Paul sent me this link to NPR's Baby Project...a blog following a group of diverse women and their pregnancies. The stories and insights are fascinating and remind me of the long journey we travelled to get to this point and that many women and couples are still dealing with the devastation of infertility.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/babyproject/
Welcome to our little space of the web.
After buying a cute little mill house in Five Points, renovating it and thinking we would never live anywhere else we decided to move. To a rancher. A pink rancher. So not us. But, it will be, with time, elbow grease and good contractors! From the first time we walked in the front door we knew we were home. The new house is right around the corner from my parent's house where I grew up. We are so excited for Matthew and Charlotte to grow up here, riding bikes, going to the pool, playing in the woods... my childhood was filled with freedom and wonder allowed by a safe neighborhood that I could explore and make my place in the world. I am thrilled we can give that to our children.
These days our blog is filled with the adventures of Mateo and Charlotte...mixed in with a few home projects and recipes. But mostly the kids take front and center. Join us on the adventure!
13.8.11
5.8.11
No news is good news
I generally have a policy about my online activity...if I don't have anything nice to say, just keep quiet. So, it has been real quiet around here.
That said, Baby is doing great! Mom, not so much :-) My litany of complaints goes on and on and on.
First off, the morning sickness that was supposed to subside by now, is getting worse and worse. I cannot live without my zofran. This, in turn, causes another problem, but I think I have figured out how to manage THAT particular side effect with daily doses of dried prunes, citrucel and fiber cereal. joy.
Today, I decided that after a week of zofran I would try and live without it for a measly 24 hours. No such luck. Lunch came right back up.
Earlier this week, I came down with a lovely bout of bronchitis. It started in my lungs, moved through my throat, nose, sinuses and now out my ears! But, yay! Today I don't feel like someone has inflated a balloon in my respiratory system :-)
Last week, at my 14 week appointment, I failed the glucose tolerance test so will have to go back for the 3 hour test. Should be fun fun fun! As a result, I finally owned up to the fact that we really should stop eating mac and cheese every night for dinner. So, this weekend I plan to cook on Sunday for the whole week. I'll post the menu and results.
The cravings are so interesting...they change week to week. I have consumed things that I never would have considered in my normal state of being...barbecue stuffed baked potatoes, chicken nuggets and fries, fried chicken sandwich, chic-fil-a anything, grilled cheese sandwiches, and lima beans are just a few. The crazy thing, is despite this binge of junk food, I haven't gained any weight. Week 15 and I haven't gained any weight???? Is this normal???? I have gained LOTS of inches. Just no lbs? Hopefully this is just fine as I started out significantly overweight.
I am starting to feel movement or flutters. I am a 100% it's baby wriggling around but it's fun to think so!
We have cleaned out the baby's room (formerly my study) and I am really looking forward to finding out if it's a boy or girl so we can start decorating. We find out with family on September 10. Stay tuned! I am ready to start calling baby by his or her name. If it's a girl we have a name picked out...if it's a boy we are 90% settled on a name. We shall see.
Have a great weekend!
That said, Baby is doing great! Mom, not so much :-) My litany of complaints goes on and on and on.
First off, the morning sickness that was supposed to subside by now, is getting worse and worse. I cannot live without my zofran. This, in turn, causes another problem, but I think I have figured out how to manage THAT particular side effect with daily doses of dried prunes, citrucel and fiber cereal. joy.
Today, I decided that after a week of zofran I would try and live without it for a measly 24 hours. No such luck. Lunch came right back up.
Earlier this week, I came down with a lovely bout of bronchitis. It started in my lungs, moved through my throat, nose, sinuses and now out my ears! But, yay! Today I don't feel like someone has inflated a balloon in my respiratory system :-)
Last week, at my 14 week appointment, I failed the glucose tolerance test so will have to go back for the 3 hour test. Should be fun fun fun! As a result, I finally owned up to the fact that we really should stop eating mac and cheese every night for dinner. So, this weekend I plan to cook on Sunday for the whole week. I'll post the menu and results.
The cravings are so interesting...they change week to week. I have consumed things that I never would have considered in my normal state of being...barbecue stuffed baked potatoes, chicken nuggets and fries, fried chicken sandwich, chic-fil-a anything, grilled cheese sandwiches, and lima beans are just a few. The crazy thing, is despite this binge of junk food, I haven't gained any weight. Week 15 and I haven't gained any weight???? Is this normal???? I have gained LOTS of inches. Just no lbs? Hopefully this is just fine as I started out significantly overweight.
I am starting to feel movement or flutters. I am a 100% it's baby wriggling around but it's fun to think so!
We have cleaned out the baby's room (formerly my study) and I am really looking forward to finding out if it's a boy or girl so we can start decorating. We find out with family on September 10. Stay tuned! I am ready to start calling baby by his or her name. If it's a girl we have a name picked out...if it's a boy we are 90% settled on a name. We shall see.
Have a great weekend!
25.7.11
14 weeks
Nothing terribly exciting on the baby front...everthing is moving right along. I definitely have a pooch :-) Which Paul just LOVES to remind me of every two seconds.
I have finally given in and started taking Zofran on a pretty regular basis. It is quite the miracle drug. The nauseau that has kept me on the sofa and in bed for much of the last few months just disappears. Amazing.
We started cleaning out my study this past weekend - it will be the baby's room. As usual, Paul and I had our standard meltdown that always happens when we work together. We both end up yelling at the other "if you would just do what I tell you there wouldn't be a problem!!!" as you can imagine, we rarely work together on the house :-)
I have an OB appointment this week. The main thing they will be checking for is gestational diabetes, which I am at a high risk for due to the PCOS.
In the meantime...14 weeks and counting!
I have finally given in and started taking Zofran on a pretty regular basis. It is quite the miracle drug. The nauseau that has kept me on the sofa and in bed for much of the last few months just disappears. Amazing.
We started cleaning out my study this past weekend - it will be the baby's room. As usual, Paul and I had our standard meltdown that always happens when we work together. We both end up yelling at the other "if you would just do what I tell you there wouldn't be a problem!!!" as you can imagine, we rarely work together on the house :-)
I have an OB appointment this week. The main thing they will be checking for is gestational diabetes, which I am at a high risk for due to the PCOS.
In the meantime...14 weeks and counting!
2.7.11
Is it a boy or is it a girl?
Well, we'll have to wait a while to find out but we have decided to do a cupcake party so everyone finds out at the same time!
In the meantime, people have asked if I have a gut feeling one way or another.
Well, I do, actually. But not because of anything physical.
Many years ago, when life as I knew it ended in Spain, one of the things I mourned the most was the loss of hope for a family. I had no idea what God has planned for me and came to the brutal realization that I might never be a wife or a mother. Trusting that God is good, I came to terms with this.
Shortly therafter, I was praying one day and had a vision of a little boy (my little boy) playing catch with my father at the ball fields near my parents house (the same ball fields we went to growing up). The image was so strong, but at the time completely crazy. The vision suggested that two things would happen: one, that I would move back to Huntsville and two, meet a nice southern boy and settle down in Huntsville. At the time, those two things were just not on my radar and not at all part of my plan :-) Thankfully God knows what's best for me and a few months later, I found myself celebrating New Year's with Paul in Huntsville, Alabama. Crazy. A few years later we are married and completely settled in Huntsville Alabama. Even more crazy!
Fast forward. Baby's due date is January 24th. The day after my father's birthday.
One way or another we'll find out in a few months. We are just happy that Baby is healthy and growing and hope for continued health throughout the pregnancy.
ps - so glad the news is out and I can write about this again!!! thanks for joining me on the journey!
In the meantime, people have asked if I have a gut feeling one way or another.
Well, I do, actually. But not because of anything physical.
Many years ago, when life as I knew it ended in Spain, one of the things I mourned the most was the loss of hope for a family. I had no idea what God has planned for me and came to the brutal realization that I might never be a wife or a mother. Trusting that God is good, I came to terms with this.
Shortly therafter, I was praying one day and had a vision of a little boy (my little boy) playing catch with my father at the ball fields near my parents house (the same ball fields we went to growing up). The image was so strong, but at the time completely crazy. The vision suggested that two things would happen: one, that I would move back to Huntsville and two, meet a nice southern boy and settle down in Huntsville. At the time, those two things were just not on my radar and not at all part of my plan :-) Thankfully God knows what's best for me and a few months later, I found myself celebrating New Year's with Paul in Huntsville, Alabama. Crazy. A few years later we are married and completely settled in Huntsville Alabama. Even more crazy!
Fast forward. Baby's due date is January 24th. The day after my father's birthday.
One way or another we'll find out in a few months. We are just happy that Baby is healthy and growing and hope for continued health throughout the pregnancy.
ps - so glad the news is out and I can write about this again!!! thanks for joining me on the journey!
I am so blessed to have you in my life.
This post is for everyone who has supported us through this crazy journey.
So many have reached out to me and offered prayer, encouragement and hope. I can't tell you how much your kindness means to me.
Thank you for your prayers. God is faithful.
Thank you for your encouragment, it kept me going.
Thank you for speaking truth into my life at a time when I couldn't believe.
Thank you for being God's love to me at a time when I couldn't fathom His love.
Thank you for letting me disappear and deal with the grief and being there when I finally surfaced.
Thank you for your hope, when I had none.
The Lord bless you and keep you!
The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!
-- Numbers 6:24-26
So many have reached out to me and offered prayer, encouragement and hope. I can't tell you how much your kindness means to me.
Thank you for your prayers. God is faithful.
Thank you for your encouragment, it kept me going.
Thank you for speaking truth into my life at a time when I couldn't believe.
Thank you for being God's love to me at a time when I couldn't fathom His love.
Thank you for letting me disappear and deal with the grief and being there when I finally surfaced.
Thank you for your hope, when I had none.
The Lord bless you and keep you!
The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!
-- Numbers 6:24-26
1.7.11
Craziest Update Ever
May 21
Last night, as I was cooking dinner and enjoying a glass (or two) of champagne, I suddenly became so tired I couldn't continue. I excused myself, told Paul to do whatever he wanted with the food and went to bed. When I woke up the next morning I decided to take a pregnancy test just to make sure. positive. strong positive. not like before...where it was just a faint line. wow. When I told Paul he looked at me like I was crazy.
I left a message with the fertility specialist so i can go in tomorrow to verify that my hormone levels are where they need to be. craziness.
May 28
The blood work this week came back very good. Numbers were "beautiful" according to the nurse at Dr. Harper's office. 24 hours later they were still looking good. So far no bleeding or major pain...i have officially made it longer than ever before. The last pregnancy (that i know of) ended around today.
My sweet co-worker, Jennifer, gave a great blessing today as we were talking. She said she had a strong image of a guardian angel covering me with protection. Funny, that's how i have felt this whole time...
On the flip side, we are trying not to get too excited. At the end of the day, this baby is God's creation and only He knows the what lies ahead.
In the meantime, i am trying not to consume my weight in french fries!
June 1
Had blood work again today...and it was "Beautiful!" according to the sweet nurse at Dr. Harper's office. First ultrasound next Thursday! There just might be a baby in there :-)
June 15
Today was the best birthday ever. I had a second ultrasound and baby's development is right o track! We even got to SEE the tiny heartbeat fluttering at 146 beats per minute. One more ultrasound and Dr. Harper will discharge me to my regular ob! Not quite out of the woods yet but getting close. Praise God for this little life wreaking havoc on my sleep and appetite!
June 28
First OB appointment and last ultrasound for a while. I have been spoiled getting to see Baby every week :-) Everything is looking good and I am starting to feel a little better. Official due date is January 24.
Last night, as I was cooking dinner and enjoying a glass (or two) of champagne, I suddenly became so tired I couldn't continue. I excused myself, told Paul to do whatever he wanted with the food and went to bed. When I woke up the next morning I decided to take a pregnancy test just to make sure. positive. strong positive. not like before...where it was just a faint line. wow. When I told Paul he looked at me like I was crazy.
I left a message with the fertility specialist so i can go in tomorrow to verify that my hormone levels are where they need to be. craziness.
May 28
The blood work this week came back very good. Numbers were "beautiful" according to the nurse at Dr. Harper's office. 24 hours later they were still looking good. So far no bleeding or major pain...i have officially made it longer than ever before. The last pregnancy (that i know of) ended around today.
My sweet co-worker, Jennifer, gave a great blessing today as we were talking. She said she had a strong image of a guardian angel covering me with protection. Funny, that's how i have felt this whole time...
On the flip side, we are trying not to get too excited. At the end of the day, this baby is God's creation and only He knows the what lies ahead.
In the meantime, i am trying not to consume my weight in french fries!
June 1
Had blood work again today...and it was "Beautiful!" according to the sweet nurse at Dr. Harper's office. First ultrasound next Thursday! There just might be a baby in there :-)
June 15
Today was the best birthday ever. I had a second ultrasound and baby's development is right o track! We even got to SEE the tiny heartbeat fluttering at 146 beats per minute. One more ultrasound and Dr. Harper will discharge me to my regular ob! Not quite out of the woods yet but getting close. Praise God for this little life wreaking havoc on my sleep and appetite!
June 28
First OB appointment and last ultrasound for a while. I have been spoiled getting to see Baby every week :-) Everything is looking good and I am starting to feel a little better. Official due date is January 24.
11.6.11
Dex Puppy
I am so happy to report that Dex is doing fantastic!!! He is more or less walking on his own, his tail is wagging and he HATES being locked up in his crate.
He has a nasty incision down starting midway down his back. The stitches come out next week and his hair is starting to grow back.
He has also learned that whining might just get him out of the crate. I haven't yet been able to differentiate between the "Mom, I have to pee!" whine and the "Mom, get me out of here whine!" Or maybe he just learned that the "Mom, I have to pee!" whine generally works, regardless so he'll try anything to get out!
Paul has been a fantastic caregiver through this whole process. He has taken on 90% of all of Dex's pre and post op care making sure that doctor's orders are followed. He's going to make a great Dad someday!
He has a nasty incision down starting midway down his back. The stitches come out next week and his hair is starting to grow back.
He has also learned that whining might just get him out of the crate. I haven't yet been able to differentiate between the "Mom, I have to pee!" whine and the "Mom, get me out of here whine!" Or maybe he just learned that the "Mom, I have to pee!" whine generally works, regardless so he'll try anything to get out!
Paul has been a fantastic caregiver through this whole process. He has taken on 90% of all of Dex's pre and post op care making sure that doctor's orders are followed. He's going to make a great Dad someday!
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