5.16.2005


The baby wasn't cooperating too well at first. Here we see the back of the head, with and arm and hand also in the picture

The heart is directly above the spine.

Ultrasound

Today was our ultrasound. What a trip! We got to see the baby moving, I got to feel the baby moving while we were watching it, and things look great! I'm posting six of the pictures we got to take home today.

We will need to talk with the OB about one thing tomorrow that can be worrysome. I'll post more about that when I have more info and know what he wants to do about it. It has nothing to do with the baby and everything to do with me, though I'm not sure I have any control over it. There are two possible fixes that I can think of, and both of them are relatively easy. I'll do whatever it takes to keep this little one alive. I promise I'll post again tomorrow after our OB appointment. Please don't worry about us, though.

Enjoy the pictures! For orientation purposes, up in the pictures is my belly, down is my back, to the left is toward my head, and to the right is toward my feet. The baby is currently laying with it's head down. The placenta is right in front, which is fine and explains why the movement I feel in the front is less strong than movement other places. Actually, the baby is moving right now! Bob's been really active today. Moving almost non-stop. What a kick! (Pardon the pun...)

5.12.2005


There's the belly! Taken on Mother's Day.

Kid Funnies

My students are so funny! One little boy (he's 5) told his mother one night last week that he thought I had been eating fast food on more than just special occasions. Luckily, she works with me and knew already I was pregnant so she just told her son to talk with me about it. He's super excited! Today at school, one of my first graders asked me what it meant when my tummy got bigger. I told her that it meant that the baby was getting bigger.

Depending on what I wear, there is a definate pooch from the front. :-) Of course, finding clothes for certain occasions is getting interesting. For example, Jeffy and I are helping chaperone the junior prom at the high school where he works on Saturday night. The mom I mentioned above is bringing by a dress that she wore when she was pregnant with her son. She and I are about the same size and build so maybe it will work! I'm excited to try (it's a strapless - I finally have enough up top to hold it up! Yay!)

My next ultrasound is on Monday, then my OB appointment is on Tuesday. Can you tell I'm excited!?

5.06.2005

I'm a treadmill....

Well, this kid is very active. I was sitting on the couch last night and felt this fluttering off and on for about 45 minutes. Wow! The kicking was all in the same place, hence calling myself a treadmill. What an amazing and awesome feeling. I was filled with so many different emotions all at once. Relief, awe, amazement, excitment, joy, wonder...I really can't explain it. I guess those of you who have been through this and have experienced feeling your child move inside of you for the first time know what it's like. I had good tears just streaming down my face. (I called my mom just to make sure that's what I was actually feeling.) I'm excitedly awaiting the next time I feel Bob move. Wonder if it will be in a different spot or in the same spot...time will tell. This is really real now! I have a little person growing and living inside of me. :-)

5.03.2005

Testing the Rumor Mill

Well, the secret is no longer secret at school. I had a 4th grader ask me today if I was pregnant (apparently I had my hand resting on my enlarging belly while we were talking). So, I didn't lie! It will be really interesting to see how long it will take for the news to get around school to all of the kids. My bet is by the end of the day tomorrow. Good news travels fast there. Some kids just looked at me in disbelief when they heard. It was quite amuzing.

What a beautiful day we had today! Good thing too. So far I'm 3-for-3 on my walks to the Tacoma Symphony with my 4th-6th graders. It hasn't rained once in the last three years. Today we had a perfect sunny day, probably near 70. The kids liked the concert (it's a free one that the TSO puts on for area 5th graders each year. We're a mile away from the theatre so we walk. It's just easier that way.) I actually came home and put on shorts this afternoon. If we only get one nice and sunny day this week, I'm glad it was today!

I'm gonna get Jeffy to take a belly shot of me soon! My bellybutton is starting to disappear. First to go is the bottom lip. :-) I'm finally starting to feel pregnant and this is finally starting to feel real. I also should be able to feel movement any day now. I"m so excited for that! I'm 16 weeks today. In a week or two, I'll be through with my fourth month. In four more weeks, I'll be half-way there to the end. :-)

4.26.2005

Over the Hump!

We made it! I went to the OB today after school just to hear the heartbeat. (They said I could come in any time for this!) It was there, once again nice and strong. 164 bpm, I think. I also heard a static-like sound that the nurse said was the baby moving around, as if to say, "Quit crowding me, Mom!" It was great.

Tomorrow marks the point in my pregnancy when I started cramping last time. The fact that there is a strong heartbeat this time is a really good sign. I can officially relax and enjoy the rest of my pregnancy now! Yay!

I got 6 red roses yesterday from Jeffy - one for each month left to go. What a sweetie!

Ultrasound in 3 weeks. I'll post pictures then.

4.20.2005

14 Weeks, 1 Day

We had our 14 week OB appointment yesterday. It went well. We heard a nice strong heartbeat (153/154 bpm) again, so I really feel that things will be just fine. I also recorded the heartbeat on my MP3 player so I can listen to it whenever I want! LOL

I'm about to the point wehre I'm ready to answer 'yes' if any of my kids at school ask if I'm pregnant again. It's starting to become obvious, so I bet that will happen within the next few weeks.

I have lots to do before my next appointment in 4 weeks. We go in for another ultrasound (to check organs and the like, I'm guessing) right before my next appointment and then we'll take the results in and talk about them with my OB. I'll also go in for blood screening tests for certain birth defects. This is pretty typical nowadays. I'm not worried. :-)

4.13.2005

Good News

My trip to the doctor yesterday yielded good news. The rash is nothing to worry about, just a combination of dry skin (duh!) and whacked-out horomones. What my doctor said after looking it up was, "It's not worrysome, but it is rare." She gave me a very mild steroid Rx that I'm not even sure I'm going to fill. Aveeno is working just fine and the rash is going away on its own. Guess I'll just have to remember to keep lathered and hydrated this summer while we're on our trip to Iowa and Denver. Lotion at least twice a day. Not that that's a bad thing! LOL

Next OB appointment on Tuesday. I'm slightly anxious. I want to hear that heartbeat again!

4.11.2005

A Rash

So last week while I was in Denver, I developed a rash. It started in my right elbow pit, then in my left, then up and down the insides of my arms. Finally, it started going across my belly. I've called my g.p. and have an appointment tomorrow afternoon. I also called my ob this afternoon and talked with the nurse. She's going to talk with the doctor when he gets back in and then call me back after school. She doesn't think that Bob is in jeopardy, but I want to make sure. I don't know what caused my rash. It just sort of showed up. I think it's going away slowly, but not quick enough for my liking. I'll keep everyone posted, but in the meantime, please pray that everything will be ok.

On a happier note, tomorrow is the start of my second trimester. I go off of the progestrone on Saturday (when my pills run out.) I have an ob appointment next Tuesday. I just hope that things don't go bad before then. I can't help but be worried.

4.02.2005

D-Day #1, 11 1/2 weeks

What a day today was. Very emotional on many fronts. For starters, it was my due date with Jacob. We had some family and friends over to be with us as we planted the two clamatis vines in the back yard. Jeffy said some nice things. I really didn't say much of anything. Don't think I could have without breaking down. They look very nice. I'll post pictures when I can get a good shot without it raining.

It was also a little strange today because of the Pope's death. While I was alive when the last Pope died, I was just a baby, maybe a year old so I don't remember it. John Paul II has essentially been the Pope my entire life. He was a great man with a wonderful sense of humor - I remember at World Youth Day in Denver (1993) he messed up his own name! It was pretty funny and he laughed right along with the rest of us.

Off to Denver tomorrow for the week. Got a dress to get made for a friend's wedding in July (Hi, Suzanne!) Plus people to see, places to go, things to do. What a wonderful way to spend spring break! And the airfare is on United! (We got bumped at Thanksgiving so we each got a round-trip ticket for anywhere in the lower 48. I'm using mine this week.)

Ciao!

3.30.2005

174...

It's been just over a week since we had our first OB appointment. It was about the quickest we've ever gotten in and out of there - ever! The appointment was at 3:45, we were done and out of there by 4:05 or so. Nice.

Going in, I was hoping to hear the baby's heartbeat but I knew that it might have been a little bit early to be able to do that. My doctor told me that before he got the Doppler and not to worry if we didn't find it that day. He put the gel on my belly, set down the microphone (is that what it's called?) and boom! Right there was the heartbeat...at 174 beats/minute. This is a great heartrate, especially so early. What he told us that means is that now instead of having a 20% chance of miscarrying, I now have just a 5% chance. I like them odds! I'm totally at ease. My due date is October 19.

This Saturday is my due date with Jacob. Dad was up here last weekend helping us pick out a couple of vines to plant on Saturday. We got two Clamatis vines. They are beautiful. I'll post a picture once they are planted and the pergola on the patio is up (we're going to train them to go up and over the pergola.) Mom comes up tomorrow afternoon to be here for the planting.

My morning sickness is pretty much gone. Now I have to deal with night sickness. At least I get to make it through the day feeling pretty good and then start feeling icky around dinner/bed time.

I had a program last night at school. Not only did we have to pull out five of the lunch tables to accomodate people, but that wasn't enough! We still had people standing. Plus, my kids did so well, they got a standing ovation. I've never had that happen before! What a cool thing! One more major program to pull off this year and then a recorder showcase in June. That one will be easy because the kids will just play up to the song they've finished with and sit down. Nice and easy. This year I should also have a duet or two also.

More later. I hope to start posting more once I'm done with my first trimester and have a bit more energy. Just a couple more weeks! I'm at 11 weeks right now. :-)

3.20.2005

9 Weeks, 5 Days - I did *what* this weekend!?

I still can't believe all I did this weekend...

I had a half day on Friday. Good thing, too. I came home and crashed on the couch for several hours until it was time to go to my Mary Kay thing that went from 7-10 on Friday night...for those of you who don't know, I start turning into a pumpkin at about 7 each night...then had to get up and be downtown by 8 on Saturday for day two. I got home around 4:30 Saturday afternoon, changed clothes, ate a quick dinner and the Jeffy and I went to the PBR (Pro Bull Riders) event at the T-dome. It was loads of fun. We had great seats! Too bad my favorite rider (Adriano Moraes, from Brazil....:-P) got bucked off with just under a second to go (they have to stay on the bull for 8 seconds). I crashed at about 7:30 or 8:00.

Needless to say, I spent most of today on the couch. I haven't even gotten out of my jammies today. Not that that's a bad thing... I want my evenings back! I want more energy!

First OB appointment in two days. Yay! Maybe we'll get to hear the heartbeat.

3.12.2005

A Day Off

That's what I needed this week. I have been up several nights a week in the middle of the night for at least two hours. It was really affecting me. I was massively exhausted - ok, totally worn down - plus Wednesday night I got a migraine...ugh...so I took Thursday off and just rested and took care of myself. It was just what I needed. I was up at 2 (that's a.m.) doing sub plans and calling in for a sub. I had Jeffy drop them off at school Thursday morning. Turns out that was all for naught. I didn't end up getting a sub. When I went back yesterday, I was so rested and in a great mood. I'm really glad I did that. Isn't it nice when we make good decisions like that!?

I think I'm going shopping today for a dress for Easter, my spring concerts, and my sister-in-law's wedding since nothing I have is fitting right anymore. Wish me luck! I hope the stores have some nice dresses now!

3.04.2005

Day to Day

I am learning that I have to take things day to day. Some days I feel great, others not so great. Yesterday was a 'feeling great' day. Today was a 'not feeling so great' day. I guess my breakfast didn't help...Krispy Kremes...I guess I'll be avoiding those for at least another few weeks. I'm honestly amazed that I made it to lunch without making a mad dash to the bathroom. I actually gave serious consideration to going home at the half-day mark today. Luckily I got loads of energy (at least temporarily) and ate a few tortilla chips which helped settle my tummy.

I have an amazing 'family' who now know about Bob. I am part of an e-mail list sponsored by Music K-8 magazine (how I taught without this magazine or list for three years is beyond me.) I announced my pregnancy to them yesterday and have since received so many supportive e-mails, prayers, and congratulations. If any of you are reading this, you rock!

Well, I'm half way to being able to relax a little bit. I'm trying not to worry too much but I can't help but be aware of every little tinge or cramp. I'm about 7-1/2 weeks pregnant now and I was just past 15 weeks when I lost Jacob, hence being half way there.

Jeff's sister-in-law called last night to see if we wanted their gliding rocker. Of course I said, "YES!" One less thing to buy. :-)

7:00 p.m. Time to start getting ready for bed. I know, I'm a wuss. But I'm a pregnant wuss! LOL....

3.02.2005


Make room for Bob!

Early Ultrasound

I went for my ultrasound today. We have a live one! The heart is beating. I didn't expect to get to hear the heartbeat but I did, thanks to the wand that was used for my ultrasound (couldn't do it the normal way since I'm not far enough along for that to do any good.) I'm including a picture with this post. The baby is roughly 8 millimeters from crown to rump (head to tush). Lots of growing left to do, but right on schedule! Everything looks good so far! Yay!!! The funniest part about the entire appointment was that I was so excited about things that I forgot to have the tech validate my parking and had to go back and have her do that. Oops!

As for me, I have a touch of morning sickness - I wake up with an icky tummy, but as long as I munch on some crackers before I get up, the day goes decent. If I don't munch on those crackers, I'm no good until I get home from work. Lunch for the last week or so has been Ritz crackers and an apple. Yum. I've even lost a couple of pounds, but I suspect that they will come back fairly quickly.

In the picture, Bob is the little bit on the right-hand side of the black area. The yolk sac is right above Bob, I think. It will go away in a few weeks.

2.23.2005

Take Two

We had a very exciting Valentine's Day weekend...

All week a couple of weeks ago I was very tired and constantly visiting the restroom so I did a test on Sunday morning (Feb 13) ...boy did those two lines show up fast! I went in for a blood test confirmation the next day. I am 6 weeks pregnant! No due date yet, but I think I'll be due in mid-late October. Maybe we'll bring our baby home from the hospital in a pumpkin costume.

I have my first ultrasound next week. If there is anything interesting to share with that, I'll post the picture(s).

Oh, yeah. We're calling the baby "Bob" in-utero. Bob is short for Baby On the Bladder.

2.04.2005

9-11 Exhibit

What follows may be slightly disturbing to some. It is my response to seeing an exhibit of things from September 11. There is nothing graphic, just emotional. Consider yourself warned.

The Washington State History Museum here in T-town has a Smithsonian exhibit with things recovered from Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and things left at the site in Shanksville, PA. The museum also has free entry on Thursdays after 5. Jeffy and I took advantage of that deal yesterday. Man, what a powerful exhibit. It was very silent and reverent in the exhibit. There were a couple of things that really spoke to me in big ways. The first was 2 pieces of an airplane found at Ground Zero, one of the pieces was the window opening of the airplane. All I could think about was that someone had gotten on that plane that morning, looked out that window, and had no idea that they were about to die. Who knows, maybe they looked out that window as the plane was flying into the WTC tower. It was like looking into someone's soul. No words to really describe my emotions. The other 'artifact' I saw was a pair of shoes, much like a pair I own, that a survivor had taken off as she was trying to get down the stairwell in one of the towers. She had taken off her shoes because she thought she could go faster in bare feet.

They also had a 10-minute video presentation with footage from Good Morning America, and ABC News' subsequent coverage of the events of that terrible day. Watching that was like turning back the clock. I just sat there, with my hand over my mouth, silently crying and gasping at times as I watched the events play out on 'live' television. The report of the first plane to hit the WTC, the report of the second, listening to the reporter's reaction as he watched the second plane fly right into the tower. (I had just woken up on the actual day when this happened.) The live coverage as the towers fell, the coverage at the Pentagon. It brought back a flood of memories. I was wondering through the whole experience last night if I was glad I am old enough to understood the full impact of what happend that day, this brought on by the families there with young children who really didn't grasp what they were seeing. I still don't know whether I'd rather be blissfully unaware of the significance of what happened or not. Maybe I should be glad to have lived in a simpler time and to be old enough to have that in my memory.

There were so many things to take in. I suspect I'll be going back, and likely paying to go back so as to avoid the massive crowds which are sure to be there on Thursday nights once the word gets out.