eggplant ailments

bleeding gums.
a pesky busted blood vessel in the under carriage.
excruciating posterior pelvic pain (PPP) on my left side.

it's pretty awesome.

the suprise video

Here's a link to the video that we used to tell our parents that we were expecting. We told them it was our "7 year anniversary" video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zex36oRDeo

so much since then

Well, it's been almost 4 months since I posted last- so much has happened since then. I guess the whole "blogging as an outlet" thing didn't last very long.  The truth is that my summer ended up being extremely busy at work and the last thing I wanted to do in the evenings was sit down with my computer (taking a nap on the couch from 4-6PM was so much more appealing).  The tiredness went away around the end of August and I've been feeling pretty good.  I just wanted to bullet out a few things to remember about this pregnancy:

• On August 29th, 2011, we found out that we'll be having a baby GIRL! 
• My blood pressure started to get elevated so my PCP decided to put me on a low dose med for the rest of the pregnancy.  This worried me at first, but I certainly don't want to ignore something that could be potentially harmful to the little gal, so I've gotten to a place of peace about it.  My PCP also noted that my thyroid numbers were elevated (but not over the limit) so she put me on a sub-clinical thyroid med too- my OB didn't really think it was necessary, but said that it's better to be precautionary, and I agree. So, I am now taking a regiment of pills including my prenatals... I've never taken so much medication on a regular basis, so the change was a little something to get used to.
• Sean and I went to Costa Rica for a little "babymoon" during my birthday week.  It was there, lying by the pool, that I felt her first flutter.
• She moves pretty regularly now and it's the most bizarre feeling. Kinda like a muscle twinge in an area that you don't usually have twinges. 
• Sean had his hand on my belly on Sunday, Oct. 2, and felt a tiny little push against his palm. It was so exciting to have him finally feel what I've been feeling, even if it was really faint. He hasn't felt her again just yet.
• We had an ultrasound on Oct. 7 and saw our first 4D picture. It was a little strange/scary because she doesn't have any baby fat on her face yet.  We concluded that we would wait to get a copy of the picture until she looked a little more filled out next month. 
• Strangers have started to notice that I'm pregnant (I guess I've passed that stage of "she might just have a beer belly")... The first time any stranger offered me help with anything was on a rental car shuttle in California while I was on a work trip in September. I was a little taken back by a man who offered to lift my bag up into the van carriage space. I was able to do it on my own, but had a moment in my head afterwards of realizing why he even offered.  A homeless man begging for change told me "congratulations" as I passed him in Georgetown yesterday. It was a sweet encounter. 
• Since conception, this little gal has traveled to (in order): Texas, Michigan, Colorado, Texas (again), Florida, Costa Rica, Arizona, California, and Texas (again).  (This list excludes Virginia and Maryland- we cross in and out of them pretty regularly.)
• I think I've decided on a name that I really like. I kinda call her by it in my head although Sean and I haven't fully committed to it yet. 
• My childhood friend Michelle (she's an artist) took some pregnancy pictures of us this weekend around the city. It was fun- Sean and I have never had professional photos taken (not even for our wedding), so I'm excited to see how they turn out.
• Summer has booked her tickets for to come to DC from New Zealand before baby girl arrives.  My due date is 1/26, and since I'm on BP meds, my OB said that they will not allow me to go over week 40 (due date).  Hopefully everything will go smoothly and we'll be able to keep her cookin' until 1/26. 
• Sean and I are going to Houston on October 28th for a baby shower luncheon hosted by my dad and Sheri.  It will be great to see old college friends and to be back in Texas one more time before we become parents. Turns out I'll be staying in town for the week following the shower for work... trying to get 2 more monitoring trips done before I go on maternity leave.
• And finally, sleep. I have not had a good night's sleep since May. Seriously. The last couple of weeks have been particularly hard- on me, and Sean- poor thing.  Since I didn't gain any weight during my first trimester, the shift in my body over the last 6 weeks or so has been hard.  I've gained about 13 pounds so far and man, I can feel it. Trying to find a comfortable position in bed is really difficult. I have tried sleeping with a pillow in between my legs, but I can't seem to stay comfortable on my side. I'm typically a back or half side/half stomach sleeper, so I'm gonna have to figure something out. To top it off, I've got some sort of respiratory thing going on this week and have been coughing for 3 nights straight. Hopefully I'll get this issue sorted out soon- everyone says you should enjoy the sleep while you still can (meaning that, after the baby comes you won't get any- a nightmarish thought if this "tossing and turning" trend continues for the next 15 weeks- for me, and Sean- poor thing). 

fetus

This week marks the week that the embryo becomes a fetus! Crazy. He/She is the size of a green olive, apparently.

Sean's flight just arrived from Denver and he is in a cab RIGHT NOW, coming home!!! We have our first appointment tomorrow and I can't wait to find out if we can hear a heartbeat or see a picture.

So glad the day has finally come.

sweet tooth

I haven't had any cravings to speak of thus far- in fact, I've been more inclined to eat things that are simple and boring- with no flavor. You know, like crackers, yogurt, pasta, broccoli.

But the sweets. Oh, the sweets. I guess I've wanted more of all things sugary lately.... We don't typically keep sweets in the house so I don't eat them regularly- unless it's movie night or in the form of a chai tea latte- then yes, please.

The last couple of weeks though, I've wanted chocolate milk, ice cream, and 3 Musketeers bars... not good, I know.  I've been restraining myself, but it's hard. Thankfully I haven't gained any weight- yet.

You know what else I've wanted lately? To listen to country music.  I know, it's weird. I think the longer I reside outside of Texas, the more I want to listen to it. Country music has changed a lot since I was a kid- definitely more poppy now, but I have to say, I'm getting back into it.

On today's playlist? Sugarland. Appropriate, huh? Also, I'm making homemade cookies right NOW.

air quality: orange

I think I'm becoming a little obsessed about breathing now that I'm pregnant.  DC is super hot, and it's only the beginning of June. This week on NPR they've been saying that the air quality could be harmful for children and the elderly- and I immediately think to myself, "how can I breathe in only what's necessary and not so much as to harm this little embryo?"

On my walk to the metro, I've been getting stuck behind folks who are enjoying their morning smoke.  Frustrated that I have to walk behind and breathe in their exhaled smoke, I've decided to pretty much speed walk (well, run- a little) until I can pass them up.  I'm sure I look a bit nutso because I always slow down as soon as I get in front of them. 

A couple days this week I've come home and slept for almost 3 hours. And then I go to bed at 10PM.  Given that I haven't felt many symptoms of being pregnant, this excess sleeping makes me wonder if I really am tired or if I'm just lazy.  

I've been dealing with some fears this week, too.  About having something go wrong. Like I said, (thankfully), I haven't had many symptoms- like morning sickness, etc.- but that makes me wonder if everything is actually progressing and going well, you know? I still have two weeks until the first doctor's appointment.  I'm trying to just trust that God has prepared us for this and that all will be well.  It's hard not having Sean here- not being able to share with him when my anxiety creeps up...  We are able to talk everyday, but I often prefer to hear what's going on with him and work and we don't end up talking about baby stuff.     

15 years later and I'm still living and learning to have faith in the One who created ALL things. 

week six

Feeling tired. Got up at six. Emailed work letting them know I'd be staying home sick and went back to bed. Didn't wake up until Noon. Is that normal?

I spent the weekend in Chicago visiting friends, attending a farm wedding, and seeing Sean after 3 weeks apart! We had a great time.  I think all the traveling has made me tired, though. And all I can think about is the fact that I still have 6 trips (5 domestic & 1 international) to go in the next four months.  Whew! I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

So, week six of being pregnant.  Over the last few days, I haven't really felt pregnant- besides being overly tired, I guess? I think immediately after getting the take home test results, something in my psyche led me to believe that I actually felt different.  Now that it's been a couple weeks and that shock has worn off, I'm getting a little worried that I don't feel anything.  I guess it's normal to wonder, huh? Perhaps I should be thankful because I haven't had morning sickness yet, as far as I can tell. I was having a little weird stomach thing over the weekend, but it basically just felt like I was really full or bloated. Gross word, I know.  And, over the last two days, I haven't even felt hungry.

Really counting down the days until 23 June. That's our first appointment. I'll be 9 weeks along by then. Hopefully they'll be able to do an ultrasound while we're there since Sean is flying in for the appointment. It would really stink if they wanted to wait until July (when he'll be back in Colorado).

OK, off to grab some Pho with a friend.  Sounds yummy even though it's 95 degrees outside already... looks like we're in for one.hot.summer.