My Pregnancy: Finding Out

I'm participating in the Fourth Annual Commenting Challenge over at Jenna's Journey, although I've opted not to stick to the topics each day. Instead, I wanted to begin documenting my pregnancy in the blogosphere. I've been keeping a pen-and-paper pregnancy journal for our little girl to read someday, so I'll be pulling the information from there. 

Was the pregnancy planned or a surprise?

This pregnancy was very much planned. In fact, I think I may have driven my husband a teensy bit crazy with all of the planning.

I first began thinking about having a baby:

When I was a little girl. I have always wanted to be a mother. When Sarge and I got married in July of 2011, we decided to wait at least a year before trying to conceive. We wanted to enjoy our time as newlyweds and get used to living together for the first time. 

We began trying to conceive in August of 2012. I was convinced that it would happen right away. After all, three of my closest friends had gotten pregnant the first month they began trying. My mother had gotten pregnant the month she'd began trying. Surely it would happen that way for me, right? Not exactly. Nothing happened in August or September. October was a bust too, although we were only trying halfheartedly that month due to two significant losses in my family. Nothing happened in November either and, given my propensity to be a slightly neurotic overachiever, I began to grow concerned that perhaps something was wrong. Sarge wasn't concerned but, being the supportive husband that he is, allowed me to drag him to a fertility specialist just in case. We met with the specialist in mid-December and he ran some very basic testing (blood work, a physical exam, and an ultrasound). He didn't see a reason to be concerned but offered to do some more invasive testing should we continue unsuccessfully. The more invasive testing sounded uncomfortable and I went home and prayed that we would conceive before those tests were needed. Unbeknownst to us, we successfully conceived only a few days later. 

I first suspected I might be pregnant:

On New Year's Eve. I spent the evening at my parent's house because Sarge had to work. There was no reason to suspect that I was pregnant; there were no symptoms to speak of. Nevertheless, I turned down a celebratory glass of wine at midnight just in case.

I took a home pregnancy test:

On January 1st, 2013. New Year's Day. I believed that it was way too early to find out but decided to take one anyway. I figured that, if by some chance it was positive, it would be a great way to start the new year. I took the test in our upstairs bathroom while Sarge was downstairs  in our living room, completely unaware. I waited and watched one clear line appear. Then a second, faint line appeared next to it. I carried the test into the bedroom and immediately sank to me knees and began thanking God. 

The first person I told was:

My husband! I immediately called him to come upstairs. When he did, I handed him the test and asked him if I was seeing things. I asked him how many lines he saw. He told me that he saw two lines, one of which was very faint. I told him that two lines meant that it was positive, no matter how faint. I'm not sure that he believed me. The specialist's office was closed for the holiday, so I assured Sarge that I would call for a blood test the following day.

Confirming the Pregnancy:

I woke up the next morning and took another home pregnancy test. Again, one pink line appeared followed by a second faint one. I showed Sarge and then went downstairs to call the specialist. He agreed to bring me in that day for a blood test to check my hormone levels. After the blood draw, Sarge and I went home to wait for the results. That afternoon, the nurse called me. She confirmed that I was, in fact, pregnant. She told me that the pregnancy hormone was on the low side but assured me that it could be because we had tested so early. She explained that they would bring me in for another blood draw in two days to make sure that the hormone levels had doubled.

That night, we went to tell my parents and brother. I had wanted to wait to tell them, but I was nervous about the blood results and wanted their support. I gathered everyone in the kitchen and told them that Sarge and I were expecting a baby. I also explained the blood test results and next steps. My father and brother were excited right away. My mother was happy, but cautious, just like me. Sarge and I got lots of hugs and kisses from everyone as they promised they would pray for us. 

Two days later, I went back for the second blood draw. A few hours later they called to tell us that the hormones had doubled, just as they should. I was told that I would have another blood draw in a few days and then they would do an ultrasound. The ultrasound took place on January 18th. I was exactly six weeks pregnant at the time. When the doctor pulled up the baby on the screen, I was elated. It looked like a tiny circle inside a dark oval. Of course Sarge and I thought it was the cutest circle that we had ever seen. The doctor congratulated us and printed out a picture for us to take home. I put the picture on the bedroom mirror where we could see that glorious little circle every day.

First OB Visit:

My first visit with my regular OB took place on January 30th, when I was 7 weeks and 5 days pregnant. My major concern, aside from the baby's well-being, was that I had been vomiting non-stop for the past week or so. The doctor weighed me and he discovered that I lost six pounds already and was close to dehydration. I was vomiting 15-20 times a day, all day (and night) long. He diagnosed me with a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum and prescribed me medication to stop the vomiting. I was reluctant to take medication but he explained that, if we couldn't control the vomiting, I would become extremely dehydrated and need to be hospitalized. Needless to say I agreed to take the medication. 

The second thing we discuss was the fact that I would be considered a high-risk patient due to a previous surgery that I had had on my cervix. I would be monitored every two weeks to make sure that my cervix didn't open prematurely and cause me to lose the pregnancy. I was nervous but glad that he was being so cautious.

Finally, we got to have another ultrasound and see the baby again. Sarge and I were amazed to see how much growth had taken place in such a short time. Seeing the baby was, by far, the best part of the appointment.

To be continued...

A Return to Blogging

I haven't blogged in nearly a year but decided to return in order to participate in the 4th Annual Commenting Challenge over at Jenna's Journey. I always have the best intentions in starting to blog, but I tend to fall away when I realize that I'm talking to myself. I can do that in a paper-and-pencil journal! Nevertheless, I'd love to get involved in a blogging community and this seemed like the perfect way to take that first step. 

Today's Commenting Challenge topic is "About Me." In looking back over past blog entries, I've come to realize how many things have changed since I last wrote in this space. Perhaps the biggest change, and by far the most exciting, is the fact that my husband and I are expecting our first child. As of last week's baby shower, I currently look like this:

We are due in September, on my husband's 31st birthday. I will be taking a year off from my job to stay home and take care of our daughter. This will be the first time in 25+ years that I have not either attended school or worked full-time. Needless to say, I am a bit nervous about making the transition! So much of my identity has been tied into my work as a school psychologist and for the next year I will be a stay-at-home mom. Does that make me a "momcologist"?  I'm not sure but I'm looking forward to exploring my new role.

I'm not sure if I'll be sticking to all the Commenting Challenge topics, as it's not required. Ideally, I'd like to document my pregnancy thus far (it's been eventful, I'll say that), so maybe I'll start that process this week. We shall see! Until tomorrow, lovelies.

A Day At The Beach

On Monday, I drove down to Sandy Hook with my parents and younger brother for a family beach day. We had decided on Sandy Hook because it was a convenient place to meet my aunt, uncle, and cousins who live in Pennsylvania. My mother comes from a large family, with four brothers and four sisters. As a result, I have 16 first cousins on my mother's side alone. Several of these cousins are married and already have children of their own, so that makes for one big extended family! On Monday we were meeting:

• My Aunt Sue and Uncle Frank
• Their son Frankie, his wife Lisa, and their two children
• Their son Michael, his girlfriend, and his son
• Their son Christopher
• Their daughter Alyssa
• My cousin Keri, her husband Louis, and their two children
• My cousin Shannon

Needless to say, we were a big group! We spread out some blankets, chairs, and umbrellas and lathered on the sunscreen. Keri brought a cooler that doubled as a stereo with speakers, so we hooked up Alyssa's iPod for some music. When it became too hot in the sun, we headed down to the water to cool off.

All of the cousins ran into the water, with my Aunt Sue close behind. My uncle and parents stayed at the blanket to watch the little ones, as the waves were too rough for them to join us. We swam out past the breakers and bobbed up and down in the waves together. My cousin Frankie commented that the experience was a flashback to twenty years ago and he was right. As little children, we grew up more like siblings than cousins. It wasn't unusual to see them multiple times a week and, with all the sleepovers, we practically lived at each others houses. Now, we're lucky if we see each other more than once every few months. I commented that, back in the old beach days, Alyssa and Shannon hadn't even been born and noted how quickly time flew by. We were all quiet for a moment before my brother and Christopher started goofing around and making us all laugh. 

After swimming, we returned to the blanket to eat some lunch. My mom over-packed as usual, so in addition to sandwiches we had potato chips in several flavors, Cheez-its, grapes, watermelon, soda, and water. We hung out on the blankets and ate, soaking in the sun. 

Alyssa, me, and Keri

We had such a good time together. Keri mentioned getting a group together to travel up to Lake George next summer and it sounds like such a great idea. I'm already planning a family barbeque for Labor Day weekend. Is there anything better than spending a day with the people who know you best?

Goddaughter

This weekend, my goddaughter Allison was visiting from southern New Jersey. Allison is my cousin Elizabeth's daughter and she is nine going on twenty-five. Last time she visited, I took her to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D. Afterward, we went back to my house for a sleepover that included baking cupcakes, playing Wii, and endless board games. This time, knowing that I only had a short window of time with her on Sunday, I tried to think of something fun for us to do together. After a little bit of thought, I came up with the perfect idea: The Forest Park Carousel!

Photo Source

Photo Source

I remembered riding that carousel when I was just a little girl and was sad when it closed down in 2009. Seeing as it reopened this Memorial Day, I thought it would be a great place to take Allison. After my husband finished with work for the day, he picked us up at my parents house and drove us up to the carousel. While ticket prices sure have changed since I was a little girl, it was worth the money purely for the nostalgia! I bought tickets for Allison and I, and hubby agreed to stand on the sidelines and take pictures/video. When it was our turn to climb aboard, I told Allison to pick her favorite horse and that I would ride the horse next to hers. Allison took her choice seriously, inspecting several horses before choosing a favorite. We climbed atop our adjacent horses, and waiting for the ride to begin. The old-fashioned music made me smile as the horses began to rise and fall. I pointed out some of the antique workmanship, but I think the beauty was a little lost on a nine-year-old! Nevertheless we had a lovely ride, as you can tell by this picture:

That is me in the background, leaning backward to give my husband a cheesy grin. I chose this picture because it provides Allison with some anonymity, but rest assured I got better ones on my iPhone!

After riding the carousel, we decided to further explore Forest Park. After seeing a sign for it, Allison asked if we could check our Strack Memorial Pond. Ever prepared, I broke out some bug-repellant wipes, slathered it on, and agreed to hike down the hill. Strack Memorial Pond is named for the first resident if my hometown to die while serving in the Vietnam War. It's a tranquil little spot in one of the busiest boroughs in New York City. 

Allison seemed to enjoy the pond, and my husband tried to teach her to skip rocks. I pointed out a dragonfly hovering over the lily-pads and my husband spotted a turtle peeking his head above the water. Allison was immediately interested in the turtle and wondered if she could catch him and take him back to Jersey as a new pet! I told her that would be pretty difficult, as I have no experience in the trapping of turtles. I also indicated that he was a wild turtle and would probably prefer the pond to a tank at home. She pleaded for a pet turtle from a pet shop and I told her that would need her mother's permission. With her mother's approval, it might make a good birthday present this year!

To distract her from all things turtle, the husband suggested we have a rock skipping contest. Since he was the only one who could actually skip a rock, we quickly amended it to a contest on long distance rock throwing. I am ashamed to admit that I lost to not only my husband, but also to a nine-year-old. And that is even after I picked the smallest rock of the three, figuring I'd be able to throw it farther. Alas, rock throwing is not on my list of talents. It's a good thing I have other marketable skills. After my husband won the contest, he insisted that he deserved to throw Allison in the pond in lieu of a prize. He picked her up and she began to shriek. I managed to snap a picture before he set her down and assured her he was only teasing. 

After tossing a few more rocks, we climbed back up the hill and walked to the car. We drove the few blocks to my parents house and found a lovely dinner of chicken cacciatore waiting to be devoured. Allison, of course, wanted to sit next to her "fairy godmother." I think it's absolutely adorable that she still calls me that, even after all these years. I don't think it will last much longer, with the teen years fast approaching. Nevertheless, it was a lovely Sunday and I hope that it will be a nice memory for Allison to take back to New Jersey with her.