Stories

10/10/06 - If the new, pink website didn't already give it away . . . . WE'RE HAVING A GIRL!!!! 

Today's appointment was soooo exciting!  We got all kinds of cute pictures of our little girl.  My doctor said she looks great and is currently weighing in at a whopping 9 ounces, and her heartbeat was 150!  They also said that right now I'm measuring 2 weeks ahead of schedule, but they haven't officially changed my due date.

My OB would like me to come back in 8 more weeks to do another ultrasound.  My placenta is right near the birth canal and if it moves lower with the growth of the baby, I could develop Placenta Previa.  (She said typically, the placenta would move up instead of down - which would be great.)  She's being extra cautious right now, and said at this point there is absolutely nothing to worry about.  We will check things again in 8 weeks and see how it looks then.

I have been feeling our little one moving over the past 10 days or so.  It's such a neat feeling.  Steve will be happier when he can feel her moving too. 

I've been searching online for bedding and think we've found "the one".  If we decide to order it, I'll post a picture on the website for you to see it too.  Oooooh, I can't wait to start decorating!

Other than some nasty heartburn and reflux, I'm feeling great.  I've gained 4 pounds, which my doctor is very happy with.  = )  My stomach, as you can see in my photo, is really sticking out now.  Maternity clothes are sooo comfy!

*By the way, if you click on the ultrasound pictures, they will enlarge for you to get a better view!  = )

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

10/01/06 - Well, I had my first dream about the baby last night.  In my dream, we were at my ultrasound appointment when the tech told us it was a boy!  Then she followed that up with "I mean, TWO boys!"  I woke up this morning in a panic, thinking it was real and we were having twin boys.  OMG! 

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

09/20/06 - I got a phone call from my OB yesterday letting me know my echocardiogram results came back and everything looks normal. 

I have been feeling a lot better lately.  Over the past couple of weeks, I've only gotten sick a few times and I am very happy about that! 

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

09/11/06 - Today was my first OB appointment with my doctor who will deliver the baby.  I've been a patient of hers for years, but wasn't able to see her for my pregnancy visits until today.  She is wonderful!  She said the heartbeat sounded great, and added that if I believe in old wives tales - it's a "girl's heartbeat"!  = )

I informed her about my visits to the Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist and she strongly cautioned me AGAINST getting the Cardiac Ablation done even after I have the baby.  She told me about another patient of hers that has the same thing I do and she is having many complications since she's had the surgery.  She said my episodes do not seem frequent enough to warrant such "extreme" measures, so that was WONDERFUL news, and  I completley agree with her! 

On another note:  my mom went absolutely crazy picking out maternity clothes for me this past weekend.  I have a whole new and very comfy wardrobe now! 

Next time I post, we'll hopefully be able to let you know if we're having a boy or girl and will have new ultrasound pictures to show.  = )

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

09/08/06 - Yesterday I met with the Electrophysiologist.  I was very impressed by the amount of time he spent with me discussing my condition and answering all of my questions.  After hearing about my symptoms and history with my heart issues, he has diagnosed me as having Supraventricular Tachycardia, or SVT for short.  He did another EKG and could see that I have an extra heartbeat in between my "normal" heartbeats.  He said for me to "take it easy, and grin and bear it" if I have any "racing-heart" episodes during my 2nd trimester, because they can't really do anything this early into my pregnancy.  If I were to have more severe episodes during my 3rd trimester, they would go ahead with the surgical procedure at that time.  He said he would prefer me to get through my pregnancy, bond with the baby, recouperate, then come back in and have the surgical procedure done, so that I never have episodes again.  He explained there is a pill I could take (post-partum) daily that would do the same, but it also comes with many side affects.  The surgical procedure is called an "ablation".  I have a follow up appointment with him on Nov. 10th.    

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

08/30/06 - My cardiologist decided that I have a "wiring problem" with my heart, not a valve problem, so he's sending me to see an Electrophysiologist next week.  He said my P.A.T. syndrome may or may not become a problem during pregnancy, but he wants to have the right "team of doctors" lined up, if there were to be a situation.  I have an echocardiogram set up for Friday afternoon.  I'll post more information after I see the specialist next week.

In other news, I've gone 4 days without throwing up (I'm not sure about today yet!)  I sure hope I'm moving out of that "fun stage".   

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

08/14/06 - Steve and I went to my doctor's appointment today and were able to hear our little baby's heartbeat!  It was kind of hard to find, but once she found it we could hear it just pounding away.  It was so neat to hear little Otis' heartbeat along with mine through the little speaker.  Other than listen to the heartbeat, they just checked my blood pressure, which was great.  

I mentioned to my doctor that I haven't been feeling well and she said it should subside fairly soon, since I'm almost out of my 1st trimester.  I also told her since I haven't had much of an appetite, all I've been wanting to eat is mac & cheese.  She told me to "stay away from that!"  I wanted to give her a piece of my mind at that point, but decided I should just bite my tongue and leave. 

October 10th is the big ultrasound day when we should be able to find out the sex of the baby.  I hope he/she will be cooperative on that day.  = )    

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

08/13/06 - It's been a while since I've posted an update, so I thought I'd write something quick today.  I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon, so I'll post more information tomorrow.

Since I last updated the website, I've had the "joy" of experiencing morning sickness!  It began around week 7, and thankfully, the nausea usually subsides around 1:00 or 2:00 pm each day.  Every morning I start my day by giving our toilet a great, big hug (if ya know what I mean).  = (  My diet has become very limited - mostly to mashed potatoes, oyster crackers, grapes and mac -n-cheese.  Most fruits and veggies, and anything even semi-spicy gives me major heartburn as well.  = (  I guess the good news is I haven't gained any weight to this point - I've actually lost 4 lbs. 

Steve is still home on "bed rest" and goes for his follow up appointment on Wednesday, so let's hope for some good news to come from that appointment.

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

08/01/06 - Today Steve and I went to my very first ultrasound appointment.  It was so neat!  At first we just saw the big, black circle and the tech explained that the black circle is the amniotic fluid or the "sac".  The gray little "blob" to the lower right is our little Otis!!  We keep calling it a "he" because we think it's a boy - just our gut feeling.  Anyway, little Otis is about 1/2 inch long and his heartbeat was 160 beats per minute, which she said was healthy.  I got a call this afternoon from my doctor's office letting me know my OB looked at the ultrasound photos and said everything looks normal - great news!  We were just kind of sitting there watching the lady take all of these measurements, then all at once we saw a really fast "flickering" on the screen.  She said, "there's the baby's heartbeat".  It was so amazing to see this tiny little thing beating so strong and fast.  It made it seem very real to us, and now the excitement sets in!

I've got Curriculum Night tomorrow night at school and I'll be telling my parents and students our news.  I'm a little nervous about that.

In other news, Steve had his follow up appointment on Monday.  They took off the bandages and took out the stitches.  It's pretty swollen and very colorful with bruises, and he's still not able to put any weight on his foot for 3 more weeks.  He is totally bored and absolutely tired of just sitting and sweating in the chair all day long.  His next appointment is August 16th. 

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

07/19/06:  I got a call from my doctor's office today giving me the results of my blood work.  She said everything they tested came back negative or normal, so that is great news!  (There were about 12 different tests they did!)  She did say that I needed to see a Cardiologist sometime soon because I've had some recent "issues" with a fluttering heartbeat.

On another note:  We just got back today from Steve's Pre-Op appointment.  It sounds like there are 3 different levels of recovery time, depending on how invasive the surgery will be.  We won't know until the doctor talks to us after the surgery about how long he'll be laid up.  Please keep him in your prayers.  His surgery is Friday morning at 10:45.  I will post an update Friday night to let you all know how he's recovering. 

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

07/17/06 - I went to my first doctor's appointment today.  They did a lot of blood work and other tests, as well as give me a lot of information about further genetic testing that can be done, if we choose to do so.  I don't really have any information now, so I'll update more after I get all of my test results.  I asked the doctor if they were going to do another pregnancy test and she said they don't, as long as I get a positive result from a home pregnancy test - they are that effective when showing a positive result!  So dad, you'll have to take my word on this one!

According to the doctor's due date scale, my due date is March 11th - which happens to be on my spring break!  = )  How perfect!

It will be a busy time for us with me being pregnant and starting back to school tomorrow, and Steve having his surgery on Friday.  For those of you who don't know, Steve has to have some pretty invasive surgery to repair his frayed Achilles tendon and shave off some bone spurs on his right heel.  Recovery time is quite long . . . possibly taking up to a year for a full recovery!  Please keep him in your prayers as he has his surgery and recuperates at home.

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

07/15/06 - We want to thank everyone for all of your warm wishes and prayers.  Steve and I are so thankful for our family and huge circle of friends.  We love checking our website to see your comments - thank you!!

Since my last blog, I've been feeling pretty well, aside from being extremely tired.  I went back to school this week to start on my room and that just took every ounce of energy that I had.  I haven't had anymore strange cravings, and no morning sickness (knock on wood!) so far.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have to experience that part of pregnancy.  I've had a few "other" pregnancy symptoms, but I'll spare you the details!

I am anxious for my doctor's appointment on Monday.  I have a whole list of questions ready to ask her, as I'm sure most 1st time mothers do.  I will update the website again after I get more information from my doctor.    = )

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

07/06/06 - I woke up this morning thinking yesterday's events were all a crazy dream and decided I should use the 2nd test just to be sure.  Once again, "pregnant" appeared in the window!  I think I'll be calling my doctor today to ask "now what"?

I called my doctor and they do not want to see me until I am somewhere between 6-8 weeks, so they scheduled me for Monday, July 17th. 

Steve had a little "chat" with the dogs last night about how things are going to change around here.  Liberty just sat and listened to Steve and seemed totally unphased.  Little Rudy, on the other hand, just glared out the corner of his eyes at me and has not given me any attention since then.   Oooooh, how things are going to change with our "canine kids"!

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

07/07/06 - I went out today and purchased a couple of pregnancy books, so I could research some of the symptoms I've been having - already!  The book Belly Laughs By: Jenny McCarthy was recommended to me and it is absolutley a CRACK UP!  If you know Jenny, you know she can be kind of obnoxious and raunchy . . . . this book tells it all about the gross things that happen during pregnancy and birth in a totally funny way!  I could not put it down!  If you're in need of a good laugh, check it out!

While I was digging through a drawer today, I came across a "due date predictor" that I recieved at the Women's Expo years ago.  I was able to use it to find out my approximate due date.  I'll update it if it's incorrect when I visit the doctor.

In the meantime, Steve has JOKINGLY named the little one "Otis"!!!

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

07/05/06 - I called Steve while he was at work today and asked him if I should take a pregnancy test because  I have been really tired and my eating patterns have been very unique (like enchiladas and spanish rice for breakfast!).  While talking to my sister about my strange breakfast cravings and being a "little late", she suggested that I take a pregnancy test.  Steve brought home a 2 pack and wanted me to do it right away.  The test said to wait 1-3 minutes for the results - mine came back in 45 seconds saying "pregnant"!     After the shock of seeing that word . . . . "pregnant" I began shaking and thought to myself: there's no going back from here!  When I showed Steve the results, he laughed and said "nice, how did you get it to say that?"  I told him "BY FOLLOWING THE DIRECTIONS!"  When he realized that I didn't tamper with it and it was for real, he shouted "Gooooooooal" like they do when hockey players score a goal.  How sweet, huh!

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below: