Pregnancy - 11 weeks

Well, three weeks have passed and I've failed miserably at updating this blog. My intent was to have something to come back to later on to cherish the moments and changes I experienced each week during my pregnancy. Hopefully I'll be more diligent in updating in 2011! Before I talk about this week, let me back up a bit to talk about the big Thanksgiving "reveal" and my first ultrasound on Nov. 29.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it's all about food, and when you're pregnant, food is good! This year was amazing. First, we went to my husband's side and enjoyed a delicious turkey lunch. We told the family we hadn't told yet and there was laughter and hugs. Then, we went to my side for dinner--there was a huge spread and more than 25 people there! I let my husband do the telling, right before the prayer. One of my aunts said, "Wait ... how can we pray and eat after news like that?!" She was excited and wanted to know details. Following dinner, I received many congratulatory remarks and hugs. And, of course, everyone asked how I was feeling. At that point, I had been feeling pretty much a constant queasiness that could only be helped by eating. Well, not too much has changed since then!

On the 28th (Sunday), I had a very slight bit of spotting so I spent the day worrying about my baby. I was so thankful to go to the doctor the next day. It's amazing how one moment, you feel that all is right with the world, and the next moment, when the reality that you could loose something so dear and precious to you sets it, fear just paralyzes you. Well, 1:50 p.m. couldn't come quickly enough on Monday. I had prayed about the baby and felt confident that God was in control, but I still trembled as I sat in the waiting room. When they took me back and I stepped on the scale--I had gained 5lbs.--I shuttered at the climbing numbers. It's natural and good to gain weight in pregnancy, but being that I've struggled with weight issues and body image since I was a teen, I never like to see those numbers go up. Anyway, the doctor came in and talked to us for a while, and then said he'd be listening for heart sounds (this was my 10 week appointment). When I told him about the spotting, though, he suggested that we go have a quick ultrasound since it's sometimes difficult to pick up heart sounds this early and he didn't want to alarm me.

As I sat on the table with blue goop on my very small baby bump, all my fears washed away with the sight of a little fluttering white spot on a black screen. It was my baby's heartbeat. We didn't see it immediately--it took the doctor a few minutes to find the baby and a few more to zero in on the heartbeat, but when he found it, I was sure. What an overwhelming sense of gratitude I felt when I saw that little beating heart! I am greatly looking forward to my 14 week appointment Dec. 27 when we'll get to hear the heartbeat for the first time.

Back to more recent times ... I revealed my news in a special way to my church choir last Wednesday. I shared about how God had prepared me with the news of my pregnancy three days before I found out through one of our cantata songs. "Elizabeth shall bear a son," it said. The whole choir was so overjoyed and supportive, and when we performed this past Sunday, the director looked at me and smiled when the altos sang that part. I almost laughed a few times, but it was worth it to have them share in my joy.

I am a few days from 12 weeks at this point and am hoping to feel better soon. I've been exhausted, achy and rather emotional lately ... not to mention nauseous. But all in all, I think I'm managing pretty well, considering. I am resting in God and praising Him for the great gift He's given me this Christmas--the promise of new life. Here's my most recent "bump shot," taken at 11 weeks.

Pregnancy - 8 weeks

I went to my first O.B. appointment Wednesday. It was just a nurse's appointment, so we went over health history, insurance information, what to expect at my first doctor's appointment, etc. Then, I got to enjoy having 5-6 vials of blood taken from my right arm (good thing I'm left-handed!). It's all for a good cause, of course :). I did walk away with a goodie bag filled with pregnancy magazines showcasing the most beautiful model-thin women with basketball bellies I've ever seen. I know I'm not going to look like THAT in seven months! Some girls do, but most likely not this one. The women in my family have a history of gaining quite a bit of weight--and losing it after baby--but still, I know I'm not going to be a skinny pregnant chick, and I'm beginning to be okay with that.

This week, more than any week before, I've been feeling exceedingly exhausted and somewhat out of breath after completing tasks that wouldn't usually wind me. After all, I'm a former cross country runner and have been very active (we're talking cardio/weights 4-5 days per week) until about 4 weeks ago. It's funny; I had done P90x Cardio X three times during the week we found out I was pregnant, and that is not an easy workout. I couldn't figure out why I had been so tired, hungry and bloated. Well, now we know why. I'm trying to stay as active as possible, but that's not easy when I feel so drained after work (and I actually have two jobs so my typical week consists of 50+ hours of work, 10+ of which is retail ... fun fun). Anyway, walks seem to be the best exercise for me right now, whether they be indoor or outdoor.

I am constantly feeling sick unless I eat. It seems that I need something substantial every three hours or I definitely feel like I'm going to loose my cookies. Foods on my "nice" list include fruit, cheese, yogurt, ham, turkey, chicken, pasta (mmmmm!)--but only with cream sauce, soups--especially the creamy kind, crackers, popcorn, rice, some veggies, water, tea (hot or cold) and orange juice. Foods on my "naughty" list include Mexican (just thinking about it brings up my gag reflex), anything acidic or spicy, fishy fish (the smell makes me gag) and peppers. I don't have too many limitations, but do find that things never "sound" good, so I just have to guess what might be palatable, put it in my mouth and hope for the best. Usually it works and thankfully I haven't thrown up yet. I don't feel like I've gained any weight this week, so I know my body's working hard to make this little blessing and probably actually does need the extra calories. Sleeping more than usual seems to help with nausea as well. And mint gum is my constant friend. Whenever food isn't in my mouth, gum is. I'm so looking forward to the second trimester when I'll supposedly not feel so sick and get some energy back. I am also looking forward to Thanksgiving and revealing our little secret to our extended family. (That, and I'll get an amazing meal without having to cook a thing!) Let the holidays begin!

Pregnancy - 7 weeks

On our six month "anniversary" of being married (Oct. 24, 2010), I took a test that would change our lives forever. I bought the digital kind, which clearly stated "pregnant" in less than a minute (it was supposed to take three!). Well, that confirmed my suspicion. I was expecting. My husband was initially thrilled. I was initially shocked. Of course, all of my life, it has been the desire of my heart to be a mother--someday. I just didn't realize someday would come so soon. But, God has a plan, and a good one at that, so I'm trusting that the timing of this is perfect.

Now, I've known for a long time that moms are special. I don't think I could go through life without mine. She is one of my best friends and the one person I know I can tell anything to. But I didn't know what she went through to have me, until now. Of course I still don't know a lot about what is to come in this pregnancy, but I do know that the "morning" sickness (or in my case, all day sickness) part is no picnic. My mom has been my greatest support in this, encouraging me that it won't last forever. She's so great. I truly believe that any woman who went through this should get an extra jewel in her crown.

Fatigue is something new for me. So is nausea. I've always been a woman who could juggle working a lot of hours and getting everything done at home that needed to be done by sacrificing sleep. I'd say that before I was pregnant, I'd average 6-7 hours of sleep/night and be able to function just fine with a little help from my friend, Mr. Caffeine. Since I found out about the pregnancy, I've given up caffeine and have tried to go to bed earlier. I really don't feel well unless I get at least 8 hours of sleep now, which is hard to do at times. Balancing work, marriage, housework and now pregnancy is proving to be a lot to handle. I just have to keep in perspective that this, too, is a season, and that God will strengthen me and help me through it. I've been trying really hard to listen to my body ... to feed it before it feels sick, rest when fatigue sets in, and give myself a break! My body is working really hard to help this little one flourish.

This week, the most marked difference I've noticed is that my pants are definitely tighter, due to a little bit of weight gain and a lot of bloating. I'm definitely not showing yet, but I definitely don't have a slender stomach anymore, and working out is such a chore because of the exhaustion and nausea. I'm hoping that I can add activity back in as I start to feel better. For now, walks are mostly all that I can handle. Life is settling into a new normal pace, which I think is okay.

I'm looking forward to Wednesday. I'll be 8 weeks and I go to the doctor's for the first time. It's just a nurse's appointment, but they'll do blood work and paperwork. Thanksgiving will be the day of the big reveal (some of my family and most of my friends don't know about this little blessing yet, so for now I shall remain anonymous). Then, the Monday after Thanksgiving will be my first doctor's appointment and we'll hopefully get to see the little heart beating. I am eagerly anticipating that. We have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season.