confessions of the pastor's wife

Houston, we have a heartbeat!

We got to see a strong little heartbeat & a wildly active bambino yesterday at our u/s - hands down, the BEST birthday gift that Momma's ever gotten.  Baby is measuring a few days ahead in size, all the measurements looked great, & he/she is apparently quite stubborn - the u/s tech spent a solid 20+ minutes trying to get the measurements she needed for the NT scan, & baby was not into cooperating.  We didn't mind, as it just meant more time to see the little one!

In any event, we are thrilled to know that there is a strong, healthy baby growing in there, & everything looks to be just as it should.  What more could we ask for this Christmas?!

12.22.09 (12w2d)

How far along? - 12 weeks - hello, 2nd tri!!!
Total weight gain? - We'll see on Tuesday, but given my diet of late... I'm not expecting anything but a decent hike on the scale!  ETA - as of Tuesday evening, I am -3 lbs.  Total weight gain/loss for the first tri:  -3 lbs.
How big is baby? - A lime - that seems huge!
Symptoms? - Food aversions, random bouts of nausea, exhaustion (I fell asleep at 7:30 on Friday!).
Maternity clothes? - Ugh.  I'm debating how much longer I can stick it out in non-maternity jeans... they're just not comfortable anymore.
Stretch marks? - Same as ever.
Sleep? - I tend to wake earlier than I did pre-pregnancy, & wake frequently throughout the night for no apparent reason.
Best moment this week? -  Reaching 12 weeks - & therefore 2nd tri - today!!! :)
Movement? - None.
Gender? - Still leaning towards blue, but it just doesn't seem as concrete as it did before.
Labor signs? - None, & let's keep it that way for at least another 25 weeks.
Cravings? - Panera bagels!  A vanilla milkshake would be yummy right about now, too.
Aversions? - Same as ever - beef & tomato-based things.  Ew.
Belly button in or out? - In!
What I'm looking forward to? - The ultrasound & second appointment this week!  Here's hoping everything goes well & we see a strong little heartbeat on Tuesday!
What I miss? - Not looking like I've had a few too many holiday cookies lately.
Weekly wisdom? - Just trust - there's no use in worrying, because it won't help anything.
Weekly joy? - Waking up & going to bed with the same size bump every day - see ya later, bloat!

& for good measure, a belly pic at 12w - bloat is gone, the bump has begun.  Pardon the sweats - we got over 20" of snow this weekend & I spent 2 hours outside helping to shovel today!
(for comparison's sake, the 4w belly & the 8w belly)

12.20.09 (12w)

How far along? - 11 weeks... time is FLYING.
Total weight gain? - Still waiting on my doctor's appointment on 12.22 - although I do continue to eye up the husband's scale...
How big is baby? - A fig - seems holiday-appropriate, no?
Symptoms? - Food aversions, nausea, exhaustion (which really kicked in a few nights this week... worst I've had to handle yet).  On the upside, the bloat is GONE! :)
Maternity clothes? - One by one, the jeans & dress pants are hitting retirement...
Stretch marks? - Nothing new.
Sleep? - Still up frequently overnight - just brief moments, but waking a lot for no apparent reason.  & I roast overnight, so I end up waking up to kick covers off, too.
Best moment this week? -  This was a pretty darn good week... the exhaustion was pretty tough, but overall, the symptoms have definitely begun to subside.
Movement? - None.
Gender? - I still think blue, although it doesn't feel quite as absolute as it had...
Labor signs? - None, & let's keep it that way for at least another 26 weeks.
Cravings? - I reallllly wanted a peanut butter cup sundae earlier this week... & still want a John's Special blizzard, but that can only be fulfilled at home.
Aversions? - Beef.  Blah.  Tomato-based products (salsa, tomato sauce, etc.).  Ick. 
Belly button in or out? - In!
What I'm looking forward to? - One week til the u/s & appointment - which means one week till we'll feel confident to go public if everything looks good at the u/s!!!
What I miss? - My memory.  My beloved, not-fully-valued-until-it-was-gone photographic memory... gah.  Pregnancy brain blows.
Weekly wisdom? - Just trust - there's no use in worrying, because it won't help anything.
Weekly joy? - Realizing that the bloat was gone & what was left was the bambino (or, at least, uterus housing the bambino). :)

How far along? - 10 weeks (!!!), which means we're 1/4 of the way done with this pregnancy already! :)
Total weight gain? - Not a clue until I see the doctor again on 12.22 - which will be the end of first tri, so who cares at that point?!
How big is baby? - A kumquat!
Symptoms? - Food aversions, nausea, sore boobs, occasional exhaustion.  BUT!  The bloat is going away... although this means I've now struck upon the "are you getting fat or pregnant?" stage.  Ick.
Maternity clothes? - The Bella Band is heaven-sent.
Stretch marks? - Same ol', same ol'.
Sleep? - Restlessly.  I was up three times Saturday night to pee, & up five times last night for no particular reason.  Awesome.
Best moment this week? -  Honestly?  This was a rough week.  The nausea and food aversions were at a peak & I was not a happy camper.  I suppose the good side to that is that it hopefully means the kiddo is growing away in there!
Movement? - None.
Gender? - Still leaning towards blue.
Labor signs? - None, & let's keep it that way for at least another 27 weeks.
Cravings? - Still nothing specific, at least not that sticks around for any length of time.  I've come back to having a smidgen of interest in sweet things, which is a recent development, & wanted a milkshake the other evening.  Really, though, I've been surviving on carbs.
Aversions? - Meat in general... I can tolerate chicken most of the time, but most meat just turns my stomach (& yes, still beef in particular).  We've also decided that I'm banned from pizza for a while - I decided I could handle that one night last week.  Bad idea.  Still avoiding tomato-based products, too. 
Belly button in or out? - In!
What I'm looking forward to? - Two weeks til our u/s & next appointment!
What I miss? - Life without nausea/hunger.
Weekly wisdom? - Just trust - there's no use in worrying, because it won't help anything.
Weekly joy? - Getting two ADORABLE "Baby's First..." outfits from the husband's parents.  The Thanksgiving outfit with "Little Turkey" printed on the soles of the feet?  AHHH - be still, my heart! :)

Normal - as in, that's how all of my bloodwork came back!  The doctor's office called today to tell me the results & left a voicemail that cut out right at, "Your bloodwork came back and ---..."  ACK!  My bloodwork WHAT?  I hurriedly called them back, only to be told, "Oh, all of your numbers are perfect.  Nothing to worry about - we'll see you in a few weeks!"

Whew.  Crisis averted, but a mini-heart attack that this pregnant chick did NOT need.  In any event, the husband & I were thrilled to get even that tiny bit of good news... something to keep us going for three more weeks, until we can see this little one on a screen & hear a heartbeat!

How far along? - 9 weeks
Total weight gain? - Shockingly, according to the doctor's scale - NONE.  Bet that won't happen many more times.
How big is baby? - A grape!
Symptoms? - Food aversions, exhaustion (seriously, Black Friday 5 am shopping + 8.5w pregnant = BRUTAL combination), nausea which nearly had me in tears two evenings this week... & the bloat that just won't let up.  I avoid "real" pants at all costs.
Maternity clothes? - The Bella Band will make its official debut this week.  I give up.  The bloat can have this victory.
Stretch marks? - Nothing new.
Sleep? - Yes, please!
Best moment this week? -  Getting through the first appointment & having the doctor proclaim all to be looking perfectly on track!
Movement? - None.
Gender? - Betting on blue.
Labor signs? - None, & let's keep it that way for at least another 28 weeks.
Cravings? - Hmm... nothing I've been able to actually pin down.  It changes constantly - I've yet to have a real, lasting, "gotta have it NOW" kind of craving.
Aversions? - Keep me away from beef & all is right in this pregnant chick's world.  I accidentally opened a container of long-forgotten turkey & black bean sloppy joes that I unearthed in the back of our fridge yesterday & nearly hurled on the spot.  I then promptly ran to the other side of the kitchen & yelled for the husband to dispense of it just so I wouldn't have to go near it again.  Edit later - apparently all tomato-based foods are on my "ugh" list, too... salsa, tomato soup, pizza... nope, can't do it.  However, fresh tomatoes?  Totally okay.  Bizarre!
Belly button in or out? - In!
What I'm looking forward to? - Starting double digit weeks next Sunday!
What I miss? - Pants that fit.
Weekly wisdom? - Just trust - there's no use in worrying, because it won't help anything.
Weekly joy? - Sharing the news with the extended family on Thanksgiving!

No, not +2 in the ute; +2 days for our due date - we seem to be expecting a firecracker per the doctor's official July 4 due date. :)

First appointment was this morning & after a verrrrry long time (9:10 arrival - left the lab at noon!), all seems to be going well with the little one.  Uterus is measuring right on track, doctor is pleased with everything she saw today, & our next appointment is scheduled for the evening of my birthday (12w2d).  We are also allowed to schedule our NT scan, so we could possibly see the little one as soon as Dec. 18! :)  Fingers crossed that we'll be able to get it scheduled for that day, or somewhere near then - I'm not sure how much longer I can possibly wait to see that heartbeat!

Overall, an appointment that went just as hoped for with a doctor we both really liked.  Now, on to announcing the news to the extended families tomorrow - this will surely be a Thanksgiving we won't soon forget!

ETA:  NT scan has been scheduled for my birthday, too.  Here's to hoping that I get the best birthday present ever & we see a strong little heartbeat!

How far along? - 8 weeks
Total weight gain? - Well, the truth shall reveal itself tomorrow...
How big is baby? - A raspberry!
Symptoms? - Firmly hanging onto the food aversions, nausea that has now expanded itself to encompass most of the day, a constant "bottomless pit" feeling (which is followed by trying to eat & not actually being able to), sore boobs, and exhaustion.  & the bloat - oh, the bloat.  It is horrific enough to deserve its very own sentence.
Maternity clothes? - The adorable dress & comfy (& LONG ENOUGH!) jeans I ordered are oh-so-tempting in light of Thanksgiving in a few days...
Stretch marks? - Nothing to add to the originals yet.
Sleep? - Oh, sleep.  How I love thee.  I'm mostly excited for this Thanksgiving break just so I can get some extra sleep!
Best moment this week? -  Finally feeling free to talk to some (my mom, L., etc.) about things.  It's so nice to not have to drive the husband crazy with all my random thoughts!
Movement? - None.
Gender? - Hanging onto blue.
Labor signs? - None, & let's keep it that way for at least another 29 weeks.
Cravings? - As of 30 minutes ago, a Slurpee (which I am currently drinking thanks to my wonderful husband).
Aversions? - Holy aversions, Batman.  What I CAN eat would probably be an easier question.  Beef is still undoubtedly tops on the list, though.
Belly button in or out? - In!
What I'm looking forward to? - Our first appointment tomorrow!
What I miss? - Sleeping through the night.
Weekly wisdom? - Just trust - there's no use in worrying, because it won't help anything.
Weekly joy? - Reaching 8 weeks & being 2/3 of the way through first tri!!!

Bonus!  Belly shots at 4w & 8w (& sadly, that 8w shot is "sucking it in"):

10.27.09 (4w)

11.24.09 (8w)

How far along? - 7 weeks
Total weight gain? - T -1 week til weigh day...
How big is baby? - A blueberry!
Symptoms? - Nothing's changed from last week:  serious food aversions, bouts of nausea that arrive every evening without fail, exhaustion, sore boobs, & bloating that is out.of.control by the evening.
Maternity clothes? - Ordered some due to a great sale, but haven't actually put any on...
Stretch marks? - No new friends!
Sleep? - I went to bed before 10 pm last night.  I spend my entire work week counting down to the weekend so I can sleep.  Does that answer it?
Best moment this week? -  Telling the great-grandparents to be!
Movement? - None.
Gender? - Yep, still blue.
Labor signs? - None, & let's keep it that way for at least another 30 weeks.
Cravings? - Mashed potatoes, salads with ranch dressing, chicken strips, clementines...
Aversions? - We've finally nailed it down:  BEEF.  Ugh, just typing it is enough to turn my stomach.
Belly button in or out? - In!
What I'm looking forward to? - One week til our first appointment!!!
What I miss? - Evenings free of nausea.
Weekly wisdom? - Just trust - there's no use in worrying, because it won't help anything.
Weekly joy? - Lala shouting, "I'm going to be a great-grandma!!!" & Grandpa's immediate offer to build a cradle (which we happily accepted, of course).

How far along? - 6 weeks
Total weight gain? - With this bloating?  Really, I'm happier not knowing.
How big is baby? - A sweet pea!
Symptoms? - Serious food aversions, bouts of nausea, exhaustion (can't I just stay in bed all day?), sore boobs, & bloating (again, the BLOAT!  Ack!)
Maternity clothes? - No, but they're looking better & better...
Stretch marks? - Nope, but one has seemed to make itself more visible lately.
Sleep? - Yes, please!
Best moment this week? -  Hands down, telling the parents & sibs.
Movement? - None.
Gender? - I keep feelin' blue.
Labor signs? - None, & let's keep it that way for at least another 31 weeks.
Cravings? - Tonight?  Slurpees.  Recently?  I've wanted everything that classifies this child as the husband's - buffalo chicken in any form, cheese, orange soda, Cheerios.  Clementines & OJ have also become my new BFFs.
Aversions? - Ugh, food in general.  I'm always hungry, but never want to eat because everything turns my stomach.  Mornings are undoubtedly the worst.
Belly button in or out? - In, & currently debating what to do with the belly button ring.  Hmm...
What I'm looking forward to? - Another week done & our first appointment the day before Thanksgiving.
What I miss? - Not worrying constantly about something that's the size of a pea!
Weekly wisdom? - Just trust - there's no use in worrying, because it won't help anything.
Weekly joy? - Nothing beats the sheer joy & excitement of breaking the news to the grandparents-to-be.  I was expecting happiness, but this just beat it all.  It's been wonderful to see so far!