THE BABY BUMP WEEK #18!!!Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Week #17!
Since 17 is my favorite number, I figured it's a good time for a Silly Baby update!
Here's some quick tidbits on Silly Baby and mommy:
Here's some quick tidbits on Silly Baby and mommy:
- This week, Silly Baby is the size of an onion!
- Mommy began wearing maternity jeans last week. Even though I do still fit in many of my regular clothes, it was an exciting "milestone" to wear the maternity pants
- Mommy officially began showing last week! For several weeks, I had a little pouch that was only obvious to me, and not seen under my clothing. But last Wednesday I put on the maternity jeans and a fitted long-sleeve shirt and voila! Baby bump was there. While the general public still wouldn't view me as a pregnant lady, anyone who knows me should be able to see the difference
- I have started to feel Silly Baby moving around. Not a "kick" or anything you can feel from the outside, but I do feel little "pops" that are different from the mild cramps of ligaments stretching or gas.
Some FAQ's
How am I feeling?
Now that I am into my second trimester I feel just fine! The fatigue has gone away along with any nauseau I did get in the mornings. I cannot complain about my experiences with "morning sickness". I only actually got sick a few times and it was short lived. Otherwise, I would usually feel nauseous after getting to work, but nothing some saltines couldn't fix!
Eating for two
Just in the past couple weeks I've noticed an increase in appetite. It's nothing drastic, but I definitely need snacks on hand at work and my 'Smart Ones' frozen diet dinners I've been having for lunch may need a snack on the side now :)
Cravings!
I have no weird cravings. Anything I have a taste for are foods I've always eaten. I have noticed that I really like chicken these days. Again, I always ate lots of chicken, but now I feel I could eat fried chicken, chicken strips, chicken wings pretty much every night!
Well, that's pretty much it for now! Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! My next update will probably be the first week of January after the next Doctor's appointment. Stay tuned!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The 3rd Dr.'s Appointment
December 10
This was a very quick and painless appointment! Much different than the first two. This was my 16-week check-up, and it was basically a follow-up from the bloodwork from the previous appointment.
So, onto the results! There was a very very long list of results as I had a boatload of tests run. To sum up, everything came back good and healthy.
The risk of Down's Syndrome went from 1-600 from my very first visit's test to 1-700+ when combined with the ultrasound measurements and the second blood test from this past appointment. Everything else - blood pressure, glucose, protein, was good. I tested negative as a carrier of Cystic Fibrosis and several other diseases.
But one thing I am not immune to is the flu/mono. So if you, your spouse, your kids have flu-like symptoms - sorry, I can't be around you! So please warn me if you are ever feeling sick.
We got to hear Silly Baby's heartbeat again, and it was much stronger/louder than the last appointment. I had read that it sounds like horses galloping, but the first time I heard the heartbeat it just sounded like "whoosh whoosh whoosh." Whereas, this time I understand how people compare the sound to galloping horses!
I did one more blood test for a tetra test. It was just one vile of blood and Tim was there to hold my hand so there was no fainting :) I'll get the results at the next appointment on January 5th!
This next appointment will be a big one! There will be another ultrasound - so yes that means more Silly Baby sonogram pictures! They will be measuring the baby's measurements. I also believe this is the appointment when SOME parents find out the gender. WE will not be finding out - so don't even ask ;)
This was a very quick and painless appointment! Much different than the first two. This was my 16-week check-up, and it was basically a follow-up from the bloodwork from the previous appointment.
So, onto the results! There was a very very long list of results as I had a boatload of tests run. To sum up, everything came back good and healthy.
The risk of Down's Syndrome went from 1-600 from my very first visit's test to 1-700+ when combined with the ultrasound measurements and the second blood test from this past appointment. Everything else - blood pressure, glucose, protein, was good. I tested negative as a carrier of Cystic Fibrosis and several other diseases.
But one thing I am not immune to is the flu/mono. So if you, your spouse, your kids have flu-like symptoms - sorry, I can't be around you! So please warn me if you are ever feeling sick.
We got to hear Silly Baby's heartbeat again, and it was much stronger/louder than the last appointment. I had read that it sounds like horses galloping, but the first time I heard the heartbeat it just sounded like "whoosh whoosh whoosh." Whereas, this time I understand how people compare the sound to galloping horses!
I did one more blood test for a tetra test. It was just one vile of blood and Tim was there to hold my hand so there was no fainting :) I'll get the results at the next appointment on January 5th!
This next appointment will be a big one! There will be another ultrasound - so yes that means more Silly Baby sonogram pictures! They will be measuring the baby's measurements. I also believe this is the appointment when SOME parents find out the gender. WE will not be finding out - so don't even ask ;)
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The 2nd Dr.'s Appt
November 21
As I'm sure many of you know, I am *not* good getting blood drawn? Well, at the first appt, they only took one vile and Tim was with me so it was fine.
At this second appt, Tim was not with me, but since it went ok the last time I wasn't too nervous this time around. Well, this time it was a different story…
I had SIX viles taken and no Tim! So I had my head turned in the complete opposite direction reading about parrots on some calendar on the wall and I thought I was doing a good job distracting myself.
Finally, she's done taking the blood, but then I have to do a tuberculosis test, so they stick me in another part of my arm for a minute.
Then at last, it’s all done and I can leave. But I get really thirsty, I ask for something to drink so she gives me some apple juice. I take one sip and start feeling nauseous and tell her I might be sick. So she’s going to walk me to the bathroom right around the corner, but it’s a single person bathroom and someone’s in there. Next thing I know, I’m sitting on the floor and they’re putting a cold compress behind my neck!! I had totally passed out and they caught me as I fell to the ground! I think I was only passed out for a few seconds. But then I had that all over sweat going on. So then they have me lay down in an open exam room for 5min and then like that! I feel totally fine. I got up after a few minutes and come to work. So of course I was all embarrassed. And now I’m gonna be even worse next time I have to give blood!!!
But in GOOD news, I got to see Silly Baby again and hear the heartbeat! In the sonogram pictures from this appointment, it's amazing how much Silly Baby has grown in just three weeks. From looking like a little alien peanut, s/he now has a face and coming into true human form! Plus the technician was poking my belly to get different views of Silly Baby and said that s/he's very responsive and cooperative - another good sign! Plus its neck measured normal which is a good sign that s/he doesn’t have down syndrome. And the overall baby size is normal too. Even though I think s/he’s got a big head ;)
The next appointment is Wednesday, 12/10 and we will get all the results from the blood work.
As I'm sure many of you know, I am *not* good getting blood drawn? Well, at the first appt, they only took one vile and Tim was with me so it was fine.
At this second appt, Tim was not with me, but since it went ok the last time I wasn't too nervous this time around. Well, this time it was a different story…
I had SIX viles taken and no Tim! So I had my head turned in the complete opposite direction reading about parrots on some calendar on the wall and I thought I was doing a good job distracting myself.
Finally, she's done taking the blood, but then I have to do a tuberculosis test, so they stick me in another part of my arm for a minute.
Then at last, it’s all done and I can leave. But I get really thirsty, I ask for something to drink so she gives me some apple juice. I take one sip and start feeling nauseous and tell her I might be sick. So she’s going to walk me to the bathroom right around the corner, but it’s a single person bathroom and someone’s in there. Next thing I know, I’m sitting on the floor and they’re putting a cold compress behind my neck!! I had totally passed out and they caught me as I fell to the ground! I think I was only passed out for a few seconds. But then I had that all over sweat going on. So then they have me lay down in an open exam room for 5min and then like that! I feel totally fine. I got up after a few minutes and come to work. So of course I was all embarrassed. And now I’m gonna be even worse next time I have to give blood!!!
But in GOOD news, I got to see Silly Baby again and hear the heartbeat! In the sonogram pictures from this appointment, it's amazing how much Silly Baby has grown in just three weeks. From looking like a little alien peanut, s/he now has a face and coming into true human form! Plus the technician was poking my belly to get different views of Silly Baby and said that s/he's very responsive and cooperative - another good sign! Plus its neck measured normal which is a good sign that s/he doesn’t have down syndrome. And the overall baby size is normal too. Even though I think s/he’s got a big head ;)
The next appointment is Wednesday, 12/10 and we will get all the results from the blood work.
Monday, December 8, 2008
The first Doctor's appointment
November 1, 2008
We had our first prenatal visit on Saturday, November 1. The doctor I've been seeing since moving to Chicagoland in '03 is in Elmhurst, is not a prenatal facility so I'd have to go to another office, and the hospital to deliver at would be in Elmhurst, which is about 25min drive from us. And as some of you know, we are walking distance to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, which is where I would like to deliver.
So after some science-fair research and a bunch of calls to various doctors, I finally found one in our network who we could go to: Women's Health First . They have offices by Woodfield Mall and in St. Alexius, with evening and weekend hours so very convenient. There are 5 doctors that I will rotate having appointments with so I can get to know all of them, and whichever doctor is on-call the day I go into labor, will be the Doctor who will deliver Silly Baby!
So onto the actual Dr.'s appointment. Tim came with me, which was important to us for this first one. I had to fill out a whole bunch of paperwork, take a urine test (which I have to do at every appt!!! jeez!), then we went right in for the ultrasound to verify the pregnancy. I had an internal ultrasound and sure enough - no sooner was it in that up on the big screen in front of us, there was Silly Baby just hanging out! And that is how the name "Silly Baby" came to be. I was laying on the exam table, and my first thoughts seeing the baby was "Look at that Silly Baby! What is it doing in there! What a Silly Baby!" Some women are in shock, some women cry - but no, in my first ultrasound - I laughed!!!
Based on the ultrasound measurements they took, they determined the due date is May 31, 2009. Which is very cool, because that will be the 6th anniversary of the day Tim & I met at Josh and Tina's wedding! So at this appt, I was just about 10weeks along.
After that I had the usual exam and a blood test. I'm no good with getting blood drawn, but Tim was there to hold my hand and it went just fine!
So we went home with the now famous sonogram pictures that we used to share the news with everyone, and a copy of "What to Expect When You're Expecting" that I've been a very good student and reading often.
After the appt we went to Chipotle for lunch and threw out baby name ideas!
We had our first prenatal visit on Saturday, November 1. The doctor I've been seeing since moving to Chicagoland in '03 is in Elmhurst, is not a prenatal facility so I'd have to go to another office, and the hospital to deliver at would be in Elmhurst, which is about 25min drive from us. And as some of you know, we are walking distance to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, which is where I would like to deliver.
So after some science-fair research and a bunch of calls to various doctors, I finally found one in our network who we could go to: Women's Health First . They have offices by Woodfield Mall and in St. Alexius, with evening and weekend hours so very convenient. There are 5 doctors that I will rotate having appointments with so I can get to know all of them, and whichever doctor is on-call the day I go into labor, will be the Doctor who will deliver Silly Baby!
So onto the actual Dr.'s appointment. Tim came with me, which was important to us for this first one. I had to fill out a whole bunch of paperwork, take a urine test (which I have to do at every appt!!! jeez!), then we went right in for the ultrasound to verify the pregnancy. I had an internal ultrasound and sure enough - no sooner was it in that up on the big screen in front of us, there was Silly Baby just hanging out! And that is how the name "Silly Baby" came to be. I was laying on the exam table, and my first thoughts seeing the baby was "Look at that Silly Baby! What is it doing in there! What a Silly Baby!" Some women are in shock, some women cry - but no, in my first ultrasound - I laughed!!!
Based on the ultrasound measurements they took, they determined the due date is May 31, 2009. Which is very cool, because that will be the 6th anniversary of the day Tim & I met at Josh and Tina's wedding! So at this appt, I was just about 10weeks along.
After that I had the usual exam and a blood test. I'm no good with getting blood drawn, but Tim was there to hold my hand and it went just fine!
So we went home with the now famous sonogram pictures that we used to share the news with everyone, and a copy of "What to Expect When You're Expecting" that I've been a very good student and reading often.
After the appt we went to Chipotle for lunch and threw out baby name ideas!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
How It All Began...
Early September
The believed conception date is the first week of September. Don't think too much of it, folks - you don't really want your mind wandering there ; )
Of course, this was a mystery to me until weeks later.
mid-September
When I found out I was pregnant, but before I went to the doctor - everything I read online asked for my last period date in estimating my due date. Since I had been like clockwork since going off the pill in the spring, I wasn't really keeping track since it would just always happen when it was supposed to. Also, Tim and I weren't necessarily *trying to conceive, so I wasn't being suspicious.
I knew I had a period in mid-August marked in my calendar, so I figured from that date my last period must have been around September 13th. While I couldn't actually remember the date, I did remember the "period."
It was very short, only 3-4 days long. There were no cramps and very light. But again, I didn't really think much of it at the time - just that I got a break!
But according to my due date that was figured out at my first doctor's appt, this "period" was most likely implantation bleeding, which about 20% of women experience several days after conception.
Early October
October 4 - we had a Game Night at Tim's mom's. For no reason, unless on another level - I didn't want to drink that night. I drank water for the entire night! Again, little did I know! Another "sign" was that when we got home, I had extremely bad heartburn that just wouldn't go away.
The next day, all I could eat was toast. Nothing else sounded good. At the time, I blamed it on my heartburn from the night before - but of course now I see that it was my first run-in with morning sickness!
October 6 - that Monday, I woke up and went into the kitchen to get my cup of coffee like I did every morning. But I took one whiff of that coffee and uh-uh, no way. I even tried to take a sip or two and nearly threw up. I haven't had a sip of coffee since that morning!
But that wasn't the end of it. When I got to work, I was lethargic and just felt icky all day. My yogurt for lunch made me gag and I had the chills - it didn't get better all day. The weirdest thing is that I never actually threw up. And in my life, if I feel nauseous, I throw up instantly. But not this day. On the way home I called my mom to whine, and the next day I emailed Katie about not feeling well and they both commented that maybe I was pregnant :) My response "No. No way am I pregnant."
But then that got me thinking...
October 11
I was still in disbelief that I could be pregnant, but it was getting harder not to think of it. But I held true that I did have a period in September and figured that my next period would be October 11. That entire week leading up to the 11th, I felt nothing. I didn't feel any PMS symptoms. Then October 11 came and went, with nothing. So then I really started to believe. But just in case I was wrong, I didn't want to drop the bomb on Tim if nothing came of it - and it was still hard for me to admit to myself! But of course curiousity sunk in and everyday on lunch I found myself googling pregnancy :)
October 18
I decided to wait until Tim went to Northern Illinois University's homecoming in DeKalb for the day with his friends. I volunteered at the Humane Society in the morning and on my way home, picked up a pregnancy test. There were 3 tests in the box, and I took one as soon as I got home. Before I even finished reading the instructions, a very clear "+" sign appeared. It absolutely took my breathaway. While I wasn't quite in disbelief, I certainly felt like I was living in a dream. I took the remaining two tests throughout the afternoon, and to get it to sink in I actually "told" the cats I was pregnant. Just to hear myself say it.
Tim came home around 9pm, but his friends came in with him. So I had sit patiently until they went home for the night, and basically pounced on Tim. I told him I needed to talk to him about something important. And just blurted out, "I'm pregnant."
His response? "No you're not..." in disbelief.
Then I went to get the 3 VERY positive pregnancy tests and showed him. He got up and gave me a big hug that seemed to last forever, telling me how happy he was and how great of a thing this is!
The believed conception date is the first week of September. Don't think too much of it, folks - you don't really want your mind wandering there ; )
Of course, this was a mystery to me until weeks later.
mid-September
When I found out I was pregnant, but before I went to the doctor - everything I read online asked for my last period date in estimating my due date. Since I had been like clockwork since going off the pill in the spring, I wasn't really keeping track since it would just always happen when it was supposed to. Also, Tim and I weren't necessarily *trying to conceive, so I wasn't being suspicious.
I knew I had a period in mid-August marked in my calendar, so I figured from that date my last period must have been around September 13th. While I couldn't actually remember the date, I did remember the "period."
It was very short, only 3-4 days long. There were no cramps and very light. But again, I didn't really think much of it at the time - just that I got a break!
But according to my due date that was figured out at my first doctor's appt, this "period" was most likely implantation bleeding, which about 20% of women experience several days after conception.
Early October
October 4 - we had a Game Night at Tim's mom's. For no reason, unless on another level - I didn't want to drink that night. I drank water for the entire night! Again, little did I know! Another "sign" was that when we got home, I had extremely bad heartburn that just wouldn't go away.
The next day, all I could eat was toast. Nothing else sounded good. At the time, I blamed it on my heartburn from the night before - but of course now I see that it was my first run-in with morning sickness!
October 6 - that Monday, I woke up and went into the kitchen to get my cup of coffee like I did every morning. But I took one whiff of that coffee and uh-uh, no way. I even tried to take a sip or two and nearly threw up. I haven't had a sip of coffee since that morning!
But that wasn't the end of it. When I got to work, I was lethargic and just felt icky all day. My yogurt for lunch made me gag and I had the chills - it didn't get better all day. The weirdest thing is that I never actually threw up. And in my life, if I feel nauseous, I throw up instantly. But not this day. On the way home I called my mom to whine, and the next day I emailed Katie about not feeling well and they both commented that maybe I was pregnant :) My response "No. No way am I pregnant."
But then that got me thinking...
October 11
I was still in disbelief that I could be pregnant, but it was getting harder not to think of it. But I held true that I did have a period in September and figured that my next period would be October 11. That entire week leading up to the 11th, I felt nothing. I didn't feel any PMS symptoms. Then October 11 came and went, with nothing. So then I really started to believe. But just in case I was wrong, I didn't want to drop the bomb on Tim if nothing came of it - and it was still hard for me to admit to myself! But of course curiousity sunk in and everyday on lunch I found myself googling pregnancy :)
October 18
I decided to wait until Tim went to Northern Illinois University's homecoming in DeKalb for the day with his friends. I volunteered at the Humane Society in the morning and on my way home, picked up a pregnancy test. There were 3 tests in the box, and I took one as soon as I got home. Before I even finished reading the instructions, a very clear "+" sign appeared. It absolutely took my breathaway. While I wasn't quite in disbelief, I certainly felt like I was living in a dream. I took the remaining two tests throughout the afternoon, and to get it to sink in I actually "told" the cats I was pregnant. Just to hear myself say it.
Tim came home around 9pm, but his friends came in with him. So I had sit patiently until they went home for the night, and basically pounced on Tim. I told him I needed to talk to him about something important. And just blurted out, "I'm pregnant."
His response? "No you're not..." in disbelief.
Then I went to get the 3 VERY positive pregnancy tests and showed him. He got up and gave me a big hug that seemed to last forever, telling me how happy he was and how great of a thing this is!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Now you all know!
We finally shared the news with our immediate families the weekend of November 7-9.
First on the Friday night, we told a little fib to my mom saying we were coming up to Milwaukee for the weekend for a party our friends' were having on Saturday night. Of course, there was no party! We drove up to Milwaukee on Friday night and went out for a fish fry. We ordered quickly, and as soon as the waitress walked away, I said: "We were going to wait until next weekend to talk to you about this...We're pregnant!" She was very excited, and even said she thought 'what if' we were pregnant on her walk home from work that day, for no real reason!
Saturday morning, my mom took me shopping at Kohl's for my first maternity outfit, which I will probably wear for Christmas as I should be showing by then. After that we headed back to Illinois to see Tim's dad for his sister Taylor's birthday. Not long after we got there and we got everyone in the same room (Dad, Kirsten, Taylor and Grandma/Grandpa), Tim said there was a picture he wanted them to see, and pulled out the picture of our first sonogram!
Sunday afternoon, we went over to Tim's mom's house - saying we were going over to watch the Bears game. And again, not long after we got there, and Tim's mom, John and Uncle Ed were in the same room - Tim said he had a picture to show them. We also talked to Grandma Kathy and Uncle Mike on the phone while there and John's kids came over later so they heard the news too.
It was a very tiring weekend. I was so worn out from talking about it, yet I couldn't stop talking about it! It was such a big relief to finally share the news with others. We were originally going to wait until our Anniversary Party this weekend, but just couldn't wait anymore.
We also have told our bosses and coworkers. Our friends will get the annoucement this weekend at the Anniversary Party when we see them in person. Everyone else, has or will hear by word of mouth!
Whew!
First on the Friday night, we told a little fib to my mom saying we were coming up to Milwaukee for the weekend for a party our friends' were having on Saturday night. Of course, there was no party! We drove up to Milwaukee on Friday night and went out for a fish fry. We ordered quickly, and as soon as the waitress walked away, I said: "We were going to wait until next weekend to talk to you about this...We're pregnant!" She was very excited, and even said she thought 'what if' we were pregnant on her walk home from work that day, for no real reason!
Saturday morning, my mom took me shopping at Kohl's for my first maternity outfit, which I will probably wear for Christmas as I should be showing by then. After that we headed back to Illinois to see Tim's dad for his sister Taylor's birthday. Not long after we got there and we got everyone in the same room (Dad, Kirsten, Taylor and Grandma/Grandpa), Tim said there was a picture he wanted them to see, and pulled out the picture of our first sonogram!
Sunday afternoon, we went over to Tim's mom's house - saying we were going over to watch the Bears game. And again, not long after we got there, and Tim's mom, John and Uncle Ed were in the same room - Tim said he had a picture to show them. We also talked to Grandma Kathy and Uncle Mike on the phone while there and John's kids came over later so they heard the news too.
It was a very tiring weekend. I was so worn out from talking about it, yet I couldn't stop talking about it! It was such a big relief to finally share the news with others. We were originally going to wait until our Anniversary Party this weekend, but just couldn't wait anymore.
We also have told our bosses and coworkers. Our friends will get the annoucement this weekend at the Anniversary Party when we see them in person. Everyone else, has or will hear by word of mouth!
Whew!
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