WE'RE EXPECTING!!!!

November of 2009 we found out I was pregnant, but for whatever God's reasons were it did not last (I will not go into details, those who know what happened understand). That was the most heartbreaking thing I've ever had to go through. I don't how I would have gotten through it without my wonderful husband by my side, he truly is amazing. We had to wait a while before we could start trying again, and 6 months later... I'M PREGNANT!!!

In June we went on a cruise with Brian's family and when we came home I thought I'd take a pregnancy test just for fun... I honestly wasn't excepting it to be positive, since the ones a couple months before were negative. I set it on the counter and was waiting the 5 minutes, like the directions said; but Brian decided he'd look. I yelled at him not to touch it, it hadn't been 5 minutes. He looked at me with a smile, and of course I looked confused. I said, "Well, what does it say? Negative right?" And he just kept smiling and I finally said, "NO WAY! Are you serious, it's positive!?!?!" He shook his head yes, and I started jumping for joy!

First pregnancy test taken 6.11.10... but of course, considering what happened last time and the fact that I could not see the doctor til I was at least 7 weeks along, I took another test four (6.15.10) days later.. just to make sure. You have to make sure. And it was still positive!!! YAY!!! (However, I'm only going to put up with one picture of the test, haha.)

Last time, since we were so excited we told everyone and put it on Facebook, way early than we should have and had to explain, too many times, what happened. So this time we 

decided we'd wait til we went to our first doctor's appointment before we'd tell our families (which would be 7-8 weeks along) and then wait til the end of the first trimester before telling friends and the world of Facebook (which would be 12-13 weeks along). However, I somewhat broke that rule and told my close girl friends once I had gone to the doctor the first, I was just so excited!!! 

We had our first doctor's appointment on July 2, 2010 at 7 weeks and 3 days. I was more than a bit nervous because of our visits last time. The doctor came in, wheeling what I swear is an ultrasound from the 1980's, into the room. After asking routine questions, we get to the ultrasound. And after what seemed like half an hour, but was really like 2 minutes, I saw a blob on the screen. And it's tiny little heart beating, I couldn't breathe...this was our baby, this is what we've wanted for so long. It was very exciting! After the ultrasound and conformation of the pregnancy, I preceded  to the blood taking area - where I was stabbed (that's right stabbed) twice!! In both arms, yes for someone whose job is to take blood ALL DAY, EVERY DAY... she, for some reason, cannot find my vein in my right arm and takes out the needle, grabs another one and stabs my left arm. And for someone who is around people all day, she's not a people person. I am NOT a needle/shots person at all. I even hate my finger being pricked. And I was talking to Brian and our awesome nurse about the fact that I didn't like needles and so on. The blood taking lady preceded to say, "Well then, you shouldn't have gotten pregnant and you'll have to get used to it." WELL THANK YOU BITCH! I am aware of this, but that doesn't mean I have like it or enjoy it (being stabbed with needles).  

This is our first ultrasound, taken on July 2, 2010 at 7 weeks and 3 days pregnant! You can see the yolk sac (the small white circle), the baby (in the middle, kind of looks like a jellybean), and the umbilical cord (which goes from the baby to the edge of the sac). And since our baby looked like a jellybean (as the doctor called it), that is the nickname for our child until we know the sex. So until the end of September, our child will  be known as Jellybean Thomas (Don't make fun!)

So the first trimester of pregnancy, I thought, was pretty easy.  I was nauseous most of the trimester, but only vomited a couple of times (like 5 times tops), so I thought I had it pretty good on that. I was extremely tired though, like extremely! I could sleep for 12 hours at night and take like a 5 hour nap during the day and still be able to sleep the following night for another 12 hours.... not that I'm complaining. And I had to pee every 20 minutes, SERIOUSLY! But overall I think the first trimester was pretty easy for me, so I'm not complaining at all. However, I this feeling that when I become pregnant with our second child, I highly doubt I'll be as lucky with the first trimester symptoms.

Our second appointment was on July 30, 2010, however it was not a normal "check-up" visit. We have decided to have three tests done, not that I'm high risk or anything, but our insurance covers these tests 100% so we thought, why not? We had an NT and lab work done, as well as the cystic fibrosis test done. The NT test is done by ultrasound and measures the fluid in the baby's neck as well as the bridge bone in there nose. NT tests for spina bifida and down syndrome. Both the NT ultrasound and the cystic fibrosis tests came back NEGATIVE, which is great!!! And all my lab work was prefect! So we were very excited about that. We were not expecting to get any pictures during this ultrasound or to be able to see the baby as clearing and for as long as we did. The appointment lasted at least 30 minutes, in which we saw both arms and hands, both legs and feet, and the baby's nose. :0) We also saw the heart fluttering again, but this time we got to HEAR the heartbeat, which was a surprise to us because we thought that we wouldn't be able to hear it until our 12 week appointment. It was so wonderful to look at the screen and see a life forming in your stomach. I will admit I was still shocked when I saw Jellybean on the screen again, it's hard to believe that something that wonderful is growing in your stomach, until you can actually feel it kick. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen and was overwhelmed with joy when I watched Jellybean "jumping" in my belly. I know Brian was overwhelmed as well. And the ultrasound machine used for this test was one of the high-tech GE huge ultrasound machines. It was just wonderful!!

Here is a picture of Jellybean on July 30, 2010 at 11 weeks and 3 days! (However Jellybean was measuring almost 12 1/2 weeks!) After seeing our baby's head, I sure hope it's body catches up!!! Both Brian and I had heads too big for normal delivery. So we'll see! You can see Jellybean's nose, which is so cute!! As well as Jellybean's ears! Although it looks like Jellybean still has a tail.

On August 2, 2010, at 12 weeks along, we had our third appointment, which was our second "standard check-up". During this appointment I was asked routine questions and so able to hear Jellybean's heart again!! :0) The doctor counted the heartbeat, 160 BPM!!! Which she said was perfectly normal! I have another appointment on August 31, 2010 at 16 weeks along, but only for more blood tests, registering for classes, and hearing the heartbeat again :0) I can't wait to find out the sex of the baby! But that won't happen til at til 20 weeks, which is September 28!!! :0)

I have to say that I absolutely LOVE my doctor and nurse! I'm glad I chose to stick with the practice I've been going to since I was 18. And what I think makes this even more special is that the OB/GYN practice I'm going to is the same one my mom went to when she was pregnant with me and the same practice that delivered me, however, I have a different doctor. Dr. Fisch is great!

I'm currently 14 1/2 weeks along and I'm definitely showing, which is exciting! I've also gone maternity shopping at Gap and Old Navy which has the BEST maternity clothes, in my opinion! But luckily a lot of my shirts still fit, I just need pants. I am looking forward to the rest of our journey through pregnancy and can't wait to meet our first child!!! And in case you were wondering we've already picked names - (Boy: John Cayden Thomas; Girl: Peyton Elizabeth Thomas). 

So it's official, we're expecting our first child February 15, 2010 - a Valentine's baby! We're so excited!!!!