3 months

I'm 3 months pregnant, look like I'm 6 after I eat a cracker and feel hardly pregnant at all aside from getting tired early, peeing twice in the middle of the night, EVERY NIGHT and still having a weird appetite. Today, I will eat potato patch fries, funnel cake, pizza, dip n dots and whatever else Kennywood has to offer. I won't be able to ride half of the rides there this year, but I've ridden them all so much that I'm able to safely assess which ones to ride. Otherwise, I'll be honorary purse holder. 

I've purchased tons of baby items since being here. My favorite is the 6 month Polomalu jersey and 0-3 month boots since the baby will arrive in winter. It's an addiction really. I only wish I could find out the gender while I'm still here. (It's a girl) but, to set the record straight, I'd be over the moon about a bouncing baby boy - I just have a feeling.

I've also acquired some maternity clothes. I have lots of cute tops and dresses, but am pretty limited on jeans. I have one awesome pair of jeans, but if my booty grows, they won't be fitting. Everywhere else that had maternity clothes no longer carry them. The ones that do, are too expensive for my liking. I still have 3 weeks to scope some out. Besides, I'm always looking for a reason to shop.

The baby is the size of a plum, is learning to open and close it's finger, flex it's toes & start to suck. Also, I read today that the reason I'm peeing so much is because the baby is now as well. Weird, but awesome.

  

Stuff from my mother.

One of 6 crib bumpers and mink blanket personalized by the lovely Patti :)

Auntie Chrissy & her niece/nephew.

Birthday Ultrasound & Light at the End of the Symptom Tunnel

As those of you back home already know, and those of you on Facebook, yesterday was my birthday. I didn't do much (personal choice, Erik tried to get me out of the house), but I did get a pretty awesome birthday gift: an ultrasound. I was nervous, but not nearly as nervous as I was the two previous times; my growing belly was telling me that everything was probably okay. Unlike my previous two ultrasounds, this one wasn't internal, so I was able to feel the cold jelly on my belly for the first time. I held my hand out behind my head for Erik to hold, and I waited to see our baby. I didn't notice a heartbeat specifically, but since the baby was stretching, turning, kicking and punching, I knew it was there. I don't believe I've ever smiled so big. I loved that it was such a mover! She took photos of him/her from every angle and showed me the adorable little nose. Our baby has a nose. Our baby is a baby. Wow.

As usual, I felt immediate relief and knew that the rest of the day would be amazing. The midwife (Wendie) gave us our two sonograms and our USB drive with the rest of the photos.

This is my favorite one because it's stretching out it's leg and arm.

I can't wait to stop referring to the baby as an "it". I was all over the idea that I was having a girl, until my ultrasound, now I have a nagging boy feeling. Guess we'll see! My next appointment is at 16 weeks when we return from the states. From there, I'm going to try to schedule an appointment to go find out the sex.

My fatigue has certainly lessened. I started noticing that, maybe a week ago, I could still function without a nap, although I was still tired. Now, not having kids to chase after and not having to wake up early, I have lots more energy to do things like, deep clean my house in anticipation to leave it to go home. ;)

My appetite is MUCH better than it was, but I still have lost 4 pounds. Frozen chicken nuggets are still disgusting, but Erik said he'd give them to Peters so I don't have to see them in my freezer anymore. Seriously, sometimes I don't want to open my freezer because I know they're in there. Ha ha.

My digestive issues are easing up some, but I'm hoping they disappear entirely in my second trimester. Wishful thinking?

Other than that, I just look like a stuffed turkey. A turkey that went on vacation and gorged on bread and baked goods. I can't wait until I actually look pregnant instead of a girl whom took too many trips to the buffet line.

I'm leaving tomorrow morning to go back home to Pittsburgh for 30 days (everyone knows this since it's all I've been talking about). I'm excited to have my family and friends watch me turn from a stuffed turkey to something that resembles a cute pregnant woman. Again, wishful thinking? I may not know the sex just yet, but I'm going to come back with so much Pittsburgh, Steelers, & Penguins gear!

I'm Sure You Get It BUT...

I'm 10 weeks! Sorry everyone, for spamming you with baby photos, statuses, updates and blogs. I'm making NO promise to quit anytime soon.

I'm actually feeling pretty well today. I'm sleepy, so I'm due for a nap soon, but otherwise I'm content. I've been able to eat today with no issues, which is always nice. I am INCREDIBLY thirsty though; I can NOT drink enough water. I've been crying a lot, but I try to do it alone. I've been crying while looking at baby clothes; I envision my little boy or girl in these clothes and then it hits me that I'm going to be a mom. Being a mother is the one thing I know that I will be wonderful at and I'm just so anxious to start.  

I haven't actually gained any weight, in fact, I'm down two pounds but I certainly don't look like it. I'm so bloated everyday. Sometimes, for maybe a few hours, I'll feel normal. I've read in all of my normal sources that this week I can really start noticing a little bump starting to grow. My uterus is the size of a grapefruit! My books tell me that I'll probably have to unbutton pants, wear stretchy clothes or go up a size BUT I live in yoga pants and dresses, so it's not too much of an issue.

The baby is the size of a prune. It's starting to look like an actual human and it's webbing between the fingers and toes are disappearing. By next week, the baby will already be the size of a lime; they grow so fast! 

Exactly 1 week from today my family and friends will be able to experience all this and watch me grow in person. Can't wait to see you all! xo

Belly Laughs

Hello, fellow blog readers. Today, I'm going to whine. I'm giving you a fair warning in case you want to get out while you can.

I've been feeling dreadful.

Exhaustion. Check.

Hot flashes. Check.

Hunger plus inability to eat. Check.

Nausea. Check.

"Digestive Issues" BIG FAT CHECK.

Yes. Growing a human is hard work and I'm more of an instant gratification kind of gal, but I'll just have to learn patience because I'm in this until January. Could it be worse? Yes. Would I still love every exhausting minute of it all, in a way, yes. I'm creating the lungs, the fingers and toes, the brain of a tiny human that's half me and half the love of my life. This is our gift for loving eachother unconditionally, every single day. We have so much love for one another that it overflows, and what a perfect way to use this abundance. We have so much love to give to this Baby Peterson, but right now I'm going to moan a bit, because when I'm holding this miracle in my arms, everything will have been worth it.

I read Jenny McCarthy's book, Belly Laughs, in it's entirety today while in the car to Brunssum. I absolutely loved this book. She really shed light on every symptom, hemroids and sexual encounters included. It's the truth behind the "pregnancy glow" and the sweet kicks of your baby that you feel from the inside out; it's more than the beauty that we believe it to be. Here are a few of my favorite and relatable excerpts to follow.

"For me, the worst of it came (or didn't come, to be more precise) in the beginning. I honestly went thirteen days without even a rumble. And I was eating enormous amounts of food. Where could it be going? I wasn't packing weight on just yet... and it certainly wasn't coming out. Then one day, BAM! There was no way around it, things were rumbling and they wanted to come out. From the feel of things, I could tell that it was the size of Stonehenge and it was ready to flow." (31-32)

"I got to the point where, in our house at night, I had the air-conditioning on fifty degrees (in nothing but Granny undies--lots of fabric and plenty of coverage but not lots of warmth) while my husband was forced to wear a parka and mittens. He kept complaining that icicles were forming on his nose. Of course, reasonable and emotionally balanced pregnant woman that I was, I didn't care if he turned into Frosty the Snowman as long as I kept cool." (84)

"Sometimes you have no idea why you're crying. I remember sitting on the sofa watching a piece of lint  roll by and I burst into tears. My husband kept asking me what was wrong, and I remember trying to think of why I was crying, but there wasn't a reason. Crying for no reason just didn't compute for him, so finally I would just make up something, as in, 'I'm crying because you forgot to take the garbage out.' A little cruel, sure. But a reason is something a man can get his head around." (93)

I still have yet to experience the sore boobs, if at all, as well as swelling, back aches, waddling, heartburn, false labor and stretch marks. They'll sneak up on me, and I'll hate it, but it's all for one amazing result: our baby.

Please, Baby Pete, if you can just let Mommy eat when I go home for 30 days, I'll consider ungrounding you from the rest of the symptoms you've caused. xoxo.

2 months!

8 weeks, in case you didn't know ;)

The baby is the size of a raspberry, is developing finger and toes on it's little paddles, has a proportionate head to it's body and is growing the brain and nervous system.

If you follow me on Facebook, which you probably do if you're reading this, you probably have an idea of how I'm feeling. I'm exhausted. Pure torture. It's not, "Yawn, I need a nap..." kind of feeling, it's more of a "I'm not in control of my life anymore and I'm pretty sure I'm hallucinating" vibe. When I get super tired, I get nauseous. That's what I was trying to explain on my status yesterday. I'm fine when I'm well rested, so I more so need tips for perking up. Unfortunately, sleep is my best option as well as just sucking it up until my 2nd trimester. My appetite is somewhat nonexistent, although I'm so hungry. It makes no sense and I would never have understood before I got pregnant. Right now the only foods that don't gross me out are sour candies, potatoes (only roasted, mashed makes me queasy now), Spanish rice and crackery foods, but they're even beginning to disgust me now. My current craving is French toast. 2 days ago I kept thinking about them and the craving only got stronger. Luckily, my friend Heather is picking me up some at the commissary. Chicken nuggets still repulse me in every way possible; I even hate making them for the kids. When the breading touches my hand, I wanna puke. It's one of those pregnancy things you can never understand until you experience it.

My hormones are also RIDICULOUS. Erik doesn't know whether to laugh or hide. If I'm not an irritable beez, I'm crying. He mentioned Vandenberg (our previous base) and I cried. I'm tired, I cry.

Pregnancy is such a strange and beautiful thing.

I'm considering investing in a body pillow seeing as how sleeping has become harder. I obviously do not have a big belly yet, but somehow I feel like it. Sleeping on my stomach hurts and sleeping on my side makes my arm fall asleep and belly feel yucky (I don't understand either).

Sorry, not much to update other than my symptoms. I'm hoping that the extra rest when I'm done babysitting will help. As soon as I'm done I'm heading home and will be able to sleep and relax - I'm coming for you, Pittsburgh!

P.S. - still pretty sure I'm having a girl.

7 Weeks & Our First Ultrasound

As of yesterday, I am 7 weeks pregnant, and I sure do feel pregnant. I've been suffering from nausea everyday. It's not debilitating, but it's uncomfortable and doesn't allow me to eat. Food is repulsing; I can eat crackery foods and occasionally a few bites of something else, but I'm generally always hungry. I can't wait to feel normal again. Also, I feel like the most exhausted person in the universe. I wake up and I'm ready to go back to bed. I'm too tired and weak to even walk around the house. I save every ounce of energy I have for tending to the kids, but otherwise I've grown roots into the couch. I also still have digestive issues as well as some serious irritability. Sorry everyone. Second trimester, you can't come soon enough!

So, I had my first ultrasound two days ago. Originally, my first ultrasound was on June 17, but I had a concern about some mild spotting and wanted to get checked out to ease my mind. When Erik and I walked into the midwife's office, we felt immediately comfortable, she was wonderful! She told us that she couldn't promise that she would get a definite answer or not, but she would tell us what she saw. Erik sat behind the bed, stroking my hair while we waited to see our baby. Immediately we spotted a fast little heart, thumping away on the screen above and we grabbed hands. It was the most incredible experience of our lives. Our little blueberry-sized baby had already begun to sprout arms and legs, was the perfect size and positioned perfectly. She pointed out the head and yolk sac to us making it all a reality. Erik and I made a tiny human and now it's growing inside of me, perfectly healthy. She gave us a USB drive with 6 photos on it to take home.

We left the office with not only relief, but more love in our hearts than we entered with. My mind has been eased, but unfortunately the symptoms have not. I'll "suffer" for our little baby any day. 

Our next appointment is still on June 17, and if all is great and healthy, we are going to release our announcement photos that we took a few days ago and proceed to tell the world. Erik and I can't wait to share this excitement and love with you all!

6 weeks!

I look terribly large here. I need a waist belt!

There's something about this milestone that has me excited! My baby still looks like an alien, and is the size of a sweet pea, but it's growing rapidly. :) My symptoms are still the same (belly issues, fatigue, and a hunger that can't be satiated) although, I do have a new craving: chicken nuggets. Words can't explain this need. I though it was a one time thing when I ordered a 20 piece chicken nugget at McDonald's, but it wasn't. It's everyday now. I've been chugging water like a mad woman, but it's not fun when I'm feeling nauseous. Oh, forgot about that! The nausea has reared it's ugly head. It comes in waves and just makes me feel yucky, but I have yet to get sick. Hopefully this is the worst of it. 

In other news, my first ultrasound has been scheduled with the midwife! June 17! I'll be two days shy of 9 weeks. Erik and I decided that if the baby is 100% healthy (which it will be, of course) then we will share the news immediately. The reasoning behind this is that I will go to Pittsburgh soon after and be there a month, so by the time I come back and have another ultrasound, I'll be in my 2nd trimester anyway. I can't wait to share the news! Staci Kennedy is photographing our pregnancy announcement photos on June 3. I can't wait to see how they turn out and share them with everyone after our appointment, along with our first ultrasound.

Our First Appointment

Erik and I went to have our first "prenatal visit" today, although it was actually just a sit down. After our arrival, we got seen by Dr. Dunk, the same doctor I had to get my Mirena removed, so that already set the mood comfortably. He congratulated us and asked me the date of my last period; he confirmed our due date of January 22. He told us we had no need to take a test since my lack of period, symptoms and 5 positive pregnancy tests was enough proof that I was expecting. Of course, typical OCD Courtney-style, I came with questions via my Ipad. 

What I learned:

- I can't clean the cat box. (Yay!)

- Cant eat raw meat.

- I can enjoy my morning coffee (just a cup or two)

- I can continue to workout, just must listen to my body.

- My cramping was normal.

- I need to stay off the Internet. (It paranoids me)

- I'll be seeing a midwife from this point forward.

He pretty much said nothing I didn't already know because of my obsessive researching. The appointment may have been somewhat pointless, but it did somehow subdue my anxiety. I am feeling comfortable and ready to take on this pregnancy. I even got a nap in followed by a full body strength workout. I've been pinning pregnancy workouts all evening onto my Pinterest. I'm loving that I can continue to stay active!

So, tomorrow I will call and make my first appointment with my midwife which is supposed to be somewhere between 8 and 10 weeks. I go home at 12 weeks, so I'm hoping to have an appointment right before and after. We will see what the midwife says.

As always, I'll keep you updated! Can't wait to make this public and share our joy further! :)

Symptoms: mild pinching on left side, frequent peeing, fatigue, stronger sense of smell

Cravings: pizza, pickles (so cliche, but so real)

Aversions: nothing as of yet

5 Weeks & Prenatal Exercise

So, the weird angle turn I have does nothing for my bod and I'm super bloated, but here we are!

As of today I am 5 weeks and 1 day into the 6th, which means I am 5 weeks along. My baby is the size of an apple seed now and will grow to be a small pea by the end of the week. My appointment is in two days and I couldn't be more anxious. Words can't express how badly I want to hear the doctor say that everything is okay and that I can relax. To help me relax some today, I decided to go ahead and create my first "prego circuit". I've always created exercise circuits, but this time I modified some exercises so that I felt safe and comfortable.
 

1. Modified burpees
Instead of jumping up you would just raise your hands and instead of jumping back you would reach out each leg one at a time, then bring them back in and stand back up.

2. Squat and shoulder press

3. One-legged squat with opposite foot tap back

4. Opposite leg

5. Sumo squat with lateral raises

6. Push-ups (regular or modified) with dumbbell row (or leave out dumbbells)

7. Chest press
I do these on my stepper that way I have a better range of motion.

8. Overhead tricep extensions
I also do these on my stepper, but you can do it standing.

Complete each exercise for 30 seconds each. Do 3 rounds.Stretch and hydrate after.
You should have no issue getting your heart rate up to achieve cardiovascular work. I wore a heart rate monitor and tried to keep my heart rate under 160. If I went over my maximum heart rate, I would take a breather. Normally I would go up into the 180s, but it's better to be safe for you and the baby! Also, you can definitely do this workout if you aren't pregnant. Make the burpees regular, increase dumbbell weight and move a little faster.

I also just got 10 Minute Solution Prenatal Pilates which I am pumped about as well as prenatal yoga and Gabrielle Reece's prenatal workouts. I want to have a healthy and active pregnancy! :) From what I've read on every baby site ever, exercise is great for pregnancy. Exercise can help with aches and pains, sleep, stress, excessive weight gain, labor and bouncing back post-natal. I'm thrilled that I'm able to keep up with my workout routine.

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