Going Public

Ruby kissing the Baby

We had our second appointment with the OB doctor this week for the 13 week genetic scan and check-up. Nick was able to make this appointment and got to be there for the ultrasound. The little baby was pretty cooperative at the beginning and then turned and appeared to fall asleep so the tech struggled to get the measurement she wanted. I think she was able to get it eventually. The baby had his/her hands up and legs crossed at the ankles.

Yesterday afternoon we decided to make the announcement official and posted a video clip on Facebook. We, of course, got much congratulations and excitement from friends and family after they learned of our news. It was fun to be able to finally share this with the world.

Ruby is enjoying giving the baby kisses and rubbing Mama's belly. She says that she is having a baby sister. It will be about 7 weeks until we can know that with any certainty.

I was back to the gym yesterday and hoping I can have a strong and fit second trimester. I am in the 13th week already...my has it flown by!

12 Weeks

12-weeks pregnant outside our home

It's hard to believe we are almost done with the first trimester! I am in the 12th week and things have been going OK pregnancy-wise. I am almost done with my antibiotics for my sinus problems and I think I will feel better when that is over with. I have been a little dizzy at times and very tired.

Other than that, we are just really working hard right now. Nick is in the final couple weeks of his semester of MBA classes, which is always stressful. He will then start a class for his study abroad and leave for Chile in mid-June! I am working 7 days a week now on average as I am seeing clients on weekends. My goal is to save money from my private practice work for my maternity leave since my agency doesn't offer any paid leave benefits. Although that is upsetting, I am at least glad I do have an opportunity to be able to make some money that can cover that period of time.

Ruby seems to be excited about being a big sister and has told all her friends and teachers, who are now asking me "is it true?" I think we will probably make the public announcement next week, after the 13 week genetic scan. Like before, it is hard for me to begin thinking seriously about names until I know the baby's sex. We will have to wait a while longer for that I think.

I am enjoying the few pieces of maternity clothes I am wearing and really need to buy some more. I think that the baby growth is more apparent earlier this time around.

Under the Weather

It has been a challenging week. I have not been feeling well and the rest of the family is sick as well. I went to the doctor yesterday after about 4 days of not being able to breathe and feeling pretty crummy. I got an antibiotic for a sinus infection. I am hoping that it helps fast, and that the baby continues to be healthy and not impacted by my illness or medications. Sleep has been rough because of not being able to breathe.

Yesterday I told my co-workers that I am pregnant. They were happy for me and I am glad that I have that behind me so I don't have to try to conceal it anymore. I have gained probably 6 lbs already and credit that mostly to eating a lot and not exercising as much. I did my kickboxing class once last week but afterward I felt like it might have been a little too much, so my plan is to scale back and wait until my 13 week appointment before I get back in there in a modified way.

Anyway, this week is all about getting better and feeling back to our normal selves!

9-Week Appointment

Monday was our first appointment at the new doctor's office. Nick was not able to make it this time,  but hopefully he can go next time. I went in for ultrasound and got to see a little figure of a person. The baby was moving a lot, the tech said. She dated me at 9 weeks pregnant and set the due date for October 28, 2016.

I then met with the nurse for genetic counseling and finally met Dr. Chao. I liked the doctor a lot. She is young-probably around my age, and had good energy. I will see her again in 4 weeks for a check-up and first trimester screening for genetic abnormalities. They will do another ultrasound at this appointment.

Overall I have been feeling very tired, very hungry and still recovering from my cold & allergies. I haven't been to my exercise classes in a couple weeks now. I just don't have the energy right now. I am hoping that will change soon, because I know it would be good for us.  Monday evening I also got out my tub of maternity clothes. There is not a lot in there, so I will need to do some shopping soon. Tuesday we went out for Mexican food and I decided that would be a good time to get into the maternity jeans! I am feeling much bigger in the stomach already, even though it is early. I don't have any shame in wearing the stretchy pants.

Ruby has told the neighbors about the baby I and told Diana last week. I haven't announced it at work yet, but will probably do that in a couple weeks.

Travels

This past week, I traveled to Washington, D.C. with a group of University Students to attend a conference, Aging in America. I was feeling pretty good going into it, but the travel was exhausting (up at 2AM) and straight into long days of conference. I either have a cold and/or allergies and it made it pretty difficult at times to engage and stay alert. I did venture  out into D.C. with the students a couple times, once at night to see the White House, Lincoln Memorial and MLK Memorial. We finished a long cold trek at The Old Abbitt Grill, which was nice. I was exhausted by the end of it all and was out a few hours past my intended bed time. One of the students in the group told me she knew I was pregnant--that she could tell when she saw me at the airport Sunday morning! I was shocked. We also went out to see the Cherry Blossoms in bloom at the Tidal Basin and they were lovely, but not good for my sinus issues.

It was so nice to get home Thursday evening. I am still not feeling well, but hoping it will pass by the time I go back to work Monday. Being pregnant in the first trimester, you can't really take many OTC meds. I did go to acup

uncture yesterday and that was helpful, at least a bit, for my splitting headache. It is hard to be pregnant, and sick, and still have to care for a family. I am hopeful that once I get though this, the rest of my time will be smooth sailing!

I go to the doctor on Monday for my initial appointment at Oakwood Women's Center. Nick will be there for that one and we will meet the new OB who will follow this pregnancy and delivery.

The Cat is Out of the Bag

Yesterday was my mom's birthday and she received the mail that held the announcement about the baby. We waited all day for the mail to arrive! I sent her an Easter egg and inside it put a Peep chick and a picture of the sonogram with the message: "Happy Birthday! New Grandchild Expected in Oct. 2016!"  She and my dad were both happy about the news.

Yesterday we also attended a birthday party at the home of my friend, Brandi. There were lots of people, and lots of babies. Seeing little babies made me wonder if I have the strength and stamina to do this all over again! I know that I will, but I guess what is hard about the second time around isn't that you don't know what to expect, but that you DO know what to expect--and there is just a LOT to expect. Anyway, Ruby took it upon herself to make an announcement that there is "a baby in my momma's belly" so that kind of explained really why I was only drinking water at the cookout. Brandi was really happy for us.

First Sight

Today I had an appointment with Dr. Brown for my annual exam. She performed an ultrasound and I got to see my first glimpse of my baby to be! At first the baby was not visible, so she did a more invasive ultrasound and there it was...heartbeat and all! She wasn't sure exactly of what the due date is but is estimated between October 28 and November 3. Looks like we might have a Halloween Baby. She told me that when I see my new OB in a couple weeks, they should be able to get a better measure on the baby and determine a due date then.

I texted Nick and Sarah a picture of the sonogram. Nick is so excited. It still doesn't feel quite real to me. This is really happening to me, again! I am having some symptoms such as slight nausea, some groin pain and a really increased appetite. I showed Ruby the picture when I picked her up today from school. She just said, " I want to see Mommy's belly get BIG!" Oh you will, dont worry about that!

I am really looking forward to telling my parents. My mom's birthday is Saturday, so I decided it would be fun for her to learn about the pregnancy on her birthday. I mailed her a package today that contained a Gold Easter Egg with a Peep Chick inside along with the sonogram and a message, "Happy Birthday! Expecting a new grandchild Oct 2016!" I think she will be shocked when she opens that. I was very tempted to tell my dad today, asking him to keep it a secret, but I remembered he is his mother's son and that would be very hard for him! I think I will just wait until the package arrives Friday to Saturday and wait for their reactions.