Envisioning Our Future Family

As I've discussed at length on this blog the waiting and praying aspect of this pregnancy will not completely subside until we are holding a healthy baby in a few months. However, as time has passed and we have been reassured by doctors that things are looking very good, it is more comfortable for me to start thinking about what those first days following the delivery will look like. More importantly maybe, how will those first days feel. For some reason I have always been a "we shall see" kind of guy. Always looking forward. I am aware enough to live in the now as well, but my nature thought process involves dreaming of the future.

I find myself starting to do that again as the reality of this pregnancy sets in. My mindset to this point has been guarded. I refer to this mindset as cautious optimism. At some point, as expected, the cautious component has eroded a great deal in recent weeks. I sat in front of the television the other day before going to bed and I started thinking about what are family will be like come January 2010. I could not help but smile. I had our puppy, Eleanor, sleeping on my lap and the thought of a newborn baby in my mind.

As you can see the excitement is starting to break down the fear for both of us. Less than two weeks until our ultrasound. I have a hunch that we'll see a little girl in there, but I have no basis for that other than a gut feeling. I have five total nieces and nephews with four girls and one boy making up the group. All I care about at this or any point during the pregnancy is that baby and Karyn are healthy. However, on August 24th my mental picture of our quickly approaching future family will take on much more detail. Stayed tuned....

Weekend with Alayna, Alicia and Rusty

We just concluded a great weekend with Alayna, Alica and Rusty. We're so thankful that they made the trip up from Lincoln to visit us. Selfishly, it was too bad that the weather didn't cooperate yesterday. My baseball game was postponed to Monday, but we had the whole day to hang out. Alicia and Rusty were gracious enough to bring their P90x workout regime with for the weekend. We made it through the "motherload" workout, Plyometrics, on Saturday morning. Karyn got a kick out of it. I can only imagine how funny at times it was to watch us struggle through various segments. I've decided to enlist in the program as soon as I can get a copy of it shipped. Don't worry I won't post before and after photos on this site.

Anyway it was great to see the new baby and the new parents in action. Weekends like this make me really miss all of my family a great deal. Since this site will be limited to family I feel obligated to state or restate my open invitation to all of our family. You can visit at any time and we would strongly encourage you to think about relocating to the Madison area. I'll offer to help on both sides of the move if necessary.

17 Weeks

And another week flies by!! I am now 17 weeks and 2 days. The past few weeks have been trying for me: and to quantify this, I am not complaining - just documenting. I am hoping down the road this little one will wonder, "How was it being pregnant?" And I want to be able to remember, both the good and bad. So really, this is just for accuracy reasons :) About 2 weeks ago, because I was having such a tough time sleeping, I bought a body pillow. All in all, this has been a worthwhile purchase. I have to admit though, I still do not sleep well. Most nights I am still getting up 3-4 times to go to the bathroom. And after that, it takes me at times quite a long time to get comfortable again. However, last night I was able to sleep from about 10:30 until 5:00 am!! I wonder if its because I was tired after volleyball? If so, I should play every night. My wonderful husband has been opting for the couch most nights as of recent. I think its a win - win though: I can toss and turn and usually sleep better and Nate LOVES the couch. Believe me: I haven't even asked him to sleep somewhere else.... I think this was his suggestion! I am cranky when I get woken up by him after a bad night sleep.Just the past few days, I have been feeling a bit more nauseous in the morning, mainly when I am brushing my teeth. It goes away when I am done, but its still odd because that had not been happening for a long time now!
I feel really good almost all day long - baby must like my job: even all the bending, reaching, stretching, etc that it brings me. However, once I am done with work, we have an entirely different story. I start to become very uncomfortable in the evening. At times its even difficult for me to eat supper - yet I always manage to cram something in! My stomach starts to feel very hard with aches and pains galore! My doctor told me at my 16 week checkup that its due to ligament/muscles stretching. That means its going to get worse, huh? Ironically, I feel the best when I am lying on my stomach with a pillow under my stomach/chest area or lying flat on my back. The baby/belly doesn't enjoy much time on my sides, especially when I am already feeling achy.
Every once and awhile, I feel like I may be starting to feel the baby move??? And I try not to get too excited, seeing as how it may just be gas (yes, still lots of that feeling going on)!!!I am somewhat amazed that we're already at 17 weeks - only 3 more weeks until our next ultrasound! I am excited to find out if its a little boy or girl in my belly! Nate is convinced its going to be a girl, but I have no feelings one way or the other at all! And no crazy dreams or premonitions either....
Below is a picture taken on August 1, 2009 (16 weeks 4 days)

My regular clothes are starting to get uncomfortable. I still wear almost all my regular pants because maternity pants are just too big still - they almost make me look worse! I have definitely been wearing maternity tops at tops however! And thanks to my sister Kate, I just doubled my maternity wardrobe!! So, thanks!

Not so Hot!

WARNING: So lately, for about the past couple weeks, I have not enjoyed this whole pregnancy thing has not been very fun! And to think, everything I read tells me that you start feeling better during the second trimester. Well, this hasn't been the case for me yet! I have started getting pretty regular headaches, which are miserable. I have continued to have an unbelievable amount of bloating/gassy feelings. Rolaids are helpful at times, but nighttime is the worse. I was thinking it was maybe because I was eating too close to going to bed, but changing my ways still hasn't made a difference. It is very hard for me to get comfortable, and I seem to toss and turn throughout the whole night. I am also having increased "cramping" type pains in my sides. I suppose this is because my stomach is trying to allow space for a baby but right now it sure is uncomfortable.

So, moral of this post: Not sleeping well and not feeling well makes for a crabby Karyn. And Nate makes it worse. BEWARE!

15 weeks

It's been some time since I wrote, but I promise its been for good reason. We have been very busy lately. Here's a small recap.
1. On July 1, 209 (at 12 weeks) I had a doctor appointment. Finally, with the actual doctor this time. It was good to meet him. Although, as I think I've said before, we have no guarantee that he will be delivering our little one. He was pretty friendly and answered our questions. Although, I know for sure that my "pregnancy brain" has kicked in because the few questions I wanted to ask didn't get asked. Or maybe because at this visit we heard our baby's heartbeat for the FIRST time. We were caught up with hearing that wonderful sound, and getting some much needed reassurance. The doctor said the heartbeat was around 150 bpm. And he also told us that our risk of miscarriage at this point has dropped significantly, from about 25% to 5%. He also told us that he feels confident we can share our news with people now!!!
2. On July 3, 2009 we flew to Arcadia for a week+ vacation. Much needed, I must say. We were able to see all my immediate family, except my older sister. We had pretty good weather and besides that just did a lot of relaxation. It's funny to me that all those summer drinks now look so appealing!! We shared our good news with all my brothers and sisters. And swore them all to secrecy. My second youngest sister thinks like me: She wanted to know if we were sure if the baby "would actually come this time?" All we can do is pray.
3. While over in MI, Nate and I decided to take a couple days and visit Macinac Island. We had very nice weather, did a lot of walking.... and some eating of course. And despite having a haunted room at our bed and breakfast (#7) we had a good time seeing the sites and traveling back in time.
4. On July 16, 2009 (back home) my Grandma and Aunt came to have lunch and see our new house. It was so nice to see them. It had been about 6 months since I had seen my grandma. Plus, I was able to tell her, in person, our great news. My grandma has been very supportive after our past struggles. And for my birthday this past year, had given my a "hope angel". I think of her every time I see it. And believe me, we have much to be hopeful for!
5. On July 17, 2009, Nate and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary. How does that happen? Time flies. Because I haven't been feeling well lately I wasn't up to do much. We did go to a movie (UP) and then grabbed an appetizer (or 2) afterward. I thought at one point that this will be our last anniversary before parenthood. I get more excited everyday!!!

Below are some pictures of our past few weeks. Enjoy!

  

10 weeks

10 weeks already.... sadly it really is more like, "Only 10 weeks?" 

Apparently, this is what 10 weeks brings us: Baby’s crown to rump length is 2.5-3.0 cm. Your baby weighs about 3-5 grams. All of your baby’s organ systems are present now. Your baby’s facial features are formed now. Right now, your baby’s head is very large in comparison to the rest of her body. Your baby’s head makes up half of your baby’s size.

This past weekend we had the opportunity to see my sister and her husband, and their son Connor. Also, my sister Kalyn came over. WHY? To assist me in baby-sitting Conner for the day while Kate and Patrick were at a wedding. He is already almost 4 months old. And lets just say, it was a good experience. To add to our chaos, Nate and I have a new 4-legged baby. We adopted an 8 week old puppy from the humane society. Her name is Eleanor. Not only have we already had to take her to the vet for IV fluids, and antibiotics, she is now growing into a real handful. They say a puppy is good experience for a baby. If so, I am in trouble! I don't have the most patience for her. Especially when I just get in from taking her outside and she pees on the floor 2 minutes later. GRRR. 

A couple pictures are posted below: 

8 Weeks

Today, I am 8 weeks pregnant. My mom called today while I was at work and informed me, "8 down, 32 to go." Thanks, right?!?! I am continuing to not feel well, which I know is a good thing. However, it is getting annoying. I am feeling a little better throughout the day, but sleeping is a battle. I struggle getting to sleep and toss and turn a lot. I have become a very light sleeper as well. Bad combination. I continue to go to the bathroom at least 3 times a night!

I read a week by week pregnancy update. At 8 weeks it says: "Baby’s crown to rump length is 12 mm. Baby weighs about 1 gram. Baby’s external ears are forming. Her/His primary or “baby” teeth buds are forming now. Her/His permanent teeth buds will be formed later. Baby’s optic nerve and eye lids are also forming. You can’t feel your baby moving yet but her/his arms and legs are moving now."

Isn't that crazy to think about!!! At the ultrasound (almost a week ago) I was pretty sure I could make out the eyes and arms. Now to think that those arms and legs are moving is just amazing! It is so much fun to imagine and think about all the changes that are taking place. We are praying that the little ones heart continues to beat so he/she continues to grow and develop.

I had my first doctor appointment on Friday, May 29th. The visit was just an initial consultation with the RN. Now let me preface this with saying I left the best OB-GYN and staff when we had to move to Madison. All of our suffering would have been ten times worse if it hadn't been for their support, education and availability. My OB-GYN would call me just to check on me. I told my husband that I would do anything to continue to see him. Unfortunately, the 2 hour drive and the fact that my insurance would not cover them has sort of eliminated that idea. So, I am meeting with this nurse, who was pleasant, but just wasn't what I needed. She was disorganized and a bit cold. Now maybe I am just overreacting (not like that happens during pregnancy at all) but after I left I just felt so uneasy. Hopefully my next appointment on June 10th will go better. I still won't even see the OB-GYN until I am at 12 weeks!!!! So of course, after I left my first appointment, I called my old OB-GYN and spoke with his nurse, Molly. She made me feel so much better!!!!