14 weeks - 2nd trimester

There's all this debate about when the 2nd trimester officially starts, but no matter what school of thought you come from, I'm in it no matter what! And it feels great. A little less worrying and now that the announcements went out I can talk about it openly making it feel more real. I got calls Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Wednesday and today! I can't believe how long it took for some people to get it. But everyone... except my Mom... got the riddle so I'm very pleased about that. I will start gradually letting the next wave of people knowing now during the next week or two. That will give me time to tell everyone by 16 weeks and then probably go Facebook public after our appointment July 15th. I'm thinking that way I can hopefully do a gender reveal at the same time. I've considered if I want to do an elaborate gender reveal or not (elaborate defined as something more than a simple phone call or text with "Its a Boy!"). But because I did the cards as the announcement, I don't think I'll do another mail card. Perhaps Ill think of something fun, but I don't want to do anything that will hold up my announcement on Facebook so we'll see.

I tried again to schedule the anatomy scan (even though I'm hoping to find out the sex at the 16 week 4 day appointment), but they only have their schedule out 4 weeks it seems. And my doctor told me they're scheduled between 18-22 weeks, but turns out its 19. So even though they said to wait 2 weeks, I'll still try next week to see if I can come in exactly at 19 weeks.

I continue to hear a great heartbeat more in the 140s recently which is super reassuring. Have i mentioned yet that i think its a boy? I know I talked about other old wives tales. Well as far as heart rate goes, under 150 I believe I supposed to be boy. Anyway, my appetite is still in a funk, but I don't mind the little bit of weight loss I've had so far with 8lbs down. I keep aware to make sure I've gotten in plenty of nutritious foods even though so many things don't sound very appetizing. Continue to pee up a storm.  And the questionable fetal movements continue. Hopefully I'll figure out soon if I was right or if it just all that gas. What I have been missing most has got to be sushi with other fish/seafood (tuna, raw oysters, smoked salmon, etc) and runny egg yolks close behind.  Runners up are deli meats and raw cookie dough.

Well glad I didn't forget to tell you about becoming mami this week! 26 more to go, lol!

13 weeks

I can't believe I forgot again.  Unless I have something as an ultrasound to share there's no guarantee I suppose.  Also, a lot of time I come home from work tired, I have to cook dinner, and do whatever else. So that adds to it as well. This week was kind of my goal week, I just felt like 13 weeks would make me feel so much better.  I do feel very good about this whole pregnancy, even though there's debate on when the 1st trimester ends; 12 weeks, 13 weeks, 13.3 weeks, 14 weeks.  So regardless, I'm close and I feel good!

Anyway, this week I officially sent my announcements to our parents and some of our closest friends. I anticipated that they would receive it either yesterday or today.  I received some phone calls yesterday and one today. We still waiting to hear from a few more people.  I don't know if it hasn't gotten to them yet, if they haven't checked their mail, or if they got it and didn't understand it.  I sent a riddle of sorts and 2 of the 3 people so far understood the riddle.  But I was thinking if someone didn't understand the riddle, they'd still call.  Hopefully we receive most of our other phone calls tomorrow.  Anyway, its very exciting and fun to share the news with our loved ones.  Its something I've been looking forward to for awhile.  However, I admit, its also pretty nerve racking.  Not that it could possibly have any affect on the health of the pregnancy, but it makes it just that much more real.  So those that I've talked to though have been very happy and excited for me of course, its great.  One of my friends already offered to help throw a shower!  The other asked about it and I just don't know if its a foe-pah these days to throw your own shower or what.  I have plenty of time to figure that out.

So otherwise I received the doppler and I have been successfully hearing baby's heartbeat each day. (I can't remember how much I spoke about it in my last post.)  I think I felt baby move at work on Wednesday at 12w6d.  I don't think they typically say a first time mom feels movement at this point, so I'm not sure.  It was great to imagine it was.

12 weeks

This is not yet the end of the first trimester, but it feels so great to hit 12 weeks! I have a few updates. With the near 6 week wait until my next ultrasound, combine with ending the first trimester with a final ultrasound before announcing, I caved an bought a fetal doppler.  I hadn't planned on it because its so often that people can't find the heartbeat with it, which often causes unnecessary stress.  But I caved and it arrived in the mail yesterday.  I had to test it as soon as I walked through the door.  It definitely take some practice and patience, but I did find a heartbeat!  It was faint enough that the doppler could not pick it up, although they are known to give false reading regardless. I counted it out though and I consistently counted a 168 beat per minute hear rate.  It was so nice to hear.  By the way, old wives tales would predict this heart rate as a girl.  However, my acupuncturist predicted boy, as does the Chinese calendar and the "Eye test." Also, I had my last acupuncture appointment! You never know if it helped or not, but I told myself I would go above and beyond this pregnancy and I did.  And so far, all is well!

Today I did part one of the plasma screen which will test for chromosomal abnormalities. However, they won't take the next blood draw until my appointment at 16w4d.  Like I explained, I will not get any results until both parts are done.  For now I'm just glad I was able to get those appointments on the same day because it can be a hassle to get over there and leave work just for a blood draw.

Otherwise, I've been seriously considering now how and when to announce.  Its going to be soon I think cause I really want to tell family first but I'm also dying to tell a friend I have here. I will be excited to share it with someone in person since I can't do it with most of my loved ones.  I have a few different ideas up my sleeve that I think I'll be able to share on here once they're done.  I'm excited to get started.

My symptoms are not bad anymore.  I still feel gassy as well as picky about what foods I feel like eating but definitely have a bigger appetite than before and eating more.  I have continued to lose weight though. I'm down about 7 pounds I believe. Still don't mind that!  Hopefully next week I'll be able to share a picture of our announcement.  We'll see how the timing works out.

10 weeks 5 days ultrasound

Ok, I know I missed my 10 week post, but I knew this was coming up, and to be 100% honest... I plain forgot, hehe. Nothing drastically exciting was going on, pretty much the same symptoms. Only thing is I took my final dose of progesterone like I explained I would in a previous post. Outcome... A better appetite (includes less to no nausea), but still not perfect. Otherwise, I went to the class I talked about but like I suspected, nothing new and a bunch of paperwork. And the blood tests. Anyway, who cares???? There he is!! Isn't that just the cutest ultrasound yet? Its so precious to finally see the human form. The hubby was there and had no idea it was going to be so recognizable. I know because, how would he unless he's been on pregnancy boards nonstop like me? (I don't think so!) But he even asked, like whoa the arms and everything are already that defined?! How big did you say it is?? The answer is just 3.5cm... So hard to fathom for me too. But the doctor explained to him that the baby is pretty much completely formed and now just has to grow! I always read about babies dancing all over the screen, but watching the baby wiggle around in there was so fun. I'm so glad hubby has been able to come to all my appointments so far and watch baby progress with me. The heart rate was 172, which we heard for the first time too! At 7 weeks it was there, but only 117 and we could hear it, just see the ultrasound pick up the waves. Not only could we hear it, but you can see the little heart beating very clearly. I was in awe I was nearly speechless. The doctor was very pleased with the heart rate, all the measurements and the progress since almost 4 weeks ago! She said I could start telling people because the risk of miscarriage has dropped to 0.5%, SO comforting. I think I'll still wait till 12 weeks though. I had started to think in should wait till 13 or 14, but she may have swayed me. At least to START telling people. I am really anxious to share with our immediate family. Then some close friends. By 14 I can see myself telling people at work. I would consider waiting a little longer, but I don't think I can hold out much longer than that to put it on Facebook, and they're on there so I'll need to tell them around then. It will also make sneaking out for appointments way easier! I'm really looking forward to announcing in general and have me scheming on how I want to do it. I've even been considering making a trip home to tell family and friends in person. It would be a hassle because of the drive and the short amount of time we'd have to actually be there. Or if we flew it would be expensive and an issue because we wouldn't have a car when we got there. But I've been dreaming about this for so long that if love to tell people in person! We'll have to decide soon. Back to today's appointment, got the results of last week's blood tests. All is fine, negative on cystic fibrosis :) probably will need a ruebella booster after delivery, etc so far so good. I go back once more for just a blood draw.  This will be the 1st of a 2 part plasma screening that will test for abnormalities such as down syndrome. Its not complete until the second draw in the 2nd trimester. Between this and anatomy scan, they are able to identify your risk level for various abnormalities. Besides that, I don't go back for 6 weeks!! That's the longest I've waited yet! The timing IS really cool though because it will be days before we leave for vacation to see hubby's family. At 16+ weeks, I think the doctor should be able to have a guess at the gender!!! She didn't mention it, but from what I've read, it seem extremely plausible.  It would be so special to be able to tell them in person.  Otherwise I will have to wait until the formal anatomy scan, which the doctor was saying that the hospital will definitely not schedule it before 18 weeks.  We will be away then, so I'll have to schedule it anywhere between 18-22 weeks.  If I have it my way, I will schedule it the day we get back, lol. Hopefully we will already know that information though and it won't matter.

I can confidently say I AM BECOMING MAMI!