Giggle

We're Pregnant!!!

Yes! We are pregnant!!  We've known for awhile --- here's a little recap of how things have been going since the beginning.

March 15, 2010 (5 weeks, 2 days)

We just found out we are PREGNANT!!! Yes, we are finally pregnant! I would love to yell our news and tell everyone in sight because I am so excited but...we can't. We told people early last time and we miscarried - so no jinxing this pregnancy!  I think keeping the news from your loved ones is the hardest thing to do! Especially when it is THIS EXCITING!!

I was afraid to take an at home pregnancy test, so last Thursday when I went in for my routine endocrinology blood testing I asked them if they could add an HCG. Why? Because I have been so NAUSEATED each night when I go to bed. It's awful!  My Endo doc wasn't in that day so they called my OB-GYN office. No problem, it was added.  No call on Friday...then 9:30 this morning my OB-GYN office calls me.

She says, "So Megan I have the results of some tests you requested to be drawn last week, would you like to know the results?" I replied, "I would!" Then she says, "Well congratulations are in order, YOU ARE PREGNANT!" I had tears running down my face as I replied, "Well finally! It only took 9 months! That's how long it takes to grow a baby."  We chatted for a bit more then she told me to call back after we had celebrated the news to make our first few appointments.

I told Dave when he came home that evening. I wanted to see his face when I told him. His eyes lit up like a Christmas tree, then he looked at Zach and said, "You are going to be a big brother Zach!" (Zach's reply was, "NO!" But he says no to everything lately.)  The estimated due date is November 14, 2010.  Just a few days after Dave's birthday.  Dave thought a baby is a fantastic birthday gift! *giggle* I will be having a planned c-section and normally they do c-sections early - so the birth date could be right around Dave's birthday...or earlier.

I talked with my mom TWICE on the phone today and did not share the news. Let me tell you how tough that was! VERY TOUGH!!  I'm going to see her this coming Saturday and it's going to be tough to keep the secret. But I don't want to jinx anything so we're not telling anyone this time.

I will keep a little journal in one entry (this post) until we tell people in May. Yikes that's a LONG time from now!!

We can share our news after May 16, 2010. That is NINE WEEKS AWAY! Gosh that seems like forever!! Well - that's lots of time to plan a fun way to share our news. Hummm.....

Throughout the next few weeks I'll post our baby's development and milestones from a website called Babycenter.com.  I'll add my comments to add color in regards to what we have been experiencing.  So here is our first official post - we'll start with 5 weeks if you really want to read about baby development prior to week five you can find it here.

How your baby's growing:

Deep in your uterus your embryo is growing at a furious pace. At this point, he's about the size of a sesame seed, and he looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm — which will later form all of his organs and tissues.

The neural tube — from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — is starting to develop in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel.

His heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.) The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue.

The third layer, or endoderm, will house his lungs, intestines, and rudimentary urinary system, as well as his thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.

How your life's changing:

You may notice some pregnancy-related discomforts already. Many women report sore breasts, fatigue, and frequent urination starting in the early weeks. You may also have nausea, though it's more likely to show up in the coming weeks.

[Megan's Comments] Yes, yes, yes, and yes. Although, I only experience the nausea when I am laying down. Not good.

The outside world won't see any sign of the dramatic developments taking place inside you — except that you're turning down that glass of wine with dinner, perhaps. It's important to avoid alcohol throughout your pregnancy since no one knows exactly how much — or how little — alcohol can harm a developing baby.

[Megan's Comments] I'm not much of a drinker so no one really would notice this. Well, OK Vikki would.  That's how she figured it out the first time. No alcoholic beverage at my birthday party....hummm....are you pregnant Megan???  *giggle*

You'll also want to continue or start an exercise routine. Exercise helps you develop the strength and endurance you'll need to manage the extra weight you'll be carrying. It may help prevent some of the aches and pains of pregnancy, and many women find that it's a great stress-reducer. Exercise can also help you get ready for the physical rigors of labor. Finally, it's easier to bounce back after you give birth if you've continued some form of exercise throughout pregnancy. Choose a safe, moderately vigorous activity you enjoy. Walking and swimming are fine choices for pregnant women.

[Megan's Comments] Yes, I'm exercising regularly 3-4 times per week.  I know how tired I WILL get so I'm hoping that I can keep this up during the first trimester. EEKK!

March 16, 2010 (5 weeks, 3 days)

Almost shared the news with my mom today. She is having a crappy day. But I didn't. Dave called and asked if I needed anything. Some cherry 7-up please!!  I have the most awesome husband in the world!!

I did share the news with Nancy and Valerie. Just in case something goes wrong it is good to have a couple of friends in the know that would drop everything to help us out and take care of Zach and help keep me sane if necessary. Hopefully, that will NOT be an issue and this is all for not.  Of course they were super excited for us and are being VERY positive and keeping me positive.  Oddly, I'm having problems staying positive, I'm a big worry wart worried that something is going to go terribly wrong. Okay - enough about that today...need to stay positive!

March 17, 2010 (5 weeks, 4 days)

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!! I am home applying for jobs today. It's hard to sit at the computer and look and apply for jobs when I feel so nauseated. UGH!! Not even the cherry 7-up is helping today.

March 18, 2010 (5 weeks, 5 days)

Woke up feeling great! No nausea! Downside to that is that I worried all day that we were miscarrying. If I don't feel ill then something must be wrong. Then suddenly I had cramping in my side as I was sitting at the computer looking and applying for jobs. OH NO! Nope - just had to well...poop. How do you like THAT for TMI?! *giggle* Then the nausea returned....OK things are all OK. Never thought I would be happy and relieved to have nausea.

March 21, 2010 (6 weeks)

From Babycenter.com....

How your baby's growing:

This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body. His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil bean.

How your life's changing:

You may find yourself developing a bit of a split personality — feeling moody one day and joyful the next. Unsettling as this is (especially if you pride yourself on being in control), what you're going through is normal. Ricocheting emotions are caused partly by fluctuating hormones. But hormones aside, your life is about to change in a big way — and who wouldn't feel emotional about that?

[Megan's Comments] Yes, I'm also worried because I'm not employed at the moment. I'm feeling intense pressure to find a job and NOW before I start showing.

Spotting (spots of blood on your underpants or toilet tissue after urinating) or bleeding is relatively common in early pregnancy, affecting up to a quarter of pregnant women. It may occur in a normal pregnancy, but sometimes it can be the first sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. If you have any spotting or bleeding, call your provider.

[Megan's Comments] Nope, no signs of blood. Not that I had any spotting when I miscarried with our last pregnancy. But I'm going to think happy positive thoughts....happy positive thoughts!

March 24, 2010 (6 weeks, 4 days)

Ugh...I'm so tired and nauseated all the time. I finally figured out a way to explain to Dave how I am feeling all the time so he understands. It's like I have the flu. I am just as tired and nauseated as you are when you have the flu. I have body aches, even more so after working out.  No vomiting but to be honest I wish I did throw up - then the nausea would go away. Of course I have no fever either. I think that analogy worked as Dave now seems to understand. Right now I'm feeling that the second trimester can not come soon enough.  Oh how I wish for this nausea to end...

March 28, 2010 (7 weeks)

From Babycenter.com....

How your baby's growing:

The big news this week: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.

If you could see inside your womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering her peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of her nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing, and her liver is churning out red blood cells until her bone marrow forms and takes over this role. She also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in your baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body.

How your life's changing:

Your uterus has doubled in size in the past five weeks, and eating may feel like a chore — or worse — thanks to morning sickness, which by now may be in full swing. (If you're feeling fine, don't worry — you're lucky!)

[Megan's Comments] As said before, just nauseated...no vomiting and it's all when I try to sleep. I'm fine in the morning which is nice considering I'm home with Zach.

You may need to pee more than usual, too, thanks to your increasing blood volume and the extra fluid being processed through your kidneys. (By now, you already have about 10 percent more blood than you did before you were pregnant. And by the end of your pregnancy, you'll have 40 to 45 percent more blood running through your veins to meet the demands of your full-term baby.) As your uterus grows, pressure on your bladder will send you to the bathroom as well.

[Megan's Comments] Morning, noon and in the middle of the night. I feel like a faucet. ugh!

About half of the women who feel nauseated during the first trimester will find complete relief by about 14 weeks. For most of the rest, it'll take another month or so for the queasiness to ease up. It's unlikely, though, that the need to pee more than usual will ease up. In fact, research shows that both the frequency and volume of urine tends to increase over the course of pregnancy.

[Megan's Comments] Lovely!

March 29, 2010 (7 weeks, 2 days)

I had some slight spotting last night when going to bed. But enough to know it was blood. I do not have any this morning so I'm not going to worry about it....I'm not going to worry about it.  I'm not going to worry about.  I SAID, I'm not going to worry about it.

March 31, 2010 (7 weeks, 4 days)

I had coffee with Marie this morning and met little Rylee. She and I have spent a lot of time talking about miscarriage and getting pregnant so I knew it was going to come up. It did. So Marie as you are reading this - Yes, I knew I was pregnant. Sorry! I have to tell you it was hard not to grin from ear to ear and say well....we are! I hate lying - but I promised Dave. :o(  I do have an appointment on Monday, April 12 but it's my first OB appointment not my annual exam. Not sure if I'll be able to wait until we tell everyone...you may be one of those that I end up breaking the rules for!

April 2, 2010 (7 weeks, 6 days)

ugh...will this nausea ever end??  I have cramping and pain in my belly today. I'm not sure if it's just because I am so nauseated and I'm hunching over from it or because things are not going well with the pregnancy. I had a dream last night that our baby died and we miscarried again...not a pleasant dream. I also had dreams that this pregnancy is twins. I had those dreams with Zach too...and Zach was a singleton.  

April 4, 2010 (8 weeks)

From Babycenter.com....

How your baby's growing:

New this week: Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby's hands and feet, his eyelids practically cover his eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of his developing lungs, and his "tail" is just about gone. In his brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. You may be daydreaming about your baby as one sex or the other, but the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether you're having a boy or a girl. Either way, your baby — about the size of a kidney bean — is constantly moving and shifting, though you still can't feel it.

How your life's changing:

You may notice that your bra is getting more snug. Soon you'll likely need a larger size with better support. Rising levels of hormones cause breast growth and other tissue changes, all in preparation for lactation. Your breasts may continue to grow throughout pregnancy. Don't be surprised if you go up a cup size or two, especially if it's your first baby. Keep this in mind, and allow for room to grow when investing in a new bra.

[Megan's Comments] Yes, and more tender too. OUCH! Don't touch please!! I laugh when they say, "Don't be surprised if you go up a cup size or two." Ummm....last time it was much more than that. Not only did I have to purchase new and bigger bras I had to purchase bigger shirts while I was breast feeding just to keep the girls under cover.

Feeling fatigued? Hormonal changes — in particular, a dramatic rise in progesterone — may be contributing to your sluggishness. Nausea and vomiting can certainly cost you energy, too. And you may be having trouble getting a good night's sleep at this point, especially if you're uncomfortable or find you need to get up to pee.

[Megan's Comments] Oh my goodness am I ever TIRED! Exhausted is more like it. How am I going to deal with a newborn and a VERY ACTIVE THREE YEAR OLD?!?! What the heck were we thinking when deciding to have another child?  Why do you forget how tired you were?  I also know the fatigue I feel right now is NOTHING compared to how tired I am going to be after the baby arrives.  Right before the holidays no less, which are exhausting in their own right.  But I also know you just figure out how to get through it. And remember to sleep when the baby sleeps. Hopefully, I'll be back to work by then so we can have Zach in daycare full time.  Otherwise the advice, "sleep when the baby sleeps" may not work as they may not be on the same schedule. Leave it to me to think about the details...*giggle*

April 5, 2010 (8 weeks, 2 days)

I spent the day with Dawn and Linda today. We had lunch at Panera. I was craving a tuna sandwich - so I indulged and had half a tuna salad sandwich with a cup of soup. NUM!  It was so nummy!!  Dawn mentioned during lunch she would have liked a tuna sandwich but had had her quota of fish for the week already. The things you forget!!  I quickly went through my food of the week in my mind reviewing if I had fish already in the week. I had salmon eggs Benedict for brunch the day before.  But I decided I was safe because I didn't finish the meal and I was only eating a half of a tuna sandwich.  Then we did a bit of shopping at Baby's R Us then we were off to the salon for pedicures for Dawn and I and a facial for Linda. It was a relaxing afternoon. Hopefully I didn't talk too much. I actually slipped up in conversation today when we were talking about 'getting pregnant'. It was so slight no one noticed...not sure if Dawn caught it or not. We'll see...

It would be so much fun to share our news with Dave's family this week while they are here. I don't think Dave's parents will be up again for a couple of months when they do the baptism so it is very tempting. Although, I would feel like we would be stealing Dawn and Rob's thunder by announcing we are pregnant when they are welcoming their new baby boy into the world in just two days. This time should be all about them not about the excitement of another grand-baby and talk of how I've been feeling.  I know Dawn would be absolutely THRILLED for us and wouldn't mind at all if we shared the news this week.  But this week isn't about us it is about Baby Alec, Brady, Dawn and Rob and it should stay that way. 

April 7, 2010 (8 weeks, 4 days)

Dawn and Rob welcomed their new baby boy into the world today; Alec Hiroshi, seven pounds and 19 inches long. Dave and I are very excited for them!!

April 10, 2010 (8 weeks, 7 days)

We visited Dawn and Rob in the hospital today so we could meet our new nephew. Dawn asked if we wanted to hold him. I did. You forget how small and light a baby is in your arms. Alec is the first baby I've held since we miscarried.  I'm not sure why - but since the miscarriage I have avoided holding babies. Normally, it is not an issue because I just have not asked and the mother hasn't offered so no issue.  But it was so nice to hold Alec. (Thanks Dawn)

April 11, 2010 (9 weeks)

We have our first OB appointment tomorrow. I'm worried that we're going to find out that the baby died and I just haven't miscarried like I did last time. I so need to hear the baby's heartbeat...

From BabyCenter.com....

How your baby's growing:

Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain.

How your life's changing:

You still may not look pregnant even if your waist is thickening a bit. You probably feel pregnant, though. Not only are morning sickness and other physical symptoms out in full force for most women, but you may feel like an emotional pinball as well.

[Megan's Comments] Nope I don't look preggers at all.  Although, if you know me well and know how much my skin reacts when I have hormonal changes in my body all the wonderful acne on my face would tell you.  I am an emotional 'pinball' though.  I cry at the drop of a hat - the tears just flow.  No matter how much self-control I try to exert to hold those tears back.

Mood swings are common now — it's perfectly normal to feel alternately elated and terrified about becoming a parent. Try to cut yourself some slack. Most women find that moodiness flares up at around six to ten weeks, eases up in the second trimester, and then reappears as pregnancy winds to a close.

[Megan's Comments] Well if Dave were around I could ask him if I've been moody and put the report in here.  But knowing him he'd say, "no, why???" *giggle* I know I have been moody and quick to react or more aptly OVER-REACT in some instances.

April 12, 2010 (9 weeks, 2 days)

Today was our first OB appointment. For the first appointment with my OB office it is with the nurse practitioner.  I met with the new nurse practitioner and all I have to say is she is FANTASTIC!! KUDOS for Dr. Toppin and her practice for hiring her. 

We did all the standard things - review my medical and pregnancy history, which is no easy task in and of itself. We discussed our current pregnancy and what I have been experiencing recently. Then it was time. It was time to try listen for the baby's heartbeat. 

We tried for over five minutes searching for the baby's heartbeat. Then all of a sudden we heard the distinctive baby heartbeat. I was so over-joyed to hear our baby's heartbeat tears started streaming down my face and then I moved. SHOOT! I didn't mean to move.  She tried to search and find the heartbeat again but the baby must have moved behind my pelvic bone again. It didn't matter that she couldn't find the heartbeat again - we HAD heard the heartbeat and that's all that matters. 

Our first ultrasound has been scheduled for May 4 at 9am. We'll be 12 weeks pregnant then.  Because I'm an 'older' mom (over 35) I have access to all these additional tests if I would like to do them. Dave and I will have to discuss to what extent of testing we decide to do. We did some testing last time and frankly it stressed me out, A LOT. So testing is not something I look forward to. However, testing does prepare you for some uncertainties that occur with pregnancy and the baby. So we'll see.  

The Girls ^TM are all currently discussing going away for a weekend. It is looking to be Labor Day weekend as the weekend of choice. The first rounds of discussion involved camping. Not sure how good of a camper I would be at 7 months pregnant. I could do it - but I wouldn't be all that comfortable.  Maybe we'll end up being in cabins....all depends on what is available and the cost.  We haven't reached a point where we need to commit to anything...so I'm still safe.

April 18, 2010 (10 weeks)

Today we spent the morning and afternoon with Dave's family. Zach and Brady ran and played the entire time except for a 20 minute break for them to 'eat' lunch.  While Grandpa Jim, Grandma Linda, Dawn, Rob, Dave and I all talked and took turns holding baby Alec. 

Dawn and Rob made these fantastic hot roast beef sandwiches. Roast beef and au jus in a crock pot - simple and good!  I'll have to remember this for one of our summer parties! Or just for an easy evening dinner for us.  Now I just need to find the recipe for Arby's sauce...

One funny thing to share.  Linda announced, "Megan has news." The first thing that ran through my head was - 'did Dave tell his parents early?' Then it clicked, 'Ecolab interview silly!' So I shared my interview news, which was the news Linda was referring to. *giggle*  Humm...I seem to be experiencing baby-brain already...not good!!

This week's development from Babycenter.com...

How your baby's growing:

Though he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature.

He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.

If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

In other developments: Your baby's limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.

How your life's changing:

At your next prenatal visit, you may be able to hear your baby's rapid heartbeat with the help of a Doppler stethoscope, a handheld ultrasound device that your practitioner places on your belly. Many women say that the beating of their baby's tiny heart sounded like the thunder of galloping horses and hearing it for the first time was very moving.

[Megan's Comments] I heard our baby's heartbeat last week. Yeah!!

Before you got pregnant, your uterus was the size of a small pear. By this week, it's as big as a grapefruit. You may or may not be ready for maternity wear now. Even if you're not there yet, your regular clothes are probably feeling uncomfortably tight and your blossoming breasts are straining the seams of your bra. The thickening in your midsection is most likely due to slight weight gain and bloating. If you're between regular and maternity clothes, pants and skirts with forgiving elastic waistbands (or low-rise waistlines that sit below your belly) will provide some much-needed comfort.

[Megan's Comments] Nope, not ready for maternity wear. Thankfully because I lent most of it out to Carrie. *giggle* I'll eventually have to ask her if I can have my clothes back I suppose. She's a good sport and will have no issues with that. Although, if I am still without a job I won't need most of what I lent her as it was mostly dressy clothes. 

Depending on your level of fitness, you can most likely participate in a wide range of activities during pregnancy. Swimming and walking are excellent choices for the whole nine months. Exercise promotes muscle tone, strength, and endurance — three qualities that can help you carry the weight you gain during pregnancy, prepare you for the physical stress of labor, and make it easier to get back into shape after your baby is born. (Unfortunately, there's no evidence that regular exercise shortens labor.)

[Megan's Comments] I'll keep on walking, keep on walking, keep on walking.  Sadly I'm not walking in the Komen 3-day - but considering how TIRED I have been I don't think I could keep up with the demands of training right now. YIKES!!

April 20, 2010 (10 weeks, 3 days)

Today is a severe nausea day. So much so my stomach aches. Not even dark chocolate is easing the nausea. Sometimes I wish I would just throw-up like I did with Zach.  This nausea all day all the time, gets worse when I lie down is getting old. I never thought I would say I would actually prefer puking morning sickness, but I would over this nausea all the time thing. ugh...

April 25, 2010 (11 weeks)

From BabyCenter.com...

How your baby's growing:

Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.

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 hiccuping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

How your life's changing:

If you're like most women, you're feeling a bit more energetic now and your nausea may be starting to wane. Unfortunately, you may also be suffering from constipation (caused by hormonal changes, which can slow digestion) and heartburn (hormones again, relaxing the valve between your stomach and esophagus). Just remember, all this discomfort is for a good cause.

[Megan's Comments] Yes, I am feeling like I have more energy and I don't require a nap during the day if I am going to try stay awake beyond 8pm.

Don't worry if nausea has made it impossible for you to eat a wide variety of healthy foods or if you haven't put on much weight yet (most women gain just 2 to 5 pounds during the first trimester). Your appetite will likely return soon, and you'll start to gain about a pound a week.

[Megan's Comments] Well...because of my lifestyle changes I've actually lost some weight.  I have doubts this will continue if I keep craving Arby's and DQ though...

April 26, 2010 (11 weeks, 2 days)

I had the twins dream again last night. No, not TWINS baseball but that we gave birth to twins a boy and a girl. We're probably only pregnant with a healthy singleton and these are just dreams meaning something...let's check it out.

Birth: The birth of a human child is a universal symbol for good news, happiness, and/or a whole new life. The birth of twins or triplets indicates wealth.

Well we already know that we are pregnant so the symbol of a whole new life would be correct. The birth of twins indicates wealth. Humm...is that wealth we currently have or my dreams telling me I should buy a megabucks ticket today? *giggle* I do not remember the details of the dream. If I have the dream again, I'll have to write down the details because maybe that will tell me more about the meaning. If the dream just means we are actually pregnant with twins then we'll find out next Tuesday because that is when we will have our first ultrasound. 

I'm nervous and excited about the ultrasound. I do have fears that we are going to find out that the baby has died and I'll have to have a D&C again. But considering I am still feeling the tummy butterflies and I'm nauseated everyday I am still very hopeful and trying to remain positive.

Today Dora was all about Dora's mom having a baby and Dora becoming a big sister. Zach was excited about the babies, Dora's mommy had twins. Yes...lots of twins things today.  Hummm....

 

April 28, 2010 (11 weeks, 4 days)

Food and pregnancy...

There are things that you can not eat while pregnant such as, undercooked meat, deli meat, fish that contain high levels of mercury, and soft cheeses. Luckily these are not foods that I have been wanting while pregnant this time.  This time my cravings have been odd.  I've been craving all things sweet.  Chocolate, ice cream, chocolate, doughnuts, DQ Blizzards, fruit - strawberries, blackberries, kiwi, pears and cara cara oranges, and did I mention chocolate?  I am drinking LOTS of orange juice - it's like I can't get enough of the stuff. Dave has actually commented how FAST we are going through orange juice lately. He's thinking Zach is drinking more...oh no sweetie it's your wife!  Oh but it is not limited to only sweet....there is more....Cheetos dipped in Top the Tater, hot roast beef sandwiches with Arby's sauce, pizza, and taco's. But the cravings for the most part have been sweet. According to old wives tales if you crave sweets you are pregnant with a girl. Only time will tell if that is actually true.  I do have to say that sweets help ease the evening nausea I've been experiencing, so that's good.

May 2, 2010 (12 weeks)

Today I had brunch with a few of my old Target peeps, Kelsy, Melissa, and Shelly. I so wanted to share our news with them because I could then share the news IN PERSON with them. But I didn't. Sorry girls - but I REALLY wanted to!!  We probably won't be able to share with Dave's parents until Farther's Day weekend when they are up for Alec's baptism.  We'll be 19 weeks pregnant then...almost half way...eek that's a LONG time to hold a secret like this!!

Our ultrasound is THIS Tuesday at 9am. I'm not as worried about the baby not being alive during this ultrasound probably because of all the nausea I'm still experiencing and the fact that I felt flutters last night. Yeah!! I thought it was my imagination but I poked my belly and the flutter happened again. Amazing!!

How your baby's growing:

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.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. 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. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

How your life's changing:

Your uterus has grown to the point where your healthcare provider can now feel the top of it (the fundus) low in your abdomen, just above your pubic bone. You may already be into maternity clothes, especially if this isn't your first pregnancy. If you're still fairly small and not yet ready for maternity clothes, you've no doubt noticed that your waist is thickening and that you're more comfortable in loose, less restrictive clothing.

[Megan's Comments] Ummm...yes. I'm not in maternity clothes. But my jeans that were extremely loose are not as loose anymore. Thankfully they are still somewhat loose and I can continue my walking and exercising regimen and perhaps I can make my 'fat pants' be maternity pants for awhile. *giggle*

You may begin to feel heartburn (also called acid indigestion), a burning sensation that often extends from the bottom of your breastbone to your lower throat. Many women get heartburn for the first time during pregnancy, and those who've previously had bouts of heartburn may find that it gets worse. During pregnancy, the placenta produces a lot of the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach. Particularly when you're lying down, gastric acid can seep back up the pipe, which causes the uncomfortable burning sensation. For many women the problem doesn't begin (or get worse) until later in pregnancy, when your growing uterus starts to push up on your stomach. The discomfort may range from mildly annoying to intense and distracting.

[Megan's Comments] Oh yes!! I've had this for WEEKS! Every time I lay down - I get heartburn. ugh! Tums have become an evening routine for me. 

May 3, 2010 (12 weeks, 2 days)

In 11 hours we will be able to see our baby on ultrasound!  I'm so nervous and excited! I can't wait! I'll be saying prayers that everything is OK until we hear a heartbeat on the ultrasound. Time for bed it's 10:30...it will make the time go by quicker.  Good Night! 

May 4, 2010 (12 weeks, 3 days)

Today we had our first ultrasound. Everything was just perfect!  The baby's size measures right on track of 12 weeks and 2 days. The heartbeat was 160, nice and strong! Our baby is also a wiggler and was moving around making things difficult for the ultrasound technician. In addition to checking the size of the baby we also did a nuchal translucency (NT) screening. The NT test use ultrasound to measure the clear (translucent) space in the tissue at the back of of our developing baby's neck. Babies with abnormalities tend to accumulate more fluid at the back of their neck during the first trimester, causing the clear space to be larger than average. However, the baby was not moving around so much that we were not able to take pictures and able to take the NT measurements.  It will be a few days before we receive the results of the tests back. In the meantime, here are three ultrasound pictures from today.

First photo of Baby H

Another ultrasound view

Baby H with hands up near head.  Yes, this picture looks a bit alien doesn't it? *giggle*

We won't know the sex of the baby for a few more weeks.  Dave wants to know what the sex of the baby is ahead of time but I think I would like to have the sex be a surprise this time. We'll have to wait and see...our next ultrasound is June 22.  Which will be two days after we share with Dave's parents and sister.  We're planning to share our news when they come into town next; which will be for Alec's baptism. We'll be 19 weeks pregnant then...that seems like FOREVER from now. Another seven weeks in fact. Here's crossing our fingers that they'll have the baptism on June 6th instead. *giggle*  

We're thinking of going to Duluth for Memorial weekend so we would tell my parents then, and my brothers as they will be there too.  I'll have to figure out how I'm going to share the news with my sister as she probably won't be up for Memorial weekend. Humm....

So how are we going to share our news?  I designed a t-shirt for Zach:

I used the ultrasound photo for the photo on the shirt. So we'll just put Zach in the shirt and see how long it takes our families to notice. *giggle*

Today I also met with my new counselor from the Employers Association. I did share that we are expecting with her because I wanted her advice in handling telling future employers our news. She advised that we do not share our news until after the offer and after we share the news with our parents. If everyone else has to wait until after we tell our parents then so can a future employer. She explained that employers may make their decision based on the fact that I'll have to take a leave of absence when the baby arrives while the other candidate would not need to which may cause the employer to base their decision on that fact rather than my qualifications.  Yes, it is against the law to make a decision based on that - but how am I ever going to know their reasons?

May 7, 2010 (12 weeks, 6 days)

We received the results of our nuchal translucency screening today. Everything is normal. Yeah!

May 8, 2010 (12 weeks, 7 days)

Ugh....am I ever green this morning. I have pretty much felt green only in the evenings or at night so this is new. We'll be 13 weeks tomorrow which means we'll be in our second trimester so all the nausea and feelings of being green are supposed to be pretty much done. So what's up with that?!?  I just need to remind myself that feeling icky is a good sign. It's a very good sign. It's just easy feeling icky all the time.

May 9, 2010 (13 weeks)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to me! (and to all the mommies reading out there...granted you'll all be reading this sometime in June....) Today marks the last week of our first trimester! A week from today and we'll officially be in our second trimester!  Yeah! Our likelihood of loosing this child goes way down and we get to FINALLY SHARE OUR NEWS!!! Although, it will still be a few weeks before we share because of when we'll be seeing our parents. Conveniently our friend Mary wanted to swap dinner planning months with me. So I now am planning brunch/dinner for The Girls^TM for May/June so that worked out PERFECTLY! So I'll be sharing with all of them we're expecting then. Yeah! Hopefully they'll all be able to make it so I can tell them all at once. Can you tell I'm just a little excited about this pregnancy!?!?!

In keeping up with the past few weeks here is the information and my comments from Babycenter.com:

How your baby's growing:

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

How your life's changing:

This is the last week of your first trimester, and your risk of miscarriage is now much lower than earlier in pregnancy. [Megan's Comments] Yeah!! It's seemed to take FOREVER to get to this point!!

Next week marks the beginning of your second trimester, a time of relative comfort for many women who see early pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue subside. [Megan's Comments] I really hope so!! 

More good news: Many couples also notice a distinct libido lift around this time. [Megan's Comments] Do you really want a comment about this?? *giggle* 

Birth is still months away, but your breasts may have already started making colostrum, the nutrient-rich fluid that feeds your baby for the first few days after birth, before your milk starts to flow. 

May 10, 2010 (13 weeks, 2 days)

It is currently shortly after midnight on Monday, May 10 and I am so nauseated that I can not sleep. I've tried Tums, full sugar pop, and laying on my stomach to make myself burp. Nothing is working and I feel absolutely miserable.  I've left the warmth of our bed to find chocolate and cold pizza in hopes that will make this nausea go away. Hey it worked last time...it's worth a try! I keep reminding myself that all this nausea is a good thing. It means the hormones in my body are continuing to support the pregnancy. Doesn't make it any easier to stomach the nausea though...(ha-ha!)  So I'm searching the interwebs to find some other remedies I may have overlooked:

Tips for Reducing Nausea in Pregnancy

Here are a few things women can do to ease nausea when they're expecting. Here are some tips from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada.

• In the morning when you wake up, eat a few crackers and stay in bed for a few more minutes. [Megan's Comments] Thankfully my nausea is more in the evening hours. Which is good because Zach is up early and ready to go!
  

• Eat smaller meals and snacks throughout the day so you are never really hungry or very full. This also helps if you're suffering from heartburn.  [Megan's Comments] I may need to try this and see if this helps. I haven't had heartburn in a long time - just nausea.
  
• Drink throughout the day in small amounts, and don't drink too much with meals.  [Megan's Comments] Good advice
  
• If odors bother you, open the windows while cooking or, even better, have someone else cook. Also, eating cold food rather than hot can help, since there is less of a smell to cold food. [Megan's Comments] Smells were a problem a few weeks ago - but now they are not. 
• Try sniffing ginger or lemons, or eating some salty snacks such as potato chips. [Megan's Comments] Haven't tried sniffing ginger or lemons...worth a try. Eating potato chips - well there's an excuse to eat some Old Dutch crinkle cuts! *giggle*
  
• Get plenty of rest, but don't sleep right after a meal. Being overtired plays a larger role in nausea than most people realize. [Megan's Comments] Well this right here could be my problem.  Laying away unable to sleep because I'm nauseated and then Zach waking me up before 8 a.m.  Might need to institute nap time during the day when Zach sleeps and see if that helps for evening/night nausea.
  
• Try taking prenatal vitamins with food, and if this doesn't help, at night. That way if they contribute to your nausea, you can usually sleep through the feeling. If this still doesn't work, simply take folic acid instead of a prenatal multivitamin. [Megan's Comments] Well I take my prenatal vitamins, folic acid, extra vitamin D3 and my DHA supplement with food so that's not the issues.
  
• Consider taking vitamin B6 or ginger capsules. Both have been shown to reduce nausea. If you don't want to take capsules, consider chewing on crystallized ginger or trying ginger candies. [Megan's Comments] B6 huh?  I'm going to the store to buy some tomorrow.  Can't hurt - besides B vitamins are for beauty.
  

Although nausea during pregnancy can be annoying, if you have a mild case it doesn't have to be debilitating. Trying these simple steps and reduce or even eliminate your symptoms, so instead of worrying about what might make you sick, you can focus on nourishing your body and your baby.

Most sites refer to 'morning sickness' as opposed to evening/night nausea. I have some saltines so I'll have to keep a sleeve on my bedside. Much less calories than peanut M&M's and cold pizza. *giggle*  OK - I think the snack worked. Back to bed for this girl.  I need my rest so I'm NOT nauseated!!

May 10, 2010 (13 weeks, 2 days)

Okay, it is now a decent hour of the day. But we now have a conundrum. The weekend of June 19 and 20th is the weekend that Dave's parents will be in town for Alec's baptism.  On Saturday, June 19th I'm hosting my family and Dave's family at our house for Strawberry Fest. There is a parade in the morning and a festival just one block from our house.  We hosted a kids party last year and the kids had a blast. So for this year we decided to do it again but with just family only this year because of all the activities happening already for the weekend.  Then on Sunday we'll all be at Dawn and Rob's house for Alec's baptism.  So what is the conundrum? Well, last November we (Dawn, Rob, Dave & I) gave their parents a family photo for their 40th wedding anniversary. We decided to wait until Alec was born because we all knew he was coming in April. So in our discussions of the weekend Dawn suggested we have the family photo taken the evening of Friday, June 18. Our plan is to tell them we're pregnant on June 19th when everyone is at our house. Uh-oh!  I called Dave at work to ask what we should do. He didn't know either. We could go ahead with taking the photo but if we waited until Alec was born should we wait until after November when our baby is born - despite the gift being over a year late?  So we're first going to wait things out and see if his parents are going to be able to come up early on Friday to take the photo. If they can, then we'll wait and see what happens with the third interview with the company I'm interviewing with this week. If I am offered the job then I really shouldn't be asking to take time off that Friday because I already feel bad about needing to take time off for upcoming doctor's appointments. So that may need to be the next excuse.  If that doesn't work then we will need to venture down to Madison for a weekend to share the news or do it over the phone which isn't what we want to do at all. We REALLY want to share this news in person with them because it's such good news!!  Then we can talk to his parents and ask if they want to take the photo then or wait until Fall after our baby is born. Either decision works for us. We just do not want to go ahead with taking the photo not having shared the news and then decision of when to take the photo may have been different. So we're in wait and see mode right now.    

May 12, 2010 (13 weeks, 4 days)

Today I met Marie for lunch and I just couldn't hold in our news any longer. So after telling her about the interview process and my upcoming third interview I explained it would be really nice to be offered this job because it would be nice to get settled into a job before I had to take maternity leave - yup! We're pregnant! Marie's eye's grew as wide as dinner plates as they lit up with excitement! The whole conversation turned to pregnancy and how excited we are. I so wanted to tell Marie our news in person and with her returning to work on June 1 I did not know if we would be getting together again before then.  I was so much fun to share the news with Marie after sharing all the heartbreak with her.  We spent the rest of the afternoon chatting about how we found out we were pregnant, how I've been feeling and just being pregnant in general. It was so much fun to be so excited about being pregnant. Thanks for the afternoon Marie - I had so much fun! I'm so happy that we are able to share happy news with you! When we were leaving Marie teased that if she was a different type of person she would be angry with me. I laughed knowing what she meant. The last two times we had gotten together I knew I was pregnant. The first time we chatted about pregnancy and the last time we got together we didn't talk about pregnancy - but we still got together and I did not say anything and in the first instance I lied. We both laughed. I know Marie isn't that type of person so I was never worried. Thanks for being such a great friend Marie - it was so much fun to share our news with you today and to be so EXCITED about being pregnant!

May 16, 2010 (14 weeks)

We are officially in our second trimester of pregnancy today! Yeah!!! I've been waiting for this date anxiously! I can't believe it is finally here!!  Yeah!!  Although, I have to admit it is rather anti-climatic as we won't be sharing with our parents for a couple of weeks until we see them in person.

Again, according to BabyCenter.com here are the stats for our little bun in the oven for this week:

How your baby's growing:

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

How your life's changing:

Welcome to your second trimester! [Megan's Comments] YEAH!! Your energy is likely returning, your breasts may be feeling less tender, and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. [Megan's Comments] Yes, Yes, and no.... If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now). [Megan's Comments] Hopefully, I'm not part of those unlucky few...

The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. [Megan's Comments] I am showing a little bit - however because I've lost weight it equals out so no one can really notice. Which is a good thing considering how long we still have to wait until we share our news. .Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead. [Megan's Comments] Me plan? ha-ha! *giggle*

Decision Guide: Should you find out the sex of your baby?

Boy, girl — or big surprise? Sixty-four percent of mothers-to-be in a BabyCenter poll said they wanted to find out the sex of their baby ahead of time, while the rest preferred to wait. [Megan's Comments] This time I would like to wait until the baby is born; however, Dave wants to find out the sex in advance like we did last time. "We decided that the surprise of 'it's a boy!' or 'it's a girl!' is the same surprise at 5 months as it is at the birth," said Jessica. Michael disagreed: "I think the old-fashioned way is the best. Finding out before birth is like opening your Christmas presents before Christmas!" If you're still on the fence, here's a look at the pros and cons of each side. A word of caution: If you want to keep your baby's sex a secret, let your provider and the ultrasound technician know right away so they don't inadvertently blurt it out in the middle of an ultrasound exam or while reviewing your test results.

Benefits of finding out:
• Many women say they feel a deeper bond with the baby once they know the sex and can picture a little boy or girl. [Megan's Comments] Okay, yes this is probably true.
• You can prepare an older sibling for the arrival of a new little brother or sister. [Megan's Comments] Well we have already shared with Zach that there is a baby growing in mommy's tummy. He tends to prefer a sister over a brother right now.
• You can narrow down your list of baby names. [Megan's Comments] Yes, this would make things easier - but is it really that tough to have both boys and girls names picked out??
• You can pick out a gender-specific nursery theme or baby clothes, if you want to. [Megan's Comments] See this part I'm ALL FOR THIS.  Only problem is if I'm not working this becomes a bit of an issue...

Benefits of waiting:
• You, your partner, and your family will have a delightful surprise on the day you give birth. [Megan's Comments] Yes, this would be lots of fun!
• Your desire to know whether your baby is a boy or a girl might motivate you during the toughest parts of labor. [Megan's Comments] Humm...this won't work I'll be having a c-section.
• You'll be following in the tradition of your parents, your parents' parents, and so on. [Megan's Comments] True - in the past people did not have the luxury to find out the sex before the baby was born. 
• There will be no mistakes — what you see is what you get! [Megan's Comments] Yes, mistakes can happen with ultrasound...you never know for sure until the baby has arrived.

May 18, 2010 (14 weeks, 3 days)

This morning I was writing an email to a friend and Zach came up to me and put his ear to my belly and whispered, "Baby sleeping, cute" then ran across the room to play with his Silly Six Pins. I so wanted to post this adorable cuteness on my facebook page...but I can't.  So instead I'll post it here for all of you to read about in a few weeks.

We have been talking to Zach about a baby growing in mommy's tummy. If you ask him what is in mommy's tummy he says, 'a baby!" If you ask him whether he wants a baby sister or a baby brother he always says he wants a baby sister. That may change in a few months...who knows. Hey maybe he instinctively knows he will have a baby sister. *giggle* Nope it doesn't work that way. Neither he nor I have any impact on the sex of the baby, that's all Dave. Oh the pressure Dave! *giggle*

I was actually thinking I was missing something today when I realized that it was a doctor's appointment. I didn't forget to go. I forgot to SCHEDULE IT! OOPS!  I was able to schedule the appointment for this Friday. I'm not too late so everything is OK.

My Dad is going to be spending the next couple of days with us as he has some meetings and conferences to attend for work. Even though we'll be venturing north to Duluth for Memorial Weekend and will be sharing the news then I keep thinking it would be fun to share with him now. But sorry Dad - you get to wait another week isn't going to hurt you. *giggle*

May 21, 2010 (14 weeks, 6 days)

This afternoon I met with our OB-GYN Dr. Toppin for our first visit with her for this pregnancy. Dave was not able to go because I did not schedule it as far in advance as I normally do.  Because well, I've had baby brain. So I needed a sitter for Zach so I asked our friend Valerie to help out and gave her the option - you can watch Zach at our house or you can come with to my appointment and hear the baby's heartbeat. She choose to come with to the appointment.

She met Zach and I at our house and then we headed out to my doctor's office. I had been telling Zach for the past few days that he was going to go to the doctor with mommy and hear the baby's heartbeat.  So after a few questions it was time for me to hop up on the table and for Doc T to take out the doppler to find the baby's heartbeat.  The baby was moving around a lot but she was finally able to capture the sound of the baby's heartbeat. Zach thought the baby's heartbeat sounded like a choo-choo train. We all thought Zach was so cute and laughed. *giggle* The baby's heartbeat was a steady 160 beats so that's fantastic! It feels so good to hear the heartbeat and know everything is A-OK.  After we were done listening to the heartbeat, Doc T stepped out and got Zach a few train stickers to remember the baby by.  Valerie and Zach played with the stickers while I chatted with the doctor about various odds and ends about our pregnancy.  She asked me if I was planning to have a repeat c-section and I said, "Yes." Doc T smiled and said, "Good choice!" I was not born with birthing hips. Zach was born by c-section and he was stuck in my pelvic bone, not the reason for the c-section something learned during the procedure.  So we're going to plan when this baby is going to come.  So we discussed how we do that. She said I'll be able to schedule a time for our c-section at the 19-20 week visit for anytime in the 39th week.  Our baby's due date is November 14 so that means our baby could be born on Nov 8, 9, 10, or the 11th.  We'll probably pick Monday, November 8 or Tuesday, November 9. Yes, we could choose November 11 so the baby and Dave share the same birthday, but I think it would be best for them each to have their own day.  Ultimately it depends on when the OR and all the other people needed to be there can also be scheduled. I think I would prefer Monday so I won't be spending a weekend in the hospital.  Wow - that really doesn't seem that far away.  We still have the entire summer and most of autumn...just 26 weeks to go actually.

May 23, 2010 (15 weeks)

Happy Birthday Linda! Your birthday marks the beginning of our 15th week of pregnancy! I have to say these past few days I've been feeling great! I haven't been experiencing nausea at night.

How your baby's growing:

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. [Megan's Comments] Keep on growing! keep on growing! Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

How your life's changing:

You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now (a little more or less is fine, too)  [Megan's Comments] At my Friday OB visit I had gained two pounds. Although I had drank 32 ounces of water prior to the visit because I thought they were going to ask for a urine sample to check for protein but they didn't.  and are well into the swing of your pregnancy, but you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up, for instance, you can probably chalk it up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes.  [Megan's Comments] uh...so maybe it isn't allergies after all. This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." Some pregnant women also suffer nosebleeds as a result of increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose.

If you're having amniocentesis, it'll most likely happen between now and 18 weeks. This test can identify hundreds of genetic and chromosomal disorders. If you're getting very anxious while waiting for the results, it may help to know that most women who undergo amniocentesis get good news about their babies — bringing welcome relief from their worries.

Don't be surprised if you and your partner are feeling a little stressed out these days. Many pregnant couples worry about their baby's health and how they'll handle the changes ahead. But with physical discomforts on the wane and energy on the rise, this is also a wonderful trimester for most women. [Megan's Comments] Actually, I haven't been stressed out about the pregnancy since we had the ultrasound. Besides the nausea being pregnant has been lovely and exciting!

3 Questions about feeling your baby move

Feeling those first flutters and kicks is one of the most amazing experiences of pregnancy. Here's how much longer you'll have to wait and what to expect when your baby finally gets big and strong enough to let you know she's in there.

Q1.

When will I first feel my baby move? You'll probably feel your baby move sometime between 16 and 22 weeks, even though she started moving at 7 or 8 weeks and you may have already witnessed her acrobatics if you've had an ultrasound. Veteran moms tend to notice those first subtle kicks and jabs — also known as "quickening" — earlier than first-time moms. (A woman who's been pregnant before can more easily distinguish her baby's movements from other belly rumblings, such as gas.) [Megan's Comments] I have been able to feel the movements of the baby for a couple of weeks now after I eat or after I exercise. It feels like butterflies in my stomach.  Your build may also have something to do with when you'll be able to tell a left jab from a hunger pang. Thinner women tend to feel movement earlier.

Q2.

What will those first movements feel like? Women have described the sensation as being like popcorn popping, a goldfish swimming around, butterflies fluttering, a tapping sensation, and bubbles. You'll probably chalk up those first gentle movements in your belly to gas or hunger pangs, but once you start feeling them more regularly, you'll recognize the difference. You're more likely to feel these early movements when you're sitting or lying quietly.

Q3.

When should I worry about my baby's movements? Although your baby is moving around plenty already, many of his jerks and jolts aren't yet strong enough for you to feel. Later in the second trimester, his kicks will become stronger and you'll start to feel them regularly. At that point, pay attention to them and let your practitioner know right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's movement. Less movement may signal a problem, and you'll need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition. Once you're in your third trimester, some practitioners will recommend that you spend some time each day counting your baby's kicks. [Megan's Comments] I did have a nonstress test with Zach but never had to count Zach's kicks. Although, he kicked so much that would have been easy to do.

May 27, 2010 (15 weeks, 5 days)

Today I was surfing around facebook and saw a post by my ex-sister-in-law who is also pregnant. She was mentioning the heartbeat and because it was different than her three boys she was hoping that the baby she is currently pregnant with is a girl.  That got me wondering what Zach's heartbeat was when he was in utero.  Because of our blog I was able to find the information. (Not as easily as I would have liked though...makes me want to create more categories...but that is TOO MUCH organization Megan!)  Zach's heartbeat in the beginning was 160 then slowed down as the pregnancy progressed.  Our baby currently in utero heartbeat is 160 so about the same.  So I looked up fetus heartbeat and determining sex on the interwebs...

The Myth

I have heard that you can predict the gender of your baby by using the heart rate of your baby during pregnancy. It was said that 140+ beats per minute (BPM) was a girl and under 140 BPM was a boy. Is this true?

The Truth

This has actually been a pretty popular theory in gender prediction for a long time.

The heart rate of your baby fluctuates as they grow and as they move. Heart rates start out slower, and then by 8-10 weeks run in the range of 170-200 BPM (beats per minute).

As your approach mid-pregnancy the average heart rates run between 120 - 160 BPM.

If your baby moves, his or her heart rate goes up, just as your heart rate does with movement. However, none of these is related to the gender of your baby.

A study was actually done to test this theory. The study actually shows that there is no correlation between gender and fetal heart rate. Although they did find a correlation between heart rate and gestational age prior to 9.2 weeks. -- Robin Weiss

Comments

A British study done in 1998 notes that "There is a widespread but erroneous view among the lay public that there is a difference in the baseline fetal heart rate between male and female fetuses." The scientists who conducted the study clearly assumed that the notion originated in folklore, but a scan of the medical literature over the past 30 years suggests otherwise.

For example, a similar study done 18 years earlier refers to "the hypothesis" that the sex of the fetus can be determined by fetal heart rate -- indicating that the idea had already won some credence within the medical community itself by that time. In fact, references to the hypothesis can be found in scientific studies dating back to 1969.

Electronic fetal monitoring burgeoned as an obstetrical tool between the late '60s and early '80s. It rapidly came to be seen as a sort of panacea for predicting all sorts of neonatal conditions and anomalies. More recent studies have called its usefulness into question.

Interestingly enough, a study published this year in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that there is a difference in the heart rates of male and female fetuses during labor only. Scientists found that female fetuses had "significantly faster" heart rates than male fetuses after the onset of labor. It goes without saying that gender prognostications are fairly beside the point by the time birth is underway. -- David Emery

Nope - no correlation. Just old wives tales. I can understand wanting a baby girl though. It would be so nice to have a baby girl this time so we could have 'one of each'. But we do not get to choose. A healthy baby is all I ask for - boy or girl.

We're going up to Duluth this weekend to share the big news with my parents and brothers. My sister won't be there so not sure if we'll call her from mom and dads (So they can share the news with someone) or have her wait until June 19th with she is here for Strawberry Fest.  I'm going to have to ask my parents not to share the news with anyone outside of the immediate family until Father's Day so Dave's family won't find out through the facebook grapevine. That would NOT be good!  It's going to be fun to share our news with our family FINALLY!!  Yeah!!!

I was able to switch around all my doctor's appointments to all be on one day.  If I get this job I didn't want to have to take off TWO days in the same week. So I was able to move all appointments to Friday, June 25. So we'll start the day with an ultrasound, then we'll meet with my endocrinologist, then we'll end the day with Dr. Toppin where we can discuss the ultrasound. This is the ultrasound where we will find out the sex of the baby, if we want to.  Yes, I'm still on the fence with finding out.  I know Dave WANTS to know so I may need to concede on this one. Unless Baby H decides that s/he does not desire to reveal their sex that day.  That can happen. Only time will tell...

May 29, 2010 (15 weeks, 7 days)

Today was the big day! We told my parents we were expecting!  As you know we 'told' them via Zach's t-shirt. Before we went upstairs for the day I got Zach dressed in his new t-shirt. He walked upstairs and started playing with Nick, Sam, and Jack. As none of them are able to read they of course did not pay particular attention to the shirt. However, my brother Shawn played with Zach for a few hours and did not notice his t-shirt at all. *giggle* We were outside playing in the back yard when my mom came outside to see what we were all up to. The kids were not sharing the tricycle all that well. (She had just gotten up.) She noticed Zach's shirt and was quietly excited but so preoccupied with helping out with the kids wasn't able to fully react. Then we went inside to divert the kids attention away from the trikes and bikes.  Dave and I sent Zach upstairs to wake up grandpa because he wasn't out of bed yet.  I heard a "OOOHHH!" from my dad upstairs - he now knew. *giggle* Big hugs from my dad and my mom gave Dave and I big hugs after she had time to take a shower and brush her teeth. Then my parents asked Shawn if he noticed Zach's shirt. Shawn read the shirt and then grinned and said, "Congratulations!" Then he asked if Zach was wearing the shirt all morning. "Yup!" was my reply. Shawn true to form replied, "Well I guess that just proves I'm a man huh?" *giggle*  Just as we were all leaving to go for a drive up the north shore Bryan (my other brother) came home. We unzipped Zach's jacket and my parents asked him to read Zach's t-shirt.  He read the shirt, then smiled REALLY big, "Really!?" looking at Dave and I.  We said, yep! "Well congratulations!" was Bryan's reply. We were also able to share with Brooke and Austin and family when they arrived at Tettegouche.  My mom unzipped Zach's jacket and told them to check out his t-shirt. Isaac read the shirt out loud to his family and Brooke and Austin were very excited for us as well.  So now my immediate family knows. We did have to tell them that they couldn't share with our extended family until Father's day because Dave's family wouldn't be finding out until then.  So their lips are zipped! *giggle*  Later that night after dinner my mom, Brooke and I all chatted about possible baby names in the kitchen for boys and girls as we do not know what we are having yet. It was fun to finally be able to share how the pregnancy has been going and to surprise them with how far along we are already. Brooke joked that this will be a fast pregnancy for her. Which is true - we're four weeks shy of being half way through!

We took this photo of all the grandkids but couldn't post it on the blog because Zach was wearing his t-shirt and we didn't want to give things away early...

All the kiddos were TIRED and acting a little silly. This is the photo that I was able to snap with the most of them actually looking at the camera.  Top step: Nick and Isaac | Middle step: Zach, Mira, and Sam, Bottom step: Sam.

May 30, 2010 (16 weeks)

Being that we were in Duluth and seeing friends Lori, Jason and Kelly (and their kids Cassidy [Lori] and Devin & Ender [Jason & Kelly]) we thought it would be fun to share our news with them in person.  We shared our news with them and they were thrilled with our news. It was fun to share all the details of how things have been going.

After dinner I had our niece Mira on my lap and I told her that I had a baby in my tummy. She said, "I want to see," and started lifting up my shirt to see the baby.  I explained that the baby is inside my tummy under my bellybutton. She said, "can you take the baby out so I can hold her?" I had to explain that I couldn't because the baby is still growing inside my tummy. Mira was quite persistent that she wanted the baby out and that she wanted to see the baby. She was so cute! I asked her if the baby was a boy or a girl. She said it was a girl baby. We asked her what the baby's name was and she didn't know she had to run into the house to tell her mommy that auntie Megan has a baby in her tummy that she won't share right now. *giggle*

Today is the start of my fourth month of pregnancy. Exciting!!  According to BabyCenter.com this is how our baby is growing:

How your baby's growing:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length.  [Megan's Comments] Uh-Oh does this mean I may start to show that I'm pregnant so people notice? We'll see. With the weight loss prior to getting pregnant those that haven't seen me in awhile really do not notice much of a difference. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

How your life's changing:

The top of your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows.  [Megan's Comments] OH yes am I ever feeling the stretching of those ligaments. OUCH! You're probably feeling a whole lot better as you settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skin contribute to an overall sense of well-being. [Megan's Comments] Nausea is pretty much gone now (knocks on wood). I only get nausea now if I've eaten something that doesn't quite agree with me. My acne is finally starting to subside so that "glowing" skin is coming my way. :)

Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more.  [Megan's Comments] I have felt the baby move when I am lying down at night. The flutters are a wonderful feeling and give me the reassurance that everything is OK.  (And if this is your first baby, don't be too impatient — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so.) The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.

May 31, 2010 (16 weeks, 2 days)

Today we had The Girls^TM  and Eric, Carrie & their kids over for a barbecue.  Although Karen, Wanda and Mary were not able to attend which is a bummer because we announced today to everyone we are pregnant. Yeah!  Everyone was very excited for us!  I was going to call those that were absent and tell them the news but as Dave's parents don't know yet I figured they could wait until we see them in person because it's much more fun to share the news in PERSON! *giggle* So I'll have to try to get something on the calendar and planned so we can share the news with them too!

June 3, 2010 (16 weeks, 5 days)

Our friend Marie sent this to me today and I just had to share here because this is so true!

I read this and teared up… maybe your baby hormones will have you doing the same, and if not a nice reflection of what is coming to your family… be it first child or second, it’s quite amazing!!  It was written by a new dad.

Many people will say their wedding day was the best day of their life, and my wedding day was awesome. But when you really get down to it, weddings are symbolic things. You knew and loved your spouse for some time before your wedding day. I think the birth of one’s first child is the most singular and meaningful thing that will ever happen to a person. One second they aren’t there and you don’t know them, the next second they are and you do and you’re totally responsible for them. Nothing in the human experience can rival that.

Enjoy!

 

Marie

Yes, I did tear up reading this quote. Having a child is amazing and we are so lucky to be expecting our second child. Even on the days/nights I was not feeling utterly nauseated I felt lucky to be pregnant and be expecting our second child. It is AMAZING the love you feel for a child the moment they are born.  I hope Zach feels the amazement as much as I did when my brothers and sister were born. 

I was 5 years old when my brother Bryan was born and 6 1/2 when my brother Shawn and sister Brooke were born. I remember feeling lucky to have brothers and a sister. It was fun to feed them and help out when they were babies, to play with them as they got older, and now look back and laugh at the fights we had.  And we had some BIG fights as kids. But I wouldn't trade my brothers and sister for anything.  I know I do not tell Bryan, Shawn and Brooke enough that I love them, appreciate their differences from me, and just spending time with them and their families. This is why it was so important to me that Zach know the joys of having a sibling because of my own brothers and sister. Zach is so lucky to have a brother or a sister. There may be some days he doesn't think he's lucky down the road but as he grows into an adult he will appreciate having a sibling to share all the joys (and sorrows) life will bring. I know I have. Thank you mom and dad for giving me three fabulous siblings. I appreciate it every day!

P.S. ...SO I just accidentally hit PUBLISH instead of save as DRAFT.  OH CRAP!!  I think I was able to keep it from hitting the blog because this entry is so big.  Once I saw it was publishing I was able to change the status to Draft. So far no one has said anything...whew!!

June 4, 2010 (16 weeks, 6 days)

I had lunch with Karen and Valerie today.  I was finally able to share the news of our pregnancy with Karen. Yeah!!! She was very excited for us.

I'm starting to get a little impatient and want to call Dave's parents and tell them our news. But if we've waited this long because we want to tell them in person then what is another two weeks?? It's FOREVER that's what! All this waiting to share our special news is so tough!!  I just want to share it with the world so everyone knows our news!!!  The weekend of June 19th needs to be here NOW!!

June 5, 2010 (16 weeks, 7 days)

It is currently 12:58 a.m. I went to bed tonight around 9pm because I was exhausted. Dave came to bed around 11:30 and I woke up. We chatted for a bit but then he fell asleep before I did. His breathing is so deep he is making some serious noise with his sleep apnea mask tonight. *sigh* I tried to get him to roll onto his side but to no avail. Dave is a FIRM back sleeper. I'm such a light sleeper these days with being pregnant. I miss the days when I could sleep through ANYTHING! Looks like I'll be sleeping in the spare bedroom tonight - this mommy needs her sleep or she is grumpy!! 

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It is now 1:37 in the afternoon and I'm feeling much better now that I've gotten some sleep. Dave got up at 8:30 this morning with Zach while I stayed in bed and went back to sleep for a couple of hours which was much needed. No one likes crabby mommy.

For lunch I was naughty and had a ham and cheese sandwich. It sounded so good.  However, I think cheese now gives me issues. I'm nauseated right now and the only thing I think that could have caused it is the cheese. Nothing that a piece of chocolate and some full sugar coke won't fix.  It's a rainy, dreary day today. I don't mind actually, I find it very relaxing which is just what I need before going back to work full-time on Monday. Going back to work is going to be a big adjustment for my family and for me. This first month is going to be tough I think. But I know we will manage.

June 6, 2010 (17 weeks)

I've spent my weekend relaxing and getting caught up on things around the house. I start my first day back to work after seven months off. I have a feeling I'll be tired so I wanted to get the laundry and cleaning done so I can be a slacker all week if I need to be. Hey, it's called planning ahead! *giggle* I've been feeling good and my energy levels are back so I'm not too worried about being tired because I'm pregnant and working.

So according to babycenter.com the stats for the 17th week of pregnancy are...

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

How your life's changing:

Starting to feel a bit off balance? As your belly grows, your center of gravity changes, so you may begin to occasionally feel a little unsteady on your feet.  [Megan's Comments] Actually I have noticed this the past couple of days.  Try to avoid situations with a high risk of falling. Wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble; trauma to your abdomen could be dangerous for you and your baby. You'll also want to be sure to buckle up when you're in a car — keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly, drawn snugly across your hips, and also use the shoulder harness, which should fit snugly between your breasts. [Megan's Comments] I always wear my seat belt - so this isn't an issue. 

You may also notice your eyes becoming drier.  [Megan's Comments] A little bit - my eye doctor warned me of this when I saw her a few weeks back and gave me the name of a product to try if I need them.  Using over-the-counter lubricating drops may help. If your contact lenses become uncomfortable, try wearing them for shorter stretches of time. If you still have discomfort, switch to glasses until after you give birth.

Dreams During Pregnancy

Many women report that their dream life shifts into high gear during pregnancy. Interestingly, during the second and third trimesters, you spend less sleep time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the cycle in which most dreams occur. Why, then, all those frequent and vivid dream memories?

It's probably at least in part because you may be interrupting a dream-filled cycle when you wake up to pee, cope with heartburn, leg cramps, restless legs, or a backache, or to shift to a more comfortable position. Waking up during REM sleep makes you more likely to remember your dreams. [Megan's Comments] This would make sense as I get up at least twice per night to pee and change positions to get more comfortable.

It may also be in part that dreams seem so vivid during pregnancy because for most women pregnancy is a time of such heightened emotions — from joy to apprehension and everything in between — but no one really knows for sure.

Here's a look at some common themes and what they may mean, according to Patricia Garfield, a clinical psychologist and author of Women's Bodies, Women's Dreams.

You're caring for baby animals. During the second trimester, many pregnant women dream about cuddly, baby-like animals, such as puppies, chicks, and kittens. Friendly creatures in your dreams are generally thought to signify that you're tuned in to your instincts. Menacing animals, on the other hand, may represent ambivalence about the strange new creature entering your life.

You have a sexy encounter with an old flame. Many mothers-to-be are concerned about their changing figure and its effect on their sex life — while many others feel more sexually charged than ever. Both feelings are often reflected in your dreams. Not only do erotic dreams offer comforting reassurance, but they may mirror the sexiness you feel during your waking hours, too.

Your mate is straying. If you dream that your partner hooks up with an ex-girlfriend or a total stranger, it can signal insecurity about holding his love and attention through a time of great change. Right now, you're dependent on the goodwill and support of those around you, especially your partner. Fearing his loss is a common emotional reaction to being pregnant.

Since there's nothing you can do to stop the crazy dreams, try having fun with them. Keep a notebook and pen by your bedside to jot them down.

This Week's Activity:

Start a baby name list. Make a list of ten names you like. Have your partner do the same. Trade lists and each cross out one name on the other's list that you dislike. Keep taking turns until you have a set of names you can both live with. Talk about why you like and dislike certain names. Many couples even create ground rules, such as no names of former girlfriends or boyfriends and no names that have ever been used for family pets. [Megan's Comments] This is a great idea. We'll have to start this list. 

June 12, 2010 (17 weeks, 7 days)

Dawn and Rob baby-sat Zach while we went to the Twins game today. We decided it was the perfect time to dress Zach in his new t-shirt and share the news with Dawn and Rob. They were both surprised and very happy to hear our news. "WOW!" was Dawn's response when we told her we were 17 weeks almost 18 weeks.  So in just six days we'll be able to share the news with Dave's parents.  Then we can share the news with EVERYONE! Yeah!!!

June 13, 2010 (18 weeks)

It has been a busy and tiring week with starting my new job. I was in bed at 8pm with Zach a couple of times this past week because I was so tired. I know with time it will get easier as I adjust to the time although I know part of the tough part is being pregnant too. It's an adjustment getting used to getting up at 6am again. *giggle* Yes, Zach has spoiled us with not getting up until 7:30-8:00 a.m. most mornings. Now with needing to be AT work by 8:00 a.m. I  can not rely on the "Zach Alarm" to wake me up in time so I can get ready and get to work on time. I'm going to miss the "Zach Alarm though". I know people are curious about how the new job is going so I did write about my first week on the job yesterday "First Week of Work." this entry is part of that but talking from the pregnancy point of view. :o)

I have to say, both Dave and I LOVE my new commute!!  IT is so SHORT that I no longer need to get up EARLIER than 6:00 a.m. to get ready for work and to get there on time.  The best part is coming home. I've been home no later than 5:30 p.m. all week and this INCLUDED the stop to pick up Zach from daycare!!  When I worked at my old company I was LUCKY to be home by 6pm. Most days I was home by 6:30pm. I have to say I LOVE the extra time home in the evenings. It so makes up for working full-time again. Hopefully my attitude will not change after we have Baby H. #2.  

My new boss is so FANTASTIC!!  He is very flexible and go with the flow type person. He is married, has a wife that works, and has two kids. The first thing he shared with me on my first day is that family always comes first for him and his staff so to never worry if Zach is sick, I have appointments or something comes up because we can figure it out. So that was very reassuring. Especially since I haven't shared our pregnancy news with him yet. I'm waiting until after we share the news with Dave's parents. Which is THIS Friday or Saturday. Yeah!! So I'm planning to set up time the following Thursday to share the news. I'd like to tell him sooner rather than later as it already feels like I am hiding something from him. Which isn't my intention at all. We need to share with all of our family first before I share with my work. That's just how this goes. 

Our division is the smallest and the newest in the entire company.  Water Care started in 1995 so it is only 15 years old this year.  Currently we are working to aggressively grow the division in customers and sales. So I'm in a division with a LOT of potential which is very exciting both for the division and for my future with the company. However, I am going to stick with being an Administrative Assistant for awhile. It is the PERFECT fit for me and our family right now. I leave my work at work, have a great boss that allows for a flexible schedule, and I do not feel I need to put in lots of extra time right now. After being off for seven months it really changed my focus and what is important in life. Not that I did not know as I did ask to work part-time at my previous company so I could have more of a work life balance. Work-life balance is very important and this job allows for that even more so. Being laid-off taught me work is just work and all that matters is that you like what you (it doesn't matter what it is) and enjoy who you work with. If you don't have both it's time to move on.

So today marks the beginning of a new week - we're 18 weeks pregnant now. We're two weeks shy of being HALF-WAY! Yikes!!  As in the past few weeks here is our baby's development according to Babycenter.com:

How your baby's growing:

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound. [Megan's Comments] Our ultrasound is scheduled for Friday, June 25 at 8am. So we'll hopefully be finding out the sex of Baby H that day. Dave REALLY wants to know the sex of Baby H so we'll find out.

How your life's changing:

Hungry? An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. [Megan's Comments] Yes, I have noticed for the past week I have been more hungry.  Make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets).  [Megan's Comments] I'll have to remember to bring snacks to work - now that I'm home earlier I could make my lunch while making dinner the night before. Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow. [Megan's Comments] Actually all my regular pants still fit. That's what happens when you loose some weight before you get pregnant - you can wear your 'fat pants' as maternity pants! *giggle*  I did have to go up a size in my 'fat pants' I kept those as I lost weight because we were trying and why wear maternity pants if I don't have to?

Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy. [Megan's Comments] Good to know...that would explain feeling light headed when I was getting up from my desk and buzzing around the office this past week.

From now on, when you do lie down, it's best to lie on your side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort. [Megan's Comments] I have a FABULOUS body pillow that I like to snuggle with. It helps keep me on my side as well as I am a stomach sleeper and it keeps me from rolling over onto my belly.

If you haven't already had a second-trimester ultrasound, you'll probably have one soon. This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking his thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby's first photo album! [Megan's Comments] See above - yes this will be at the end of next week, can't wait!

Afternoon energy booster "If you're finding it hard to get through the afternoon at work without a little nap, find a place you can escape for 15 to 20 minutes (close your office door, use a conference room, even sit in your car). Bring a small travel alarm clock and set it for 15 minutes." — Laura

[Megan's Comments] This is a good idea. Although during my first week of work I got out for a walk instead. It helped perk me up much more I think.

3 Questions About...How to exercise now

Q1. Should I change my fitness routine?

In most cases, if you're healthy and your pregnancy is proceeding normally, you can continue working out as you did in your first trimester — with some sensible modifications to accommodate your growing belly. What to do: Stick to a moderate level of exercise and avoid bouncing and jarring motions, sudden changes of position, and lying on your back.

[Megan's Comments] I'll keep to the walking. It's good exercise.

Q2.I've been pretty sedentary, but I'd like to start getting some exercise. Where should I start?

First, check in with your caregiver about your plans. Then, you'll need to start with gentle exercise for short periods of time (about 15 minutes a few times per week) and gradually work up to a longer and more intense daily routine (about half an hour a day). What to do: Walking is the easiest way to get started on a regular fitness program, and it doesn't require any special equipment other than a good pair of walking shoes! Many women enjoy swimming during pregnancy because the water helps hold up their extra weight. Others swear by prenatal yoga to stretch and strengthen their body as well as relieve aches and pains.

[Megan's Comments] OHH Good idea with the swimming - I could do water aerobics this summer. That would be an excellent thing to do!

Q3. What are Kegels?
Kegels are exercises that strengthen the muscles of your pelvic floor — the ones that support your urethra, bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum. Kegels help prevent urine leaks during and after pregnancy and may even help you in the second stage of labor. What's more, Kegels increase circulation to your rectal and vaginal area, so they may help keep hemorrhoids at bay and speed healing after childbirth if you receive stitches.

Here's how to do them:

• Tighten the muscles around your vagina as if trying to interrupt the flow of urine when going to the bathroom. Use a "squeeze and lift" technique, working only your pelvic floor muscles while keeping your abdominal and leg muscles relaxed. And be sure not to hold your breath.

• Hold for about eight to ten seconds, then release. Do them in sets of ten, and try to work up to three or four sets a day.

[Megan's Comments] My mom is a nurse...I've known about these for YEARS. They do work.

This Week's Activity:

Look into childbirth classes. The best and most popular ones fill up fast so start your search now. Classes vary quite a bit in their approach. Some are spread out over several weeks, while others are as short as a day. Your hospital probably offers classes, but you may want to take a specialized class elsewhere. To find a class, get recommendations from your healthcare provider and your friends, or call the International Childbirth Education Association at (952) 854-8660 for information about childbirth educators in your area.

[Megan's Comments] Well, I know we will be having a c-section so I'm not sure if we need to take a refresher child birth class.  Even if I go into labor my doc will try to stop the contractions and do a c-section. I'll have to write this down as something to ask when we are at our next appointment.

June 18, 2010 (18 weeks, 6 days)

Jim and Linda (Dave's parents) are here visiting and we have now shared the news with them. We shared the news with them with the t-shirt. Zach was wearing the t-shirt and not even five minutes after walking in the door and saying hello Linda caught eye of Zach's shirt. "Does that say what I think it says?? Jim! Look at Zach's shirt!!" It was so much fun to share the news with them, sharing how things have been going, our due date and all the good things!

June 20, 2010 (19 weeks)

Happy Father's Day! Today is the day we share the news with all of you! We are so excited to share the news with our friends and family! All of you! We are 19 weeks pregnant this week so according to Babycenter.com:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you. [Megan's Comments] Perhaps this is why baby H2 was moving around so much last night while we were watching fireworks in our back yards.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

How your life's changing:

Think you're big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. [Megan's Comments] I popped out this week, so I know I'm only going to get bigger and bigger.  I'll be wearing maternity clothes here soon. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but call your practitioner if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes severe.

You may be noticing some skin changes, too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen. You may also have patches of darkened skin caused by a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on your upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." You may also notice some darkening of your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line." [Megan's Comments] I had darkening on my face last time - but I haven't noticed it yet with this pregnancy...I'll just have to wait and see.

These darkened spots will probably fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you're outdoors. And if you're self-conscious about your "mask," a little concealing makeup can work wonders. [Megan's Comments] I've always worn sunscreen every day - so no issue here!

Keep coming back to read more about our pregnancy. I'll be posting at least once a week about how things are going.

Thanks for reading folks!!

 

Winds of change...

It is an incredibly windy and a balmy 90 here today.  It's a nice warm south west wind.  I have many of our windows open to air out the house.  I love airing out the house.  The old stale air is out and fresh air is brought in - it makes our home feel all fresh again.

I took a personal day away from work today.  I needed to.

Today I'm going to open my own windows and air out my soul as I listen to Joshua Radin on iTunes. Some of you may remember my mentioning back in February that I was very sad and I needed to make Lemonade from Lemons. I thought I was dealing with everything and moving on. Well, I'm not.

I've come to realize that I am very sad and angry and have been taking it out on those I love around me. I'm not finding joy as I did in the past.  I feel like I am walking surrounded by a fog that impairs my vision and hearing.  This fog also impairs how I interpret the world around me.  I've felt like I've hidden a part of my history that I need to share so I can move on.

At first I thought it would be best to keep this private because it would be easier. But I'm finding that this is a part of my personal history and has seemed to have changed me for better or for worse.  I hope with time it will be for the better because right now it certainly feels like "for worse".

In January of 2009, the weekend before my birthday (Saturday, January 17), Dave and I discovered quite unexpectedly that we were expecting our second child. I was very excited about the pregnancy.  Our due date was 9/9/09 which I thought was pretty cool! It was so hard to contain my excitement with Dave's parents here that weekend celebrating Christmas. I had even started journaling so I could post to our blog what we had been feeling when the time was right to share our news.

On Thursday, February 19, 2009 Dave and I went for our first ultrasound appointment. It was at this appointment we discovered that the baby we were expecting had died about three weeks prior. We were 11 weeks pregnant at the ultrasound appointment, but the baby was only measuring 8 weeks and had no heartbeat. Typically there will be a heartbeat at 5 weeks of pregnancy.  I did not experience the more common signs of a miscarriage (cramping, spotting, bleeding etc.) so we found out during the ultrasound. I knew when the ultrasound attendant left the room to go get the doctor to read the ultrasound that there was something terribly wrong.  My only symptom was that the constant butterflies in my stomach had stopped about two weeks before the ultrasound.

Our doctor gave us two options a D&C (dilation and curettage) or to wait and see if my body would miscarry naturally, which is called expectant management. There is a possibility of extra blood loss when miscarrying naturally and with the preeclampsia I experienced when trying to deliver Zachary and eventual c-section there is the possibility that I have a blood clotting disorder. We chose a D&C so things were more controlled for my physical health.

They were able to schedule the D&C the next day, Friday, February 20.  We put Zach in daycare and I had outpatient surgery at Woodwinds.  Everything with the procedure went fine.  I was in some pain from the procedure and from the drugs they give you to make your uterus contract back down to normal size.  But they gave me pain medication and Dave took excellent care of me. Zach even wanted to be cuddled and sat and watched television with me.

So physically after the miscarriage I am pretty much fine.  Emotionally, well that's been a roller coaster. 

Why didn't I share this more openly? Well for one people just don't share news of miscarriages. Why I don't know.  I've learned that after I've shared my news with people that many have had similar experiences.  It's like you don't talk about it but when you do you've joined this secret club and only then learn who the other members are.  And to be honest, I also chose not to share because I didn't want to hear things like, "You can try again," "it's God's will" (even though I said that to comfort myself at first), and "all things happen for a reason." I know the messages are meant to comfort - but they don't feel comforting.

We had the baby tested for chromosomal issues - maybe we could find a reason in all of this. The tests came back, no chromosomal issues, so that wasn't the reason. We will never know for certain why we lost our baby girl. I was recently diagnosed with Methentetahydratefolate reductase (MTHFR) so maybe it was a tiny blood clot, maybe it was because my thyroid levels were not correct, maybe it was because the sky is blue and there wasn't grass on the ground. There is no reason for it that we will ever find out.

About six weeks ago I realized I have knock down drag out postpartum depression, but even before that, there were signs.  There were times I would yell at Dave for stupid little things. Getting angry because I had to always haul the laundry bin of dirty clothes down to the basement to do laundry.  Upset because I wasn't a good enough mom to Zach. Upset because I agreed to work full-time while my job-share partner is on maternity leave.  Not wanting to get out of bed.  Or the time I was driving to work and bawling my eyes out and a taxi driver in the lane next to me was honking his horn at me and motioning me to get off the road.

When it hit so hard that I could actually acknowledge I was suffering from depression, I wasn't sad. I was angry. I was seething. I was absolutely furious. Everything set me off. In my mind, as long as I didn't want to hurt Zach, then I would be okay. But I was not okay.

I tried to get in to see a therapist the day I realized I needed help. When I discovered the soonest I could get in to see someone was in 8 weeks but I could go to an emergency room where they would probably admit me, that threw me over the edge.  I sobbed and sobbed for hours. Then my rationale returned and I called my wonderful OB.  She prescribed anti-depressants.  After about a week they seemed to be working. Life was getting brighter, my constant state of panic was subsiding.  I no longer felt like I was screaming on the inside, constantly.

I joined a pregnancy loss support group. It was nice to talk with others with similar experiences and see how they were coping with things.

Until about a week ago.

The anger and the sense of screaming constantly on the inside returned. I feel out of control, irrational, like I am living in a fog and I can't see clearly.  It's hard to find joy.  I feel resentment towards Dave because he doesn't feel the loss the same way I do. It's easy to make me angry or feel horrible with just a few simple unintended words. Simply, this sucks!  I resent feeling like this. 

Personally, I think postpartum depression (ppd) is the most unfair thing about all of this. Here we lost our baby which fills you with grief, is depressing and awful in itself.  Yet, I still have to deal with all the hormones, body changes, and mood swings and severe depression and not have a baby girl to hold, see her personality develop and watch grow up. I KNOW what I am missing because we have Zach. Just because we have a wonderful toddler who is the light of my life doesn't take away the loss of our baby. Not that having a baby would make the ppd go away either. It is what it is.

I just want to be normal.  Well, I guess I can't say normal because I'm technically not who I was before I had Zach or even now.  I feel like I'm another person, totally changed, and half the time I'm not sure who I am. Maybe that is the ppd or maybe that's just something that happens after pregnancy.

Last night after the Pregnancy Loss Support group I stayed to talk to the nurse who runs the group.  We talked for an hour one-on-one which made me realize that maybe I need to talk to a grief counselor who specializes in ppd. I also need to be able to sleep well at night. I am unable to sleep unless I am utterly exhausted. So I've called my doctor to get help for that.

I know all the changes that I need to make so I can return to being 'normal' so the anxiety, irritability, irrational feelings at times, anger, forgetfulness, scattered, blah, blah, blah - everything I've been feeling that really isn't "me."  

I just want to feel better and to be better. Zach deserves a mommy who is more like the woman I was before the hormone cocktail on my brain. She was fun, capable, loving, creative and positive about life. I want her back. I'm sure my husband wouldn't mind having her back again, too. 

Doctor's Appointments...

Today was the day that all the doctor's offices finally are calling me back.  My endocrinologist office called today and I have an appointment now set up for this next Monday at 2pm.  My thyroid levels are a bit out of whack so I need to get in and take care of that.  Also, I hadn't gone in to see my endocrinologist since discovering that we are pregnant so I just need to be seen by him.  Although, after talking to my mom (the NICU Nurse) she says it is normal in the first trimester to have the thyroid levels that I do and I should not worry.

Then the perinatal physician's office called and I was able to set up the genetics counseling and testing which will be February 12.  So now I feel better because this appointment should be able to put some of Dave's fears to rest. 

On Friday, February 9th we have our first OB appointment with the doctor. So, every week for the next three weeks I have a doctor's appointment. AND this may go on for awhile depending on what the endocrinologist feels about my hormone levels.  SO, I'm thinking it's time to tell my boss.  If I'm going to be out of the office at least once a week for a doctor's appointment for the next few weeks I don't want her to think that I'm slacking or worse, that I'm looking for a different job. 

I have a status with her tomorrow...so I'll do it then.  I know she will be happy and excited for me, but I'm still a little worried about sharing the news this early.  Granted...we are telling our parents and family starting this Friday....so it's not too bad.

That's all folks! Thanks for reading!

9 Weeks

We are now 9 weeks pregnant!  It's amazing how fast the time goes. According to Baby Center (dot) com how our baby is growing at 9 weeks:

9 Weeks: How Our baby is growing: Your new resident is nearly an inch long — barely the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce, but he's poised for rapid weight gain now that his basic physical structure is in place. He's also starting to look more and more human. His embryonic "tail" is now completely gone and his body parts — including organs, muscles, and nerves — are kicking into gear.

His eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. He has earlobes, and by week's end, the inner workings of his ears will be complete. His upper lip is fully formed, too, and his mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The tips of his fingers are slightly enlarged where his touch pads are developing. All major joints — his shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles — are working, enabling your baby to move his limbs. As for his heart, it has divided into four chambers now, and the valves have started to develop. External sex organs are there, but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks.

How your life is changing:

You still may not look pregnant (although your belly will probably pop earlier if you've been pregnant before), but emotionally you may feel like you're on a roller coaster ride.
(As a matter of fact - yes! I should really ask Dave to write this because he probably experiences the brunt of it. Well not probably - I know he does.  When I am really tired I get rather snappy and crabby - which isn't fair for Dave.)   Mood swings are common now; it's perfectly normal to feel alternately elated and terrified about becoming a parent. This feeling can persist throughout your pregnancy and well after your baby's born. Try to cut yourself some slack. Almost all expectant parents worry about how a new baby will change their lives, but the vast majority later say that becoming a parent was one of the best things they've ever done. (I'm not terrified about becoming a parent at all.  I know we'll be great parents.  Sure we have some things to learn and to experience but I know over all that things will be just fine.  I think what I most worry about is how it is going to change our lives.  We won't be able to just pick up and go places with our friends when we want to.  I know our friends will understand and will be very excited for us when we do finally make the announcement.  Although, we do not go out every day or every weekend and have been more home bodies lately because I haven't been feeling well.  So this adjustment is already happening to some extent.

We know that the baby is going to greatly change our lives but I think until the baby is HERE it will then become a reality.)

You may be feeling extra gassy or bloated now, too. That's primarily because the major doses of progesterone your body produces early in pregnancy relax smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, and that includes your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation slows your digestive processes, which can cause more gas, bloating, burping, flatulence, and generally miserable sensations in your gut, especially after a big meal. (um, yes...this does happen.  Although because I no longer have a gallbladder the slowing of my digestive process has been a bit of a blessing.  I won't go into the reasons why here.  I am normally do not burp and now I do more often.  It does make you feel much better.  I have started taking Tums so I can burp because it really eases the nausea if I have had a food that does not settle well with me.   Still no cravings for food  - I just continue to discover more foods that do not sit well with me or they may be foods I know do not set well with me but I love them so much I want to try again!)

If you're over 35 or have a family history of a genetic illness, such as cystic fibrosis, you may want to consider genetic counseling or a prenatal test called chorionic villus sampling (CVS), which is given between ten and 12 weeks and screens for certain birth defects and abnormalities.  (Dave is worried about genetic illnesses - especially Down's Syndrome.  Me, sure I worry a tad, but I am not over 35 years old and I generally think that things will go for the best. Not to say that Dave does not - he is just a worry wart to the extreme. I know this so he does not cause me to worry more than I should most of the time.  At times his worry does cause me worry.  Or maybe it is his holding back his excitement over the pregnancy because he is so worried about genetic illnesses that bothers me the most - I am SOOO excited and he is worried that there could be something wrong, so it holds back his excitement. I do understand his reasons why, because it would be tough to have a child with a genetic disorder.  I guess I just do not want to have to think about that until we have to cross that bridge and would rather think positively. 

I am in the process of setting up appointments for genetic testing and counseling so hopefully this will ease Dave's mind that our baby is fine and healthy and he can get excited about us being pregnant!  <

Home Sick...Again...

This morning was another tough morning.  I was so nauseated this morning I was dizzy and had to sit down in the shower.  Then I had to leave the shower to hug the porcelain bowl for awhile.  I shut my eyes and refused to look at it so I wouldn't become adverse to one of the few things I can eat right now - Italian food.  I got back in the shower and rinsed the Shampoo out of my hair and put the conditioner in when it was time for round two outside of the shower.  I decided then I was going to rinse the conditioner out and then go back to bed.  Laying vertical is what helps the most when you are feeling this nauseated.  I had great intentions of going into work late today - but I was so dizzy and nauseated when I sat up that I decided today is a good day to sleep this off because it is not going away. 

I already feel guilty for not going into work and it doesn't help that Dave gives me his disapproving look when I'm not feeling well - the YOU SHOULD GO TO WORK ANYWAY LOOK.  I'm nine weeks pregnant tomorrow and I've missed two days of work in nine weeks for being sick and the other I had a bladder infection where I woke up at night yelling in pain.  I wish he could experience a week of this - not only the nausea and vomiting but the hormonal roller coaster, the aching breasts, the increased sense of smell and the fatigue.  Maybe then he could sympathize and be a bit more understanding.  Or maybe I'm just being a whiner and a wimp - I do not like being sick at all. Considering I've been sick pretty much everyday for the last three weeks (I have had a good day here and there) I think I'm doing pretty well and deserve a little credit.

Okay - I do need to say that Dave has not been entirely uncaring or nonsupporting.  He has been both caring and supportive.  He goes to the store and picks up cranberry juice and my medications.  He'll rub my back and give me space when I need it when I'm feeling REALLY crappy and hormonal.

I'm just frustrated and feeling very ill today.  I called the doctor's office and they called me back to let me know that my thyroid is really out of whack - so that does explain some of what I am feeling.  So I'm now working between two clinics to figure out what if my thyroid medication needs to change.  Fun stuff huh?

I do have another fun and exciting topic to write about today - but I am going to put that in it's own entry because this entry is a bit of a downer.