Symptoms & Nerves

Being so elated with the amazing news we received about being pregnant, I can't help but to put my guard up to protect my vulnerable heart. This is such incredible news that I can't help but to be nervous. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up one morning and no longer be pregnant. It's terrible to think that way, I know, and it's only going to stress me out, but here I am. This is the reason why we are not sharing our news with the world until our 13th week aka 2nd trimester. We will be home for that which is super exciting.

I had some cramping initially while awaiting my period, but once my period didn't come, I realized that cramping could mean my womb is growing. Once I found out that was the case, I began thinking into it. Why am I still cramping? Is this cramping normal? Why is it mostly on one side? Is there something wrong with me or this pregnancy? Yeah, I'm neurotic. I knew I had no choice but to wait it out until our first appointment on May 24 and Google to my heart's content. Google is both a great tool for allowing me to compare my symptoms and a curse for making me over think.

Slowly but surely the cramps just went away, like I read they would, and that I may feel twinges throughout my entire pregnancy. As long as they weren't painful or accompanied by bleeding, I was probably fine.

So here I am, into my 5th week, waiting to start my 6th on Wednesday. I am having a few symptoms like nipples that feel as though they were sandpapered and let's just say some stomach issues that I read about but only realize that magnitude of now. Of course, I still have fatigue, but that's not going anywhere anytime soon. Also, now that I'm  feeling more comfortable and less crazed, I'm beginning to workout again. Legs, arms, low impact and light cardio. My dad seems to think I'm going to be some Pregnant CrossFit Goddess, but he needs to keep dreaming. I can do what I was already doing when I got pregnant but just less intense. Insanity is a no go with too much jarring around and risk for injury. TurboFire, yes, but I'll have to modify some of the calisthenics. Nike Training Club, yes, but again with modifications. Also, thanks to Pinterest, I have an array of prenatal workouts that are 100% safe that I'm testing out today. I'm thankful for my heart rate monitor now to ensure I don't go above 140 bpm, but I won't lie, that's going to be hard seeing as how I usually reach 179 +. I just want to carry out a healthy pregnancy; I want to eat well, exercise comfortable, give into cravings and pamper myself. I'll be done babysitting at the end of June so I can focus on myself, my marriage and my school work.

That's all for now, unless something new shows up to tell, my next post will be on my first appointment day. Of course, no one will even be reading these until the end of July. I can't wait to tell the world! :)

We're Pregnant!

I awoke yesterday morning like any other day, but now I realized that being pregnant could be a possibility. I didn't want to jump to any conclusions, so I went on to to have my morning coffee. This day marked the third day of strange cramping so my friend, Danielle, convinced me to take a test.

I've taken these exact tests probably close to fifty times and each time it's the same result; one solid like and stark white everything else. This time I naively thought that the same would occur as it usually did. WRONG. I noticed a faint line, stared at it for a few minutes to be sure my eyes weren't deceiving me, and shouted Erik's name down the stairs. Erik was still working on waking up to go to work, so he was a little startled by my yelling. I don't remember what I said to him, but I think I made it clear that my pregnancy test wasn't the usual BFN (big fat negative). I had a few mini panic attacks and then was finally convinced to take another after two more cups of coffee. Another faint line. That CAN'T be a coincidence. Danielle and Lauren (the mother of the kids I babysit) brought me tests. I took Danielle's First Response, and immediately the test showed two lines. They both then forced me to realize I was pregnant, because for some reason I wouldn't. I called Erik at work (I was so anxious from the initial tests, I couldn't wait) and told him the good news. He shared it with Rick (our neighbor and very good friend) and otherwise kept it quiet.

FINALLY! Erik arrived home and I was greeted with kisses from Erik and a big hug from Rick, it was then that it felt so real. After we talked about it for a while, sharing our excitement, he left to go get a hair cut. During that time I thought, "The first three positive tests aren't enough, I must take the last one." So I did - immediate positive. When Erik walked in the door, I showed him the fourth and final test, and though he thought I was crazy, I was relieved. We decided that we couldn't hold the news in for two more months, so we decided to tell our parents and family-like friends.

Last 2 tests. (May 16, 2013)

This wasn't in any specific order.

First was Momma, Erik's mom. After her initial "hello" and Erik asking her how her day is she says, "Is Courtney pregnant?" and we busted out in joyous laughter that proved her intuition correct. She was over the moon to be a Gramma for the first time.

Next was my Dad, and I couldn't tell you what to expect. I knew he'd be busy at work, but I had to drop the bomb on him anyway. I told him that Erik and I had an early Father's Day present for him. "What's that?" he said. "It's more of a grandfather's present, actually, I'm pregnant!" He was in shock, but was so happy. Of course, typically Dad style, he wanted to be sure I was still going to be in school. (haha) After I assured him, he expressed his happiness and recent desire to hold babies, coincidence? I can't wait to talk to him more when he's not so busy.

Then we called my Mom, who had by far the best reaction ever. First, you must know that my mom is SUPERBLY bubbly, to the point where it puts my cheer to shame. We pulled the "grandmother's day" bit on her and she answered with "sooo.... what are you saying?" "I'm pregnant!" She shouted a bit and pressed a bunch of buttons (which I believe was the result of her dropping the phone) and checked her calender to be sure it wasn't April Fool's Day. She was so happy to hear that she'd be a Gramma for the first time as well.

I proceeded to call my step-parents, Larry and Cecilia, even though I knew they'd find out, but I thought they should be filled in on the excitement as well. Everyone promised to keep it a secret until we reached our second trimester. I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to wait that long, but it helps knowing that my second trimester will begin while we're home visiting in Pittsburgh, so we can share with everyone!

Words can't express the joy and love that Erik and I have in our hearts for this sesame seed sized baby in my womb. I am currently a tender 4 weeks and 3 days (according to my calculations) and am going in for my first prenatal visit one week from today (May 24, 2013). If conception time is correct, Baby Peterson will be arriving on this earth in January 2014! I can't wait to share with you my stories, symptoms, photos and memories of our first pregnancy.

Mommy & Daddy love you already, Pumpkin. We can't wait to meet you. <3