counting my lucky stars

How are we already heading into December???  Not that November went by quickly (trust me, it didn't), but this year definitely did!  And with that, it brings me to 14 weeks of pregnancy.  Have I mentioned how much I really didn't think I'd get here?! Holy wowzers.  I count my lucky stars every night and am so grateful to be moving along this pregnancy!

As I mentioned in my last post, I did the first part of Sequential Screening last week, and they called me yesterday to say that so far, it looks great (less than 1 in 10000 chance of DS).  I still have to do the second part of the screening after Dec. 5, and that will test for the other strands as well as spinal issues.  I think the last step will be my appointment with them on Jan 10 to compare measurements and give me my final results.  Baby is looking healthy though :)

I also went to my regular doctor for a prescription follow up that I got when I came back from Cancun. There was a new nurse, and she definitely didn't look at my chart or even know why I was there.  I almost got undressed to discuss a prescription.. luckily I was on top of my game and corrected her and headed to the doc's office along with all my clothing :)
First thing doc asks, however?  "Did you have a miscarriage?"  Oh, hey doc, nice to see you too!  Sometimes doctors are really bad at communicating with their patients.  He said that considering I have no belly yet/I'm not showing, it was really meant as a compliment if I was indeed still pregnant... But given my history, he was worried when he saw me.  Go ahead, doc, just keep digging your grave a little deeper on this one... If it wasn't because I saw Baby W* only a week ago, that little conversation may have been much more disturbing than it was.  To all the docs out there, learn how to talk to patients if you don't already. Goodness!

Anyway.  Looking forward to the coming weeks - hopefully Baby W* will let us see if he's a boy or if she's a girl come Dec. 10th.  That's also when my furbabies head to the vet to remove their reproductive systems.  This is going to be a big step for momma-bear, since I really never wanted to do that to them.. but they can't have any more furbabies so it's time to end all that.  Poor things.. they don't even know what's coming.  Also looking forward to heading home to AZ and visit with my parents/family and friends for a couple of weeks, including Christmas!  And then it's off to Tennessee to see LAW's dad and stepmom, who have been trying to get me out there since I left this Summer, and more so since they found out about Baby W*  I really wish I could've spent Thanksgiving up there, but New Year's will have to do.

I hope you all enjoy the coming weeks and don't get too stressed out with the commercial side of the holiday buzz.  Remember that Jesus is the Reason for the Season! ;) xox


Due Date: last week of May 2013

How far along? fourteen weeks. Boom!

Symptoms: this whole ligament stretching thing really hurts every now and then!  Still dealing with nausea and shortness of breath.. 

This week, Baby is the size of: orange you glad I didn't say banana?!

Total weight gain: negative 5 from 6 week weigh-in... not that I'm complaining since I'm sure when I start feeling like a cow I'll remember these weeks with lots and lots of jealousy. 

Gender: unknown

Food cravings: hahaha. I went and ate all the fried things I could find yesterday... nothing compares to Gus' chicken.. hopefully I'll be eating that in a month, though!

Anything making you queasy or sick: still no interest in eggs or pork.  morning and night are perfect for nausea monster to creep in, and every now and then, not enough fluids make me nauseous.

Maternity clothes? negative captain.

Sleep: I'm having a difficult time with sleep these last few nights, mostly just because I'm uncomfortable.

Movement: haven't felt anything yet, at least not that I'm aware.

Stretch marks? nothing I didn't already have!

Wedding rings on or off? on

Swelling? No

Belly Button in or out? in

Labor Signs: definitely not.

Happy or Moody most of the time: mostly sad about being lonely.

Best moment this week: today i made something really neat that I'm really proud of. so that!  

What I miss: sleeping next to LAW

Looking forward to: Dec. 10!

I was warned about those cravings...

I definitely slacked on updates this week... I'll be honest, it's been a hard couple of weeks with LAW being gone, and me being in a city with a limited amount of friends, zero family, and few things to do. The fact that it's a Holiday week definitely doesn't help, since I feel like everybody was busy with family, except for me. Yes, I throw myself pity parties every now and then.. I have a hard time distracting myself from the loneliness, and still getting sick so often doesn't help my cause. haha.

So I guess I'll apologize to my family and friends for not keeping in better touch these last two weeks.

Anyway, I had another doctor appointment for Baby W* this week.  This time, it was for "Sequential Screening" which is "a two-stage screening procedure offered during pregnancy to identify women who are at increased risk of having a baby with Down Syndrome. It also permits screening for open neural tube defects, such as open spina bifida, and the identification of pregnancies at high risk for trisomy 18."  The nurse took measurements of my baby's back, neck, size, etc. and pointed out Baby W*'s nasal bones, developing brain, toes, hands, umbilical chord, etc.

When we started the process, it looked as if Baby W* was just about to suck on his thumb, and then got really annoyed with us for bothering him. hahaha!  He was nowhere near as active as the last time I got to see him, all he did was put his legs up over his head and just rest there.  It worked out great for the measurement shots, but when we tried to do a 3D shot, he just didn't cooperate.  The nurse tried pushing down and wobbling my tummy around trying to make him move to no avail.  He gave us his back completely, and then shifted back to the original position.. Stubborn baby already!  I wonder who he gets that from... oops!

He has the cutest profile I have ever seen, seriously.  His nose looked adorable, so I hope that means he's getting my nose and not LAW's. Oh, and he had pouty lips, too. So those are mine too. HAHA :) But the forehead is all LAW's, I just know it will be.

My belly still looks like I have a food baby most days, or at least as if I really have to pee - which is probably the case 90% of the time.  I've been way more thirsty than ever before my pregnancy, so I already pee every couple of hours because I'm just not used to so much fluid in my bladder!

I have another appointment with my regular OB on Dec 10th and maybe I'll know the sex of Baby W* by Christmas time.  I have a really neat idea of how to let everyone know since I'm far away.  I hope you enjoy receiving the news as much as I will enjoy preparing a way to tell you all!

I've had two friends so far say they had a dream about Baby W* and she was a girl.  Most people think it's a girl.  I kinda do, too, but I remain undecided since both dreams I had so far, he's been a boy!  I'll be more than thankful with a happy and healthy baby, regardless of the gender. I'm already looking forward to different things depending on what's between those legs, though.

 I'm also desperately looking forward to the days of no more nausea.  It's gotten a little better these last two weeks, though I feel like I took a step back Friday afternoon and today.  The worst is getting sick and knowing I have to eat something again shortly after.  An empty stomach only makes matters worse, but getting sick has never been pleasurable, even after the fact.

Now, for pictures...

Due Date: last week of May 2013

How far along? 13 1/2, almost 14 really.. 

Symptoms: nausea, bloating, emotional

This week, Baby is the size of: a peach, a lemon, a shrimp, anything that's 3in long I suppose!

Total weight gain: I was 4lbs lighter than original weight. I should be catching up here pretty soon.

Gender: unknown

Food cravings: so, funny story... I knew I had a possibility of craving peperoncini, olives, or pickles - because I randomly crave those on the regular, and I didn't want to be caught off guard, so last time I went to the store, I bought one of each.  Well, sure enough, on Tuesday or so, I was DYING for a pickle, and went to my little jar and tried to open it, but couldn't.  I'm talking putting 10 minutes of effort into this stupid jar.  I started jumping up and down and semi-screaming at the jar and almost crying. Seriously, it was the most ridiculous moment I've had so far.  After lots of effort, banging on the lid with a knife, etc., I finally ate my pickle about 30 minutes later. The craving had been replaced with frustration, so the pickle wasn't nearly as great as it would've been on the spot, but it was hilarious none the less. I proceeded to have the same experience with the peperoncini jar the following day, by the way. And yes, I opened the olive jar already, sans cravings.  Oh hey, temper tantrums, I hope you aren't hereditary! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: the act of waking up, and the act of trying to fall asleep. :(

Maternity clothes? I still fit into all my regular stuff, so that's nice.

Sleep: when I'm not nauseous. yes.

Movement: i can't feel anything yet

Stretch marks? nope

Wedding rings on or off? on

Swelling? does my tummy count? haha

Belly Button in or out? in

Labor Signs: I have plenty of months left until that happens

Happy or Moody most of the time: LAW being gone makes me sad.

Best moment this week: seeing stubborn Baby W*

What I miss: LAW, energy to do anything.

Looking forward to: Dec. 10th and then going home for the Holidays =]

1 Samuel 1:27

For this child did I pray, and the Lord hath granted me my petition, which I asked of him

Today is the day I've been looking forward to for the past six weeks!  The day I FINALLY get to shout to the world that Baby W* is coming!

It was definitely just as exciting as I pictured it, if not more.  I'm so overcome with happiness today!!  I've gotten the sweetest messages and phone calls, and I feel incredibly blessed to know these are the people our kid will grow up knowing.

Thank you all for your encouraging words and your outpouring of love!!

Here's to the next six months being healthier and sweeter than the last three!

Due Date: last week of May 2013

How far along? I'm at the twelve-week mark! SO EXCITING!!!!!

Symptoms: nausea, minor cramps, sore boobs, constant hunger, hormonal

This week, Baby is the size of: a plum

Total weight gain: I really need to buy a scale (no I don't!) - either way, still negative from starting weight

Gender: unknown

Food cravings: haha, I emailed my mom yesterday asking her to come home and make me a list of foods, so I guess that's what I'm craving! mom's home cooking. yumm.

Anything making you queasy or sick: I'm still fighting with eggs and pork, and no sign of being able to cook yet.

Maternity clothes? negative captain!

Sleep: oh man, I haven't been able to get much sleep, and it is killing me! The 2 AM wake up calls from the Nausea Monster are just horrible.

Movement: baby moves lots! I just can't feel it.

Stretch marks? nope

Wedding rings on or off? on

Swelling? Nope

Belly Button in or out? in

Labor Signs: I have plenty of months left until that happens

Happy or Moody most of the time: I'm just BLAH lately.  It is super boring and lonely up here by myself!!

Best moment this week: publicly announcing the pregnancy on FB ;)

What I miss: LAW, my cooking, my parents, feeling normal after every meal

Looking forward to: Dec. 10th, that's the next baby appointment! then going home for Christmas.  Thanksgiving is going to be super stinky this year! I wish I could've made my way out to Memphis after all.

This is going to be a looong Winter..

So this is going to be my first white Winter (I won't say Christmas because I may not be here for it, and I've already had a white Christmas in TN!) - But no mister to keep me warm or sit by the fireplace with me or make me hot cocoa with marshmallows or anything! Who's supposed to go out in the middle of the night and fulfill my cravings?  I'm certainly not. Not when there's snow on the ground, anyway!  Which may be sooner than I think.  We had our first snow in the city today.  Nothing major, no coating the ground or anything (it was melting shortly after touching ground), but the mountains have plenty of it already, and I hear you need to have chains on your tires if you want to drive out of here. Great.


Side note: Happy birthday to my FIL!


In baby news....

I had my last first-trimester doctor appointment yesterday, which also happened to be my first OB appointment with the new doctor I'll be seeing throughout my pregnancy.  I'd been extremely nervous about this appointment, and at the same time, really excited for it, in case the news were positive.  Still, after being told by every GYN so far that 1.  I was probably not going to get pregnant, 2. I was likely to miscarry if I did, and 3. I would have high-risk pregnancies even if I carried full term, it's hard to remain positive in between doctor visits when you can't SEE what's going on inside your belly.

Anyway.  The tech took me to the examining room and tried to listen to Baby W*'s heartbeat, but after 5-10 minutes of searching, she gave up.  She said, "maybe it's still too early" to which I replied, "Well, I'm a little over 11 weeks today.. is that too early?" And then tech said, "well...... *15 second pause*...... I'm going to get the doctor and he can talk to you."  That's when I experienced the longest ten minutes of my life.  I started praying that baby was okay and she just had a hard time finding the heartbeat.  After my five-minute prayer consisting of why Baby W* needed to be okay, I just kept repeating "Please let Baby be okay. Please let Baby be okay" over and over as I laid on that super uncomfortable table - legs propped up and everything.  When Doc finally came in and asked how I was, my voice was cracking as I tried to respond, "well, super nervous now since she couldn't hear a heartbeat."  Doc came highly recommended, and rightfully so.  He put me at ease immediately, and decided to do a vaginal ultrasound again to get a better picture of Baby W*

The minute I saw Baby W* on the screen, moving around and party rockin' in my belly, I started crying.  I was overwhelmed with this happiness and just feeling.. well, blessed.  I know I say this a lot.  But seriously, Baby W* is definitely my little miracle baby, and as big of a pain as it's been to be sick 24/7, getting to see Baby W* on the screen is just the most amazing thing I've ever laid my eyes on.  Let's not even talk of the heartbeat.  Nothing compares to the feelings I've been experiencing these last two days.  Doc said, "Oh, you're crying already!" I guess someone should've filled him in on my history and how special this whole thing is.  I have so much more faith in a successful pregnancy after yesterday's appointment, and being only days away from the first big milestone, the twelve week mark, I'm finally letting myself enjoy the slight belly I'm getting.

The only thing I wish I could change would be having LAW experience all these things with me.  It's crazy to think how different my body will be when he finally comes home.




 



Due Date: last week of May 2013

How far along? 11 weeks and some days

Symptoms: nausea, sleepiness, minor cramps

This week, Baby is the size of: a lime - my favorite =]

Total weight gain: So I'm still 7 lbs lighter than I was five weeks ago...

Gender: starting to develop!

Food cravings: so this one is a bit hard, because I want tamarind candy all the time.. but I mean, that's not much different than pre-pregnancy!

Anything making you queasy or sick: pork and eggs still.. raw meat/chicken.  it's impossible for me to even attempt to cook right now.

Maternity clothes? no

Sleep: I'm back to waking up at 2 AM every morning, takes me about 2-3 hours to fall back asleep, and wake up shortly after that for good.  Then I crash at 2 PM for at least 2 hours.

Movement: nothing that I can feel, but Baby W* was active as can be in yesterday's ultrasound!

Stretch marks? nope

Wedding rings on or off? on

Swelling? Nope

Belly Button in or out? in.

Labor Signs: definitely not.

Happy or Moody most of the time: I haven't been moody, just lonely and sad with LAW being gone. Hugs and kisses would be nice, they're definitely missed.

Best moment this week: seeing Baby W* move around yesterday. I'm in love.

What I miss: hugs and kisses.. eating without dry-heaving shortly after.

Looking forward to: twelve week mark next week.  One trimester closer to the gold! =]