First Sonogram 2/23

Yesterday was by far the most exciting day of our pregnancy. We learned that I am actually only 7 weeks pregnant making the new EDD October 12th. There are no words to express how I felt when I heard peanut's heart beat. I wish I had asked the nurse to hear it for a little longer, it all just happened so fast!

We waited almost an hour to be seen; long enough for Hubby to even take a little nap. I had the need to tinkle but didn't say anything because I had read that a full bladder helps with the contrast when you're doing an early sonogram. Luckily I did not have an accident while the nurse examined me! The gel was cold which I knew to expect thanks to seeing it on movies, but the nurse didn't warn me so it did catch me slightly off guard.

The whole sonogram was done in under 5 minutes. I saw the nurse as she measured peanut and tried to get a good picture for us to take home. She asked me to hold my breath which is when I heard the heart beat at 146bpm. It was difficult to hold my breath once I heard peanut's heart beat because I was fighting back the tears. I hope to learn to add pictures to this blog so that I can share that with you all. :)

I keep staring at the picture and am still in a little bit of shock that we are pregnant. My next sonogram is in 5 weeks. I hope to have more to share before then. ^_^

There's our little peanut <3

                                                      

Extra Long Weekend 02/17-02/22

Last Thursday when I started this blog, I had a horrible toothache. It was a pain so severe that I had to be extremely creative to keep myself from crying. I couldn't eat, I could only drink water at room temperature and there was no getting me to sleep.

I paced back and forth for almost 2 hours just rubbing my belly and speaking to peanut, holding back the tears. I didn't want peanut to worry that mommy was in so much pain. From exhaustion I managed to fall asleep with a bag of ice on my cheek only to be woken up with the same intense pain.

I called my doctor who conveniently does not work Fridays. I asked for the dentist who works at the same clinic and she happened to be on vacation for the next two weeks. The receptionist offered the emergency room as my only option. That's when I couldn't hold it in anymore. Hubby held me as I cried hysterically, not from the pain, but from fear. Without speaking to my obgyn, I was worried about getting x-rays, anesthesia or any dental procedure period. I'd rather endure the pain than do anything that might hurt peanut, but with this pain I wasn't able to eat and I knew that wasn't good either.

I wound up getting a root canal. The dentist was very understanding of my situation and managed to calm me down. Hubby stayed with me as long as he could but he was already late for work. Once she numbed my gums the worst was over. She prescribed me some painkillers but I didn't feel comfortable taking them and luckily have not had the need to take them either. The discomfort after the anesthesia wore off lasted about two days. I'm still only chewing on the left side but I'm grateful that I can eat again. Even though I gave in to the crying, I kept telling myself that things would work out and everything would be ok. I'm so thankful that it's all over and that Hubby was there to comfort me.

On a brighter note, yesterday was a delightful day. I spent some time with Louis, Jessica & Renesmee, as they were nice enough to take me to Fairway to buy some groceries. We made a pit stop at Toys R Us to look for a walker for Renesmee and instead of helping Jessie, all I did was drool over nursery sets and the adorable spring outfits they have for girls. If our little peanut is a girl, Hubby is in so much trouble!

I came home with a ton of energy and cooked enough food for the next three days. I reorganized our pantry and fridge and surprised Hubby with some hot cocoa when he came home from work. Whenever I have a doctor's appointment, I'm not able to fall asleep the night before unless it's from exhaustion but at least I get to be productive.

This morning I find out my obgyn, Dr. Love, is being moved to another clinic. Today was my last visit with her. My next appointment in 4 weeks will be with another doctor but I am really hoping to have a midwife by then to avoid all this inconsistency. All of my tests came back normal and I learned that my blood type is A positive.

I came home and took a nap which resulted in me sleeping for over 3 hours. I dreamt about my first sonogram which won't be until tomorrow but to say I am excited is an understatement. Hubby will be meeting me there so I just hope he is able to get there on time. I've never been to this hospital so I hope I find it ok by myself as well. Luckily the appointment is at 3pm which means I'll have time to catch up on sleep in the morning because I'm pretty sure I will have a hard time falling asleep tonight as well.

Once they do the sonogram they will give me a more accurate due date so it's possible that I am not 9 weeks pregnant. I could be earlier along. I doubt that I am further along but I guess we'll find out either way for sure!

After the sonogram we will grab some dinner and wait until 6pm when they are holding a tour of their birthing center. It will give me a chance to see the rooms in person as opposed to the cheesy hotel-like pictures they have online. I would love to make a firm decision about where I'll be giving birth before I enter my 2nd trimester but we may need more time to research and ask questions.

Tomorrow I will be logging on to give all of the wonderful details from our first sonogram. I still can't believe it!

19.5 hours and counting! <3

Valentine's Day 2011

When and how we would announce our pregnancy to Hubby's family & friends was the popular topic in the days that followed our first prenatal visit. He really wanted to create a baby-themed level on Little Big Planet, somehow incorporating clues leading up to the big news. I had several ideas given that I'd had ample time to brainstorm and get inspiration from stories online. We couldn't fully agree on any ideas as I felt creating the game level would take too long & I wasn't sure how much more I could hold out on sharing the news. He didn't agree on my ideas only because he was fully sold on his.

In the mean time, on February 11th I went to Motherhood and purchased my first maternity outfit with the intention to wear it for Valentine's Day. I had entered a contest in January for tickets to a screening of All Star Superman where some of the cast and crew would attend for a panel after the movie. When I received confirmation for the tickets (yay!) the screening happened to be scheduled for Valentine's Day, which meant there was no need to plan anything. It occurred to me though, that it would be great to go to dinner after the movie with his brother to tell him the news. Being that it was going to be Valentine's Day & we'd be going to dinner, I started coming up with clues to hide in a fake "specials" menu and have the hostess slip them in before seating us.

Hubby preferred the idea of saying grace before our meal and including that we were thankful for our baby on the way. I thought it was perfect because it was simple yet meaningful and we'd get to do it early enough in the dinner that I wouldn't be temped to blurt it out.

After the movie (which was a fun experience) we met his brother, girlfriend & baby Renesmee along with our friends Jasmine & Allan at one of our favorite vegetarian restaurants in Soho. While we were eating our appetizers I kept nudging at Hubby wondering when he'd volunteer to say grace. I was starting to get a little antsy and was starting to wonder if anyone had noticed I was wearing maternity clothes, or running to the bathroom after every sip of water I drank.

We all love Renesmee and we were taking turns holding her. Allan was sitting across from me and was the one holding her at the moment. I was making baby talk and said "soon it'll be my turn". In all honestly, I simply meant it'd be my turn to hold her next, but Louis (Mike's brother) started asking me if I wanted a boy or a girl and at what age I'd want to have a baby. I glanced over at Hubby & asked as subtly as I could if I could please just tell them. He didn't seem to mind.

Without answering any of his questions I just blurted out "I'M PREGNANT!". I had to say it three times!!! Everyone was completely surprised. Jessica & Jasmine hugged me & congratulated me. I think at that point all Louis was saying was "wow". =)

It was amazing to finally share the news with his family & friends & it was my first time saying it in person. I wish I could have seen my family's reaction when I told them. I guess I'll have to plan better & learn to hold my tongue when I find out the gender so that I don't blurt that out as well!

As of right now, Hubby wants a boy and is willing it to be so. My mom swears it's a girl. My grandmother thought it was a girl, then she had a dream the night after my prenatal visit where I was knitting a blue sweater so now she thinks it's a boy. My aunt also thinks it's a boy but more because she wants it to be a boy. It's no lie that I have always said I'd want a girl first but right now I just want peanut to be healthy. A boy or a girl, either way this baby will be a blessing!

A Happy Valentine's Day indeed. =)

5 week belly (more belly than baby!) 2/14/11

                              

Our first prenatal visit 2/8/11

Our first prenatal visit was on my auntie's birthday. Hubby went with me and helped me pack snacks. I was warned that the first visit is the longest and that I would be seeing several doctors, taking up to three hours. I took a bottle of water, grapes, cashews, cranberries, a banana and had a nice breakfast of oatmeal with toast before leaving the apartment.

Since my appointment was the first of the day I didn't have to wait long between doctors. I took my "peanut journal" where I had listed all the questions I had along with the multi-vitamin capsules I was already taking to make sure that would continue to be enough. The obstetrician that met with me that day was Dr. Love. Her name could not have been more perfect. :)

They did lab work, I met with a counselor and the office manager to help me apply for financial assistance as well as a nutritionist to talk about my eating habits. The visit with the nutritionist was nothing like I expected. I was concerned that they'd freak out about me being vegan and tell me I'd have to change my new lifestyle (which I am not about to do). But she was great! She's a vegetarian which is why talking to her was so easy. I was able to speak freely and got all my questions answered.

Hubby was by my side the entire time and even participated with the question asking. Sadly the clinic doesn't have the equipment for sonograms, which is what we were looking forward to the most. I was told I'd get my referral appointment in the mail in a few days. Luckily it didn't take that long for me to receive it and I know now that my first ultrasound will be on the 23rd. I'll get a more "accurate" estimated due date but for now Dr. Love told me the baby is due September 26!

I still shared the poem with Hubby after having filled in the due date month despite the fact that we didn't get to see peanut. The days that followed have been filled with me researching midwives, birthing centers, scheduling tours and consultations and following up on the paperwork they submitted for me at the clinic.

My next doctor's appointment is on the 22nd to get my lab results, followed by our first sonogram on the 23rd. I signed up for a free weekly prenatal yoga class that I hope to start on the 21st, so next week will be a busy one! I'm looking forward to it all. :)

To Daddy, from Baby 2/7/11

Dear Peanut,
  
     In a few hours, daddy-to-be will be holding my hand & watching you grow inside me. I know you're excited to meet him so I've dedicated this poem from you to him to share tomorrow.

                                                                                                           Love, Mommy

Dear Daddy,

I do not have a face to see
Or put inside a frame.
I do not have soft cheeks to kiss.
I don't yet have a name.

Not yet can you hold my tiny hands
Nor whisper in my ear.
It's still too soon to sing a song
Or cuddle me so near.

But all that'll change come September
When they say I'm due.
I am your first born child
And I can't wait to meet you!

All I ask between now and then
Is your love for me to grow.
I promise I'll be worth the wait
Because of all the love we'll know!

So as you're waiting patiently
Please dream sweet dreams of me.
I cannot wait to be a part
Of this great family!

                                                                                                  I love you daddy,
                                                                                                     Baby                      




*When I chose this poem I was under the impression that my first prenatal visit would include a sonogram, but that actually won't happen until February 23rd. I also had the month blanked out until I was told our due date and filled it in as soon as I was told. Baby's name is also blanked out until we know if it's a boy peanut or girl peanut and decide on a name!

My second journal entry 2/7/11

"It's 2:30am & I'm so tired! Same group from last night came over & I've been cooking, baking & cleaning for 12 hrs (with Hubby's help of course). My cooking & cupcakes were a hit & so was my hot chocolate. I love getting compliments on things I make. =)

But really today's major event was not Greenbay winning the Superbowl, it was that I finally gave away over 80% of my "skinny Yami" clothes. Now that I know I'm pregnant I'm the most comfortable I've ever been in my own skin. Wish I could describe how amazing it feels to be growing a little peanut inside me! Daddy-to-be still has not let me make the announcement but it'll be that much more special when he's on board.

Two very important things I forgot to mention about Saturday (02/05): One - daddy-to-be likes the name Jeffrey for a boy. Just the fact that we had a brief conversation about names solidifies that he does know there's a peanut inside me. =) Two - when we went out to eat at Vegetarian Paradise I was extremely aware of the fact that I needed to order something nutritious. I chose the lemon soy chicken with steamed broccoli vs. the soy bbq ribs & fries. Hope peanut enjoyed his trees! Also, 02/05 was out 150th day of being vegan. =)

Okay, time for this mommy-to-be to get some sleep. 30 more hours until my 1st prenatal appointment. How exciting!"

My first journal entry 2/5/11

The days following the big news, I started to keep a journal filled with questions for the doctor, a page to list important dates and a place for me to write my feelings and letters to the baby. Here's what I wrote on February 5th:

"Today was such a difficult day! Spent time with Mike's brother, girlfriend & baby & later went to a friend's house for their birthday and I was not allowed to tell anyone about peanut! =( I guess daddy-to-be isn't ready to go public, but I did confide in Renesmee! It was still a great day spent among family & friends. Tomorrow they will come over to my house for Superbowl Sunday! I wonder if Hubby will have changed his mind by then or if he'll have to lock me up in the room to keep me quiet! =)

(I love you my little peanut & I know daddy does too. Counting down the hours to my first prenatal visit - I'm so eager to meet you!)  Love, Mommy"

The day we found out 2/2/11

I still can't believe that I'm pregnant! Right now I am about 8 weeks along in my pregnancy. I found out that I am pregnant on Wednesday, February 2nd and it still hasn't fully sunk in. I've been told by other mommies that it never really does! I took a home pregnancy test that morning and although you are supposed to wait 3 minutes to get the results, the second pink line on my test popped up before the 2nd minute was up. I stood there hovering over the sink with my mouth just wide open. Hubby was home but I knew he'd ask for medical confirmation, so the first person I told was my mommy, followed by my aunt who is also like a mommy to me. My grandmother was third and my uncle would have been next but he was working!

Once Hubby left to work I went to the doctor. I'd lie if I said I wasn't nervous. I went as a walk in and thought I'd have to wait forever to be seen but they called my name pretty quickly. After I provided what was needed for the lab, I could already tell what the verdict was when the doctor called me in. Once she confirmed I was pregnant, I started crying and my hands were shaking. She instructed me to go downstairs to make my prenatal appointment and told me what to expect during that visit. When I made the appointment, the young lady congratulated me on my pregnancy and asked if it was my first. I replied by crying. She hugged me. I cried more. Everyone was giggling at this point. I must have come across as a hormonal nut!

As soon as I left the clinic with the confirmation I knew I'd need for Hubby, I went straight to Babies R Us. I kept envisioning telling him about our pregnancy in a creative way, perhaps with a bib that said "I love Daddy" or something along those lines. The more I walked around the store the more anxious and excited I became. I called Griselda and shared the news with her next because I just couldn't not talk about it at that point. After her I also told Barbie. I asked them both for advice on how to tell the daddy-to-be but the more I thought about it the more I just wanted to call him and blurt it out.

I left the store empty handed, jumped on the train and went to his job. After some small talk, I told him I had gone to the doctor earlier that day. When he asked me why and what the doctor said, I handed him the paper that had my pregnancy results and just waited for his reaction. I wish I could describe his face as he read the results and allowed the information to slowly sink in. He was pleasantly surprised but didn't say much, mostly because he was at work. Once he was home we started having "baby talk" and it hasn't stopped since!

That day I used an online estimated due date calculator and it told me I was about 6 weeks pregnant and it showed pictures of what the baby should look like. It looked like a peanut to me so when Hubby got home that night, I told him I had a peanut inside me. Ever since then we have been lovingly referring to the baby as "peanut".

And that's all about the day we found out we are going to have a baby!