14 Weeks

I am now 14 weeks and 5 days pregnant. Had my doctor's appointment yesterday, and we got to hear the baby's heartbeat. It was strong and fast! I remember when I was younger, my mom told me that they used to predict baby gender by the heartbeat. Anything below 140 was a boy, and anything above 140 was a girl. Of course there is no scientific evidence to back this theory up, but if it were true, my Little One would be a girl, because the heart rate was 162. I still haven't gained any weight yet, but the fat that I had before my pregnancy keeps sticking out further, so it must be the baby. Haven't felt any movement yet either, but they say I'm still a bit too early, and that I may feel something within the next 3 weeks.

My next appointment is August 24. This is the "big" appointment, as my doctor likes to call it. They will do an extensive ultrasound to get a good look at the baby's anatomy, and I'll find out the baby's gender! That is, if the baby decides not to be shy! If he/she is anything like his/her father, then shyness won't be a problem! 28 days left and counting until we get to see our Little One again!

Early pregnancy symptoms are "seeming" to subside. I did have any nausea at all yesterday, and I even woke up extremely early and got less than 8 hours sleep!  Blood sugar has been an issue. It is constantly running low, even after I eat. My OB/GYN referred me to a dietician so that we can find a diet that will keep my blood sugar up so I won't feel so bad. I also got some nausea medicine in case the nausea decides that it doesn't want to go away before I start teaching again.

The most interesting symptom of pregnancy is the DREAMS! I have some of the most interesting dreams that seem VERY real, until I wake up and realize that it was just a dream. They are so vivid!

I will be posting a belly picture soon, I've just been too lazy to take one. Maybe today will be the day. :)

Maternity Shopping

Yesterday, Dustin and I decided to go to the mall. He needed a haircut, and I wanted to start looking for maternity clothes. I thought that it would be a simple task, and that the most difficult part would be deciding between all the cute clothes. Boy, was I wrong! We went to Motherhood Maternity, and while some of the clothes were cute, they were SUPER expensive! JCPenny claims to have a maternity department, but they only have about 5 racks of UGLY maternity clothes! And don't get me started on cute, comfy shoes! There's no such thing! Cute flats with no support, No cute slip-on shoes or anything! By the time we left the mall, Dustin was excited about his haircut, but I was depressed about not finding any cute maternity clothes. I did find a comfy pair of brown shoes for $13. The only reason I bought them was because they were originally $45, and I can return them whenever I want, as long as I don't wear them and I have the receipt. They're not exactly the cutest things, but when I'm 7-9 months pregnant and miserable, I don't think I'm going to care much about cuteness anymore.

So, when I woke up this morning, I decided that I would see if the internet had more to offer in the way of affordable, cute maternity clothes than actual stores. I was right! Old Navy is the BEST at offering cute, affordable maternity clothes! They are shoppable by clothing type, trimester, etc. so it was easy and fun to shop! I found a TON of clothes that I want, but being that we're not exactly "rolling in dough" right now, I got 2 pair of dress pants, a pair of jeans, 3 cardigans, and a cute embellished top for $129! I'm excited, and I can't wait to see the clothes that I ordered! I really hope that they fit! :)

11 Weeks

So we are now up to present time, today. After church, I decided that since I was actually dressed and it has been 3 weeks since my last picture, that I would get a picture of my belly. People have been telling me that they see a baby bump, but I kept insisting that it was the fat growing. But then I had to remind myself that I had actually lost 6 pounds since my first OB appointment, so it really couldn't be ALL fat, there definitely had to be some baby in there. I was surprised by the differences in Week 8 and Week 11! Tell me what you think:

OB Appointment #2 (June 28, 2011)

I had my second OB appointment on June 28. I was 10 weeks pregnant, and definitely showing symptoms, but not showing much of a baby bump. The results from all of my tests during my first appointment came back clean, and I found out that I was rh negative, meaning that I would have to have a special shot 28 weeks into my pregnancy. The way that the doctor describes it, it isn't anything major to worry about. She did another ultrasound, and this time, instead of seeing a speck, we saw that looks like a baby, only it was upside down. It was moving its little feet and arms, and even waved at me and Dustin. I was so excited that I cried. For the first time, I was seeing what looked like a little baby growing inside of my belly. I was overjoyed, and still in disbelief that the little baby on the ultrasound machine was mine. She scheduled my next appointment for July 26, 4 weeks away. She said that at the next appointment she will use Doppler to try and hear the baby's heartbeat, but she would not do an ultrasound unless it was necessary. I'm kind of hoping that the baby buries itself deep down in my belly so that she cannot hear it, and she will be forced to do the ultrasound. I'm not sure I'll be able to handle not seeing my baby for another 8 weeks!

There's my upside down little one! The right hand was waving at us!

The doctor did give us something more to look forward to: we will be able to determine the baby's gender at my appointment in August, which should be scheduled around the 23rd of the month. Fingers crossed!

8 Weeks

At 8 weeks, 2 weeks after my first appointment, I decided to take a picture of my baby bump (or lack thereof). You can see a little something in my lower abdomen, but to be honest, I really think it's just fat.

Early Symptoms of Pregnancy

Every woman has different experiences with pregnancy symptoms. I feel sick a LOT. I have only thrown up about 5 times since I've been pregnant, but I feel nauseated about 18 hours out of every day, ESPECIALLY if I don't eat every 2-3 hours. Being hypoglycemic before pregnancy, my blood sugar can get out of hand, but as long as I eat right and often I keep it under control. I feel tired all the time. I have to get at least 10 hours of sleep or I feel bad, and I need a nap too if I've been really active. I get headaches from time to time, and I get lightheaded and dizzy. I've made a promise to myself that I will not take medicine unless my symptoms are extreme, and so far I've only taken 2 tylenol and 2 dramamine. I also get pretty moody from time to time, and cry for no reason. Well, I guess there's a reason: I'm pregnant.

First OB Appointment

I had my first OB appointment on May 31. I was 6 weeks pregnant, and still not experiencing any symptoms of a growing baby inside of me. My OB/GYN, the wonderful Dr. Pennebaker, performed an ultrasound, and found a little speck of a baby. She said that everything looked great, and that I should begin taking prenatals and eating right. She scheduled my next appointment for June 28, 4 weeks later.

                  The baby is in the top of the black oval.

I had already changed my diet the day I found out I was pregnant. Being a caffeine addict, sugar junkie, and water-hater, I still find it hard to believe that I got pregnant in the first place. Plus, I was in a car wreck exactly one week before, and went through a great deal of stress, but no injuries thank goodness. The little one inside me was determined to stick around. And I was determined to keep it around. I gave up caffeine and sugary drinks and snacks cold turkey. I still have the occasional sugar snack, but I don't have too much. I now drink water, sprite, or juice, but water mostly. I try to eat right, which is something that I did not do before, and I was determined to exercise at least 3-5 times a week.

Unfortunately, pregnancy symptoms began to set in, and I began feeling horrible.