Looking back-
First Trimester- From the moment Nick and I found out we were going to be parents, we were thrilled. We were a scared and nervous too, but so thankful that God was giving us this opportunity. Soon after finding out I was pregnant, I started feeling sick. Thankfully I was never throw-up-sick but was nauseous all day. I pretty much hated food- which is not normally the case at all! I had plenty of aversions- coffee and vegetables were the main ones but really nothing sounded good to me, not even dessert. The only things I wanted were chicken noodle soup and crackers, baked potatoes and egg sandwiches. Nick couldn't believe how much chicken noodle soup I ate, especially considering it was the middle of the summer and 100 degrees. On top of being nauseous I was exhausted! It's a lot of work to grow a baby! I also started getting up a lot in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, which became very common. I could still wear all my regular clothes throughout the first trimester although towards the end I noticed my stomach poking out more (although I'm probably the only one that could see it!)
The best day was going to the doctor for the first time and seeing the little baby on the ultrasound. There was actually a baby in there! Nick and I were blown away! Words cannot describe that moment, such a miracle!
We also bought a house while all this was going on. We closed on the house, cleaned it from top to bottom and started turning it into our first home.
Second Trimester- I finally started feeling better around 14-15 weeks. It's amazing how good it feels to feel "normal" after feeling so bad for so long! Slowly food became appealing again although it took a few weeks to find the energy to cook real meals. I do remember one week in particular that I cooked dinner several nights in a row and Nick was so excited to have a "cooking wife" again! I was excited too. My energy picked back up as well. I was still able to wear most of my regular clothes for most of the second trimester, using a belly band to keep wearing my jeans. Towards the end I started wearing more and more maternity clothes. Thankfully my sis-in-law Cait gave me tons so I didn't have to buy much! I felt great throughout the second trimester and slept really well too.
Around 18 weeks I started wondering if I could feel the baby move. I wanted to so badly, so I would lay still waiting for any sign. Soon after there was no denying that I could feel her. Nick was able to feel her around 21 weeks although she was quite shy and would stop moving whenever he got close. We found out at 20 weeks that our little "Leroy" as we had affectionately been calling the baby was a girl! We were amazing to see her again on the ultrasound. We were able to start imagining what our life would be like with a little girl!
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| Around 18 weeks and starting to show! |
At the gender ultrasound my blood pressure was high. The doctors had me do a 24 hour urine sample and ended up sending me to a high risk doctor for another ultrasound to be monitored there. I was really, really scared that something was wrong. They were just being very careful to make sure I didn't have preeclampsia. Everything looked great with the baby and they determined that I probably had "white coat hypertension" or anxiety around doctors (which is true!) that was causing high blood pressure.
We continued working on our house- painting almost every room, replacing the kitchen counter tops (Nick and his dad) and making it into our home. All along the way we were dreaming about what it would be like to have a baby around.
Third Trimester- I still feel really good even towards the end of the third trimester. I don't sleep great because I am awakened by leg cramps and having to go to the bathroom a lot, but thankfully I'm able to go back to sleep. I started craving peanut butter, milk, and pancakes with maple syrup (which is something I normally don't like!) We have been having pancakes for dinner at least once a week recently, something Nick is happy about. I never have liked breakfast for dinner until now.
I continued to be monitored by my regular doctor as well as the high risk doctor. I had to do several more 24 hour urine samples. While this was a little frustrating and time consuming, I did have monthly ultrasounds to check the baby which was so reassuring. We were able to see her grow, have hiccups and suck on her hand! Last Friday I went in to the high risk doctor and he (finally) said I was done there and didn't have to come back! He said I looked great and so did the baby.
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| Registering with Cait and our nephew Luke. He helped us test out the gear! |
Over Christmas break Nick and I started working on the nursery. It has been a slow process but it is finally coming together. I will share more on this soon! Nick's mom and I washed all her little clothes last week and put them away. I find myself just stopping in there all the time daydreaming about what it will be like when she gets here.
In January I had two wonderful showers. I felt so loved and celebrated and we were blessed with so much of what we needed! The past few weekends have been spent getting the last minute things we need and checking things off our to-do list. Nick installed the carseat this past weekend, so I have been driving around with it in my car- crazy! We have also just been enjoying our last few days as a couple, going out to eat, seeing movies and taking lots of naps.
I am now 38 weeks and so our baby girl could come any day! We are excited and anxious at the same time. We are praying for a smooth delivery and a healthy baby.
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| 37 weeks- need to get some better pics before she gets here! |
We will keep you updated!
