NT Screen Tomorrow

11 Weeks today! Whoa that flew. I'm almost out of my first trimester. Tomorrow we have our second ultrasound and the neucal translucency screen in which the doc looks for signs of Downs Syndrome. I'm of course nervous about that, but just nervous in general to make sure everything is okay with Peapod. But it will be reassuring to see our baby again on the screen.

If everything looks good, we'll officially be out. We'll give our parents clearance to tell whoever they like, and although most of our friends know, we'll probably email the few stragglers left. Then, it's on to telling work. My plan if to tell my boss at the end of next week, right at 12 weeks, and then hopefully have a little meeting with my team to tell everyone else. I'm just praying it goes over well.

We've also started talking about baby names. It's so hard because so names that we like are already taken by friend's kids, or we have friends with the name. We don't want anything too crazy either. I think we'll probably wait until we know the sex before seriously considering anything. That way we can just rule out one whole category.

Wow! We're really having a BABY. Crazy.

Ick

I don't mean to complain, but yes I do. I feel gross. This week has been rough. I've been exhausted in the evenings - I usually fall asleep in front of the TV around 8:30. I wake up again and actually get into bed, but I just feel like I'm dragging my body through the night. I've been okay during the day. More tired but nothing awful. I can tell the pregnancy hormones are peaking though, because I've definitely had a little more nausea. Usually in the late mornings and once I get home from work. Saltines work wonders for for though. Thank God for those little simple crackers.

I'm 9 weeks today and I'm starting to think about when to tell work. We have our first trimester ultrasound and NT screen in two weeks, and I'm thinking that the best plan is to wait until then. That way, I can tell everyone during week 12 and feel pretty good about the timing (i.e. not waiting too long so that my obvious baby bump speaks for itself but also feeling good about the viability of our little peapod).

Other than work though, I'm out. Well, not entirely. I'm telling a number of our friends tomorrow since we'll all be out together. And then I figure the flood gates will open. But all of Hubby's family knows, and my parents all know. I haven't green-lighted the extended family yet...but pretty soon. It's so exciting sharing the news.

I'm definitely dying for the weekend to come. This one's a long one too since it's Columbus Day Monday. I think we'll go pumpkin-picking.

First Picture

Look at that beautiful baby. Doesn't look like much right now, but it was still very exciting. We got to see the heartbeat on the screen. It was just a little flicker, but definitely there! I measuring 7w 5d, which is normal, and my due date is May 14th. I love the fact that the due date is right between my sister's and my mom's b-days. Perfect!

The doctor said everything looks good, and I go back in a month for my N/T screen. They check for neural tube issues that could indicate Down Syndrome. I'm excited and happy and feeling pretty calm about everything.

Tomorrow, I'm going to get a Bella Band. I didn't think I would be needing it this early, but I'm getting a serious muffin top from all the constant eating I do. Most of my pants are snug, and it's only going to get worse. So I'm preparing myself. I could also use a few more blousy tops that better conceal my growing gut. I thought I wasn't supposed to show for months! Well, I guess right now I'm just showing excess bloat. At least it's all for a good reason:)

Symptoms

I thought maybe I'd be one of those lucky ones. But, no, Monday morning I was napping peacefully on the train on the way to work when I felt a little feeling in the pit of my stomach. I knew it was coming, and thankfully I made it to the bathroom before I barfed. Yuck. I also have been feeling okay since then, so I think the culprit was my empty stomach. No food for eight plus hours times train rocking = barf.

I've also started to look a little, well, fat. I've only gained maybe 2 pounds, but I look so bloated in my midsection. Today I'm wearing a fitted button-down shirt and really regretting that decision, because it's not very forgiving. My pants are getting snug, and when buttoned, are not all that comfortable. Also, my boobs are huge. Well, huge for me anyways. Huge and sore. I might as well get used to that, I guess.

Also in the last few days, I have been ravenously hungry. Like if it's been two hours since I ate something, my stomach starts growling and feels like I haven't eaten in a week. Therefore, I've been eating pretty constantly and at this rate, I'll gain 60 pounds in this pregnancy.

Tomorrow, we have our first doctor appointment and ultrasound tomorrow. Very exciting!

First Appt

I had my first appointment yesterday, which was kind of a letdown, because it was with the OB nurse. And they didn't even test my hCG, or give me a urine test. She just trusts me when I say I got two positive tests 12 days ago. Kinda weird, but I guess why test unneccesarily?

I almost passed out when getting my blood drawn...I hate that part. Hopefully everything looks good on whatever panels they're running. I guess I'll hear next Thursday at my VERY FIRST ULTRASOUND!!! I'm pretty excited about that. Going to Disney tomorrow. Hope it's still a good time even though I can't ride the really good rides ;)

Nervous

Well the anxiety has definitely set in. I had a really pleasant first weekend after learning about my pregnancy, and then, BAM, last Monday it hit me! We're really going to have a BABY!?!?! I'm trying not to get ahead of myself and just be excited and nervous, but I'm finding it hard not to feel just plain nervous at times. I've told my sister and my good friend, and of course they are so excited. But I'm not sure they understand how apprehensive I feel. It's all so overwhleming. Does everyone feel this way? I think the answer is mostly, YES, but I'm harder on myself for being anxious because I've had an anxiety disorder for so long. I just want to feel totally great about this one thing. And that's impossible. But, I do think that's normal. How can you not feel unsure with something so HUGE.

So I'm trying to remind myself to take it a week at a time, and really, it's only been like ten days since we found out. It's going to take some time to absorb it all.

In the meantime, I'm getting used to my new preggers diet. No deli (which totally sucks - all I want is a turkey sandwich sometimes!), no sushi, no alcohol, and (for me) less caffeine. I'm not giving up my morning coffee altogether, just modifying with a cup of half-caff. That seems to do the trick. Also, I've been relitively symptom-free (I hestitate to say, since I'm sure I'm dooming myself right now). My boobs are sore and definitely growing, which is not so bad for flat-chested gal. And I've had tons of lower-digestional issues, but still relatively manageable. Tomorrow, I have my appointment with the OB nurse, to get blood drawn and do the whole what-to-expect schpeel. And then I have my first doctor appointment (and U/S!) on 9/25, where they should be able to see a heartbeat. Crazy!

Right now, I feel pretty good actually. Not too nervous, pretty excited also. That's a good feeling!

Drum Roll....

I can't quite fully believe it but....I'm pregnant!  I tested yesterday as suggested by Fertility Friend.  First thing in the morning, and early, even though we weren't going into work.  But I couldn't stand the suspense anymore, even though I had an idea.  I don't know why, but I just had a feeling the test was going to be positive.  And sure enough, I peed on the test, and like ten seconds later, it was positive.  That was reassuring, because when I had my chemical pregnancy, the test took almost the full three minutes to come back positive.  So I'm hoping that means the HcG levels are higher than last time.  Just to help confirm, I did another on later in the afternoon, after lots of liquid, and it was also positive!  I'm excited and I think it could be real this time.  But I'm still so nervous I'm just going to miscarry again.

To make matters worse, I'm not seeing the OB nurse for a blood beta until I'm 6 weeks, so I have to wait another two weeks for that.  And then I don't see my doctor until I'm eight weeks, and she's not even available in the evenings until I'm nine weeks.  So it sucks, cause here I am waiting again.  And we really don't want to start telling people until I've had that first ultrasound, which just prolongs everything even more.  But I'm trying not to think about all that...just be positive and excited.  And surprisingly, not as nervous as I thought.