Squiggles, wiggles, kicks, and hiccups…

I know I said I was going to try to update more often and now I’m two weeks out from my last post. I just don’t know where time goes. It seems like the days are moving very quickly and I’m sure they will seem to go even faster as the countdown gets shorter.

Little One (No, we don’t have a name yet) has been active… squiggling and wiggling. He has his moments where he is really active and then he can be so quiet that I lay very still waiting for a movement. Last week I was wondering what hiccups felt like and I am 95% sure that he had them last Wednesday night. I had 45 minutes of rhythmic taps and I’m sure they were hiccups. I’ve felt a couple more episodes, but nothing that long. He’s getting longer as I’m feeling movement just under my ribs now.

I’m also starting to have more days where I feel pregnant. Okay, yes, I always felt pregnant, but some days I just really feel pregnant! It is an amazing feeling and I wouldn’t trade it for anything… even when I’m having moments where I just can’t get comfortable. I’m finding tying shoes to be more of a challenge. I can do it, but it really is getting hard. Over the weekend I splurged and bought a new pair of slip-on shoes. It will just make life easier. Do you remember several weeks ago when I had maternity shirts that I didn’t want to wear because I didn’t have much to fill them out??? Well, now I have some maternity shirts that are starting to get short. Oh my, I still have nine weeks until my due date. Several people have warned me that this would likely happen. I think for now I’ll blame the dryer rather than it being little one getting big. Not that I’m as good as my doctor at measuring my belly, but I’m still right on for 30 weeks.

Tomorrow we have week four of six of our prenatal class. Each one again brings more reality to the fact that this is happening and little one will soon come. During the second session we discussed when to report to the hospital and toured the labor and delivery unit. Blueprints for the new labor and delivery unit have been developed, but obviously not in time for us… maybe if we are someday blessed with another baby we’ll get the benefits of it. I have to admit I was surprised that the rooms weren’t as “primitive” as some people have made them sound. Now they aren’t the nice birthing suites many hospitals have where you are in the same room during your entire hospital stay, but at least we can labor and deliver in the same room. No tubs, but they do have a walk-in shower. I don’t think I have previously mentioned that with this particular hospital the OB you see during your pregnancy is very unlikely to be the one to deliver your baby. In fact, with it being a teaching hospital, you are pretty well guaranteed to be delivered by a resident… with a staff OB supervising. I have about a 1 in 20 chance of seeing my OB that day. I am a bit surprised that they haven’t come further along in realm of OB “comforts” that are just expected theses days. I guess it’s better than the days of the father pacing in the waiting room and having little to no participation in the birth of their child. Even the “little” community hospital down the street has a better OB unit. But they don’t have in-house anesthesia 24 hours a day and no immediate access to NICU teams, etc if needed. I guess this is the price we pay for access to NICU, anesthesia, and all the other fine medical services at a moments notice. During the last class we get to tour the postpartum unit. Now that’s were I am really concerned. I have heard that not all of the rooms are private and your husband can only stay overnight if you are in a private room. I can’t imagine Steve having to go home shortly after the birth of his son. In fact, I think I could potentially have a meltdown if that happens. It just doesn’t seem right.

Last week and this week we are looking at the stages of labor, how to cope, and medical interventions… more reality! 10cm has never looked so big… Oh my! We should be practicing the breathing and relaxation techniques at home, but part of me keeps thinking we still have time. However, I’m finding that I’m not as coordinated at breathing as I thought I’d be. How hard can it be???... breathe in, let it out, breathe in, and let it out. Last week, each time I just managed to get into a pattern, little one would kick me and I’d lose my concentration. I have no doubt that Steve will get me through it. The videos we’ve watched have been so nicely edited that I have the naïve idea that I could possibly do this without medications… then a greater reality says, yeah right just try it! I am definitely not opposed to the idea of an epidural. I used to think I’d like it waiting for me at the door, but now I’d like to go without it as long as I can. We’ll see. I’ve never experienced labor and I have no real idea of what to expect. Last week we got a sample birth plan of what we want and don’t want. While I think it’s good to think about, I don’t want to have too many expectations, but would rather take it as it comes. As I have mentioned with other aspects of pregnancy… no matter how many books you read or stories you hear, absolutely nothing can prepare you for what it will really be like.

This is an incredibly journey! Until next time… take care!

Week 28: Soccer World Cup practice…

I’ve gotten a bit off on updating as last week was really busy. I hope to stay more on track as we are now in the last trimester and Little One’s arrival is quickly approaching… or so it seems.

I think Little One is preparing for the Soccer World Cup! Well, at least I think they are feet that are getting me. He was moving for about 30 minutes straight this morning… at 4am. He still has his moments where he is quiet, but he has been quite active over the last week or so. Yesterday, I again sat and watched in amazement as my shirt jumped with some of his larger movements. I’ve started to somewhat keep track of his kicks as part of the third trimester “kick count”. He should have 10 movements in two hours each morning and night. When he’s awake I can get ten movements in a couple of minutes. I’m thinking this might be a good sign… when he’s awake, he’s definitely awake, but then he crashes. Will this behavior continue after he is born???

As I mentioned, last week was busy. We started our prenatal classes on Tuesday. We will have them for a total of six weeks. I thought that with the class going until December 11th we’d be “gestationally” young as you typically finish the class about a month before your due date and we’ll finish about six weeks before our due date. But we were right in the middle with some couples having due dates the end of December and others the end of February. Last week we looked at the discomforts of pregnancy and why they happen… hormones, hormones, and more hormones for a lot of it… gotta love them, sometimes really dislike them. We also started the relaxation exercises… less tension usually results in less pain. Okay, we need the practice, but you put ten pregnant women at 8pm in a low lit room doing deep breathing and tension releasing exercises and I am incredibly surprised I didn’t hear snoring… and that I wasn’t snoring! Tomorrow we are to get a tour of Labor and Delivery and start talking about labor and what to expect… and then we build on the relaxation techniques- this time on the floor with pillows… how will I stay awake? Each class brings more reality that he is coming!

We also had an OB appointment last week. Little One is doing great. His heart rate was in the 140’s and my belly measured at 28 centimeters… right on for 28 weeks. So far my weight gain is pretty close to being on track for my total goal of 20lbs… hopefully I can stick pretty close to it. I just want Little One to be healthy. He should weight about 2 ½ lbs. now.

Jackie and I are trying to make going to the Healthy Living Center a routine. I am finding swimming to be relaxing and I just feel great after going. My body is supported in the water and it seems to take the stress off my back. Yesterday I did 40 minutes of kicking laps and several side-stroke laps. I don’t feel like I get as tired working out in the water. My only question is why do they make maternity swimsuits in vibrant colors with wild prints??? Do we really need to accentuate our “largeness”??? I guess I really don’t care anymore… my belly is a rite of passage and I’m proud of it. I hope to keep swimming as long as I can.

Well, I think that’s it for week 28. Week 29 starts in less than 48 hours! Take care…

Week 27: A Walking Zombie…

That’s how I feel, today anyway. I can’t complain at all about my pregnancy. I have probably had it pretty easy, but the fatigue… I just can’t get used to it. I am just plain tired. There are so many things I want to do and need to do, but just thinking about them makes me even more tired. Now if you were to ask my dad he’d tell you I was born tired and I’ll fully admit that I like sleep. Poor Steve probably thinks I sound like a broken record as he puts up with my, “I am so tired” phrase that occurs so frequently that I don’t even realize I’m saying it. These days I can hardly make it past 8pm without falling asleep on the couch. I think Steve expects it now. In fact the other night he went and got my cuddle pillow for me to use on the couch. Wow, that was the best two hours of sleep I have had in a long time. The only problem was I slept so good that when it was time for bed I couldn’t sleep. I think part of the problem is that the sleep I get at night isn’t overly restful. I am starting to reach that stage of pregnancy where finding a comfortable position just isn’t easy. And when I do get comfortable it’s just in time for my bladder to remind me that I have to go. I’m finding the Boppy Cuddle Pillow is worth every penny as it helps me stay on my side and supports my ever growing belly. For awhile I was trying to use Steve, but that only worked until one of us needed to roll over. Maybe this is in preparation for having a new baby, but I could really use some sleep. Last night I was determined to not fall asleep on the couch and I did it. It took a lot if distraction, but it worked. We had a few trick-or-treaters that helped take up part of the evening and then Steve warmed up the hot tub to a safe temperature… oh that felt great! So you can imagine my surprise when I awoke this morning to the sound of the school bus driving by… oh no, it was 7:10! I have been fighting to stay awake at my desk all day. My fear is that the third trimester (starting next week) is when the “energy burst” of the second trimester diminishes. Energy burst… I don’t think I really got it. Soon I’ll be back to wanting to crawl under my desk for a nap at 10am, again (an early pregnancy desire). Growing a baby takes A LOT of energy.

Other than being tired, life is good. “Wiggles” has had a few quiet days. He still squirms, but not too many big moves lately. He might be tired, too. Can you imagine all the things that are taking place in his little body… he’s becoming a full human being. Occasionally I get a little nervous that he is being too quiet, but then he’ll usually remind he is just fine by giving me a quick kick. I love those moves. He must be stretching out because he can push/kick just above my belly button at the same time he pushes on my bladder. He is supposed to be about 14 inches long.

On Monday Steve and I took an infant passenger class. They reviewed all the ins and outs of car seats… from how to pick one out to how to properly install it to how to put your 70lb child in a booster seat with out him being embarrassed. Yes, kids should be in a booster seat until they are about 80lbs and 4’9. It was amazing to hear all of this. Many people think a car seat is a simple device you use… but when 3 of 4 are improperly installed, it makes you think twice. Using some of the extra head supports or a car seat bunting are no-no’s. Did you know that a car seat expires? Yep, after six years it does… especially here in Minnesota where we have warm summers and very cold winters. It takes its toll on the plastic. I think we are educated and ready to go get that car seat.

Well, here’s to a good nap and a restful night’s sleep! Take care!

Week 26: "How do we do this?"

Did you notice that we are down to 98 days???

I am blessed… truly blessed! As I was driving to Rochester from Winona, MN yesterday, all I could think is that life is beautiful. This last weekend we were showered with love by my parents, sister, aunt and uncle, Jackie, and some truly wonderful friends as we celebrated the anticipation of Little One. Thank you to everyone that made this weekend so special! Steve's parents and sister also showered Little One with love this weekend. We wish they could have joined us.

“How do we do this?” is the question of the week. I’m sure you experienced parents would say it just happens… but how do you get ready? I initially thought the new dresser we bought to use also as a changing table and the closet system would hold more, but now I am looking at Little One’s room and thinking were do we put the diapers and socks and burp cloths and sheets. How do we organize all these new things? Steve was looking at the baby stuff we have now and said getting married was easy compared to this… I think he might be right. I have no doubt that even if we figured out the perfect system and found a home for every piece of baby paraphernalia, Little One will come out saying, “This is how I want you to do it.” For now we will do our best to get organized, but we also realize that things will likely change.

I’m not quite sure what is taking place inside my belly… Yes, there is a tremendous amount of development and growth… and a bit of rearranging my organs, but sometimes I wish I could peek inside to see what he is doing. Mr. Wiggles, Wiggle Worm, Squirmy are all names that would apply… and I’m sure this is nothing compared to what I will feel very soon. On Sunday I was leaning back on the couch with my shirt a bit taut and I could see flutters- I could actually see him move. Yesterday there was continuous movement… Flutter, flutter, flutter, something much bigger than a flutter, then flutter. His favorite spot at the moment is to the left of my belly button, but he also likes area just above my belly button. Occasionally he finds my bladder. I love feeling him move! Steve thinks it’s like watching a pot trying to boil. Little One is already teasing his daddy. I will get some big repetitive movements and as soon as I have Steve try to feel it, he stops just long enough for Dad to decide it isn’t worth waiting for. He is his father’s son! Once in awhile Steve gets to feel him.

Last week there was a set of quintuplets born in Minnesota. I was looking at their pictures and amazed to think that Little One looks somewhat like them as they were born at 27 weeks and we are 26 weeks today. He needs to stay were he is for another 12 weeks, but I can’t help but think about how big he is and what he looks like. He should be about 13 inches long and about 1.5 pounds.

So as I close, I will again say I am truly blessed by my family and friends! And I am completely amazed by the miracle of life!

Can I have a Kleenex, please…?

Week 25

This has been a quieter week for us… Steve and I, but I’m sure little one is busy growing and developing. He is definitely moving and wiggling. On Sunday Steve finally got to feel him move. I’m sure it will be more common now as he gets bigger. Isn't the animation of the little one on the right amazing? To think our little one looks something like it... WOW!

I think I must be starting to look like I am pregnant. I had three people I don’t know over the last week comment on me being pregnant or asking me when our baby is due. I probably don’t see it as much as I see my belly everyday. I know it is getting big by the fact that my clothes feel and look different. Last night in one last ditch attempt to wear a regular long sleeve t-shirt I put one on… guess what? It doesn’t fit. It’s too tight in the belly. Forget just being too short, now it too tight, also. So I think regular clothes are pretty much done until after little one arrives.

Last night we again had on Discovery Health and were watching a show about a family that had just given birth to triplets. I sat there feeling little one squirm and thought, “Oh my, we are going to have one of those”… excitedly. It’s not that this isn’t reality, but some moments are more real than others. I can’t imagine what it will be like to have a baby. One of my colleagues shared this thought with me, “To have a baby changes everything and is so extraordinary – It is forever to have your heart walking around outside of your body!” Wow what a thought… to have your heart walking around outside of your body. I can only imagine this is so true. I love him and I haven’t met him! I’m having another emotional week. Nearly everything baby brings a tear to my eye. More anticipated excitement.

My parents are coming this weekend and I am excited to see them. I’ve always been close with my parents, but now I feel there is this whole new element to our relationship as I anticipate becoming a parent myself. I can’t help, but wonder what my mom felt as she was carrying me. My hope is to give our child what my parents gave me… a sense of security in knowing that my parents loved and cared so much for each other that no matter what my sister and I would always be loved, too. I always had a warm, caring place to come home to. Something I don’t know many kids have these days.

About a week ago my best friend, Cindy shared the following with me… “TO BE A MOM”…

We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of starting a family. "We're taking a survey,"
she says half jokingly. "Do you think I should have a baby?"

"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.

"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations..." But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable. I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking,

"What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire, will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse that watching your child die. I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "MOM" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation. I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.

I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boys desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonalds will become a major dilemma, that right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years-not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.

My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.

I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice, and drunk driving. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my child's future. I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.

My daughters quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it", I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand, and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings. This blessed gift-that of being a Mother!

Just a few thoughts… Have a wonderful week!

Mr. Wiggles

We are 24 weeks today… wow! Can you believe it? Every time I turn around it is a new week.

Life is absolutely amazing. Every time I feel this little guy move I sometimes can’t believe this is happening. I want to hold onto every wiggle and movement. I don’t want to forget any of it as I know he will be here before we know it. In last week’s post I said I hadn’t felt him move on the outside, but sure enough on Wednesday I felt him. I think I had my hand in just the right spot at the right moment. He has done it several more times since then, but never quite long enough for Steve to feel yet or he does it will I am at work. I can feel him on the inside all the time. His moves are starting to become somewhat more predictable. I know that as soon as I sit back or lay still, he will move. Most often, though, they are gentle wiggles. I can hear you moms say, “Just wait. They won’t stay gentle.” I prefer to call him “little one”, but as his squirms become more regular he may become “Mr. Wiggles”. I love it! It’s my reassurance that he is there and doing just fine.

We had another OB visit yesterday and little one seems to be right on track. It was a fairly uneventful appointment with a bit more focus on me than on him. I’ve managed to hold onto a cough longer than my OB would like, but I’m sure it is nothing to worry about. She checked his heart rate, but in the midst of our conversation I didn’t ask her what it was. Those little details are important to me. I want to know everything about him. He is measuring right on for 24 weeks. I am so blessed that Steve has been able to be at every appointment with me. He is such a good dad! While I am carrying our baby, this really involves both of us. On our journey to get pregnant it seemed like the physicians focused only on me, but thankfully OB views us as a couple. Steve is just as much apart of this as I am. Aside from some of the aches and such, I wish he could experience this. I know I keep saying this is amazing, but it is!

We are still playing the naming game. How do you name your child? It will be with him for the rest of his life and even after… *first name* *middle name* Hull. Forever. This is much harder than I thought. It was so much easier when I was little and naming my dolls. I’m sure he won’t come home from the hospital as Little One Hull… I don’t think we can do that, but thankfully we still have several weeks to decide. Keep offering your suggestions.

While the clothing saga is on hold… I’m doing fairly well this week; I am in a panic over cravings. We are quickly moving out of plum and nectarine season. What am I going to do? I know the easy answer would be to find a new craving, but I don’t know that it’s possible. Oh no. The HoneyCrisp apples are great, but they don’t hit the same spot… today anyway. Fortunately this week I have been on the Blue Bell grape kick. Poor Steve didn’t question me when I called him on Monday and asked if he could bring me a bag of grapes to work. I was obsessing over them and found it difficult to concentrate until I had them. I tell you these cravings are like nothing I have ever experienced. I found a carton of chocolate malt ice cream with chucks of chocolate filled with creamy fudge. Yes, I have found the ultimate ice cream for me. Thankfully, Steve is doing most of the grocery shopping so I don’t buy six cartons just in case they don’t make it anymore. It’s a special Minnesota Twins edition. I have my glucose tolerance test in four weeks and I hope I pass so I don’t have to give up my occasional bowl of ice cream.

Until later, take care!

Love Jen, Steve, and Little One… Mr. Wiggles

Ultrasound photos from 9/11/07

Here are the US photos... His face, a foot, a leg,his profile, and it's a boy!

Butterfly kisses and summersaults…

Oh, it has been too long since I last updated. The weeks are just flying. We will be 23 weeks tomorrow- WOW! Little one will be here before we know it.

Life has been interesting and crazy. I have had a few really busy weeks at work. I’m finally seeing the activity calm down, but then that means playing catch-up on everything I have had to put on the “back burner” to get the immediate stuff done.

To make things even more interesting both Steve and I have gotten sick. Okay, I was tired before, but add in busy days at work and a cold and I am wiped out! I have also been informed that colds during pregnancy hang on longer than colds normally do and there isn’t much to take to make me feel better. As a result of this cold, Steve and I had our first experience with Labor and Delivery. Apparently being pregnant with a cold and wheezing and a history of asthma gets you a fun filled afternoon in L&D. Actually I can’t complain because the staff was very friendly, perhaps a bit over cautious, but I suppose you can’t take chances. We had a TV and an interesting poster of various laboring positions to keep us entertained and wondering how some of them could possibly be comfortable. I’m sure in 15-18 weeks from now, we’ll find out. 15, oh my… breathe, Jen. Steve had fun blowing up the lumbar support in the bed. At least we got to see where we will be going. After a not-so-quick neb and stops to the OB appointment desk and the pharmacy we made it out of there in about three hours.

Steve has picked up a variation on what I have. Thankfully I didn’t get the fevers he has had. Wow, he can radiate heat! My bound-out-of-bed husband has spent the last few days on the couch, so I know he is sick. He’s got a sore throat and cough, too. Hopefully he’ll be up again real soon. I’m still not feeling great, but I’m trying to take care of him.

Okay, on to little one… I can finally really feel him being active. We knew from the ultrasound we had a couple of months ago that he was a wiggle worm, but now I can feel it. Usually at night when I lay on my side is when I can feel him the most. He pokes or kicks me in the same spots… just to the right or left of my belly button. I love it! A few nights ago I would swear he did a summersault. He did something. It was the most intense movement I have felt yet. So far his movements haven’t been strong enough to feel on the outside. I think I got Steve’s hopes up to feel him, but it just didn’t happen. I’m sure before too long Steve will be to experience it.

With both of us being home for a couple of days we have watched a few episodes of a Baby Story or Babies: Special Delivery on TLC or Discovery Health. While I’ve watched these shows many times in the past, they are different now. I’m not afraid of what I’ve watched, but there is some reality of the fact that little one will have to physically make his way outside of me…hmmm. Oh my… breathe again, Jen. Last night I asked Steve as one of the episodes was ending if he has moments were this hits him that this is really happening. He really doesn’t feel it yet. I suppose for me it is different, I’m carrying this little one. Each movement or a touch of my belly reminds me this is real. We got our confirmation letter of our prenatal classes that start in about a month making this all the more real. I guess I’m not just playing dress-up.

Steve has done a beautiful job of getting little one’s room ready. It is painted, wallpaper bordered, and the dresser is stained. Steve did a great job on matching the dresser to the crib and it looks wonderful. I’ll attach a picture of the room (the dresser is unstained in the picture). We still have to put the pictures back up on the wall, but we’ll get there.

Can you handle one more clothing saga…? I am struggling to like my clothes. I nearly melted down this morning trying to get dressed. Maybe I need a few more shirts. I, of course, bought almost everything in black, gray, and white to make mixing and matching work, but now I am tired of black. I think I am just overtired and over emotional. All I want to put on are my blue sweat pants and my favorite gray maternity shirt. Ugh, that doesn’t fly for work. Hey, at least I’m acting normal… this is a typical non-pregnant day.

I promise to try to keep this a little more up to date. Keep checking back. Steve and I have tried to get better ultrasound pictures up, but so far it isn’t working. I really want you to be able to see little one, so we’ll try again.

Take Care! Love, Jen and Steve

It's a...

So… can you guess???

We had a wonderful appointment! Little one’s heart and brain look great! We saw ten fingers and ten toes. The spine looks wonderful. Everything looks to be just as it should… and he cooperated enough to show his “manhood”. So we are having a BOY! All I wanted was a healthy baby and I got him. He’s about 11oz and should anticipate a huge growth spurt in the next couple of weeks. I am so relieved to know he is okay that I am exhausted, but in a good way. I’m back to breathing again.

Obviously this has been real all along, but there is something about seeing him in more detail and knowing that he is a boy that makes this all the more real. I can say that I am in love… not that I wasn’t before, but he is ours. People have said that you can’t imagine the love you will have for your child and part of me wonders how I could love him more… I am anxious to hold him… in about 18-22 weeks.

So I am going to keep this short and marvel and bask in the joy of anticipated parenthood… okay, and go to bed early.

Anticipated Excitement

Tomorrow is a big day, the day we have our twenty-week anatomy ultrasound. The day we’ve been anxiously awaiting, hoping to find out if it is a boy or a girl. Now that’s almost here, I’m getting nervous. I just pray everything is okay. This ultrasound is intended to make sure everything is just as it should be… a brain, a heart, etc. Throughout my pregnancy I have been a bit nervous… okay, a lot nervous before every appointment. On our journey to become parents there have been some intense moments of disappointment and I think I still have moments of being afraid to get my hopes up. But I also know that God is with us. I need to focus more on trust and faith that He will not leave us… no matter what. He has brought us thus far into this journey, I’m sure the rest will be wonderful! So now that I have shared my anxious moment, I am going to focus on anticipated excitement in that we get to see our little one again! I know these ultrasounds will not compare to the day that we get to hold our baby in our arms, but for now they are precious peeks.

On a happy anticipation note… Steve and I (more Steve than me) put up the Noah’s Ark wallpaper border yesterday. Some of you may have heard that I was surprised by the wall color I picked out. At first the “honey butter” on the walls looked a little more orange sherbet or cantaloupe to me. It really isn’t that orange. Everyday I walk into that room I like it better and better. I’m actually pleased with the color. And now that the wallpaper border is up, I love it! I’m sure Steve is breathing a sigh of relief that I didn’t ask him to repaint it. He also put up a closet system on Saturday, so we can get some stuff organized. We bought a dresser a week ago, but need to get some stain for it. So the room is really starting to come together. Obviously we still have time, but rather than rushing at the end, we’ll get it done now. Besides, it was better to paint when we could open the windows. Like I mentioned in my previous post, I’m like a little kid counting the days until Christmas… or baby, this helps.

The clothing saga continues. Only instead of pants, it’s now shirts. I think I have outgrown my regular shirts. Last night we were heading out and I wanted a long sleeve shirt, but found that some of my regular shirts that fit a week or so ago, are too short. Oh well, I guess I’ll be shopping for a few maternity shirts. I’m just not ready for the maternity tops that look like maternity tops… I just don’t have enough to fill them out. But as I am finding out, in a couple of weeks, I’m sure that will change. It’s exciting to see my belly starting to look like a pregnant belly.

The Oreo and peanut butter craving is back… more so the Oreo craving. On Saturday I needed a snack and couldn’t help but have a spoonful of peanut butter, Oreos, and milk. Then Steve pointed out that Domino’s pizza has an Oreo dessert pizza… oh my, that hit the spot. The weird thing is that prior to being pregnant I was never overly fond of Oreos. Now that doesn’t mean I’d pass up a cookie, but they wouldn’t be my first, second, or third choice. I still can’t get enough plums or nectarines in my diet. However, Jackie told me the Honey Crisp apples are now in the stores. Fall is now here!... maybe not in the calendar sense, but food-wise. Honey Crisp apples will always have a special place in my heart as they remind me of one of my first dates with Steve. He melted my heart with 5lbs of apples during a visit to an apple orchard that year. If there is any truth to the old wives tale that craving sweets and fruit means it’s a girl… we’ll be buying pink. In fact, in doing some of the “is it a boy or a girl” quizzes for fun, it most definitely comes up as a girl. My best friend Jackie is absolutely convinced it is a girl. As we all know we have a 50% chance of a girl. I just want a healthy baby! We shall see…

My hope is to update this tomorrow after our appointments. So until then… I’m thinking good thoughts!

Week 18 ramblings and observations...

Some days I feel like I am five again… only instead of counting the days ‘til Christmas, I’m counting ‘til “little one” arrives. I’m anticipating this “gift”. Now I know many of you are probably saying, “Just wait, Jen! Enjoy it while “little one” is still in you. Right now it doesn’t require feeding, holding, or changing AND you can sleep.” I know, I know, but I can’t wait!… well yes, I can wait. I want “little one” to be ready to come into this world. I think what is amazing me is that we are almost at the half-way mark. It has gone so fast.

While there have been physical changes from the very beginning, I’m really starting to notice some changes taking place. My body is definitely not my own. I am discovering what round ligaments are and how they feel when they are stretching. I think “little one” is ready to start to make his or herself known to more than just me. Hopefully, I will soon look pregnant and not like I’ve added a few pounds. While I can still wear a few regular shirts, I have almost completely transitioned to maternity pants and skirts. I’m a bit achy at times, but I honesty feel great!

I’ve read the Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy, Mayo Clinic’s Healthy Pregnancy book, Great Expectations (the pregnancy version), and magazines and yet I don’t know that I could have ever read anything that would really prepare me for what this is really like. I’ve watched the “cliché” shows about pregnancy… the woman sits sobbing as she’s eating her pickles and ice cream while watching the commercial with the father walking his daughter down the aisle. But no one really told me that the cliché stuff is not exaggerated… it is worse. Now I can be a very sensitive person, but I can really cry for no reason these days. And give me a really good reason and you could have a flood of tears… reading excerpts from Chicken Soup for the Expectant Mother or such as watching Steve telling someone we are pregnant. I’m just excited for him to be a dad!

Okay, someone explain the cravings to me. These aren’t “I’d like a bowl of ice cream, please” cravings. They are “give it to me now and don’t ask any questions” cravings. And they change. What I liked last week may not sound good today. For anyone that has spent much time with me knows I love pickles… more than love pickles, but this pregnancy has kicked my pickle craving into high gear… and not just any pickle, but Klaussen’s big deli halves. And give me two. A few weeks ago I wanted Oreos and peanut butter. Not so much these days. Chocolate still sounds good, but I don’t have to absolutely have it right now… at least not today. Fruit, now that’s another story. Give it to me by the bushel! Blueberries, plums, and nectarines are my true loves, but Clementine’s and bananas are pretty good, too. Throw in some fresh sweet corn and we're friends for life.

What will next week bring??? Fruit cravings I’m sure, but what else??? As I’ve said before… this is an incredible journey!!!... And I’m enjoying every minute.

First photos...

Last night Steve and I attached some of the ultrasound pictures. However, you might need some help deciphering what you are looking at as they aren’t as clear as the originals… even the originals can be tough to figure out. In the top picture you can see a faint circle above the white patch with another “circle” next to it and a dotted line running through both. That was an attempt to measure our little one from head (the small circle) to butt (the oblong circle)... about 5 inches long. He or she was a wiggle worm that day. The middle picture is our little one looking down. You can somewhat see the head (the nose and mouth would be just above the white patch) and the spine. Both of those pictures were taken on August 7th at 14 weeks and 6 days. That day we could hear and see the heartbeat! They were taken on a portable ultrasound machine, so they aren't very clear. The bottom picture is the very first photo we have. That was from our second ultrasound taken June 11th at 6 weeks 5 days. The black circle has what looks like a little bean (our little one) and a small circle next to it (the yolk sac). Several people have said it looks like there are three (hopefully joking), but trust me there is only one in there. That was the first time we got to see the heartbeat. It was an amazing little flutter on the screen.

Now you’ve had a glimpse of Baby Hull!

In two weeks Steve and I will get a chance to see our little one again at the anatomy ultrasound. I can’t wait! We hope to get some great pictures then.

Welcome!

I’ve decided to create a blog to help keep our family and friends informed on the happenings and developments of Baby Hull. The last seventeen weeks have been amazing and we expect the next 21, 22, 23, or… 24 weeks to be just as exciting as we anticipate the incredible journey of parenthood. I hope to post a few ultrasound pictures as we have been blessed to see our little one four times on ultrasound to this point. Words can’t describe the feelings and emotions when the ultrasound tech tells you there is a gestational sac, when you wondered if it was really possible. It was even more amazing the following week when she told us there was a heartbeat. Steve asked for a copy of the picture so he had evidence when I asked him 20 more times that day if we really saw it. The OBs here have been wonderful in that they have done a portable ultrasound at the last two visits. We have been able to see and hear our baby’s heartbeat- wow! On the last scan we could really see the head and the spine.

I feel great! I can say that I hardly had any nausea and absolutely no vomiting. I’m still tired and I'm sure Steve is wondering if I will ever have any energy again. At least I’m not ready to fall asleep at work by 10 a.m. anymore. I can usually make it to 7 or 8 p.m. before I really struggle to stay awake… however a nice nap after work really feels good.

For those of you that know me well, you know that I have always struggled to find something to wear in the morning… even with a full closet of clothes. But at this stage of pregnancy I am finding clothing that fits to be a real challenge. My regular clothes are getting to be a bit too snug in the belly area and I’m not really big enough for maternity clothes. Last weekend I tried on a pair of jeans as the weather was quite rainy and cool and I was quiet disappointed to find that there wasn’t anyway I was going to get them buttoned… at least for any amount of time. I tried the rubber band and a long shirt trick, but I don’t care what anyone says… that isn’t comfortable, either. I was so afraid the rubber band would break and snap me. Thankfully, my best friend Jackie gave me one of her hair-bands while we shopped for a pair of maternity jeans that would actually fit and not look silly at this stage. I have a feeling it won’t be long and I’ll completely transition to maternity clothes.

I suppose that is enough for one post. As things progress, I’ll try to keep this up to date. I’ll see if I can get Steve to help me scan in the ultrasound pictures and post them. Take care!