Week 11: More of the Same

Size of Baby: Lime
Symptoms: exhaustion, occasional crying spurts, really jacked up digestive system, throaty phlegm-I've actually had this for basically the whole time..... funny I kept forgetting it.
Cravings: hot beverages  (I mean, it feels like fall around here!)
Aversions: Most things- especially sweet things that should be salty: like pizza.
Weight: 149

 Journal:
   I almost gave my unborn kid some birth defects. Well THAT was close! *phew!* All I wanted tonight was some Wild Berry Zinger tea. Is that so complicated? I mean-- I have some already. I didn't have to beg the hubbo to go get me some.... it's in my tea box. (which could be why I wanted it--- I'm so influenced by the power of suggestion.) HOWEVER! I remembered reading several places about avoiding herbal teas, so I figured I better make sure my Wild Berry Zinger wouldn't kill us. Sure enough- it contains Rosehips and Hibiscus.... two herbs that are not recommended during pregnancy due to birth defects, miscarriage, early labor, and low birth weight.  REALLY?!?!? Fortunately- my Peppermint Twist tea has no twists- just peppermint- which can be "settling for upset stomachs commonly experienced during pregnancy." How nice. I want my Wild Berry Zinger. I guess I'll just eat a whole bowl of blueberries along with it- that should help.

Maybe it will help my other problem too.... The fact that my digestive system is a TOTAL WRECK!!!! LORD!! GIVE ME SOME NORMALCY! Of course, Andrew would say this is normal for a King gut. I promise you, it isn't. I've given Activia (you have to sing that) a fair shot- every day for 2 weeks and it has done anything but make me regular. I've tried eating leafy greens-- I just end up pooping leafy greens. (Sorry, was that too much?!) I'm pretty sure my body isn't using anything that I'm feeding it. Except for that 10 oz steak I ate on Saturday... I guess the baby and I used that right up.
I wish I could go with Ms. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus and take a tour of my digestive system... just to see what the heck is going on in there.

Today was the first day I told my patients, "I'd like to get you scheduled for your next prophy cleaning- We're looking at FEBRUARY!!!!!" That means the month that I give birth to this child is only a prophy recall away!!!!!!!! WOWSERS. I think I'll be pushing before I know it. I think I better get a crib...

I guess I should go take a shower... my legs are super-hairy. Another lively side-effect of pregnancy. I love how they are called "side effects," like being pregnant is a drug.
Then again... let's reflect on my pregnancy brain as of late and reconsider this being "drugged."

As for that symptom/side effect of occasional crying spurts... last night I snuggled up to Andrew in bed and he stated that he would only snuggle if I moved back over to my side of the bed. Most people might think he's just a smart guy thinking ahead (of when I fall asleep and he's crowded with no room to sprawl) but what was my reaction??? Instant anger and hurt- I vehemently rolled over to my side, back to him, and started BAWLING. What the heck.

Prayer:
 I'm almost done with my 1st trimester and you've totally pulled me through with zero vomitting!!! Kudos to you, God... You've done it again! :) Amazed me with your simple miracles. Help me to enjoy every step of this pregnancy because like a friend told me, no subsequent one will be anything like it. Thank you for the joy and love that I feel already for this child just by hearing the heartbeat. You are an amazing Creator, and I could never express my gratitude and awe of your work enough! May your name be blessed!
Love you for always. -B.

Week 10: The News is Out!

Size of Baby: Prune
Symptoms: Forgetfulness, clumsiness, jacked up digestive system
Cravings: nothing too strong- LOVE cheeseburgers!
Aversions: apparently homemade tacos... or just fresh lettuce
Weight: 148

Journal:
 FINALLY! The news is out and I'm free as a bird. I love the freedom of not having to hold in a secret and watching what I say! :) It has been so fun letting people know we are expecting and seeing the full range of reactions: from "yeah i knew it" to sucking in all the oxygen from the room. You can guess which is more fun to see. I haven't made it facebook official yet as I type this, but will probably do so sometime today.

Andrew and I went to my first OB appointment on Tuesday and it was an awesome appointment! We met my doctor for the first time- Dr Karen Reiter in Defiance and I am so excited for her to be my doctor! She is energetic, positive, relaxed- not pushy, and super-friendly. Score! :) And the bonus is, she does family medicine so our whole family can continue to see her after the baby is born. Andrew already has his own doctor, so he won't and we haven't actually decided if we will have his doctor or my doctor be our baby's doctor... She said we have about 6 months to decide that!  Whoa.

At this first appointment there were a ton of questions, a slew of tests, and then the best part... we got to hear the heartbeat!!! It. was. amazing. It made it all SO very real! There really is a tiny little human inside my belly. WHAT?!? It's quite startling when you actually get your brain wrapped around it. Hearing that little rapid heartbeat felt like I already had a connection with the little guy! (or gal!) And I can't seem to put it into words, but it was there. It was definitely there.

I was on cloud 9 the rest of the day- which was spent at work! I told my boss and co-workers that day and it was so fun! What a relief to not have to hide things. I don't know how people do it.

One question we get asked a lot is if we are going to find out the sex of the baby... and our standard answer is, "We haven't decided yet." And we haven't. I would like to know because shoot- I wanna know! But I really don't want to get a bunch of boy or girl things given to me and I don't want a ton of clothes graciously given at a shower!! So if we do decide to find out- We won't be sharing the news with anyone... (or many). Plus, isn't it so much more fun to hear someone had a baby and you're like oo!! boy or girl?!?! name?!?! honestly, I don't care much about weight (unless its huge or tiny) and I certainly don't care about the length of a baby. But to each his own.

We are also planning on cloth diapering our little babe. Now you're probably thinking "SICK!" "ARE YOU A HIPPIE?!" or just "WHY?!?!"  and you may not know much or anything about MODERN cloth diapering. Much like I didn't!!! If you're thinking you were cloth diapered, as in your mom used cloth diapers... well of course she did- that was many many years ago.... It's come a long way! I do not plan on using the cloth diapers that my sister uses for burp rags, or big diaper pins, or vinyl pants. I plan on using BumGenius OS 4.0 diapers and Diaper Rite Pocket Diapers. They work basically the same was as disposables except I'll throw them in the wash instead of the landfill. I would certainly not proclaim to be a hippie... I would however claim to be a cheapie, and cloth diapering is WAY cheaper than disposables, especially if you have more than one kid in your life. The fact that it's more eco-friendly is just an added bonus in my mind! Another concern may be that I'll have to deal with poop. Well, friends, I would have to deal with poop anyway... When the babe is just breastfed the poop is water-soluble which means it doesn't need washed off before it gets thrown in the washer! And no- no poop will be on the rest of our clothes. Once they get older you just plop it in the toilet, which I don't feel is a big deal. The sticky, messy, non-ploppable kind can get sprayed into the toilet with a sprayer that attaches to the toilet, or with a spatula that stays in the bathroom. You may think that's disgusting. I think it's better than blowouts with disposables that get EVERYWHERE.    
That may have been a long defensive little spurt about cloth diapering but I'm really super-excited to try it. And maybe I really will hate it and cave after a while. I think we'll start trying it after the babe is 6-8 weeks old. I really don't think I'm a better person for trying cloth diapering (i'm just cheap), but I am aware of the negative thoughts people have towards it and that is probably why I am being defensive about it. Maybe you actually do cloth diaper (it is pretty popular... just not around here...) and love it! Either way, I'd love your support in this endeavor! :)

Well that was exciting. I think I'm done now... Let me go take some pictures of myself so you can see this little pooch I'm getting....!!!!  (ok so I just took those pictures at the top here this morning... last night i was MUCH bigger. The pooch is usually a food pooch but who cares!

Week 9: Actual Date of Writing: 7/17/13

Size of Baby: green olive/grape
Symptoms: terrible dreams, fatigue, larger boobs and boob parts, constipation
Cravings: still with the salty carbs- but not as strong as before, also fresh fruits sound good again!
Aversions: not too much- sweets have been reintroduced!
Weight: 148

Journal:
   Really?!? I haven't really gained weight yet?!? I feel like a fat lard! I thought/think I'd be so excited to start showing but actually- my flat stomach was the only thing I had going for me that I felt good about! Now my belly matches my flubby thighs, bedonkadonk butt, and massive muscle-less calves. Boo. I feel fat.

The bad thing is, I don't think I'm supposed to show this early, and it's probably just bloating but it's enough that I can't suck it in! What?!?!

So last weekend we FINALLY started telling people we're expecting! It was SO RELIEVING! I told Michelle on Skype on Friday- as the first official person to know! (not counting my massage therapist the night before!) She was super-excited and happy for me which of course made me super-excited! She then proceeded to dig out her fat-girl jeans and maternity shirts and books. :) She's the best. Our sister-in-law, Kate, has the rest of her maternity clothes but she is expecting her little girl in about a month so she said I could come get most of them whenever I want. She of course lives 5 hours  (too far) away!

The next day- at our Hershey Family Reunion I took mom to the dining hall to spread our her birthday present- the HUGE family tree! At the bottom of it I taped our little family tree to include "Lil Spotts- February 19, 2014." It took her 3 times of looking at it before she noticed it!!! :) Then as the extended family trickled in they saw it and the news spread! It was fun getting many great reactions. And somewhat awkward...

I learned everyone's first question is how I'm feeling (followed by "are you going to find out") When I say not bad, they are so happy and then hear that I was only 8 weeks along and said it could still come... BAH! I am feeling BETTER these days- not worse! :) God has been gracious to this poor soul.

We then told Andrew's parents Monday night when we invited ourselves for supper. We gave them diapers as a gift to open. Then we went to Clemma's and Jon & Jenny's and told them. Love all around.

I must say- I am a hugger and I feel like this is hug-worthy news so I'm a bit disappointed I'm not getting more hugs! Although, I admit- my cousin Lisa did hug and cry when I told her. Bless her for that! I guess I did know that most of my friends are not huggers. eh- I guess Andrew will just have to fill that void in my life! :)

We told Andrews other grandparents last night and now we just have our friends to tell!!! I am going to go visit Erika and Harley tonight and I can't wait to hear what she has to say!!!

Well- Time for another BLT!!! :)

Prayer:
   God thank you for being so gracious to me during this 1st trimester so far. Thank you that I can share this wonderful news with everyone and for their happiness and support! Amen.

Week 8: Actual Date of Writing: 7/9/13

Too lazy for a picture this week!

Size of Baby: Raspberry
Symptoms: massive burping, sore boobs, unstoppable crying, dropping/breaking EVERYTHING, nausea, weird dreams every night!
Cravings: French Fries! fried food, anything salty
Food Aversions: Salad, sweets, most things
Weight: 149

Journal:
   I just spent the first 5 1/2 hours of my day reading pregnancy blogs online. Any and all things pregnancy/baby/delivery. There is SO MUCH INFORMATION!!!!!!! The plan was to do lots of cleaning (our house REALLY needs it!) and laundry and make supper. I guess it's not too late for supper but pretty sure today was as unproductive as possible.

But I LOVE THE INFORMATION!!!! I didn't even put pants on until 1:00pm (one hour ago). Oh boy. I am such a winner.

My super-talented friend Erika Nofziger, however, had a very productive day today! She popped out baby Harley Michael this morning at 5am!!!! SOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!

Week 7 : Actual Date of Writing: 7/3/13

Week 7

Size of Baby: Blueberry
Symptoms: nausea! :( sore boobs, diarrhea, pregnancy brain, unstoppable crying, itchy skin (or maybe that's just from the sun)
Cravings: french fries, potato chips with dip, any fried food, toast (with anything on it), salty salty!
Aversions: anything sweet
Weight: 147

Journal:
Oh boy... this nausea better take a hike at least for a couple days! We are leaving tomorrow on our cycle with Kelby and Kendra and going to my parents. Friday we are Whitewater Rafting and coming back Saturday night/Sunday morning. I can not be sick for this! For one- we don't want anyone to know until the next week. For two- I really want to enjoy cycling and rafting! I have wanted to go WWR for years and will be so upset if I can't enjoy it!

So "morning sickness" decided to slowly make its debut this week. It's just nausea now- no vomit- for which I am so grateful! If I keep eating- keep my belly full- it goes away. But once I get hungry- nothing really sounds good!

I've had major pregnancy brain lately, too! Doing stupid stuff, like leaving by bra on the stove after taking a shower (?!?) to really clutzy stuff like knocking over a full glass of water by my nightstand looking for a hankie for my tears...

... Those tears were for my broken iPad that fell off the roof of my car. Bad, bad, bad. I could cry right now all over again just thinking about it.

We get to tell my family I'm pregnant next week!!!! Can't wait!!! :)

Prayer:
Dear God,
   Thank you for my good health and a good husband. Please please please let me enjoy our cycle trip and whitewater rafting this weekend without feeling sick.
You Rock,
  Amen.

Week 6 : Actual Date of Writing: 6/26/13

Size of Baby: Sweet Pea
Symptoms: fatigue, exhaustion, cramps, sore boobs, fear of nausea!
Weight: 148

Journal:
   I am SO glad we were just on vacation! I pretty much slept every change I got at Little Eden this week! And after being awake for a while, all I felt like doing was sleeping some more! :) I guess it's good that I could do that (& not feel guilty!) I may have annoyed some of my vacationing companions by only ever wanting to sleep or rest, but I feel ok about it- I mean, I'm growing a human being right now... that's hard work. Anyway- sleeping on the beach (Lake Michigan) may not have been the best choice. I got really burnt! My chest is the most burnt I've ever been in my life! Ooops!

I finally just made my first OB appointment! Unfortunately, it's not until I'm 10 weeks. Which is after the Hershey weekend- which is when we are planning to tell my parents (and probs the rest of the family) but I'm not sure about telling EVERYONE before I see the Dr! We shall see...

Time to go unpack!

God, Please!!!! no morning sickness!!!!!!
-Brittany

Week 5 : Actual Date of Writing: 6/19/13

Week 5

Size of Baby: Apple Seed
Symptoms: fatigue, occasional cramps
Weight: {am I really going to share this with the world???}  147

Week 5

Journal:
OH MY WORD! I'm PREGNANT! I still have to remind myself of this a couple times a day! So we have known for a week and a half. I figured out my due date and it looks like it's February 19! Hopefully it doesn't get moved up since my parents will be in Argentina on their bike ride!
Finding out: I had bought some pregnancy tests that said they could tell as early as 6 days before a missed period. I knew I wouldn't be able to wait so I chose those. {now after reading lots of pregnancy literature online I realize it's next to impossible to tell 6 days before, or at all before your missed period}... Andrew was in DC for work the week of the "6 day" mark but we were meeting at my parents for the weekend. On Thursday (6days prior) I took the test. I didn't read the directions- thinking how hard is it to pee on a stick? The results were negative. I was a little bummed but I hadn't given up hope because it was likely that it was too early to tell. So I left for my parents' Thursday evening. We came back Sunday and while Andrew was outside I took another test. This was 3 days before the missed aunt flo. It was POSITIVE!!! My initial reaction was big eyes and a big smile! I thought, "is this for real?!" "Uh oh!!!"
Andrew and I already invited Kelby and Kendra over for the evening to play some games so I didn't want to tell Andrew right before they got there! Of course, while they were here they made comments about being pregnant, etc... Little did ANYONE ELSE know!!! After they left I still didn't want to tell Andrew since we had been separated for a week.... if you catch my drift... So after we reconnected I came back upstairs and hopped into bed and said you better not fall asleep yet! I just looked at him and he knew right away. "Why? Are you pregnant?" "YUP!"
We are both excited. We are both scared! I have done a lot of reading already and Andrew has done some listening! :)

I really wanted (and still do!) to tell Michelle about it right away and also email Steph and tell her since she is in Australia/PNG! But Andrew won't let me. He said we should just enjoy this time that just the 2 of us know. (he is so wise) I was ok with this for the first week, but last night we may have had a little tiff over it. I feel like telling someone else will make it more REAL!

So now I need to find a doctor. I really want to see a midwife, or nurse practitioner, or at least a female Dr... But Andrew only has his male dr and since I'm can't talk to anyone about it, I have to do all my research online instead of asking friends!! I need to do some more research and just pick one so I can get my first appt scheduled! I should start a list of questions for her.

Everyone knows how much I would rather have a girl than a boy and wish everyone had girls, seems like everyone has boys! (except for my little friend, Eliana) I have such a strong connection to my niece, Greta, but not really to any boy babes... (again except for little Lowen who I babysit once a week...) Well-- The thought has already occurred to me- I really don't care if it's a boy or a girl! As long as I get a girl someday!

Many couples struggle over picking names for the babies, so it seems. I am so glad that Andrew and I already have a boy and girl name picked! Of course- it's always subject to change but at least we have ones we agree on! Hallelujah!

Well I'm exhausted and I think we're all caught up here... We go to Little Eden this weekend then Karla and the boys and Mom come out to visit. I've read week 6 is when you start feeling morning sickness so hopefully I don't get that! Please, Lord! Spare me! The week after that we go home on the cycles with Kelby and Kendra and go White Water Rafting and the week after that is the Hershey Weekend! I guess we will be telling people before we know it!

MY PRAYER:
Dear Lord, Please bless my little appleseed baby. Help him/her to develop into a strong, healthy, God-fearing child. Help Andrew and I to know what to do during these next couple of weeks! Help us know when the right time is to tell our family and friends. and Lord, THANK YOU for giving us this blessing and allowing my body the miracle of growing a baby. All my love, all my life.
Brittany