Normal.

I am officially "normal"... and have never been happier to BE NORMAL.  

I had a Dr.'s appt today and he came in and checked the heartbeat, and asked if I had an uneventful two weeks (which is good).  He found the heartbeat immediately and said my uterus is growing as it should.  It is exciting, because now I can feel it higher up in my abdomen, so I knew it was growing!  The heartbeat is in the 160's... and not sure what to think of that.  The old wives tale says I am having a girl (if the heartbeat is over 140) but I know PLENTY of people who had boys and their heartbeats were in the 160's and 170's.  I am still feeling more boy vibes than girl.  I think this is partially wishful thinking, because at this point I am solid on my boy name (which is kept secret for now) and I cannot for the life of me find a girl name I am in love with.  All of this probably means that I am having a girl.  But - I scheduled the appointment and we will know FOR SURE on November 10!!  8 whole weeks away.  I'm praying that it goes fast.

On another note - I just have to say that I have the most amazing husband.  For a majority of the past 3 months, I have been pretty worthless around the house.  I come home, nap from 4-6 (or 7), eat (kind of - what I can manage), and am usually feeling too crappy to do much in the evenings.  Right now, the nausea is gone (except for the fact that I sporadically vomited last night - don't know what that was about), but I have HEADACHES like crazy.  My Dr. said take 2 extra strength tylenol and drink some coffee or anything with caffeine.  He said one cup is fine and should take the edge off my headaches.  I am looking forward to trying it, because it has been miserable.  Anyway - all to say that I have NOT done the dishes, laundry, cleaning, etc. for quite some time.  My husband has managed to keep the house looking picked up and served me hand and foot until I get over this.  I can't tell you how many times he's run to Taco Bell or Wendy's because that is the ONLY thing I want to eat.  He's the best. :-)

2nd trimester is only 3 days away.  I can't WAIT!!  Not that I think it is going to be a switch and I am going to amazingly feel completely better, but I know I am on the upswing of the nausea part.  This also means I will start looking pregnant instead of chunky.  I have a whole bunch of maternity clothes I can't wait to wear.  And I just got an email that Gap is having a 50% off sale so my maternity wardrobe just might grow again this week.

Moving over.

For the past 9 months, I have GREATLY neglected this blog.  That is because I have been maintaining another blog... a blog about our personal struggles with getting pregnant, having a miscarriage, then having a risky pregnancy immediately after.  Now that we have told the world (or at least, facebook) that we are pregnant, I'm not going to try to maintain two blogs.  Instead... I have moved it ALL over here.  I imported my old blog here and will keep it updated.  If you are interested in just searching my old blog, you can find it at www.thosewhotrust.blogspot.com.

This past year has been one of the most difficult of our lives, but we have been so blessed.  I know when I was in the middle of my struggles, I found great comfort in finding stories of people who had been through it before.  That is why I have decided to share all of it here, and not hold back.  There is something so freeing about being transparent, and that is what I am trying to be.

ANYWAY.

I did my 12 week update yesterday, but didn't have this picture ready yet. :-)

There is the bump.  It doesn't look very bumpish in this picture.  I wish I had taken one at 8 weeks... because I'm curious how different I look.  I FEEL a whole lot different.  Between 8 weeks and 12 weeks my pants suddenly stopped fitting and I am completely in the Bella Band.  I figure I'll do updates every 4 weeks or so to see the difference.  It is crazy how much I know I am going to grow in the next 28 weeks!  Oh, and if I look tired, it is because I am... that and my latest and greatest pregnancy symptom is constant headaches. :-(

Macy is very excited to be a big sister.  The shirt says it all. :-)

12 weeks!

Well - I THOUGHT that I was over the nausea, but this morning I woke up not feeling so hot again.  I do think I am on the up-swing, and am VERY grateful to have my appetite back.  On another note - I am stopping progesterone today.  I have been on 200-400mg of progesterone since 6 weeks pregnant.  It should be fine to stop now, as the placenta has fully taken over.  It does make me slightly nervous, as I know it is needed to sustain a pregnancy, but I trust my Dr. and he says taking it at this point would make absolutely no difference since the placenta is producing it.  Also - he said taking it too long can make little boys look like little girls (YIKES!!).  So... I am stopping. :-)  Okay - updates!!

Today's date: September 13, 2010

How far along: 12 weeks 1 day


Total weight gain: Still ZERO.  Couldn't tell it by looking at me though. 


Size and growth of the baby: From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a plumb) and weighs half an ounce.   His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. 


Sex: Too soon.


Maternity clothes: Bella Band is a must, except for 1 pair of jeans.  The girls at work can see a noticeable difference in the past week.  To the rest of the world, I just look chunky.


Sleep: I am getting up at least once a night to go to the bathroom...sometimes twice. Sleep is still good, beside that.


Best moment(s) of the week: My appetite has returned!!  It is amazing to eat like a normal person!!


Movement: Too soon to feel, though it's happening. :)


Food cravings/aversions: None today!!  Yippee!!


Morning sickness: Back a little bit this morning, but overall seems to be going away.


Symptoms: Fatigue, headaches, bloated belly.


Labor signs: Way too soon.


Belly button in or out: In.


What I miss: I feel like now that I have an appetite, I need to be more health conscious.  When I was sick and had no appetite, I literally ate ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that sounded remotely good.  I had to or else I would starve.  Now, I feel like I gotta cut back on the ice cream and fast food.  


What I'm looking forward to: Getting out of 1st trimester (3 days to go)!!  And my next Dr. appt on Thursday!!  YAY!

What's going on this week:

The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

200.

200!!!  That is how many days are left until this little bean is due!  It seems like a long time when you think of it that way.  But I am OVER one quarter of the way through with this pregnancy deal.  When I think of it in that perspective, holy cow, time is flying!!

I have been a SLACKER when it comes to this blog.  For sure.  And I am sorry.  BUT - I am here to update!

Things are going great.  I am now 11.5 weeks and feeling better every day.  The nausea comes in spurts but is not all day every day by any means.  I am also officially wearing the Bella-Band with some pants.  I can still button them, but they are outrageously uncomfortable!  I don't feel pregnant... I just feel like I have totally let myself go and am chunking up.  Hopefully it will look more "bump-ish" soon instead of chunk-ish. :-)  

I ordered some itty-bitty cloth diapers that were super on sale.  I plan on cloth-diapering this babe and decided why not start my stash?  ALSO - it is baby week at Target and my favorite crib is on sale... so I did it.  I bought the crib.  Isn't it beautiful??  Although I am not getting this bedding. (I will be making my own.)  I felt a little weird ordering it sooo early... but hey, I need a crib.  And why not pay $50 less?  And I love it.

Today's date: September 8, 2010

How far along: 11 weeks 3 days 


Total weight gain: ZERO.  I have fluctuated a bit between -4 and where I am at now.  I lost a bit in the past few weeks, but my appetite is back now, so I don't think I'll have a problem putting it on.


Size and growth of the baby: Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig (or a lime!), is now almost fully formed. Baby's hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under the gums, and some of the bones are beginning to harden.


Sex: Too soon... but feeling boy vibes. 


Maternity clothes: Officially in the Bella-Band with some work clothes.  I can still fit in my normal jeans just fine, but they feel tighter than usual. 


Sleep: I am getting up at least once a night to go to the bathroom...sometimes twice. Sleep is still good, beside that. 


Best moment(s) of the week: About a week ago we heard the heartbeat with the doppler. :-)  Sooo beautiful.  Otherwise - I am enjoying feeling good!! 


Movement: Too soon to feel, though it's happening. :) 


Food cravings/aversions: None today!!  Yippee!! 


Morning sickness: Seems to be going away. 


Symptoms: Fatigue, headaches, bloated belly... and my finger nails are AWESOME.  Seriously, my nails have never been so strong.


Labor signs: Way too soon.


Belly button in or out: In... not even close to really showing yet.


What I miss: My waistline... slowly disappearing.


What I'm looking forward to: Getting out of 1st trimester (10 days to go)!!  And my next Dr. appt on Thursday!!  YAY!

What's going on this week:

She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.