Yet another late update...

I know friends; It's Tuesday and I am late with this post. At this moment I am 16 weeks, 4 days. Hopefully I will be able to post on time (Friday) this week!

I had a doctor's appointment on Friday. Not a sonogram appointment sadly but just a check up. I saw Dr. Horth again this visit and she was great, as usual. I got to hear the baby's hearbeat on a small monitor. The heartrate was 159 BPM and was very strong. All the soreness and discomfort I have been feeling are all normal "growing pains" and the baby and I are doing great!

Last week was pretty slow. I got an early Christmas gift from Matt and am extremely happy about it! He bought me a couch, loveseat, and a recliner. He of course claimed the recliner as soon as it was put together but I don't mind!

The rest of the week was pretty standard. I substituted at the junior high a couple days. Cleaned the house and FINALLY got my Christmas decorations up. I did learn a valuable lesson this week: When you are pregnant, two hours of wrapping gifts on a wood floor is not a good idea! The whole rest of the day and most of the next day, my back was screaming at me! Lesson Learned!

16 Week Update

Baby size: About 4-1/2 inches long and weighs about 3-1/2 ounces!

Mama weight gain: +5 pounds since my first doctor's appointment

Visual Changes in Mama: Getting bigger and bigger every day!

Symptoms: Nausea if I eat too much.

Cravings: Gala Apples, Pickles, biscuits, and ice water.

Fun Facts: His or her circulatory system is developed — the heart is pumping 25 quarts of blood each day.

15 Weeks

Well Friends, I feel like the last few weeks have been a bit hectic and that is basically the main reason for my lack of post. Some of it was been my fatigue and some has been lack of internet access.

Week 13 started with me driving most of the was to Houston for my little cousin's 3rd birthday party. Although it was fun and Jordyn, my cousin, is super adorable, I was exhausted upon returning on Sunday after driving the whole way home. I slept a fair amount of time during that next week and just couldn't find get the effort together to sit too long at the computer.

Week 14 was a bit more fun although just as tiring. Thanksgiving on Thursday was fun as Matt and I joined Daddy's family to celebrate! Lots of food and chatting put me in a great mood and on top of that my brother got leave from his station in Missouri to come home for Thanksgiving! I enjoyed spending what little time I had with him. On Friday (my actual 14 week mark) we spent the day celebrating Thanksgiving with the Symank family. I had so much fun talking and laughing with this bunch! I really enjoyed seeing how much Wesley and Stevie have grown! It is amazing how much a child can change in just a few short weeks.

Today, has been pretty good. Most of my nausea has gone away and it only comes back when I eat too much. I have also decided that I need to drink a ton more water as I feel better the more I drink. I actually had more energy the past few days and have been able to do more around the house.

So without further ado, the part that everyone actually is interested in, my:

Week 15 update!

Baby Size: 4 to 4-1/2 inches (about the size of a large navel orange or a softball)

Mama weight gain: *forgot to weigh, will insert tomorrow*

Visual Changes in Mama: I am actually showing where people are commenting on me now! It is crazy I feel like I didn't have a belly and now I do!

Symptoms: Fatigue although it has lessened, hunger, thirst, and some upset stomach.

Cravings: Celery, Carrots, Pickles, Gala Apples, and Tea

Fun Facts: Lanugo hair is covering the body to help keep baby warm until more body fat is present. Bones are getting harder and can be seen on an x-ray. Baby can wiggle it's fingers and toes and even make breathing movements!

3 Whole Months! (12 weeks)

So last week was kind of hectic and I didn't get a blog posted; heck I didn't even take a weekly picture! I was feeling pretty pitiful and didn't want to do much. But I cleaned a bit and did some laundry.

On Tuesday (Nov. 8), I went to the doctor for a sequential screening. The did a sonogram to measure the thickness of the skin on the back of the baby's neck. This can be a sign of Down Syndrome. I also had a blood test done for other risks. The measurement of the skin was great and we got to see our little womb tenant! The baby was jumping around for a little bit and then relaxed. The way the baby was laying the sono tech had to really maneuver to get a good shot to measure the baby. Although I was 11w4d at the time the baby was measuring 11w6d and baby's heart beat was 161 bpm.

This visit I actually got to see Dr. Horth! She is great! She is really nice and makes you feel comfortable from the very beginning. I know she gets asked many of the same questions from all her OB patients but she never made me feel like a was silly for asking a question. She answered all my questions thoroughly and without making me feel like I was beneath her. I think she was a great choice for an OB!

Today I am actually feeling pretty good. Still nauseated but it is taking a back seat to my thirst and fatigue! Tomorrow I will be heading to North Richland Hills with Matt for a gig but until then I will be doing laundry and resting!

Week 12 update:

Baby Size: 2-1/2 inches

Mama weight gain: +2 pounds (total 5 pounds lost)

Visual Changes in Mama: The belly is gradually getting bigger. Matt is actually starting to comment on it so I suppose that is some proof of the growth!

Symptoms: Same as week 10 but the nausea is starting to ease a little bit.

Cravings: Fruit (we stock up on frozen... yummy!), tea, and pizza.

Fun Facts: Fingers and toes are separated, and nails are growing. External Genitalia are beginning to show distinct features of male and female. Nervous system is becoming more developed.

10 Weeks (and 2 days)

So Friends,
I spoke too soon. This week has been pretty rough. I have been so nauseated that some days I can't function until the afternoon. I had gotten to the point where I couldn't even substitute teach!

On Friday (my 10 week mark) I went to Falls County's show in Stephenville with Matt; I think I may have overdone it with no nap and constantly moving. I woke up after about an hour of sleep with bad stomach cramps, and that night I threw up. That is the first time during my pregnancy that I have vomited. Afterward I couldn't get back to sleep and the whole next day I felt really awful.

When we got home Matt let me take a really long nap and I felt better. We went to Linda and Steve's that evening, because the whole family was in town! Our niece, Stevie Reese, was being baptized this morning and Nathan, Amber, Stevie, Eric, Jamie, and Wesley got to town Saturday afternoon. We got to visit and spend time with everyone and had a great time! Stevie was great during the baptism and didn't even cry when the holy water was poured over her head! After church I felt bad again and Matt tucked me into bed for a nap before going to visit with everyone at his parents' house.

Matt has been wonderful and a great help around the house. When I feel bad, he makes sure I get a nap and water, and most days he will help me with my chores when I am behind. I know that all these days I feel bad are for a great reason and I will get to meet that little person in less than 30 weeks. I am blessed to have an amazing husband to help me when I need it, a great family to lean on, and awesome friends to talk to when I am down! I love you all and I hope y'all know that!

God Bless and here is my new update:


10 Week update:

Baby size: 1-1/4 to 1-3/4 inches (about the size of small plum)

Mama weight gain: +1 more pounds (total 8 pounds lost)

Visual Changes in Mama: I am showing in my clothes now! Looks like I'm just chubby but the belly is getting bigger!

Symptoms: This week I am feeling like a walking Pepto commercial... nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, and fatigue (nope no diarrhea)

Cravings: fruit, pickles, and garlic bread.

Fun Facts: Teeth buds are forming! Stomach is producing digestive juices and the kidneys are functioning properly!

9 Weeks... This week was not my best.

Well this week, to say the least, was my worst week so far. Tuesday (Oct. 18) I didn't even get off my palate on the living room floor. I have a palate down so I can lay directly under the fan. I felt awful all day and I would get dizzy if I stood up. So I took it easy and napped off and on while watching movies.

The rest of the week was filled with nausea and fatigue. I still haven't thrown up so I feel like that's a plus! Every time that I begin feeling bad I just remind myself that this is all worth it just to see that beautiful little face!

I was able to teach my Religious Education class Wednesday (the 19th). I was also able to work on Friday (the 21st) and felt pretty good for most of the day. Near the end of the work day I was feeling cranky and sleepy but I expect that is because I usually take a nap at 1 PM and couldn't!

Until next time friends, have a great week and God bless everyone! :)

9 Week update:

Baby size: 1 to 1-1/4 inches (about the size of large green olive)

Mama weight gain: -3 more pounds (total 9 pounds lost)

Visual Changes in Mama: Beginning to see the change but it just looks like I need to cut back on the meals!

Symptoms: Constant thirst, indigestion, fatigue, and nausea (some days worse than others)

Cravings: Gala Apples, frozen yogurt, Parkway cheese sticks, garlic bread/sticks

Fun Facts: Arms, legs, neck, toes, and fingers are longer and more human like. Head is more erect and external ears are fully formed. Internal ears are beginning to fill with fluid and baby will soon be able to have a sense of balance!

8 weeks and feeling... tired.

Hello Friends!

Last week I forgot to talk about something that I found out about my body. When we were in our sonogram my uterus didn't look as full as I had expected. The sono tech said that I have what is called a Retroverted Uterus. This is also referred to as a Tilted or Tipped Uterus. What that means is, instead of tilting forward and sitting on my bladder, my uterus is tilted backwards toward my spine. About 20-35% of women have a tilted uterus, and by weeks 10-12 my uterus will have angled back to the front. This is the reason that I have not been visiting the toilet as much as many pregnant women! I have linked a couple different websites up above if you want more information about retroversion of the uterus.

I have been getting lots of questions lately, spanning from "how are you feeling?" to "aren't you excited that you are finally having a baby?". The second question is the one I will be talking about today.

I don't believe "finally" is the word I would use because Matt and I have only been actively TTC for a couple months(since July). At my yearly doctor visit, I was tested for rubella and cystic fibrosis. Both of which came back in my favor. I began tracking my Basal Body Temperature and my ovulation with an ovulation test kit. No, I didn't expect to get pregnant this soon because I have PCOS and I don't have regular periods. I thought I would have to be put on Clomid to help me ovulate. In short, by the grace of God, we got pregnant on our first try. I had already ovulated in July so we had to wait until August to begin TTC.

When we got married, we decided to wait a few years before having kids because we wanted time to just spend together as a couple. Last year we stopped preventing child birth with the mindset of "if it happens, it happens", and this year we decided this is the year for us! I know for most people, kids are the next step after marriage but for us we just wanted that time. I pray for the people that have trouble conceiving because I know that worry about ovulation and PCOS. We were lucky, we prayed about it, and now we are having a baby! All you can do is try, pray and never stop hoping! Goodbye friends! Until next time I leave you with an update!

8 Week update:

Baby size: 1/2-3/4 of an inch (about the size of pinto bean)

Mama weight gain: -4 more pounds (total 6 pounds lost)

Visual Changes in Mama: None that anyone would notice but I can no longer button any of my jeans.

Symptoms: Same as last week but add on fatigue.

Cravings: Gala Apples with peanut butter and frozen yogurt.

Fun Facts: Eyelids, ears, fingers, toes and nose are forming!

New member of our family!

That's right friends; I'm pregnant! Yesterday I went to my first doctor's appointment at the Women's Clinic and it was the longest doctor visit EVER! Even bringing paperwork that I filled out beforehand the appointment lasted 2 hours. So I filled out more paperwork and was shown where to put my urine cup (ladies, you have to pee in a cup at every appointment).

I am 7 weeks today (Friday), although in going to the doctor yesterday we thought over 8 weeks based on my last menstrual cycle. My new due date is May 25.

We started our visit with a sonogram. They measured Baby S several times and the average came to 6 weeks and 6 days (+/- 4 days). We also got to see and hear the heartbeat. Hearing your baby's heartbeat is to most amazing feeling in the world! The baby had a heart rate of 131 bpm. The sono tech said that is great and that they look for a rate of 110+ at this point. I can't believe that that rate will only get higher!

Next came a chat with the nurse practitioner (I didn't get to see Dr. Horth at this visit). This lasted a while as it was to ask all the questions that I had already answered on my paperwork including my health history, Matt's health history and our family health history. Also at this point she asked if we picked out a pediatrician... I am still amazed that I have a little person inside me; how can I pick out a child doctor?! I will be asking you, friends, about doctors in Wichita Falls and Graham.

After our chat with Kim, the nurse, we went to our room where I was to have a pelvic exam done. Before the exam I received a flu shot. *yay* The pelvic exam was less than exciting, other than the fact that my cervix looked great. This is the point where you think things are done? WRONG!

After a pelvic exam we got to visit a lady that explained how much money we would owe for all the doctor visits as well as the delivery. I will not tell you how much that came out to but Matt and I will be accepting monetary donations. ;-) All I have to say it that I am so thankful that Air Tractor has such great insurance.

After talking to the finance lady, we had to go over to LabCorp to visit the blood sucking lady. I had blood drawn (5 vials) and yet another urine cup to fill up!

Here is where the visit FINALLY ends! Me, light headed and starving, with a little more flu vaccine and a bit less blood.

Sorry friends but I will not be posting a picture of the baby yet after a long talk with Matt. Maybe a little farther along. I will be posting weekly updates and, for your enjoyment, belly pictures at random points.

Week 7 update:

Baby size: About 9mm (about the size of BB pellet)

Mama weight gain: -2 pounds

Visual Changes in Mama: None although my jeans are getting uncomfortable. They tell me that it is mainly water weight.

Symptoms: Hungry most of the day, thirsty constantly, and pretty much constant nausea

Cravings: Popcorn and pickles

Fun Facts: By the end of week 7 Baby S will have doubled in size!

Okay so it's been 9 months since my last post... Oops

Wow. Sorry I haven't been posting. Things got really hectic and my life was just out of sorts. I don't know. I suppose blogging could have helped calm me but I never thought of doing it. I am excited to say that I have a new niece, Stevie, who was born in August (the 4th) and she is a doll! Wesley is growing like a weed and is walking! Things are changing around our house as well but that is for another time! I believe I am going to try to blog at least once a week. We will see how it goes but I am thinking either Thursdays or Saturdays. Those are generally the days I have the most time. *Fingers crossed* Hope I can push myself to actually do this!

Until next time friends!

Wow... It's been so long!

So a lot has happened since my last post in JUNE!!! My summer was a bit sad. Amber lost her twins on July 20th at only 7 weeks along. Grandpa Died on July 30th after a week in the hospital. He went peacefully at after a very painful week.

Fall started off with my signing up to be a substute teacher and working mostly at the junior high. Eric and Jamie's baby Wesley came along early (August 31) and had to stay in the hospital for a while.

Winter came with great news! Amber is pregnant! I can't wait to meet my new niece or nephew! She is due on August 18th! She is now 10 weeks and 2 days and almost in the her second trimester. This has been such a hard journey for her and I am proud to have such a strong sister. I love you!

Matt had a request for aq Christmas gift... He is my new personal trainer. For 6 months I will be eating and working out on an outline that he has prepared. Beginning with my post tomorrow I will be updating this blog weekly with updates on my weightloss journey. I will be beginning week 3 tomorrow and the post will show what I have done thus far and what my weight loss goals are for each month.