Meeting the midwives

So today we had our first appointment with one of the midwives. There are three midwives in the practice, so hopefully I will see some of them more than once and know them a little better by the time the big day comes.

It's been a couple weeks since my last appointment and I was a little nervous. I am hoping I will be a little more at ease when we are done with the first trimester (only a week and a half to go!!). I met the nurse for the midwives who was very nice and funny. She explained that I was having her baby and she does have a return policy. I told her not to worry that there was nothing this baby could do to make me want to give it back. (I guess we'll have to wait and see how post-pregnancy is). I also told her she would probably have to get in line, because this baby was already loved beyond belief!

The nurse had me get on the scale, I peeked with one eye since all of sudden over night none of my clothes seem to be fitting, and would you believe I hadn't gained a pound! How did that happen? I feel like a big cow! So all was good there. I then met the midwife Sharon Varner, who was absolutely wonderful. She was so thorough, and explained everything. She even used the doppler so we could listen to the baby's heartbeat. It was beating away at 155 bpm. I just can't get enough of that sound! It is so sweet, I tear up every time. It's so surreal.

Steven and I have our next appointment on Tuesday. Picture day! We go in for the Nuchal translucency on Tuesday. At this u/s they will look at the thickness of the back of the neck, which can be an indicator for Down's syndrome.

Other than that, the past couple of weeks have been good. Exhausting but good. I hear I get some energy back in the 2nd trimester, so I can't wait. Steven's parents have taken out the family crib and a baby rocker that has been in the family for at least 60+ years. We haven't taken the crib home yet or put it up though, because Steven's mom says it's bad luck and asked us not to.

Well I guess that's about it. Everything is going well, and Steven and I are in heaven!

How to Introduce Baby Books

How to Introduce Baby Books

This article is great. We have more books than anything else, and even Grandmoo has started buying books for our munchkin. One momma thing done well-check.

Slept like a baby. . .

Yesterday we had our OB appointment, blood work and another ultrasound done at 9wk 2d. It was a busy day and we spent about two hours at the doctors office! We first had our consultation, where they went over genetic information, plans after the baby was born ,etc. Then we had some blood work done- standard stuff + some extra for good measure like testing for cystic fibrosis. After taking about 4 vials of blood from me, they sent us over to start getting us ready for taking our money. How funny none of this seemed to bother me. Too in love I guess! So we got pre-registered for the hospital and started a payment plan for the OB/GYN office. Then finally we got to go see the baby. I was so nervous. . .as I have been this whole time. The past two weeks I have felt so much better, and some of my symptoms have decreased (except for peeing every ten minutes and needing to nap all day), so I was really getting worried.
Well as soon as she put that doppler on my belly we could see that big bright heart just beating away! It takes my breath away every time. Then as she kept it there. . .our baby waved at us for the first time! It was the MOST incredible thing I have ever seen to date. It was moving so much- waving, kicking, and wiggling. Grandmoo says this may be a sign of things to come! Steven, says I love the rowdy kiddos, so who knows!
The baby's heart beat was nice and strong beating at 167. Anything above 155 would be good. After this week it will start decreasing again, and should fall between 120 and 160 after week 12. The baby is doing so good that we even measured a couple days ahead this time at 9wks 4d! I told Dad that is because of how well his Momma is feeding him!

The Merriest Christmas

The news is out!  For Christmas Eve the tradition is to open one gift that evening.  In preparation, I had mailed a card with the u/s pics to Moo.  She was able to open them in front of the Mangino family, and I think there were even a few tears shed!  I would give anything to have seen her face.  She was very excited and called me right away.  I was so glad to have finally told her!
On Christmas, I called Grandma Sayles to share the news.  I told them that I missed them this year, but next year all three of us would be around.  Everyone was very excited!

Later that evening we hosted the Hoke family Christmas.  We announced it to his family by giving his father a Merry Christmas bib and his mother a framed picture of one of the u/s!  Her face was too funny!
 
We are glad the secret is out to the family. . .and everyone our mothers keep telling ;)!




My father called later that evening, so we shared our great news with him.  I told him that my Christmas present to him was that he was officially going to be a grandfather now.  He was very excited and said that I had made it the best Christmas ever.

It was a wonderful Christmas, and next year hopefully it will be even better!

How lucky am I?

I have always felt incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful husband.  I don't think there are two human beings on this planet that are better suited for each other!  When I first knew I was in love with Steven was when he was playing with his nieces and nephews.  I knew at that moment that this was who I wanted to be the father of my children.  I knew he would be a great father, but I had no idea of how wonderful he would be before he got to meet his lil' one!  There is not a day that goes by that he doesn't tell me thank you, and just how amazing he thinks I am, my body is, and all of this is.  Him being so appreciative sure helps with the morning sickness!  Will he remember this though when it's time to change diapers?  ;)

Sweetest Sound

Today we had our 2nd u/s at 6wks 4d.  I was extremely nervous.  It started snowing in the morning, which only added to my anxiety.  Thank goodness nothing started to stick until later in the day.  I don't think I could wait any longer for this doctor appointment.  With the coming winter storm, Steven was able to leave school early and go with me to the doctors. 
The baby was doing just fine.  She found the baby and it's little heart beat right away.  Lil'one is measuring 6.5mm and the heart rate is 121 bpm.  Right on target!  I had to ask her if we could listen to it one more time before we had to go.  It was the sweetest sound I have ever heard!  More crying and walking on cloud nine.  We are so in love!

1st U/S!

So this morning Steven and I went for our 1st u/s.  This one was very early due to our history, but we were still very excited.  We were both very nervous, but trying to stay positive.  So we went in and at first, the tech wasn't saying anything.  Steven could see the monitor, but I couldn't.  I was getting very nervous.  I've been in that room enough to know that when the techs are quiet it's usually not good news.  But then finally, she turned the monitor around. . .and OMG. . .there was the gestational sac and yolk sac!  Steven and I just smiled at each other.  It's amazing how excited he is.  I am truly grateful for such a wonderful husband and soon-so be dad!  We both were on cloud nine.  He wanted to tell every stranger in the waiting room!  It's still so early, so of course we are being cautious.  We will have our next u/s in a week.  I will then be 6wk4d, so hopefully we will finally get our first peek at our lil' hokie pokie!