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.