16 week visit

Today, I went in for my 16 week visit (a few days early...I'm really still in my 15th week) today. Dr. S is headed for vacation tomorrow and I wanted to get in and be seen by her before she left rather than see someone else. My blood pressure was a very good (for me) 136/84. Not too shabby. The heartbeat was good and strong. I forgot to ask what it was exactly...but I heard it and that was good enough for me. Such a sweet sweet sound. My weight gain thus far is 3 lbs. Almost 16 weeks and 3 lbs is not bad at all. I'd probably gained 10 already (by this time in my pregnancy) with Sarah Kate.

All really is going well so far. I'm so thankful to God. All good things come from above. I know that full well. Dr S. did say that if all continues to go well that she'd plan on scheduling a c-section the week before my due date. But, that's a ways off. I did schedule our BIG ultrasound today though. So, hopefully on July 20th we'll find out what this little peanut is...boy or girl. I can hardly wait.

Second Trimester! Yay!!

Well, we've made it past the first trimester and into the golden second trimester! That couldn't make me any happier. Hard to believe I'm 14 weeks today. But, I was telling my mother-in-law just this morning, it seems like it's taking forever to find out the sex of this little peanut. It could have something to do with the fact that we've known I was pregnant since before Easter. But, next month is just around the corner. We have so much to do to prepare for this sweet baby.

As far as how I'm feeling...it's great. I've not been nauseous once. I'm starting to feel a little less tired. My belly is starting to show. I remember with Sarah Kate I bought maternity clothes at 12 weeks. I'm not yet in maternity clothes but on a couple of my pants I've had to use the rubber band trick. It won't be far off, that's for sure. What a welcome sight after almost 2 years of trying to have a baby.

We're so happy for this blessing and are continuing to take it day by day. God is good.

I love you more than I could ever find the words to say...

A Bit of a Scare

The day after my doctor's appointment, Thursday, I got up at about 11:30pm to use the bathroom and had some pink spotting. FREAK OUT. I'd had some brown spotting off an on but never pink. My immediate thought, "No, not now. Please, God. I just told my baby. She's excited. She can't wait to be a big sister. How would I...how could I tell her that something has happened?" My mind works like that. Worst possible thing first then I start thinking of the positives.

Needless to say I made an appointment for 1:30 on Friday. I saw someone other than Dr. S. Not my favorite day to do that...but I had to be seen. It was the nurse practitioner and she was great. But, before I saw her I had my ultrasound. I walked back and as soon as that probe hit my uterus...there was that beautiful flicker of the baby's heartbeat. THANK YOU GOD. I was seriously praying out loud as that ultrasound tech did what she needed to do. In fact, part of my prayer was that the baby was "God's perfect design" and she wrote that on the ultrasound print off for me. So, why the spotting? I have a low lying placenta. Yep...it's not placenta previa (meaning the placenta doesn't cover my cervix completely) but it's right there partially covering it. The good news is that it will correct itself as my belly grows. The placenta will move up with my uterus. Bad news? Anything I do to strain (pick up a 30 lb child, a basket of laundry, ANYTHING) and I could spot. If I spot...I go back in for another ultrasound just to double check. I'm praying my belly grows fast...so that I don't have to worry about the spotting I sometimes see anymore.

Telling Sarah Kate

Aaron and I decided we couldn't hold it any longer and figured since all went well and we're now entering the 2nd trimester that it was safe to tell Sarah Kate the news. We decided to try and make the night special by taking her out to eat...we went to Galvins (a little place in downtown Georgetown). On the way, in the car I was telling Aaron that I'd asked Matt to come up on a day off (he does landscaping and if it rains he sits at home) and help me do some stuff around the house. When Aaron asked what my response was, "Well, we're going to borrow Kelli's crib and he can haul it over to our house in his truck." I wasn't even thinking. I thought it slipped past Sarah Kate's radar but I wasn't so lucky.

Sarah Kate: "Why do we need Kelli's crib?"

Wanting to tell her in a better and sweeter way I replied
Mommy: "For your baby dolls."
I'd hoped that would pacifier her until we could tell her in a special way.

Sarah Kate: "I already have a crib for my babies."
Aaron (under his breath): "You've done it now. You opened that can of worms...might as well tell her now."
Mommy (turning around in the seat of the car): "Sarah Kate, we need a crib to put your baby brother or baby sister in. You're going to be a big sister!"
Sarah Kate (biting her bottom lip and no expression on her face): "When?"
Mommy: "When it gets cold out and you see Christmas trees up...that's when your baby brother or baby sister will come!"
Sarah Kate: "Really?!" (grinning from ear to ear and kicking her feet with excitement) "I'm going to be a big sister!!!"
Mommy: "Yep, you sure are...the baby is in my belly right now!"
Sarah Kate: " I want to see it!"

After explaining that seeing the baby wouldn't happen for quite a while we parked the car and headed into the restaurant. As we waited to be seated Sarah Kate kept touching and feeling my belly saying, "I love you baby sister!". I reminded her that it could just as easily be a baby brother but she wouldn't hear of it. She was so excited she couldn't sit still, let alone eat anything.

It wasn't how I'd envisioned telling her about the new baby but it was special to her none-the-less. She asked a million and one questions during dinner. "How does the baby get to eat while it's in your belly?" "Did God put the baby in your belly with a magic wand?" "Does she cry in there?" "Can I fell her? Will she move when I push on your belly?" It's going to be a fun 6 months ahead!

12 Week Visit

Today, I visited Dr Simms for the 3rd time, this pregnancy, for my 12 week visit. As of today I'm 12 weeks and 2 days and all is fantastic. God is good! The baby's heartbeat was 160 and it sounded precious. I very much enjoy these uneventful visits...ones where you go in, they take your blood pressure (140/82...yes, high for the normal joe but for me - it's just fine and dandy), you pee in a cup, and they listen to the heartbeat. I got back at the end of the month, I'll be 15 weeks and 3 days on my next visit. Typically, I'd go back during my 16th week but Dr Simms was going to be on vacation and if at all possible I like to always see her. After that visit, we'll find out the sex probably mid to late July. It'll be right in time to tell Sarah Kate if she's having a baby sister or baby brother for her birthday!

I feel fantastic. At my appointment today, they told me I'd lost 2 lbs. They weren't worried but told me that couldn't continue. I'll work on it. Ha! I'd spend the previous 6 months loosing weight and now they're telling me it's a bad thing. I know...I know...truly it's by no fault of my own. I'm doing everything right. I'll tell you though, this heat is going to get to me rather quickly. It's so humid out. The nurse today basically gave me a sermon on staying inside, resting, keeping my feet up, drinking lots of water, etc. She doesn't have to tell me - I'm not a sun goddess anyway. In fact, I had the heat. I'll be begging for crisp and cool Fall weather before the end of the week.

Sarah Kate still has no idea that she's going to become a big sister this year. We plan on telling her tonight when Aaron gets home. I can hardly wait. I just know that every morning when she wakes up she'll ask, "Is it going to be today, Momma?" So, I've decided to explain to her that when she sees Christmas lights being put up and when it gets cold outside...she'll be about to become a big sister. It's the only way I know to put it into perspective for her. But, I know she'll be so excited!