Third u/s - March 14, 2007

Here is our little Fuffs, getting bigger every time! We can't wait for the level 2 at 20 weeks, what a big difference that will be :-)

Second u/s pic - March 6, 2007

I felt like Rachel from Friends each time, all I saw was a black dot....


But when you compare the pics to the other u/s you can see a difference!

First pic of Baby Fuffs - 2/27/07

We finally scanned in the first pics of our little peanut!

Ultrasound 1 - 2/27/07

Dinner - take two

Seriously pregnancy is weird, weird things happen to your body. And randomly - seems like no rhyme or reason, at least to me anyway. Yesterday I was fine, Megan (SIL) came over and I was working on some calligraphy. My stomach started feeling off, but no big deal. So I made dinner and we all sat down to eat and I had maybe 3 bites. I just sat there so uncomfortable, ready to gag. I had to excuse myself, especially since Chris & Megan were enjoying their dinner, and ended up getting sick. Although I didn't really have anything in my stomach. And I had the worst gas! I lied down for awhile on the sofa and started feeling better after awhile. The dr and the nutritionist told me I couldn't skip meals, because I don't eat much as it was. So about an hour or so later we did dinner - take two. This time since my stomach was more settled we were successful.

Today I feel fine. A bit tired since Chris and I were awoken by the house shaking, literally. We had the worst thunder & lightening storm. The rain was coming down so hard, still is. Doesn't really motivate me to go out and go grocery shopping or go to they gym, but you gotta.

Strong heartbeat

Today I went to the doctor's and I got to hear the heartbeat. The doctor said it sounded very strong. It is an amazing sound. I have gained a pound since getting pregnant, but no one is concerned. To be honest I was surprised, I feel like I have a belly. Plus this baby is really craving sweets. In fact, on Saturday I went to lunch with my aunts, my mom, and my sister and we ordered dessert. My sister and I split something and it was so yummy, but I got so sick. I just can't handle the sweets, which is what I am craving. Thankfully it passed quickly.

The doctor is having Chris tested for thalassemia minor. I have this blood disorder, I have known about it for years and it isn't really a problem. We just hope Chris isn't a carrier, because if he is the baby has a 1 in 4 chance of having thalassemia major. Most likely he isn't, because he probably would have found it out already, especially since he donates so much blood.

I am going to have to go and buy some clothes. Now that the weather is finally nice, I have nothing to wear. Everything from last year I got rid of for the most part, it was too big. Right now I am still not ready for maternity clothes, but I am going to need a few things to carry me through.

Still feeling pretty good, getting a bit more energy.

Another one!

While I couldn't be happier and more excited about being pregnant, but there are definitely some drawbacks, like cold sores! ARGH, I hate these things. I have had more in the last 13 weeks then I have had in the last 3 years. I am prone to them, but this is ridiculous. Of course the only thing you can do is use Abreva and wait. They are gross! Last week I had one starting on my nose (because of course it is a misconception they are just on your lip). I was able to stop it before it became totally unsightly with some Abreva; just to wake up a couple of days later with one on my lip - lovely.

So I am 13 weeks now and in my second trimester and maybe now I am getting that morning sickness? For most it is supposed to end at this point, but for me I am having more problems with the eating thing. The past couple of days when it comes to mealtime I just can't seem to do it. I can't seem to stomach anything. I prepare the meal and then when I sit down I just lose my appetite and the food turns my stomach. Last night we went to City Crab (my choice) and I had 2 bites of my crab cake and just couldn't deal. Of course, when offered dessert, I was more then willing, but ended up passing. For whatever reason I have had no appetite lately for food, but sweets I crave. We ended up stopping at the grocery store on the way home for some American cheese and I made cheese toast for dinner. Not much, but better then nothing.

Before I forget

This blog is as much for us to journal & remember my pregnancy as it is to share with our family and friends. Thinking back I realized there were some things that I wanted to write down before I forgot. So this post is going to start back at the beginning:

TESTING

I tested on Thurs, Feb 15th and we found out I was pregnant. But why did I test in the first place? Yes, I was late, but only like 3 days and since I have never been regular that wasn't reason alone. Some say 'they just know' and it is intuition, I guess you could say that for me. The full truth is that I actually felt different. There was something with my body that just felt different (including increased constipation). I kept telling myself to wait a bit longer, give it another day. In the past I have tested before and they were all BFN (Big Fat Negative), but this time I just felt different. At the same time I had HOPE and HOPE is really powerful, I wasn't quite ready to lose it. All day I debated and finally said what the heck (I would have tested the next day because Chris & I were going to our usual Friday happy hour). So I decided to take the test and then showered so I wouldn't stare at it for the next three minutes. Surprisingly I was pretty calm (and hopeful) while in the shower. That pretty much disappeared when I saw the results. I was ecstatic and started jumping up and down.

CRAVINGS & FOOD

• During the first 6 weeks I would say my biggest craving was orange juice. I had at least 16 ounces a day.
• My favorite afternoon snack is by far hard pretzels. Love those things! They even seem to settle my stomach.
• Funny thing is one day I want salty things and the next I would love sweets. Some new habits - I bought marinated mushrooms and finished it in a couple of days (I never bought these before), love pickles now on my cheeseburgers, and constantly want french fries (which I try and limit).
• Nothing has really turned me off.
• At night I always have a cup of peppermint tea before bed, helps settle the stomach.
• Afternoons are when I get hungry & want to snack. I try to fill that with some fruit or something healthy (protein).

ETC

The tiredness has knocked me out. Late morning I hit a brick wall and is usually when I take my daily nap. The nap never lasts more then an hour, in fact like clock work I seem to wake up after 50 mins. Of course a few hours later I could use another nap.

Bloating and constipation have been my biggest complaints. I am totally uncomfortable, but can't complain too much, I know it could be a thousand times worse. At least twice a week I am in pain and totally bloated, it is like clockwork.

I have been trying to keep up with the gym. My energy level has definitely decreased in that area since I got pregnant. My goal is 35 minutes of cardio 4-5 times a week, plus some lifting. Some weeks I don't actually make that, but I try. I do want to do some ab exercises, so I need to learn some new ones that I can do.

At the three month mark my clothes still fit. I did buy some maternity clothes online last week because they were on sale. I tried going to a maternity store, but everything is just still too big now and makes me look fat, not pregnant.

Speaking of shopping I have been really good at NOT shopping, lol. The only purchases I have made for the baby thus far were a handmade knitted sweater set and a really soft green elephant. I am expecting the not shopping trend will end soon, but for now I have been really good.

The secret is out!

Over the weekend we shared our good news with family & friends. It was such a relief to tell them our big secret and not have to make up 'stories' any longer. As expected everyone was thrilled! And it is nice to be able to talk to everyone about it and share with them our happiness.

For me it is nice to be able to talk to my friends who have been pregnant and ask questions. And boy do I have a lot of questions.

Now that we are in the 12th week and about to start our second trimester I am looking forward to all the good things that are going to happen.

B negative

Is my blood type, who knew? Chris's blood type is A+, so as a result I found out yesterday I will have to have the Rhogam Shot during my 26th week. Anytime one of you is negative and the other is positive you need to get it according to my doctor. She also said that after birth they test the baby's blood and if it is + then I will get another shot. It is no harm to me or the baby.

The appointment with the doctor went well, everything looks good and I go back again in 3 weeks. In the meantime, we have to decide if we want to get the 'integrated test'. It is a two-part sonogram/blood test to see if their are abnormalities. Since I am considered low risk (under 35) an amnio isn't recommended, however we can do this integrated test. If something were to appear abnormal then we would see a genetic counselor and then decide if we wanted to go for an amnio. She said it is a personal decision and that if we wouldn't even consider an amnio (which is quite invasive and risky) then there is no point in the test. Chris and I are mulling it over. I think we are both leaning towards not doing it. We have to decide quickly as the test is supposed to be done between weeks 11-13 and I am half way through my 11th week.

Other then that I feel the same and all is going well.