Never dreamed we'd also be awaiting baby at this time! Very cool!
Baby shower is also fast approaching, it will be October 3rd and I can't wait! So excited!!!

No Fancy Title...just an update!

It's been a while so I thought I'd write a little....We had a little scare last Saturday, I didn't feel baby move for a couple of days so doctor had us go to the hospital for some fetal monitoring. The minute the nurse put the monitor on me, her heartbeat was loud and fast. And then we could hear her kicking around. They kept me on the monitor for about 2 hours and then sent me home. Doctor thinks she was probably just a little far, closer to my back so I couldn't feel her. But she has definitely made up for lost time, i don't think she stopped saturday night through tuesday. She is becoming much more active and harder. She must be growing. Chuck has felt her a good bit more and we talk to her a good bit and she seems to respond a bit to that. Lisa even got to feel her kick pretty hard Tuesday night.
Funny side note: While we were at the hospital, we were trying to think of anything to get her to move so we could hear/feel her. So Chuck decided to put his phone/MP3 player up to my tummy and see if she would respond. First he tried Dave Matthews Band, no luck. Then he played "Insane in the Membrane" which is a really terrible old rap song and she went nuts. She started kicking and pushing and dancing around. It was hilarious. The nurse started calling Chuck "Rockstar Daddy". It was too funny. I really hope bad rap is not the music she likes!
Nothing else really exciting going on. Daddy started painting the crib and it looks great so far. We are going over to their house tomorrow and Chuck is going to help him finish it up. I can't wait for it to be finished and over here in her room. I hope we're able to finish moving furniture around and getting the room as ready as we can, which I'd like to get finished on Sunday, but we'll see! Once it's all arranged, I'll try to take some pics to show it off!
I guess that's about it for the moment, next MD appt is Sept 8, but it'll just be a routine visit. But I'll update! Til then...

Sick..ugh!

Woke up Sunday morning not feeling great with a sore throat but figured it was just from sitting outside on mom's patio saturday night. As the day progressed, I got worse and barely got out of bed all day and by mid afternoon I had a low grade fever. I started the Tylenol. By 4 am Monday I was having stomach cramps, more sore throat, a headache that won't quit, aching back, and just felt crappy all over. Called the doctor and they wanted to see me. I was tested for strep, flu and swine flu. Negative for all thank goodness! Doctor thinks I have a throat infection with a bug of some kind and gave me antibiotics for a week. I still feel kinda blah tonite but I will make it. Baby girl apparently has felt fine because she has continued her kick-a-thon and rolling and spinning right along.
On a darker note, today at our apartment, our neighbor downstairs son who is home on leave from Iraq started having some post traumatic stress syndrome and started shooting. SCARY!!! We heard about 15 shots but as we left for the doctor today, the CSI team and Detectives were doing their thing and we saw 23 "evidence" markers of casings and bullets all over downstairs breezeway. It is all very sad. We spoke with his father, who is our neighbor, a very nice older gentleman. He said that apparently his son "lost it" and started screaming and shooting. He shot himself, I'm assuming in the shoulder, because when I saw him on the sidewalk, the paramedics were bandaging and wrapping his shoulder. His father said he would be ok physically. There was another son injured, appeared to be in the hand. Before the cops arrived we heard a female screaming "I didn't do anything" repeatedly, for which we assumed a domestic violence situation but we did not go out to see where it was coming from, Chuck called 911. But later found out the female was the poor man's mother and I just feel for the entire family. It is very sad that this brave man has gone overseas and fought for his country and comes home to spend quality time with his family, and is able to spend that time, but yet, he mentally can't unwind or forget enough to be settled. I'm not going to make this blog political or anti-war or pro-war or anything like that, but today, seeing/hearing this first hand has really made me appreciate the sacrifices that the soldiers and their families make. Unfortunately, the war isn't just "over there." I pray for this family, and all the others like it that I don't know. The look on his father's face made me just want to hold him and cry with him. Very very sad.
On a much better note, Daddy went through further testing today for his heart, a Pet Scan. Basically a dye is run through his heart to check for blockages and such. They didn't admit him, so we're hopeful this is a good sign and they told him he would hear results in 2-5 days. Mom said he made it through with no problems. He then went to another doctor (he was trying to be a professional patient today!) and had some cysts removed from both eyes. I talked to him this afternoon and he said he felt fine and was having no problems. Thank God!
Well, I think I'm going to go to bed now, I'm exhausted and my head is starting to hurt a bit, so I'm going to medicine up and go to bed.
Night!

Week 24

Week 24 officially began today. I have a dcotors appointment tomorrow for the gestational diabetes test and another sonogram to check her kidneys. So we'll get to see her once again tomorrow and see how she's growing and changing. Can't wait!! I know she must be getting bigger because I'm feeling her a lot more and much more often now. Chuck even got to feel her for the first time on Friday, July 31. About 5 am, we were both awake (I usually am, not sure why he was!!) and watching tv and he leaned over and started rubbing my belly, asking where she was. I pointed him to where I felt her and it wasn't long til she did a couple jumps under his hand and he jerked it back. He said she felt like an alien trying to escape!! But I think he was happy to finally feel her. He said he knows now why I make some of the faces I do when I she kicks and moves. As long as she moving and jumping and happy, so am I!.
In other news, both of her grandpas are having some health problems now so please pray for them both. Both of them mean the world to us and I cant wait for her to have them wrapped her little fingers, as if she doesn't already!
Mom and Daddy plan to start working on the crib in the next week or so. They are painting it black. It's going to be gorgeous!
Chuck got the job he's been wanting forever last week. He starts Aug 25 at AT&T as DSL Help Desk person, not sure what you call that! He's anxious and so ready to get back working, so am I!!!
I will post tomorrow night after the appointment with all the updates!

just a quick note

While Chuck and Michael play Xbox in the living room, thought I would blog a little since I hadn't in a few days. Week 22 begins tomorrow and I'm thankful. Last week was a very hard week, not with baby, because she's moving and jumping and playing and I'm sure growing. We had a few things go on in our life that has put us in a struggle, but we will survive and make it out with only the strength and lessons learned from it all. Baby girl is apparently learning that my bladder is trampoline-like and she gets good "air" when she hits it just right. And she is becoming a pro at it! I've learned that she absolutely doesn't like salsa, which is such a shame because it was one of my favorite snacks. She must be growing because I am getting hungrier more often and am trying to eat as well and as much as I can. Every night when I go to bed, she begins her tumbling and flipping and acrobats! Chuck is trying every night to feel her, but he hasn't yet. Hopefully soon! The worst symptoms I'm having at the moment are major fatigue, which I don't know if it is baby caused or just stress caused, because like I said earlier, it's been a hard week and I've slept next to none and I'm having aches and pains all over, especially my back and feet at night. I don't know if my feet are swelling, but they ache, only at night. But honestly, I feel ok, I'm not complaining! She'll be soooo worth it when she makes her grand entrance!
My next MD appointment is Aug 4 and Dr Christine has already told me they will be doing another ultrasound to look at her kidneys, and I will having a gestational diabetes test.

Name Game

This naming business is difficult. We're down to two names for the most part and can't decide. Chuck says either, and I say either, but I really have my heart set on one. Decisions, decisions! I know this should be the least of my worries, but sometimes it's the little things that are the hardest!

It's a .......

It's official, we will be parents of a beautiful baby girl by Thanksgiving! Had a great doctor's appointment on yesterday. Baby Girl showed us her "stuff" by sitting rearend down so we could be sure she's all girl! She weighs a whopping 13 ounces, she's about 6 1/2 inches long and has long arms and legs. She enjoyed throwing them all around while we watched her! Her spine, brain, heart, bladder and stomach are all there and functioning properly. Heartbeat was 155 bpm. She is lying along my pelvic area, hip to hip and is very low and I have an "anterior placenta" which means the placenta is on top. this means it's going to be another couple of weeks before I feel her kick really well and another month or so before anyone can feel my tummy to feel her kick. Another note is she is actually measuring to be bit earlier than previously thought, Dr measured her to be around Nov 19, not Nov 23 but she is not going to change due date b/c it is only a few days, and we all know babies rarely come on due dates! So, I'm still betting on Nov 21, Chuck is betting Nov 18. I guess we need to start a prediction calender!
I'm healthy too, I've gained 4 pounds since last appointment and blood pressure is perfect (120/75). I'm hungry most of the time now and very tired a good bit too. My body is starting to do some changing as in my belly is growing into all basketball look. I'm starting to walk a bit slower and Chuck says I "walk pregnant" b/c it's more comfy to walk with my back a little bent. I get short of breath if I walk or talk a good bit so I try to pace myself. I go back in 4 weeks and I have to do the gestational diabetes test, which doc says I'm having no symptoms for.
Lisa and Amy are beginning preparations for the baby shower. We are registered at Babies R Us and Wal Mart. They are thinking either last weekend of Sept or first of October. I'll keep posted on that.
I have to call today to register us for baby class at the hospital. Can't wait for that!!!
Well I'm off now to go eat something and enjoy the rest of my vacation!

Babies R Us & WalMart

We decided to start our registries today at Babies R Us and WalMart. Chuck, Lisa and I went to both and it was sooo much fun. And, yes, we jumped the gun a little and registered for girl things and if July 7th has other news for us, then I'll be happy to change it all, but we had such a great time just looking around and experiencing it all. I never knew baby stuff could be so fun! We did go a little overboard with some things, but ya never know! If you want to look at our registries, feel free, you can go online to either and search baby registry and search either my or Chuck's name. (I think on walmart's he entered Charles, not Chuck) There are a couple of duplicates on both because I forgot we had registered at Babies R Us for a couple of things and put them on Walmart too. Oops! Babies R Us definitely has more stuff on it because they have such a better selection. We mostly put the essentials (diapers, onesies, bottles, etc) on walmart.
Next time I blog will probably be July 7th...so see you then!

Hmmm....Did I just feel what I think I did???

Tonite at approximately 7:15 or so, I think I felt the baby kick for the first time. I'm not for sure about it, but it was a feeling I've never felt before in my life and it wasn't a gas bubble, because usually if I get those, shortly after the first feeling then my entire stomach hurts. I was standing in a store and something in my lower stomach, on the left side, just jabbed me. Almost like someone had just bumped into me, however there was nothing around me to do that. My sister happened to walk around the clothes rack that I had propped on and asked if I was ok, because she saw me grab my stomach and prop on the rack. I explained to her what happened and she she smiled and said, "I bet that was baby!" I slowly began walking around again, thinking if it was a gas bubble or something else it would do it again, and as of 1 am (right now) not again.
So for all purposes at this point, I'm going to declare it to be baby kick #1. I might be wrong, but I've been wrong before but this really does feel right!
Now I'm going to go rest and try to get some sleep!

What a Beautiful Baby...

We got a great surprise today....an unexpected ultrasound with a sneak peak at the 4D!!! And let me just say, that is one beautiful baby chillin' in my tummy! Heartbeat was 160 bpm and he/she was just laying there, breech, and gave us some great poses of the profile, rib cage, spine and sucking the thumb. Then at the end, it decided to cover the side of the face as if to tell us our view was over! The ultrasound lady, which was not our regular ultrasound lady Jamie because she was off today, but was sooo nice, did try and get a glimpse of the girl/boy parts but to no avail. Baby decided today wasn't the day for discoveries! Then she clicked the button and there was our beautiful baby's face, just looking at us, eyes still shut, but wow! what a sight! I've seen 4Ds in the past but to see my own was just absolutely amazing. I didn't cry although I did well up! We go back on July 7 for the gender reveal!
As for me, I'm healthy and fine. Blood pressure great and I had lost another pound, but MD wasn't too worried telling me that next month, they would measure baby and determine if I needed to modify my eating habits/nutrition, in case baby wasn't getting enough. She said by pictures now, baby looked right on target. I did share my concerns with her that I don't feel like eating most of the time, not sure if I'm eating enough, and worried that my appetite hasn't increased. She said at this point, she was not worried in that since I began my pregnancy overweight, that it is most likely that baby is using up the excess vs needing additional from me as would be had I been average size from the beginning. I was also concerned with my increase in morning sickness over the past 2 or so weeks. Again, she said was not a big problem unless I got to a point of not being able to hold down any food, which at this point, it's just brushing my teeth brings on a quick session between my face and the toilet or sink, or whatever I get to the quickest.
I will hopefully be able to post the pics from today by the weekend. As we were not expecting to get an ultrasound today, we didn't take a CD with us. Chuck is going to try and get the cords he needs to hook up our scanner this weekend, so I will post as soon as possible.
On a less happier note, we spent last night in the ER with Chuck. He hit his head yesterday at work on a steel beam and basically, it won. He has a concussion and "positional vertigo". He can't walk exactly straight, has a headache, a sweet little knot on his noggin, and is now realizing what day, month, planet he's on. Yesterday, he was unclear about that! The positional vertigo is basically when he turns his head downward or to the left he gets extra dizzy. Doctor told him this would clear up in a week or so, he has to go back next Monday for a recheck. Until then he was to be off work tonite and then to light duty until Monday. He seemed to be feeling a bit better tonite, he's still a little uneasy on his feet, but thankfully our apt is small so he doesn't have far to fall! just kidding, he's doing a lot of furniture walking! lol

Week 16 Begins Tomorrow

Tomorrow begins Week 16. I learned today baby is aobut 4 inches long and weighs about 2 oz, about the size of an apple. I'm having a few new symptoms and some of the old ones are sticking around. New ones are morning time stuffiness, leg cramps, and extreme breast pain, especially my left one. Old ones that seem to still be here are frequent urination (as in, you can set a clock to my potty breaks!), fatigue and moodiness. I'm trying to battle the moodiness best I can. Poor Chuck is getting the brunt of it and I always come back and realize I've been mean, but I just can't stop myself at the time. He just looks at me and says "ok, honey, it's the baby talking" and walks off. Thank goodness he understands, most days! My biggest worry at the moment is I'm not hungry and when I do eat, I don't want to and nothing tastes good, so I eat very little. I am trying to eat but it tastes so bad, I can't. I weighed at work Friday, and compared to my first weight on April 1, I've lost approximately 15 pounds.
I received a new book (Your Pregnancy Week to Week) and some pamphlets today from a maternity service I get through my insurance and learned what actual amounts of the food groups I should be eating at this point and I'm coming no where close to what I should. I am making a conscious effort, effective today, to eat right, including Chuck sat down and wrote out a grocery list of items to buy for me. He's become concerned and is going to start monitoring my intake from here on out. If anyone has any ideas of how I can work on this, please help.
I go to the doctor on Tuesday Jun 9 so I will post on Tuesday with my updates.

appointment made

Just a quickie....I made our "it's a ...." appointment today--July 7. We are trying to find a creative way to tell our family, so please send me any ideas. I'll be posting before then, but just a heads up, that I won't post the gender until our family has been told. Start your predicting now.....mine is Girl, born on Nov 21.
Also, we started a babies r us registry last night, so exciting! We are actually going to go shopping to make a registry after we find out the gender but we found a couple of non-gender specific things that we loved so we went ahead and started one. I know it's early, but you only have your first child once! :)

14 weeks

Today is 14 weeks. According to my pregnancy website I visit often, babycenter.com, I learned that the baby is about the size of a lemon (3 1/2 inches) long and is now peeing, grimacing, facial features are forming, moving about, and possibly even sucking his/her thumb. I also read that an average pregnant woman, who is either in her 2nd or more pregnancy and/or slender at pregnancy can start to feel movements at this time. However, I'm neither of these things, but for the past few days, only when I'm completely relaxed, either driving or riding in a car, sitting watching tv or relaxing or lying down to go to bed, I feel like I have butterflies in my stomach. But it's very brief and usually only 1-2 times per day. I've been noticing it so I read in my book (Pregnancy & You) that this is common and is indeed the baby movements that I'm feeling and it's called "lightening". It says that 100 women will describe it 100 different ways, but one of the most common is "butterflies in your stomach". So, baby is apparently active.
Also, this past week, I've noticed that the skin around my hips that goes around my pelvic area is starting to tighten, up under my belly. And, when I got out of the shower a couple of days ago, I noticed my stomach looking different so I asked Chuck and he saw the same thing. I had him to explain what was different, without telling him what I thought, and he described the same thing I saw. My stomach appears to be lower and more up front vs around my waist. Which is exactly what my doctor said I would do, given my weight and size going into pregnancy. She described that I would probably look like I was smuggling a basketball. In addition, I've always heard girls are carried lower, and it's all definitely lower at this point. If you've never seen me naked (which if you haven't consider yourself very very very lucky!) then you'd probably never notice it. Hopefully by end of July, first of August, I will show pregnant and I will take a pic to prove!
The only other exciting thing to happen this past week has been that we got our crib. It's great and I love it. Our dear dear longtime family friend, who is just like a sister, gave us hers that she used with her youngest son, who is now 3 1/2 years old. It's the crib that has the chest and changing table attached, so it's all one piece of furniture, which is great. It's at mom and dad's right now and I'm going to clean it up, dad's going to do a few little repairs to it (replacing some screws, making sure the drawers roll right) and it will be perfect. Can't wait to decorate the little one's room! I'll take some pics of it when I go over to work on it and post them.
Any many thanks to Jill for the crib! And to Anthony for giving up his "baby boy" bed! :)

12 wks 3 days photos from May 14 appt

I know I'm a little late posting these, but we had a family emergency Saturday night when I started this, I wound up being up a good bit of Saturday night and didn't sleep well so I slept off and on most of rainy Sunday and then worked today so...no excuse, but I'm just now doing this. Again, the pics are a little hard to see but I still know they are of our beautiful baby!

The baby stayed the entire time with the head downward and butt upward and back to us. So, in the picture labeled "legs" it apparently got upset with us invading on him/her and swung legs over--this is where Jamie exclaimed "how many legs does this baby have?" and I wanted to pass out! LOL

The Basics.....

Here's our story summed up as best as I can.....
We've been married for 3 1/2 years (since Sept 2005) and together since Nov. 2003. We've been trying to have a baby for the past 2 years or so and were told that getting pregnant might be a little difficult due to a condition I have that causes some female trouble that I honestly can not explain. We found out we were pregnant in Nov 2007 and, sadly, lost that baby on Dec 17, 2007 at 7 1/2 weeks. It was a very difficult time for us and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
Shortly after, in January 2008, we lost Chuck's biological father unexpectedly and then in January 2009, we lost Chuck's paternal grandmother, Mawmaw Kay. While in Arkansas for her funeral, we decided it was time to begin trying to have another baby.
On March 19, 2009, we tested positive on a stick test! Oh happy day!!! Oh scary day!!! Filled with happiness and fear, we told our families even though we had told ourselves we wouldn't tell a soul until we past 8 weeks, due to our first attempt. But my free flowing tears was a dead giveaway! Tears of joy, might I add! Unsure of how far along I was and knowing that with my first pregnancy, the doctor told me that I should be on a medication called Prometrium to help with having a healthy pregnancy, I called the doctor that day for an appointment and to see if I should start the medicine.
My first appointment was April 1, 2009 and this was no April Fools Day joke---I AM PREGNANT! Baby measured to be only about 5 weeks and my due date was set at Nov 29, 2009. I was labeled "high risk" due to my past miscarriage and female conditions--which I can partly explain here that my body does not produce enough progesterone, which is a hormone needed to make the baby healthy and viable (I think that's the word), which is why I need to take the medication, Prometrium, which does this. I had started the meds back on March 20, 2009 so I was good with that and got a very early start on it, which was even better. Dr. Christine, my wonderful OB, tells us (Chuck was with me!) that she wants me to come every 2 weeks until the second trimester so they can closely monitor baby's growth, heartbeat, and health. She told us signs and symptoms to watch for and to call immediately with any of them. Nervous and scared and elated all at the same time, we confirmed with family that the stick test was right but the next few weeks would be scary and prayers of all kinds are appreciated.
About a week later, on a Sunday, I was feeling fine, but I started spotting. And this is a scary scary thing. I called on-call doctor/nurse and she called back quickly. I explained my history and my current issue and told me what to do and if it got worse, to come to hospital immediately. I checked again in 5 minutes and no spotting. I rested a while, per nurse's orders, and still no spotting. All is good....baby must be a drama maker!!!
Morning, night and all day sickness has started. I felt car sick all day long. A constant queezy, lightheadedness. Fun stuff--but oh so worth it! I am also having heartburn and extreme fatigue. I go home daily and take a nap around 7 pm, only to get up and watch tv and be in bed by 9:30 usually.
My next appointment was April 16. Chuck went with me again, thankfully. I really like him being there with me to experience it all, because it is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And I assume he likes going, he doesn't complain! My appointment was in the afternoon so I worked that morning, but hadn't slept at all the night before. My nerves were going like wildfire. Chuck tried his best to make me smile but I refused, thinking I can't smile til I hear this baby's heartbeat. Before I left work, I had started spotting some which made the nerves go into double time. We went into the ultrasound room with our favorite ultrasound lady, Jamie, and she started the monitor. We saw this little bity tadpole looking object on the screen. I asked if there was a heartbeat and she said "Let's see" and she punched a couple of buttons. Then out of the speakers came the most wonderful sound I've ever heard---the loud, fast beating heart of our baby. Chuck was holding my hand and he jumped to his feet and leaned across me and said "that's our baby---listen to that heartbeat". I began crying because this was what we were waiting for---it is a beautiful sound! Heartbeat measured at 182 beats per minute, which Jamie explained to us was probably a bit faster than normal because my heart was probably beating twice that! haha. She was right! It sounded like a motorboat taking off. Awesomely magnificent! We did see the doctor that day and she was very pleased with the baby's heartbeat and what seemed to be a healthy baby---I also was doing great. I had lost a couple of pounds since my first appointment and blood pressure is almost perfect. Baby measured at a little farther along than first appointment so my due date was moved to Nov. 23, the Monday before Thanksgiving. We left there and went to Mom and Dad's to have a celebratory dinner with them and Lisa.
My next appointment was April 30. Chuck and I went, not as nervous as the prior visit, but still worried because we aren't out of the woods yet. Ultrasound showed a growing baby with a heartbeat of 166 beats per minute. Due date stays the same. My symptoms are staying constant although the nausea seems to be lessening some. I'm a little more than 10 weeks at this point, so we're nearing end of trimester. So far so good.
I celebrated my first mother's day with the absolute sweetest card I've ever read from Mama Jessie. I'm already very emotional and seem to feel like crying at the sun shining or the rain falling, and it took all I had not to ball crying while reading the card. I just love my Mama Jessie.
We're almost up to date....
My last appointment was May 14 (happy birthday Grandma Sherry) and I went by myself because we thought there wouldn't be an ultrasound, only a visit with Dr Christine. But, there was an ultrasound and words can not explain the sight of this baby. When Jamie put the monitor on and it appeared on the screen I couldn't believe how big it looked. It is starting to look more like a baby and not a tadpole! And even though I know it's not, it looked huge. Jamie laughed at me when I said that and said "and it's growing inside you, bigger and bigger". She got several pictures, although they weren't very good because baby insisted on laying with head downward and booty up in the air and back facing outward. Heartbeat still measuring in the 160s and still very strong. We did see fingers and hands and legs and a spine. I'm 12 weeks and 3 days now.....welcome to trimester #2!
Symptoms are going away almost gone except for heartburn and frequent bathroom breaks. And I seem to having a little more appetite at times, which is good according to Dr Christine because I had lost 10 pounds during the month of April and she told me to lose no more. I'm trying to watch what I eat and every day there seems to be a new craving. For the most part though, it is salty and spicy that I want. And pickles are my favorite thing.
Last night, Chuck brought me home my belated mother's day gift....a pack bibs in which one says "I'm bugging Mommy". I love them. Can't wait to be using them.