Posting First Belly Pic (17w4d)

Hola!

I figured since I posted a picture on Facebook I should post it here as well.  I took this picture at 17w3d (so yesterday) and finally feel like I am getting a baby bump! :o) That is encouraging to me! 

I am definitely feeling baby move.  I feel flutters when I am sitting on the couch and sometimes popcorn pops if Nano is really getting fiesty!  On Monday night I even felt flutters 2 times when I was up in front of the class presenting activities! Boy was that weird.  I don't know if I will ever get used to feeling a little body moving inside of me. :o)

My OB appointment that was scheduled for tomorrow got rescheduled to Tuesday morning.  Its ok tho, cause that means when I got for my NEXT appointment (when I am about 22.5 weeks)  baby will be bigger and easier to see on the ultrasound.

Nick and I have been blessed the past 2 days with some baby gear!  Yesterday, we picked up our crib, which the mom  of one of our Sunday school children generously gave us.  IT IS GORGEOUS! The style is sleigh style convertible crib, which means it goes from a bassinet height, to a normal crib height, to a toddler bed, to a day bed, to a full sized bed.  Basically Nano has his/her bed for their whole life now! :)  Also, today one of the ladies who works at the shop of one of my mom's clients just gave me 3 items just because!  She gave me a mobile for the crib which she only used for 2 months (with fishies and a projector that puts a starry sky on the ceiling).  She also gave me an Eddie Bauer infant travel bed that she used 1 time and a diaper/wipe/cream plastic holder for a changing table.  We are so blessed already!

Nick told me last night that he is pretty sure we are having a girl.  This is a big deal because before yesterday Nick had no idea or inkling of what we might be having.  Then, last night while we were laying in bed he said, "I think we are going to have a little girl...I decided today." :o) It's cool that he is getting into the baby guessing game and is so involved in this process.  I love my husband.

Lastly,  I confirmed the dates for our Bradley Childbirth Classes today!  It was supposed to start in July but the instructor had some family events to go to and since no one had signed up for her April session and we were the only ones signed up for the July session she called me asking if we could make a custom schedule that worked for both of us that involved the first 10 Sundays that were available. So, we made a custom date list and basically are starting near the end of may (right after school is done) and will finish mid September.  There are 10 classes, 2.5 hours each.  It's just going to be us and the instructors as far as we both know right now....how AWESOME is that!?  We get 1 on 1 instruction for the "group of 6 couples" rate and will really get to know our stuff! I'm so stoked. :)  Plus, the Bradley method has over a 90% success rate for a natural childbirth for those people who go through the course with that method in mind! That is so encouraging to me since I want this (or as close to possible) for my birth.

Okie dokey, back to the giant to-do list of homework that must be completed before May 21st.  I can do it.... only 23 more days til I graduate! :)

~Heather

Pregnant Friends and Movement??? (16w1d)

It's been two weeks since my last blog...not the best but still not the worst it could be lol!

Since I last blogged I have found out that 2 of my good friends are pregnant as well.  Heather W., one of my besties, is due 3 weeks after my (in the same month and everything).  It will be so cool to go through this with her (especially since our hubbies are best friends too and we are constantly hanging out together) and for our children to grow up together.  Also, my old time friend (like since babyhood) Bree is pregnant as well!!!! She found out on Easter and is due the beginning of Dec. I believe.  It's really neat to be able to talk baby stuff with her and to chat about anything and everything.  Our hubbies have a lot in common even though they have never met. I just wish that she didn't live so far away and that we could see each other in person rather than being stuck only IMing and texting being states away.  Anyway, I am very very excited that I have 2 close friends to go through pregnancy with and share in this exciting time.

In terms of my pregnancy, I finally hit the 16 week mark yesterday!  I am excited that I am at this point for 2 reasons:

1. My baby has now formed the small bones in his/her ears necessary to make the ears function.  In other words, my baby can now hear!!!! That means I can start talking to baby (not that I wasn't already) and so can Nick!  I am planning on talking every day to Nano so s/he can get used to our voices and we can soothe the baby better when they are born.  I know my sisters/mom are really excited to talk to baby too!

2. Also, 16 weeks is the beginning of the normal period to start feeling baby.  Everything I've read says to expect feeling movement between 16-20 weeks (farther along if it's your first or you are heavier-which I am both).  I swear though, I think I am feeling little movements already in my lower stomach.  I can't be sure, which is why I am not telling everyone I am...but I'd like to think that I am! :P  There is apparently an experiment to see if you can get your baby to move here which I think I may just try tonight.  I sure would like to know what's baby and what's gas bubbles! :)

Nothing else too exciting is happening.  One month left of school and I think I can do it!   I also am sitting on another potentially exciting piece of news but don't want to jump the gun on it.  Can't wait til May 21st when I am done with school and can look forward to Hawaii and baby after that!

Until next time friends,
Heather

Worst Cold Ever! (14w3d)

So, since LAST Sunday night ( a week and a few days ago) I have had a cold.  Throughout the week it has gotten worse and worse.  On Thursday I had my OB appointment which I already talked about and asked him what I could take for it.  He prescribed me Robitussin DM and throat lozenges.  I started taking those two things that day and Friday my ears began to ache and feel like they just wouldn't pop.  I attributed it to going up and down the mountain while sick and my stuffed up nose not helping the situation but Sunday afternoon the pain escalated and I was MISERABLE.

I asked my mom what to do (I love my mommy) and she told me I probably had an ear infection.  I didn't want to go down to urgent care with all the stupid people who party over Easter weekend so I waited it out until Monday morning to call the doctor.  I was able to just go see the regular doctor on call in town and he confirmed that I did indeed have an ear infection.  I was prescribed antibiotics that are safe for pregnancy and a saline nose spray to help clear me out.  He also told me to drink lots of fluids (which I was). 

I stayed home from school all day yesterday, having to miss student teaching (which I'm BUMMED about) and laid on the couch dutifully resting and taking all my medications at the right time.  I am feeling minimally better today, and hopefully a shower will help.

I am going to work today because it's the peak of tax time and I can't leave my boss hanging in the busiest time of the year.  If you could all pray that my cold magically disappears in the next few hours that would be fantabulous!  I don't think Nanobyte has been affected by the cold other than the fact that I have been coughing so much that sometimes my muscles in my lower abdomen hurt...

That's all that's new over here... I hope for a more exciting update soon.
~Heather

GREAT Check-up Appointment (13w5d)

So, up until today no really eventful things going on pregnancy-wise.  I did get my new phone, the Motorola Backflip, which is very techy and cool.  Also, on Monday I had a meeting with my instructor and found out that I got an A on my student teaching midterm.  Woot!  I just need to survive school until May 21st and I'll be D-O-N-E!  Anyway...back to Nano...

Nanobyte seems to be doing fine, and is not giving me any trouble other than restless sleep, tiredness, and some pain in my tailbone.  We went to an appointment today to get another update from Dr. Lasting and I was ecstatic with the news I received.


*First off, the nurse weighed me in (something that I am always anxious about) and I discovered that I lost another half of a pound!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This puts me at 1.5 pounds less than my starting weight before getting pregnant. :o)  Who would have thought that at over 3 months pregnant I would have lost weight???

*Secondly, I got my blood pressure taken. I think the doctor said 128/60, but regardless of the number, he was very very impressed by my blood pressure.  He said it was even better than his :o)

*Third, I got my "belly" or uterus measured for growth.  The second he touched my lower abdomen he stated, "Wow, you are definitely starting to show.  I can feel your uterus right here!"  He showed me where it was and I got to touch it for myself.  To me, it feels like a hard bubble in my lower stomach- something I never thought was possible to feel.  He measured my "belly" at 15cm (about 5.9 in) and said I was growing perfectly, right on schedule.

*Last, but DEFINITELY not least, I was able to hear my baby's heartbeat for the first time.  At first, I didn't hear anything and started to freak out, but after 15 or so seconds heard a little blurb (heartbeat-that I didn't recognize) and saw Dr. Lasting chuckle to himself and smile.  I figured everything was ok at that point and was reaffirmed with his comment, "Come on out...there is no point in hiding since I already heard you once."  After a little manipulating, we were able to get Nano to cooperate briefly and got a good listen at the fast woosh woosh woosh that was his/her heart.  It was so awesome!  Nano only put up with us for a bit though, and moved around again at the end.

Overall, I am SUPER STOKED at the results of this appointment!  I haven't gained any weight being pregnant and have actually lost some... I have great blood pressure and am measuring perfectly... and I got to hear my baby.  I have another appointment in a month (just a check up) and then will schedule my specialist appointment for the big anatomy ultrasound.  Til next time my friends!

~Heather