Monthly Checkup

Yesterday we went for our 16 week appointment. After doing the usual the appointment ritual it was time to listen to Peanut's heartbeat. Tim said he was thinking "Run Peanut Run". That way he wouldn't look so bad since he was having a hard time finding the heartbeat the last couple of times we searched for Peanut. The doctor searched for a minute or so and couldn't locate Peanut, so she decided to get he ultrasound machine so as not to freak us out. The moment she used the ultrasound she found Peanut right away and everything looked great. The heartbeat was strong, and she said no wonder she couldn't find the baby because s/he was moving around like crazy. She said I should be able to feel something soon because we watched Peanut punching hands around and moving legs all over the place. She did try to see what we were having but she said Peanut was keeping the legs together so she couldn't see. Afterwards, Tim and I were so thankful Peanut was being shy because we didn't want her to spill the beans at that moment. We were also excited because Peanut gave us a sneak peek before our next appointment. We scheduled our next appointment for the anatomy scan ultrasound at the end of October. That visit is going to be all day because we have the long ultrasound, 20 week appointment, and 1 hour glucose test. We can't believe we are just 3 weeks away from being at the halfway point. I am so blessed because things have been going so well!

Cat and Mouse!

Today we got back from our crazy busy weekend in Omaha, to find a new little toy in the mailbox. We received a fetal doppler that we couldn't wait to test out. Our last appointment was at 12 weeks, on Thursday I am 16 weeks, and our next appointment isn't until next Tuesday. Needless to say, little miss patience was having a hard time waiting to hear from Peanut. After quickly unpacking our things, we broke out the doppler. Tim was operating the wand while I stared at the ceiling waiting to hear the sound of Peanut's heartbeat. After about 15 minutes, he decided to let me have a try. We were successful in finding the sound of my blood flow, which I guess is always a good sound. Finally after 25 minutes, Tim was able to find Peanut. That was the beginning of the game. For the next 10 minutes, Tim chased Peanut with the wand. We were able to hear the heartbeat for a few seconds and then it would fade and move somewhere else. So then Tim would move toward the sound and we could listen for a little while before Peanut moved again. We weren't able to get a consistent number, but the heartbeat was usually in the 140s. Finally a little peace of mind until a week from Tuesday.

This weekend we were incredibly blessed with the love from our families. Peanut received several gifts from relatives that were very much appreciated. Thank you so much family for loving our new, little family so much, and showing your love with adorable gifts.

Secret's Out!

Tears were shed, hugs were had, and advice was given! We are so excited to have shared the news of Peanut with family and friends. Now we no longer have to hide our elation, and we have many ears willing to listen to our excitements and fears. Although we are still reveling in the excitement, this is thus far the worst part of the pregnancy. I am happy to report that many of the annoying symptoms of pregnancy that were present in the first trimester have now dissipated. On the other hand, we are impatiently waiting for some movement from Peanut. This in between stage is the most difficult because I don't "feel" pregnant, but I also know I will long for these days in just a few weeks. We are counting down the days until our 16 week appointment so we can hear Peanut's heartbeat again. In the meantime, we watch as our Lemon grows into a Naval Orange, and each week we read what Peanut did last week and what the activities will be for the next week. Tim sends text messages asking how Peanut and me are doing, so we are already feeling like a family. Peanut, mommy and daddy love you so much and can't wait for you to feel the love of our family; Baxter and Ginger want to give you kisses too!

Keeping the secret

The last seven days have been pretty rough for us, we lost our beloved grandma. Needless to say peanut was put on the back burner for a little while to focus on the rest of our mourning family. Peanut was not on the back burner for long, since each day we were in Omaha there was a family gathering at my aunt and uncle's house. With all the food and beverages it was hard to keep the secret since Emily does like to have the occasional glass of wine. Emily and I had our hands full trying to keep the focus on the family and not on the fact that Emily was not having any wine. Hanging with the family would have been a great time to spill the beans but we had planned to let the secret out this coming weekend, so we needed to keep quiet. It was really tough too since we heard Peanut's heartbeat last week, a steady 155 bpm!

I wish we could have told my grandma before she passed but it quickly came to our attention that grandpa could not keep the secret any longer. He must have wanted to tell her so bad that he persuaded her to come and hang out with him in heaven. Well the good thing is that they are together and they can watch over the whole family no matter where we are.

There were many stories shared and many discussions on grandma and grandpa's love for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Uncle Kenny did remind me that another chapter has come to a close, and that we will have to make sure the book stays open. My dad also told Emily's mom that it was weird how God takes one loved one and gives you another one. How did he know peanut was on the way? A sneaky suspicion? Little did he know. Well, only one day left and we can't wait to tell everyone this weekend.

A Trip to Exhaustion

We managed to survive the Las Vegas trip, but we were all exhausted. We spent a couple of days at the pool complex, which was incredibly relaxing after all the walking and staying out late. It was much more fun with the group of people we had there with us, especially since we didn't spend much time gambling. We were unsuccessful in keeping our secret for the entire trip, but once we filled people in on Peanut I was given a pass for resting and turning in earlier than others. After all the craziness of Vegas, we were super excited to get home and rest with our puppies! Baxter and Ginger were a little reluctant to go home with us because they had such a good time at their resort, but when we got back to the house everyone crashed.

The other big event that has happened over the past week, is my preference for looser clothing including maternity pants. While we were in Vegas, I had to leave dinner early and buy some different pants because the pressure was starting to make me sick. The weekend we got back I had to work, so I definitely broke our the paneled khakis. I am only 10 weeks and 4 days, but sometimes regular pants just don't cut it. Our journey continues as we have successfully made it to double digit weeks, Hooray!!! We are so excited to tell our families in just a couple of weeks, we even ordered our bottles for sharing our secret!

Peanut's First Photo

Today we were able to meet our little Peanut. According to the doctor we are still on track for March 17, 2011. The most exciting part of the appointment came when we heard Peanut's heartbeat, going strong at 157 bpm. After the doctor took measurements, which wasn't easy because she said, "Your kid is moving around so I can't get a great picture," we were able to see Peanut. Wait your kid what? That definitely hit home with Tim, yikes this is real! We were able to see this image along with a little flashing light signifing a healthy heartbeat. Peanut is looking to the left here and the body arcs in a backward letter C. In a couple of weeks the picture should be a little easier to make out, and "look more like a gummy bear." This appointment put a lot of our worries to rest since it was confirmation of a little baby beginning to grow. It also was the first time we felt like parents, and the amazing love for someone we haven't even met yet. Only 1 more day until 9 weeks, and 4 weeks until the family shares this journey!

Fun Weekend ending on a Sour Note

This weekend marked the last weekend of our 2nd month, and unfortunately it was an eventful one. The good part of the weekend was having Brian and Melissa come to visit and bring their two little ones. It was their first visit to our home, so we were really excited to spend the weekend with them. The weekend was filled with golf, Wii, visiting the zoo, sun, and staying up much later than normal. We tried hard not to spill our secret, maybe they have their hunches but they didn't act like it around us. Fortunately they are really busy with their two little ones, so hopefully they didn't notice my strange behavior. First off, they brought some wine to try. Not being one to pass on a glass, I tried to push the beer over the wine for the boys so it wouldn't be so obvious if I didn't have a glass. We had plans for a cookout on Saturday night, right about the time dinner was ready I experienced a wonderful wave of nausea. I spent the dinner on the couch while everyone else ate. Sunday was much better in the morning, we played a round of golf. The best part was being outside enjoying the summer sun with a nice breeze. Unfortunately the time came for everyone to leave, after they packed up and headed out we enjoyed a quiet afternoon including a relaxing nap. Later that evening the nausea came back with a vengeance. After showering and getting ready for bed, my stomach starting aching. I took some Tums since that is the cure-all for tummy aches in our house, only to notice a little while later that it wasn't helping. I was lying in bed trying to relax to drift off to sleep only to have the sudden urge to get sick. This was the closest I have come so far to getting sick. I ate a couple of crackers and drank a little ginger ale, but the feeling didn't subside. I was so tired from the weekend, so I laid on my side and let my eyes close in the hopes of falling asleep and sleeping through the nausea. I woke up at 2am for my ritualistic bathroom run feeling much better. I am very happy that my nausea doesn't hit me early in the morning, but I wish this part of the pregnancy would end soon. My nausea comes late afternoon and lasts off and on throughout the evening. I also have a food aversion to almost everything, the thought of meal planning or preparation makes me sick to my stomach. I just hope I am eating enough good nutrients for peanut to continue to grow. Brian and Melissa thank you so much for making the trip to visit us, we had so much fun and can't wait to do it again soon. I apologize for my tiredness and bouts of nausea, I know you will understand in just a few weeks! Love you!