rallolovin: October 2012

I came across this set of questions on another blog and thought it would be a fun way to reflect on my pregnancy, which it totally was.

How did you find out you were pregnant? After 14 days of high temperatures, a few days of what felt like menstrual cramping and no period, I figured I might as well take a pregnancy test. I was certain it would be negative. The little blue line turned positive instantly.

What kind of Pregnancy test did you take? EPT

How many? Just one originally, we were trying to get pregnant and it made perfect sense. Ty later insisted that I take the remaining two tests I had on hand. They turned positive just as quickly.

What were your 1st symptoms? Sore boobs, cramping, lethargy

Who did you tell first? My loving husband, as he stood in the kitchen with a mouth full of Doritos. Ty gives me a hard time for not coming up with some super cute and creative way to share the news. I was honestly just so surprised that I came out of the bathroom with the EPT in hand and blurted it out. Layla and Levi were staying with us, so it was a pretty chaotic afternoon.

Who was with you when you found out? Ty, Layla and Levi—although we didn’t share the news with the kids at that point

My 1st reaction:  Surprised!

Was your baby planned? Yep. We decided in February to “see what happens,” which to Ty meant no longer taking birth control and to me meant charting my cycles and figuring out when I was ovulating. We all know I am both a nurse and control freak, so I guess that was to be expected J It was a scary transition going from trying to prevent pregnancy all these years to trying to get pregnant and praying I would be able to. Infertility seems so common and was honestly one of my biggest fears. Turns out we are both well equipped baby makers, for which I am extremely grateful.

When was the baby conceived? Mid March

How far were you when you found out? 14 days post ovulation, pretty much as early as you possible

How did your parents react? Super excited!

Due Date: Dec 5^th

Do you know the sex? Baby Boy

Any names? I love Owen Christopher and am hoping for that. Ty is still undecided and coming up with news names all the time J He has always liked Weston and most recently, Baylor.

Any Ultrasounds? I’ve had 4. The first one was at 10 weeks, just a bedside ultrasound, mainly for fun during my first appointment with the midwife. Seeing the little peanut and hearing the heart beat for the first time was one of the best moments of my life thus far. The second was the 12 week screening where we got to watch baby flop around for over an hour on a big screen in the radiology department. This was another really magical moment. The third was the 20 week ultrasound, where we found out we were having a boy. In all honesty, Ty and I were both a little disappointed, as we were hoping for a girl. Although, now that I know he is a boy I couldn’t be happier! This ultrasound was pretty amazing because we could see all the internal organs. We saw all four chambers of his tiny heart and watched the values open and close with each beat. We saw his intact spine, kidney, liver, stomach and, of course, his little wenis. I was pretty amazed. I had the last ultrasound at 28 weeks to monitor my ovarian cyst. Even though having a cyst is a complication I would rather not have, I was pretty excited that it bought me one more ultrasound. The tech was very sweet and upon my request, verified that it was indeed a boy. We could actually see a lot less at this appointment because little man was so cramped compared to early on. We did get one good shot of his face that actually looked like a baby face (opposed to what looked like an owl’s face at 20 weeks) and in my opinion he is already the cutest baby there ever was.

Have you heard the heart beat? Yep, for the first time at 10 weeks and at least monthly since then

Who do you think it will look like? A mix of the two of us, but I definitely image him as a mini Ty

Will the baby have siblings? Yep

Have you felt the baby move? Everyday since about 18 weeks, such an incredible feeling

Did you have morning sickness? Not really. I gaged a lot while brushing my teeth and threw up a few times trying to get the DHA pills down. I was just exhausted and felt hung over for about 8 weeks.

Did you have any cravings? Fruit and caesar salad

Did you have any mood swings? I don't really think so, but Ty maybe disagree

Are you a high risk pregnancy? No

Any complications? Just my ovarian cyst, which I will probably have surgically removed postpartum

Formula or Breastfeeding? Breastfeeding

Have you bought anything for the baby yet? Sure have, although the majority of what we’ve accumulated so far has been graciously given to us by family and friends (especially Auntie Rachel, who is doing her part to keep baby Gap in business).

When did you start to show? I had a ragging muffin top from about 14 weeks on, but I think I actually started to look pregnant around 18 weeks

How long could you wear your regular clothes? 16-18 weeks

Will you keep the baby’s clothes? Some of them

Home or Hospital? Hospital

Natural or Medicated birth? Natural is the plan

Who will be in the delivery room with you? My hubby, our doula (Vanessa) and Rachel

Do you think you will need a C-section? No

Will you cry when you hold the baby for the 1st time? I’m not sure, but I imagine it will be an incredible moment

What’s the 1st thing you might say to the baby? That I love him and am so glad he is finally here

Will you let anyone video tape the birth? No, a think a few still photos after the birth will suffice

Are you excited? Of course!

Who will help you with the baby after the birth? Ty, my mom, Rach, Paula, I’m sure everyone will pitch in!

What is your favorite thing about being pregnant? Feeling the baby move

What is the worst thing about being pregnant? I’m not sure if this is necessarily the worst thing, but what comes to mind is that people think it’s okay to make any type of comment they want about your body just because you’re pregnant. I’ve had people insist that I am huge and look like the baby is ready to come tomorrow and other people act shocked that I’m not further along. And it’s not just the belly people are open to discussing, it’s my boobs, butt, face… You name it. None of these comments have bothered me and for the most part people have been super sweet and supportive but it’s an interesting thing.

What’s one thing you miss doing since being pregnant? I don’t feel like there are many things that I haven’t been able to do. I miss eating turkey sandwiches and sushi but can’t think of any huge limitations that pregnancy has put on me. Surprisingly, I don’t miss alcohol. Not that I am a huge drinker to begin with but even at Rachel’s bachelorette party and wedding, it was no big deal. The only time I really wanted to drink was on the beach in Hawaii, for which Ty got me some Odoul’s and I had a virgin Pina Colda. Other than that I haven’t really thought about or wanted to drink at all.

Any days you wish you were not pregnant? Nope

Are you ready for a baby? As ready as I’ll ever be

Do you have insurance? Yes

How many kids do you want? 2 or 3

Do you talk to the baby? I sure do, although not always out loud. I talk to him in my head a lot of the time and it feels like since he is inside of me, he should be able to hear. If anything, I am sure he feels the love and positive energy I am sending him when I do that.

Do you still feel attractive? Yes, I have always considered pregnancy a beautiful thing and I am embracing it (even if my love handles are slightly larger and my walk has turned into more of a waddle).

Have you had your baby shower yet? I had a wonderful shower with my friends last weekend and have two more coming up, one with my family/Clackamas friends and one with Ty’s family.   Super spoiled, I know!

Do you like kids? Love them. I have always been drawn to little ones and have dedicated my career to caring for sick babies. Watching Layla and Levi (and more recently Devin) grow has been one of the most meaningful parts of my adult life. I love them so much that sometimes just seeing my favorite photos or thinking of them makes me cry. I can’t imagine how powerful the love I already have for my little babe, that Ty and I created, will feel when I get to hold him for the first time.

How far along are you now? 34 weeks

We recently got home from a week long trip to Maui with Ty’s family. Eight adults, one baby, a pregnant lady and we all had a wonderful time. We spent the mornings at the beach and the afternoons lounging in the pool at the beautiful house we stayed in. There were lots of great conversations, relaxing, drinking (besides me, unfortunately), reading and laughing. Swimming felt amazing with my pregger body and being in the ocean is always good for the soul. The week was a much needed break from the chaos of work and mounting pressure of things to do before the baby arrives. I am home feeling refreshed, tan, and ready for the final stretch of pregnancy.

This trip was a great reminder of how blessed Ty and I are to have such wonderful families. Family has always been a huge priority for both of us and one of the things that brought us together. I mean, how many other people can share a room with their mother-in-law for a month (as Paula and I did in Africa), have sisters that are best friends and sister-in-laws that they adore? Obviously no family is perfect, but both of ours are super tight knit and fiercely supportive. It is incredibly reassuring to be brining a baby into this world knowing that he will be a part of a long legacy of love. We know full well that his grandparents, aunts and uncles will be there for him every step of the way and for this we are extremely grateful.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Ty's Video "To My Wife"

Pregnancy Q & A

Monday, October 15, 2012

Maui

32 week Bump Update