A Happy Weekend

18w4d

M and I had a busy, fun Easter weekend! My brother flew in early Saturday morning, and my dad and grandpa came Saturday afternoon. I hosted dinner on Saturday, and had a house full of MEN! It wasn't until we were all sitting around the table that I realized I was very much in the minority! Oh well, it was great. They were all happy to see me with energy and were surprised by my growing bump!

Sunday, my MIL hosted Easter dinner for everyone. It was a lot of fun to have everyone together. I LOVE holidays for that reason!

Lately, the bump has expanded so much that, while I don't feel huge, I certainly think I look whale-ish in pictures. I am very short-waisted, so little Elfie has nowhere to go but out! It's funny how I've always loved, admired, and envied beautiful pregnant bellies, but when it comes to seeing the weight gain on me, I'm just totally taken aback. Don't get me wrong...I'm loving it...just a little unaccustomed!

Here's me with my Dad:



And one of me and Elfie!

A whole bunch of happenings. (updated)

17w4d

First things first, my cousin is pregnant! I've never shared about her, but today it seems appropriate. Back in July when I had the ectopic, my aunt and uncle were out visiting from Chicago, so we shared the story with them (mainly because I couldn't drink alcohol due to the methotrexate). Apparently, they went back home and told my cousin, because a few days later I got a call from her (she is also in Chi-town). She was sympathizing with our infertility..and then she revealed that she and her hubby had been try for about a year. I was surprised (of course, because everyone I know seems to get pregnant very easily), and a bit relieved to know that I wasn't alone in my struggle.

Anyhoo, we've kept in touch throughout the 8 months since then, and I knew that she was scheduled for an HSG in January. I emailed her to check in and see what results the testing brought back, but I didn't hear back from her...which is pretty unusual. On Wednesday last week I got a call from her that she is 12 weeks and overjoyed! They ended up getting pregnant on their own immediately after the HSG! So our babies will be 5 weeks apart!

And since I mentioned the ectopic....

Yesterday was the due date for the ill-fated baby who couldn't find its way to my uterus. I was a little bit sad, but truly I think that my pregnancy took the edge off. Of course, if I was still fighting the good fight right now, the date would have been MUCH HARDER to swallow. I'm glad for the ability to be distracted and happy about my subsequent pregnancy success. I'm glad Elfie knew how to stop and ask for directions (maybe this indicates a female??!)!

M and I went to a fancy charity gala on Saturday night. It was great to get dressed up! I bought a new dress, and thankfully it is NOT a maternity dress, so I can wear it after little Elfie arrives. Here's a pic of my little belly starting to grow:

17 weeks!

Thanks for the advice about the heartburn. I bought some Tums and they've been working wonders. Phew!

I had a scary moment yesterday at work. I was in the middle of teaching a lesson when all of a sudden I felt as though I'd pass out. I walked over to my desk where there was a lovely muffin waiting for me and promptly stuffed it in my mouth. I told the kids I'd have to sit down for the rest of the lesson. They were very sweet and understanding! I was truly scared, as I've never experienced this before. I called my mom at lunch and she said it used to happen to her when she was pregnant, and that it's just my low blood pressure/low blood sugar. So now I know that I should keep food IN MY POCKET for emergencies such as this!

So..the weeks are moving right along, and I'm certainly comforted by my expanding belly. Of course I am counting the days til our BIG ultrasound because once we know the gender, the REAL planning can begin. I haven't even really seriously planned the nursery yet, and of course need to start getting serious about names, etc.

Hope everyone is enjoying Spring so far!

16.5 weeks and HEARTBURN

16w4d

Just as I was settling in nicely to the energy, motivation, and lack of sickness that the second trimester brings, I was stricken with the dreaded heartburn.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to reduce/medicate my crazy pain?? I looked on Dr. D's website for ideas of which medications are approved in pregnancy, but it didn't mention anything for heartburn. A friend said her doc let he take Tums. I want to try something, but feel like I should call the doc first. Suggestions??

I put a poll on the blog so we can all take a stab at guessing Elfie's gender. It will be open for 20 more days...I'll close it on April 12 when we find out. Make sure you vote!!!!

What are you having? When are you due? Are you going to find out???

Now that my belly is beginning to betray my little secret, I am finding that the questions become a bit repetitive! EVERYONE and their grandmother asks if we are going to find out what we're having. Once I've told them that yes, we are, they feel compelled to share their opinions about people who wait to find out. Geesh, people! I guess I'm glad I'm doing what YOU agree with...I'd sure hate to be that poor couple who decides to wait.

I'm starting to realize that people have very definite opinions about pregnancy. Names, birth plans (i.e. drug vs. no drugs), weight gain, pediatricians, breastfeeding. You name it, and there are opinions and advice to be shared. Being new to this scenario, I do tend to seek out advice, but still many times get unsolicited ideas. And this is just the tip of the iceberg...

I think this could quite possibly be the solution!!!

OB appt #2

Yesterday was the second visit with Dr. D. I'm glad to report that it was relatively uneventful AND I got to keep all my clothes on! Boy does that speed things right along!

We heard Elfie on the doppler (which is, of course, old hat to us by now), and his/her heartrate was in the 140s. We also go the okay to travel to Co.sta R.ica in June (I'll be 28 weeks) for M's big family vacation to celebrate his parents' 45th wedding anniversary. Yay! Now I get to go shopping for a cute bathing suit!

I've been getting a few shooting pains in my right leg that originate in my lower back/upper butt. I had suspected it was the sciatic nerve, and Dr. D confirmed that it will most likely only get worse as my uterus gets bigger. I'm also starting to notice a definite change in my belly. It's starting to look like more than just a beer gut. Love it!

The best part of the appointment yesterday was that we got to schedule the BIG ultrasound in which we get to find out Elfie's gender! It is set for April 12...which also happens to be my 1/2 birthday. We grew up celebrating half birthdays, so it's fitting that I get the ULTIMATE present on my 30.5!! So in just a little over a month, I will know if I have a son or daughter growing inside me. I am SO EXCITED!

Today I got an awesome care package of maternity clothes in the mail. One of my friends from church in my old city has a daughter who just gave birth. She sent me some reeeeaaaaallly cute clothes! I feel so blessed!

Second trimester

They say that you start to feel much better in the second trimester, but I couldn't even imagine that while I felt so awful in the first trimester. It's funny how, having never been pregnant before, I was starting to equate pregnancy with feeling yucky, tired, and sick. It gave me comfort to know that things were progressing as they should. So now that I've crossed the threshold into the "good feeling period," it is nerve-racking because I feel so good! It's astounding how my energy has come back and I can eat meals without the crazy nausea and food aversions. Now I am just dealing with headaches and sore tatas (when are they going to stop???). It is a darn good thing that I have the doppler to keep me sane!. My next OB appointment is a week from tomorrow!

M and I have started to discuss names. Nothing too serious, since we don't know the gender yet, but I am beginning to realize that it might be a harder task than I thought. It seems we have pretty opposite tastes in names..so we are going to have some major compromising to do. Yikes.