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!

The Official Ultrasound

As you know, I've already had an ultrasound, but it was for some mild spotting I was concerned about, so besides the ultrasound we didn't go over much. Today, it was the real deal.

Of course, as usual, I went in terrified - don't ask me why, I don't know anymore. Marieke was my midwife doing the ultrasound today; she asked me to lay down and spread eagle it. Okay, she didn't say that ,but you get the point. Since it's early, this ultrasound was internal, but I already had one before so I knew how it was. THERE IT WAS! It was MUCH bigger than last time (double, actually) and I could see it's little heart beating. Relief. Everything was perfect, even it's little arms and legs. Then, it was moving around! IT MOVES! It's so strange to know that there is some moving inside of you and it has it's own heartbeat. 

She printed us out a sonogram and stored some other pictures on a USB drive for us. We were asked a million questions and I asked her a million as well.

Even though everyone kept telling me I wouldn't have another ultrasound before I went home, I do. Exactly two weeks from today (July 1) we will have our 11 week ultrasound. That's also my birthday! Then, two days later, we take off for Pittsburgh!  HOLY CRAP, CAN THESE COUPLE WEEKS BE ANY MORE EXCITING?!

My symptoms are, of course, fatigue and overall loss of appetite. It has, however, been getting better in the past two days. I'm not fully back to normal, but at least I can eat more than goldfish. To put it bluntly, I'm constipated. I always say "digestive issues",but that really doesn't capture the sheer horror of it. I've been constipated from the beginning - it's terrible & it makes me look 6 months pregnant because my belly starts poking out and is round and hard. I've been trying to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! I still don't have sore boobs. I NEVER get sore boobs, even with PMS. I'm immune, I suppose.

Aversions: chicken nuggets, most meat (except ham), and coffee.

Cravings: I go through day-to-day "cravings", but I'm mainly eating whatever sits well. Sour candy is my saving grace for nausea.

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!