12 Weeks! Dr. Appointment and First Craving!

Well I can finally breathe a little easier! Baby and I have made it to the 12 week mark! One more week I think until the second trimester begins. It's so hard to tell. I have read that the second trimester starts on week 13 others say 14. When I got pregnant I thought it was 12 so who knows. All I know is I've made it! We had a very busy week! I had my very first real pregnancy craving, I had my 12 week check up and ultrasound, and Andy and I applied for and looked at some houses.

Lets start with the craving. Unreal! I've never experienced anything like it in my life. At 10AM this past Tuesday I started thinking obsessively about hash browns/tater-tots and when the time passed for breakfast, I moved on to obsessively thinking about french fries. It was different then a normal junk food craving. All day long I felt antsy, I couldn't concentrate on anything but eating french fries. At one point at work I zoned out trying to decide which would be cheaper.....2 small fries from McDonalds or 1 Medium.....so sick right? I stopped on my way home and got fries. As soon as I ate them I felt immediately better. Like I was at peace and all was right with the world. I actually didn't like craving. It was really annoying and I hope it doesn't happen too often.

So this past Friday was my 12 week ultrasound and Dr. appointment. Baby is supposedly about the size of a small plum this week. I was so nervous about this one for some reason so I couldn't even enjoy it lol. It was the NT test that screened for Downs Syndrome and other Trisomy disorders. Everything came back normal, but I had read horror stories on the computer of babies who just stop growing and your body didn't realize it, etc.. so I was terrified. But everything was normal, and baby had grown tons! It was also super active moving around. The tech  would try and get a heart beat and it would jump around messing up the doppler. She also tried to check the sex of the baby. She looked between the legs and didn't see anything, and said she was leaning towards girl. But it could still very much be a boy and its little penis could just not be developed enough yet. We'll have to wait and see. Here are pictures from the ultrasound and before. Baby has a huge nose.

We go in 2 and half weeks for a gender scan on November 13 and I can't wait!!!!! After the Doctor Andy and I went to Babies R Us to look at cribs and baby stuff. It was so fun! I even started a registry with the big things on it. I can't wait to buy baby clothes!

11 Weeks

So excited to finally be at 11 weeks! Only 2 more weeks in the first trimester (I think)! Baby Collier is now over 2 inches long and about the size of a Brussels sprout! The sex organs have formed but are too small to see on an ultrasound (sad day because I really want to know what if baby is a boy or a girl) Baby is beginning to swallow amniotic fluid and supposedly looks even more human!
Everything is going good for me too! I did a great maintaining my weight this week and eating healthy! I didn't exercise though....just no time between being exhausted and working to jobs. I did have one really bad headache Monday and I actually threw up for the first time on Friday. You would think that morning sickness would have already hit me instead of at the end of the first trimester when its supposed to be going away. I think it was because I woke up super hungry and then didn't eat, but got into a hot shower and got over heated.
I have also been really into looking for houses to rent. I want to move so bad! I think this is the beginning of what everyone calls nesting. I just want to be settled and able to begin decorating. I think Andy and I are in agreement that we want to move to the Woodstock area. It's close enough to highway 92 for work purposes and closer to my family then Alpharetta or farther North. I have found a few houses I like, two that I have inquired about however already had approved applications submitted by the time I inquired. I guess that is good though, because it would really but us in financial struggles if we were to find something perfect right now and had to break our lease. Also Woodstock is far enough away that I wouldn't want to continue working at the vet.But it never hurts to look.
This coming week will be a big one for baby. We have our 12 week NT ultrasound and Doctor's appointment on Friday where they screen for Downs Syndrome. I also have  an appointment with a hematologist about my blood disorder and how it's going to affect my delivery. I wish at the ultrasound they would be able to tell me if we're having a boy or a girl, but I know it's not likely. I'll have to wait 5 more weeks!!!!

Annoument and Photos

Well, the secret is finally out! On Sunday October 11, 2014, Andy and I publicly announced our pregnancy by posting pictures and a poem on Facebook. It is early, by about two weeks, but as I said in my previous post every life no matter how short or how small should be celebrated. I couldn't go any longer with the knowledge that there was a little baby inside of me growing, moving, its' heart beating, and sucking its' thumb without letting the world know! However...side note to baby: You best stay put and continue growing and getting stronger and healthier now that everyone knows!
Here are pictures from our announcement!

About this announcement! The trip to the pumpkin patch was extremely dramatic! Lindsey and Nicole were meeting us there to take our pictures. Well it was pouring down rain, I couldn't get in touch with them because there was no cell service. I was already upset because I felt like Andy and I were being rushed to get there....Lindsey and Nicole got there with Miller and Ricki at freaking 10AM! But it all worked out! The Pictures look great even if my hair is a little frizzed out from getting soaked!

10 Weeks: Maternity Clothes and Announcement Photos

Baby Collier and I have successfully hit the double digit mark! 10 weeks! Baby is the size of a kumquat or a prune. Baby is developing bones and cartilage. It's teeth are forming under gums.  It's muscles are working well enough that it can close its' little hand to make a fist and it's digestive system is beginning to work! That's all on the inside. On the outside I just feel like a fat cow! My clothes are too tight and I'm growing by the pound almost daily. I need to get my eating under control, but pregnancy cravings, food aversions, and total appetite change are no joke! I have been cooking more which is good. Now I need to start getting exercise. I'm going to take Andy's advice and possibly start walking around on my lunch breaks. No reason not to unless it's raining. The weather is good now that it is fall. I'm also still super exhausted and can get nauseated from time to time if I don't eat enough or if I eat too much. I really need to try harder to find a happy medium at meal times. The hormones are insane! I started crying, literally bawling my eyes out on Friday at work because I was told I had to take an hour lunch break instead of my promised 30 minutes. Granted the person who told me said it kind of snappy and rude which hurt my feelings, but still...Normally I would not break down sobbing.
Anyways due to my massive weight gain that is probably more fat than baby, I went ahead and purchased some maternity clothes. 2 pairs of leggings, a pair of jeans and some larger sized button down shirts. The leggings are fantastic! So comfy! The Jeans fit alright but are too big at the waist...probably due to lack of baby bump. Hopefully as baby grows they will fit better.
Today is an exciting day for Andy and I!!! We are going to the pumpkin patch to take our pregnancy announcement photos! I can't wait! I will post them later today! We have also decided to go ahead and post them on Facebook and share with the world our fantastic news. It's a little early, but we have decided that every life, now matter how short or how small should be celebrated and so we will celebrate! Plus pretty much everyone already knows. 

A Letter to Baby 9 weeks 4 days

My Dear Sweet Little One,
 Today was the day that you became real to me. I went to the Doctor for my second ultrasound and I am in awe. When I saw you on the screen moving around wiggling your little arms and feet, and sucking your thumb I was in awe. Words can't even describe the feeling I got seeing you for the first time. You have made me a mom. Boy or girl I love you so much already! Daddy and I were so proud to see you safe and sound inside my tummy. I just can't believe it! I keep looking at the video of your heart beating 171BPM and the pictures the ultrasound tech printed out for me. I just want to share it with the world. 2 weeks and 3 days until we announce your presence to everyone. You are already so special to us. Daddy had never seen an ultrasound before and when he saw you moving and heard your heart beat his face lit up with the biggest smile. He was so happy! We both were. We can't wait to meet you in May. Stay safe and sound in my tummy until then little one! It's so funny because I always knew parents worried about their children. I never realized the worrying began 9 months before they are even born. I worry about you being healthy and growing inside of me and when you come out I'll spend the rest of my life worrying about you.
Here are some pictures from our Doctor Appointment!

9 Weeks!

As of Friday October 3, I am now 9 weeks pregnant! My third month and the last month in the first trimester! Our baby is the size of a small green olive and is no longer an embryo but a fetus, according to my pregnancy book! I feel like my body has made such an accomplishment, and with each week that passes, my confidence that this will be a healthy pregnancy only grows! Only three more weeks until we are in the clear and I can share with the world the fantastic news!
This past week my appetite has returned somewhat. I still can't handle chicken though. Well, let me rephrase that I can't handle baked, healthy chicken. Chicken tenders, chicken wings, grilled chicken sandwich, anything fast food or from a restaurant that I don't have to cook myself and that is unhealthy sounds perfectly good to me. I have started getting hungrier more often, and full more quickly. Some things I have enjoyed snacking on this week are: granola bars, spicy trail mix from Kroger, wheat thins, and cheese. I've had some cravings this week too. I have really wanted a butter finger blizzard. This one is pretty bizarre to me because number 1: I don't even know where a Dairy Queen is, and number 2: I have never in my life eaten a butter finger blizzard. I am more of a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup kinda girl. I have also wanted Hash Browns and Carrot Cake. The most unpleasant symptoms I have experienced this week, and kind of over the course of the pregnancy so far are headaches. I've had two really bad headaches that don't go away with Tylonal. I read in my "What to Expect Book" that headaches are caused from hormonal fluctuations. The other is exhaustion. I've been tired all along, but nothing like this past week and weekend. Working two jobs, planning a wedding, and being pregnant is kicking my ass. I was just thinking this morning that I would kill for a day to just sleep in until 9, lay around drinking my coffee (decaf of course) looking at baby stuff and watching TV until I feel like starting my day. Lord knows come May, sleep will go out the window, so I kinda feel like I should get it while I can.
Anyways, there are some exciting things going on this week:
We have our 9 week doctors appointment and Ultrasound on Tuesday! I cannot wait to see how much my little blob with a yolk sac has grown! I also went shopping yesterday with my mom and Lorraine and found my wedding dress. It was a lot of fun! I also have a goal this week: START EATING HEALTHIER! and Start walking again! I cannot, cannot gain more then the allotted 30 pounds. But at the rate I'm going now it's not looking good!

We're Pregnant!

Blogs are really "in" these days. Everywhere I look on the internet there are always blogs. Blogs about food, blogs about hobbies, you name it and someone has a blog about it. I have known several friends and acquaintances that blog about events in their lives for family who live far away to read. I've always wanted to start one, but have never felt like the goings on in my life were significant enough for people to want to read about them. I may think I am that interesting and important in my head, but in reality I know I am not. Some events however, are worth documenting. I have always said to myself the moment I find out I'm pregnant I will begin a journal of some sort to document and record my nine month journey.
Well, that time is here! On August 28, 2014 at 3 weeks and 6 days Andy and I found out that we are going to have a baby. I have not written about it until now because it was so early I was terrified of something going wrong. I will be nine weeks tomorrow and the fear is still there, though not as prominent, but I am going to take the advice of my mom who told me that God has a plan and no matter what happens I need to cherish each moment and each day of this pregnancy because I'll never get it back. I need to stop worrying about the What Ifs and focus on the present day as a blessing that there is a life growing inside of me. So, that is what I am going to do.
Alright now for the fun stuff: What in the world has been going on these last nine weeks:
These pictures were taken the afternoon we found out just to be silly. Andy and I were both over the moon to learn that we were pregnant. It was such an exciting surprise!

                                                   

 My first belly picture! I know it's silly but I want a record of how my tummy looked before. So nine months from now I can look back and say. Damn, I thought I was fat....what was I thinking?

Around 6 weeks my appetite began to change. When I say change I mean a complete 180 degree flip. I was eating so healthy and training for a half marathon when all of a sudden the thought of chicken and veggies made me want to gag. Cereal was the only thing I could stomach for breakfast and sometimes dinner. All I wanted was carbs, carbs, and more carbs. I never threw up, and my appetite is slowly returning, but I am still having to force myself to eat semi healthy. I had heard of morning sickness and cravings, but no one told me about food aversions.  I also have a hard time eating left overs.

On September 15 We had our first Drs appointment at 6 weeks 3 days. Our Dr's name is Dr. Street and she is absolutely wonderful! She has been my Dr. forever and delivered Miller for Lindsey. We weren't supposed to have one until 8 weeks, but I had had some spotting over the weekend so the Dr. wanted to do an ultrasound and make sure everything was ok! And sure enough there was a baby in there, although it just looked like a blog with a yolk sac! The best part was we were able to see the heartbeat! The baby's heart was beating at 124BPM!
Here is our first ultrasound picture!

On Friday September 19, 2014 I took another belly picture at 7 weeks . It looks exactly the same as the one from four weeks!

And that pretty much brings this blog up to speed! I am looking forward to recording my pregnancy! I think in the coming years I will be very glad I did this.