Hey boss, I'm having baby!

Telling my work I was pregnant was something I was dreading.  I was looking forward to telling a few people, of course, but I was not sure what the general reaction would be from my superiors.  After all, pregnant employee means dr appointments, and time off, and pregnancy brain.

I planned to wait to tell my boss until I was 12 weeks, but morning sickness meant that it needed to be moved way up.  I waited until our first ultrasound, then spilled the beans.  My boss was aware of our early loss, as I had to take a few days off work, so I'm not sure if that contributed to his reaction, but he was totally, 100% supportive!  He gave me a hug, asked how I was feeling, and let me know that while he's totally happy for me, he wanted to be sure to remind me that he's still a guy and may not "get" everything that's going on with me, so if there was ever a time he was being a "dolt" to just tell him.  Since then he's been extremely accommodating to the few times morning all day sickness has interfered with my job.  I'm still getting everything done, but it's nice to know there's a little flexibility when needed. 

Everyone else at my office has been awesome as well.  I've been here a little over 3 years, and everyone's really excited that I'm expecting.  When food is brought into the office, I'm invited to partake, and they ask if any particular smells are bothering me.  I had a coworker give me her yogurt when I was needing a snack, and that same coworker is already planning a baby shower.  It's been a really pleasant surprise and I very much appreciate my coworkers and their kindness. 

I know not everyone is as fortunate, so I definitely can't advise anyone else when to tell their boss, but I'm glad I'm not trying to keep it a secret anymore.

8 Weeks

How big is baby this week? Baby is the size of an raspberry.

Due Date: May 8, 2012

Weight Gain: Nadda this week.

Symptoms: All day nausea, bloating, heartburn, tender boobs, food cravings

Cravings: Chicken salad, pickles

Aversions: Anything smothered in butter and cheese and sauces.  Which I would normally love.

Sleep: Go to bed early, sleep well at night

I am loving: Zofran

I miss: Not being nauseous

I am looking forward to: Borrowing some maternity pants from a friend at church.  The bloat does not mix well with nausea.

I'm spazzing about: When to go public (facebook) with the pregnancy- I feel like it's too early, but I hate hiding it.

Best thing about this week: Getting my prescription for Zofran

Milestones: Making it to 8 weeks!

Movement: Nada

It's a...: No idea yet

Imagination vs reality

What I thought morning sickness would be like:  Nausea for maybe an hour in the morning, might throw up once or twice over a three month period, and feel like my normal self the rest of the time.  Totally worth it to grow the sweet little bundle of joy in my belly.


What morning sickness is actually like: Nausea from the moment I wake up till the moment I go to sleep, with maybe a break around lunch time, where I happily think, oh yay, a break, only to be followed by another wave of nausea.  Throwing up multiple times a day, multiple times a week, and feeling gross and nauseous in between.  Totally worth it to grow the baby in my belly, but I'm starting to think that baby hates me.

I picked up a prescription for Zofran last Friday to try to take the edge off.  It's definitely helping, but that stuff is EXPENSIVE, and Husband sweetly reminds me I'm supposed to be rationing it out to get me through.  Grrr, baby's college fund might just get a late start.

4 Years

Four years ago, I never would have guess what these years would bring.  We've weathered job changes, and moves, Husband's started (and almost completed) pharmacy school, I started a photography business, we bought our first house, lost our first pregnancy, and are now happily expecting again. I know the next year will bring huge changes to our lives as well, but I've gotta say- there's no one I'd rather celebrate the happy times or face the challenges with than my sweet Husband.

7 Weeks!

How big is baby this week? Baby is the size of an blueberry.

Due Date: May 8, 2012

Weight Gain: Probably up another pound.

Symptoms: Morning sickness that can hit at any time, bloating, heartburn, increased sensitivity to smells, and tender boobs

Cravings: Baby really wanted Mexican this week.  Baby Daddy indulged.

Aversions: Depends on how I'm feeling.

Sleep: Going to bed early, waking up early, and barely able to keep my eyes open all day long

I am loving: Ginger ale and jolly ranchers

I miss: Not being nauseous

I am looking forward to: My next heartbeat check!

I'm spazzing about: Gaining too much weight, but Doctor said some people gain early

Best thing about this week: Our first ultrasound!

Milestones: Making it to 7 weeks!  Told my boss this morning!

Movement: Nada

It's a...: No idea yet

Ultrasound= AWESOME!

Doctor said everything looks great!  Baby is measuring right on target, and has a healthy heartbeat of 138 beats per minute.

Most amazing sound in the whole world.  I think Husband realized at this point that we were actually going to have a baby and kind of looked like a dear in headlights.

Our doctor is WONDERFUL!  I'm so glad we switched.  She is personable, and excited for us, and really made us feel like she was on our team.  She said that even though everything looks great, if I'd feel better, I can come in again a week from Friday for a quick heartbeat check.  I could have hugged her.  I'm so thankful that she gets how scary this is after a miscarriage and is more than willing to accommodate us.  She told us she's a total pushover and has had patients that come in every two weeks until it's actually time for them to start coming in every two weeks.  I actually feel a lot calmer now, but it's nice to know it's an option if I start to get really nervous between appointments.

We also got a picture of our little bean!

 Isn't it just the cutest blob you ever did see?

First Ultrasound Today!

My first ultrasound is today and I am SO excited/ nervous.  I was really sick last week, but then Friday and Saturday I felt pretty darn good, but had some cramping going on.  I was nervous something was wrong, especially when I woke up on Sunday feeling fine as well.  As I was in the shower, getting ready for church, I started to feel sick, and lightheaded.  My poor husband.  Soaking wet, buck naked, puking my guts out just screams sexy.  Needless to say, I didn't make it to church, and while being sick is no fun, it is a bit of reassurance that things are probably going ok in there.  Still, I'll feel better once we get a good report from the doctor!

Dear Baby

 Dear Baby,

I already love you more than I ever thought possible.  I'm not sure what else could explain me being happy about throwing up this morning, or the near constant nausea, but I sure am, because to me, it means you're in there, and growing just as you should.  I know that's not always the case, but I'm choosing to be hopeful, and I'm trying very hard to worry less.

It's gloomy here today, the kind of weather that makes you want to curl up in bed with a movie or a good book.  Or, in my case, a trashcan.  Either/or.  But seriously, I'm so excited you're in there, I'm excited for you to stay there for a good long while, and I'm excited for you to be here, with your Daddy and I, snuggling under the covers on gloomy days.

Love,

Mama

6 weeks!

How big is baby this week? Baby is the size of an sweet pea.

Due Date: May 8, 2012

Weight Gain: I'd say I'm up about a pound.  But now that the nausea has set it, not as much sounds good so I wouldn't be surprised to see me go back down.

Symptoms: Nausea, bloating (I just unbuttoned my pants while at work), heartburn, increased sensitivity to smells, and tender boobs

Cravings: COLD ginger ale (and I never liked ginger ale before), and sushi (I was hoping I wouldn't crave this)

Aversions: Anything that I think would be super nasty coming back up- even though I haven't thrown up, it's the thought that makes me avoid

Sleep: Going to bed early, waking up early, and barely able to keep my eyes open all day long

I am loving: That I'm six weeks!

I miss: Raw sushi, and not feeling nauseous

I am looking forward to: Our first ultrasound September 19th!

I'm spazzing about: The thought of throwing up at work

Best thing about this week: Telling Husband's parents about the baby

Milestones: Making it to 6 weeks!

Movement: Nada

It's a...: No idea yet, but if I had to guess I'd say girl

Gooooood Morning... sickness:(

It started last Friday- my general icky feeling turned into genuine nausea  at the strangest times throughout the day.  Friday morning I woke up at 4:30am feeling like I might need to run to the bathroom at any given moment.  I proceeded to plan a whole nursery around that gorgeous painting I shared with you all.  If this baby is a girl, I'm covered. 

I was able to keep the nausea at bay by munching on popcorn throughout the day.  We headed out of town for a family wedding over the weekend, got to share our happy news with Husband's family, and I battled morning, noon, and night sickness.  Overall it was fairly mild, and definitely bearable, but this morning it was worse.  I thought I might have to spill the beans to my boss a whole lot earlier than planned, but then it will let up for awhile and my resolve to keep it a secret returns. 

My tools for combating the nausea?  Crackers, ginger ale and jolly ranchers.  Breakfast of champions.

September 11

Ten years ago, I was sitting in a classroom, taking standardized tests, watching the coverage on television.  My heart was breaking for those losing their lives and their loved ones.  I was afraid of what would come.

Today, we shared with some our loved ones that a new life will join our family in May.  The world we will bring a child into was forever changed on that day, and my heart still hurts as I watch the memorial coverage.  We will never forget.

Nursery Ideas

We've still got a long ways to go with this pregnancy, and we don't know if we're having a boy or girl, but IF everything goes well, and IF we have a girl, I am obsessed with this print...

Source: poshtots.com via SushiMama on Pinterest

Thursday randoms

1.  I'm going to go see The Help next week.  I read the book last year and was waiting for a friend to finish the book so we could see the movie together.  I really liked the book but the previews for the movie aren't sucking me in.  Still hoping it's good!

2.  I joined Birchbox (let me know if you want a referral link) last month and am excited to get my second box this month!  I'm hoping for more makeup products in this box and less face creams/ washes/ serums.  Pregnancy horomones have made me reluctant to veer far from my current skin routine. 

3.  I just discovered Bluum, which is basically Birchbox but for moms and babies.  I haven't joined yet, because they're super new and didn't have an example of what to expect in a box, but I'm intrigued.

4. My first ultrasound is in 11 days!!!

5 weeks!

How big is baby this week? Baby is the size of an appleseed. 

Due Date: May 8, 2012

Weight Gain: I would say my weight hasn't really changed, but it tends to fluctuate between 2-5 lbs at any given moment.

Symptoms: Tender boobs, even some shooting pains in the nipple area.  Random feelings of not quite nausea, but definite ickiness, usually after I eat.  Still getting pretty pink lines when I POAS (nope, haven't stopped).

Cravings: I don't know that they're genuine pregnancy cravings yet, but I'm loving bruschetta and pasta.

Aversions: My normal medium rare steak needs to be a little closer to medium than normal for me to avoid the icky feeling.

Sleep: Like a rock.  And I love me some naps on the weekends.

I am loving: That my beta levels more than doubled last week, and that we get to tell Husband's parents this weekend.

I miss: Raw sushi, red wine (but it's totally worth it!)

I am looking forward to: Our first ultrasound September 19th!

I'm spazzing about: General worry about miscarrying again.

Best thing about this week: Telling my parents about the baby

Milestones: Making it to 5 weeks!

Movement: Nada

It's a...: No idea yet

Second beta

The nurse called this morning with the results from my second draw yesterday.  In 48 hours, by HCG went from 207 to 621!  This is good news bears since they like to see the numbers at least double every 48-72 hours.  Ya'll know how much I love my calculators, so I put my numbers into a fun little doubling calculator over on betabase...

 So far, so good!

Need opinions quick!

OK, so my parents are coming into town tonight and then heading down to my brother and SIL's house for the weekend tomorrow morning.  We're heading down there after we get off work tomorrow night.  The original plan for baby reveal was to have my brother or SIL use our camera to get a family shot of us with my parents "for our gallery wall" and then say, "Say cheese", then "Say SushiMama's pregnant (using my name obvs)!".  And repeat with Husband's family.  But, since we're going out to dinner with them tonight, and we won't get down to Texas until late Friday, if we wait that long it will be at least Saturday morning before we can do the picture thing.  And I'm not sure I can be around them and keep my mouth shut that long.  So, I think we're going to set up the camera on a tripod and just to multiple shots from a timer.

Question- should we do photos, or switch the camera to video?

I love the idea of photos, because we can use it in the nursery, baby book etc, but I also love the idea of the video because it's the WHOLE reaction, with noise, etc.  I wish I could just do both, but I think that would be WAY too obvious.

Help!