First Prenatal Appointment

Jellybean, someone goofed in the office and scheduled us for two weeks early.  Consequently, I didn't get to hear your little heart beat today.  I'll go in (hopefully with Jared this time) in four weeks where we'll hear the heartbeat and get bloodwork to check if you have Downs syndrome, etc. 

Lots of questions today, both from the doctor and from me.  Our doctor was very informative and helpful with the questions I had, and she seemed pleased with the answers I gave to her questions.  Since your mommy is on the heavy side, I'm only supposed to gain 15-18 pounds during pregnancy.  I've gained 1.5 in the two months so far.  I was poked and prodded, and hopefully all the tests that were run today will come back normal.  All in all, it felt almost like a normal doctor's visit, although I really wish I could've heard that heart beat!

Eighth Week

Today I start my eighth week of pregnancy.  It seems to be going so slowly, but I'm pretty sure that's because we're not telling anyone for almost four more weeks.

Jellybean, you've been stingy with the morning sickness recently, which I appreciate.  I'm not enjoying it, but I can manage through it most of the time.  Other than that, my breasts hurt all the time and I have a hard time staying warm, and I smell stuff that seems impossibly small or far away.  No heartburn, no cravings.

Books that I've read say that Jellybean is 10,000 times bigger now than at conception.  S/He is about half an inch long this week--ready to outgrow his/her name! 

Two more days of work, and then we have our first appointment on Wednesday!

Fighting Back

I did some research and went to the grocery store for the following: ginger snaps, gingerale, crystalized ginger, rice cakes, lemons, lemonade, and pretzels.  All of these things are supposed to help with my morning sickness.  I can tell a difference so far, using the gingerale, lemons and rice cakes.  I was wearing Sea Bands for a few days, but my wrist is itchy and looks red and puffy today. 

Two of my coworkers are pressuring me about a possible pregnancy.  I continue to tell them I'm just tired, my stomach is upset, and when there's news to share, I'll make sure they know.  I'm pretty sure they've figured it out, though!

Jellybean, we have 6 days until our first doctor's appointment together!

Hello, Morning Sickness!

I'm back from Alabama and back at work.  But today was the hardest Monday I've had in a while.  On Sunday, the first day of my seventh week, morning sickness reared its ugly head.  I've been sick 5 times in 2 days, and spent both days--minus a few hours each evening--feeling incredibly nauseous and weak.  I immediately went and bought Sea Bands, and they seem to help a little, but I'd love to find something that will take it away completely!  It's miserable.  And I can't garner any sympathy from anyone, since we haven't told anyone yet.  At least our Track Out is coming up.  Six more days of work, and then we're out for three and a half weeks! 

Alabama

I'm posting from Wetumpka, Alabama today--my first trip while pregnant.  I rode down yesterday with my parents and brother, through two lightning storms and three hail storms.  My mother's side of the family has an annual Easter reunion that we try to make each year. 

Her father, my grandaddy, passed away last December, and my mimi was moved up to Birmingham for assisted care.  The house they have lived in is now vacant, and my brother and I have been exploring and uncovering some interesting things.  Here are some favorites:

a WWII gas mask
a police department finger printing kit
all sorts of currency from Israel
nitroglycerine pills from about 20 years ago
all sorts of ammunition--from pistols to shotguns to crossbows

We're sorting through a lot of papers and pictures, and doing a lot of landscaping....trying to keep the property looking well and eventually getting it ready to sell.  This may be the last time I come down to Wetumpka--there's really nothing left here for me, since Mimi has been moved up to Birmingham, and that's also where my uncle and his family live.

Beat Goes On

Yesterday was Jared's first day at his new job.  He's enjoying it so far--helpful co-workers, a relaxed atmosphere, etc.  We hope this will be a long-term place for him! 

My job is going ok, too.  Administration and I have spoken about next year's possibilities, so I'll be waiting to see where that goes.  My students will have an Easter egg hunt on Thursday--I think we have close to 375 eggs to share amongst the 20 of them.  I won't be there, though....I'm taking the day off to travel to Alabama with my family.  My mother's side of the family gets together for an Easter reunion every year.  It'll be hard to be there around everyone and not say anything about Jellybean. 

I have both grandmothers left in this world, but they both have developed dementia.  One doesn't know me from a rabbit, the other calls me everything from Bethany to Maribell to trying to order lunch from me.  It makes me a little sad that, even if they live long enough to be great-grandmothers (for the sixth time, in one of the cases, the first in the other), that they won't understand or comprehend it, and will not be able to develop a relationship with their great-grandchild. 

On the other side of the coin, Jared's grandmother is quick-witted, smart-mouthed, has at least one glass of wine a day and Wednesdays are naked days.  Mmhm.

Name Game

It's still 2.5 weeks until my first prenatal appointment, but Jared and I have wasted no time jumping on the name game.  We have a slew that we are considering.  Here are some first names that both of us like:

Avery, Riley, Aidan
Faith, Katherine

Here are some of his favorites:

Colin, Atreyu, Joshua, Daniel
Vivian, Rebecca, Michelle, Skye

And here are some of mine:

Henry, David, Wesley, Sean
Sophia, Joanna