Happy April Fools' Day!

What better day to finally announce that I'm pregnant on my facebook page than on April Fools' Day! After yesterday's disappointment of not getting my sonogram, I realized that I had put off doing a lot of things such as telling the rest of my friends because I wanted to make sure everything was ok.

Well, everything IS o.k and I decided I didn't want to wait any longer. I thought of a cute way to come out and say it, since I didn't just want to blurt out "I'M PREGNANT!" That's all I've been doing since I found out and I really wanted to try something creative this time. :)

Here's what I posted as my status a few minutes after midnight:

Look who came to visit! Dropped off a gift that says "Fragile: Do Not Open Til October 12, 2011" ♥

So far one friend commented asking me if I really was, then I guess she realized what day it was and said she wasn't going to fall for it. Another friend who already knows that I really am pregnant said that she loved it and my aunt, who also clearly knows the truth, wrote in asking if it was an April Fools' prank. 

No one else seems to have taken the bait but that's ok, I'm having a lot of fun with it! My plan is to post a picture of my 7 week sonogram a little after midnight to confirm that I am in fact expecting a little bundle of joy. :)

Two years ago, I got my mom by calling and saying I was pregnant. I went along with it for a few minutes, telling her that I wanted to wait until I was sure before I told her and that the doctor confirmed I was 8 weeks along. She started crying (happy tears) and I felt so bad that I had chosen that as my prank that I haven't fooled her since! At least today I get to tell people I'm pregnant without having to yell "April Fool!" afterwards. 

Hope that everyone has enjoyed their April Fools' Day and if you fell for a prank, don't take it seriously! Just run out and prank somebody else right back. ^_^

P.S-Happy Birthday to one of my best friends in the whole world. Barbie, you're everyone's favorite April Fool. Love you!

"Don't Worry" Letter to Peanut

Dear Peanut,

Mommy is very sorry that she has been crying so much today. It's not your fault and I hope I have not made you sad or worried by my emotional state. Mommy really really really wanted to see you today and was very disappointed when I was told that I'll have to wait two more months.

Your great-grandfather passed away one year ago today which also has me on a bit of a roller coaster. He was a special character but I am sure he would have been thrilled to meet you and would have spoiled you rotten. I am always celebrating the joy of having you and remembering where I was a year ago today makes you so much more special. I love you so much my little peanut and my tears today are just a reflection of overwhelming love.

Daddy was very good at comforting me today even though I know he was also sad that he didn't get to see you. He wouldn't have woken up so early and held an umbrella over me on this cold, yucky rainy day to get to the sonogram place if he hadn't been as excited as me!

I hope you heard my comforting whispers and felt my caresses today and that I didn't scare you too much. We love you and I know we'll get to see your beautiful face soon.

I  Love You Peanut,

Mommy

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

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 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"