Saturday, October 29, 2011

12 weeks, 4 days

We're almost over the first hurdle--1st trimester.  Some books/ phone apps say I'm already in the 2nd trimester, others say I won't be until the end of the 13th week/ beginning of the 14th week.  Either way, we're nearly there and I'm feeling very relieved about that.

At our 11 week appointment with Dr. Bidwell (the RE), we officially graduated.  We received a graduation certificate and an engraved silver baby spoon.  It was incredibly thoughtful and sweet.  We were given the go-ahead to call the regular OB/GYN and set up our next appointment.  I asked my RE if he would rather just be my OB and then I could continue to come every 2 weeks for ultrasounds.  He laughed in my face and said no.  What a meanie.

Here is the 11 week photo of little nugg (he/she is the size of a plum and is as long as my thumb at this point):


We had our first OB appointment on Thursday.  We arrived a little early and proceeded to wait in the waiting room for over an hour.  We watched every single other person in the room (10 or so people) get called back before us.  I wouldn't care except that I still had to be at school by 11:45 (and by this time it was after 10am).  We were finally called back and I got my annual exam plus we listened to the baby's heartbeat on the Doppler.  NO ultrasound.  What a crock, right?  I mean, I was warned that most people don't get more than 1 or 2 u/s in their whole pregnancy, but at this point I've already had 4... and now that I've had a taste of the royal treatment, I'd like it to continue.  Our next appointment is at week 16, the day before Thanksgiving.  Then after that, we'll have our 20 week anatomy scan.  That appointment will be days before Christmas (unless I can talk them into an earlier one ;) ).

And as for how I feel... I feel pretty good.  I've had some splitting headaches, and sometimes I'm terribly drained at the end of the day... but that's about it.  I haven't gained any weight, but I look more like a heifer than ever.  I'm not complaining... I know it could be much, MUCH worse!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

10 Weeks 5 Days

Below is an assortment of letters I have compiled over the first few weeks...

Sunday August 28, 2011

Dear Nugget(s),

It has been over a full twenty-four hours that I've known of your existence. I'm still trying to fathom the magnitude of everything, but I must admit... the majority of my emotions have been sheer elation.

Your Mom and I have been married 32 months now and we've been preparing for this long before then. We fell in love quickly and knew we were made for each other. We used to drive around a lot before we were married and scope out our ideal future home(s). Those homes were never about the two of us, we always envisioned our future family in them.

When Mom & I got married in December 2008, we just assumed you'd be right around the corner. We were wrong; sometimes things don't work the way you think they will and that's OK.

Over the past years, we have grown as a couple. I love your Mom more today than yesterday or even the day we were married.

I sit here on a Sunday afternoon with Lucy (she's the only one we've told so far) and we're watching the Reds. I hope you'll enjoy sitting with me when they're on TV. It's one of my favorite pastimes in the summer.

I hope to write often as you're progressing along. Know as you read this that I've loved you long before you came to be and will love you always.

Dad

Wednesday August 31, 2011

Dear Nugget(s), 

Sorry I haven't written in a few days. I can't believe how busy I've been this week, but that also makes me think of something; no matter how much you have going on, always remember to make time for yourself and your loved ones. I intend to do a good job of this, so remind me if you ever feel left out or that I'm falling short.

Mom got blood work done today, your numbers are good and we're moving right along. It's also the last day of August, next year at this time, you'll be napping with me (it will be a Friday afternoon too, so we probably won't be going to a high school football game).

We have a lot to get in order for you. Just thinking about it makes me tired! It will all be worth it though.

Again, I look forward to your arrival and enjoy your development!

Love,
Dad


Saturday, October 8, 2011

9 weeks, 4 days

So we've had a crazy last two weeks.  Here's the run down:

We heard the nugget's heartbeat at our second ultrasound at 8 weeks, 1 day.  The heartbeat was up to 168 bpm, which is great.  We got more pictures that just looked like a bigger blob then the first picture at 6 weeks, 1 day.  It's a beautiful blob though. :)

Then last weekend we drove up to Belle Center and told Adam's parents.  To play it cool, we waited until we'd been there a couple hours.  Then, over grilled cheese and tomato soup, I casually asked Adam if he had put "that thing" in my purse for his mom.  I grabbed a Pandora box and told D'Anne that it was an early birthday present. She opened it--a baby carriage charm--and immediately began to cry, asking "What does this mean?!?"  It was great.

Then on Sunday we told my mom.  We had the exact same plan (bought the moms Pandora bracelets on Mother's Day this year) and did it over blintzs and pancakes and eggs at The Golden Nugget.  However, when my mom opened the box, she squinted and said, "Ooh, I can tell it's pretty.  I need my glasses."  She dug her glasses out of her purse and then finally saw the baby carriage... and proceeded to have a very similar reaction to D'Anne.

I'm just glad we can stop being liars and hiding secrets from our closest family and friends. :)

Over the course of the week I told five close friends and my boss (who was already waaay on to me).  Adam told his coworkers and fire people.  We're still not ready to go totally public considering we're not quite to the 2nd trimester.  Once we hit Halloween, I'll be more comfortable telling.

Then there's yesterday. Or rather Thursday, actually.  Thursday was a long day for me at work.  I had my normal school hours, then detention, then the Family Fall Fest/Book Fair.  I was busy until after 8pm.  My symptoms had disappeared since about Tuesday, so I was able to handle it just fine.  When I went home, I was shocked to see some pink spotting when I went to the bathroom.  Shocked isn't even the right term here.  I was panicking.  Suddenly I realized that my symptoms were gone and I'm bleeding.  Adam was at fire school, so I got crazy all by myself.  Of course I consulted with Dr. Google (mistake) and confirmed my fear that I could be miscarrying.  After texting Adam 500 times I climbed into bed and didn't sleep one wink all night.

When my alarm went off, I was still in total panic mode.  I didn't see how I would make it through a school day with the possibility that I was miscarrying.  I decided to call in a sick day--my first ever morning decided sick day--and call the doctor.  The RE's office called back around 8:30 and told me to come in at 10.

I was there early for probably the first time ever.

In the end, everything was fine.  Better than fine... I was able to see our little nugget squirming and wiggling around!  S/he's heart was pumping a healthy 172 bpm and measured 30mm.  I can't even explain how relieved I felt--taking the sick day was well worth finding out everything was a-okay.  The RE said I probably overdid it at school and irritated my cervix or something.  He recommended taking it easy this weekend, obviously fine by me.  Our next appointment is on the 18th at exactly 11 weeks.  We can't wait. :) :) :)

Here are the ultrasound pictures from yesterday (9 weeks, 3 days) for your viewing pleasure.  In real life s/he looked like a little gummy bear with arms and legs, but it's really hard to see in the picture.

The top blob is the head, the bottom blob is the body.  If you squint you can see arms and legs, especially on the top side of the body.



This picture shows the heartbeat down at the bottom.

7 weeks, 2 days

Although it's not entirely necessary, I just bought my first maternity gear online.  I mean, I had to--I had a coupon that was about to expire!  It's a risky purchase too, because even not-pregnant I have to try everything on.  On Old Navy's website they have a conversion chart, so I went with that.  I figure, if worse comes to worse, I'll send it back.  I got a pair of jeans (in long!) and khakis (in long!!) and a cute cowl neck sweater top.  Is it pathetic that I am so totally pumped for the pants because they have that big panel thing?  I mean, all pants would be so much better if they had stretchy panels instead of tight waistbands, right?

Next Wednesday Adam and I are headed back in for an ultrasound.  We'll be 8w,1d then and I'm guessing our nugget will have doubled at least.  It will be shocking if it's actually shaped like a baby.  I don't think they are at 8 weeks, but you never know.

We still haven't told anyone.  I think we'll tell parents the weekend after the ultrasound... and probably close friends too.  Then maybe I'll tell you all about this blog too.  ;)