Well, Hello There...

Today was my first prenatal appointment with my new doctor, Katie Welch. I was referred to her by my friend Melanie, who is also pregnant, and I'm very lucky that I was able to hook up with her because she works with Women's Health Associates at Boone and I only hear good things about them. Shortly after meeting, she knew all about my past experience with Fiona, and all of my fears about this pregnancy. She wants me to get the NT scan at 12 weeks, which checks for chromosomal abnormalities, and if the odds look really good, there is no reason for me to get a CVS and continue the worry. That appointment is still a month away, so hopefully I can get it out of my head until that time comes. But it tends to be all consuming at times and there is nothing I can do to not worry. The good news is I got an early ultrasound today to check for multiples babies and the gestation age. Well, me and my mom's epiphany about twins was wrong; I'm only having one baby. But the age of the gestation was spot on- 8 wks, 5 days. And all looked great! Heartbeat was 175 bpm (normal) and he was developing as he should (notice how I'm saying he- I'm still convinced). All I can pray for is for the good news to continue and have a healthy baby in my arms when all is said and done.

Could I BE More Tired?

I haven't posted anything in a while as I've been out of Columbia at a conference in Pittsburgh since Tuesday. Its been a long week to say the least. Someone PLEASE remind me never to agree to a conference while I'm pregnant AGAIN! This is the second conference I've attended while pregnant, and each time I was surrounded by young, talented professionals who not only work hard, but play hard. The drinking that takes place at these conferences is almost astounding, but only more so to me because I am reminded everyday that I no longer CAN! On top of that, they all went to an amusement park yesterday which has some of the best roller coasters around. DO you know how much I love roller coasters??? I had to tell my boss I "don't do rides" so I could get out of it without completely spilling the beans as to the real reason. I was not ready to divulge that information yet. I need to make it to at least 12 weeks before I let anyone outside of my social comfort zone know about me.

I turned 8 weeks on Thursday. Apparently my babies eyelids are almost over the eyes and he is starting to develop fingers and toes instead of "buds." His tail has almost turned into a butt now. :) I can't wait to see him, as my long awaited appointment is this upcoming Tuesday. I will get an ultrasound, though I'm not sure how much they can tell at this point. I will get some blood tests done though, and all that other good stuff woman go through at the first prenatal checkup. My hope is to come back within two more weeks if I'll be ordered to get the NT screening again (the test that discovered Fiona's Turners).

By the way, I am more than fairly convinced I am having a boy. I have waited and waited for the morning sickness to rear its ugly head, only to feel pretty great every morning. I can get used to this! This is completely opposite of my experience last time carrying a girl, and my mom made a point that she was sick with only me and my sister, but not my brother. Sounds about right. Headaches and fatigue though, completely different story! I was barely able to keep myself awake for my morning sessions this week, which was a miserable experience. Every second I got, I was running up to my hotel room, if only for a 20 minute nap, whatever I could do to survive another hour. I met a few other pregnant women on my trip too, which was nice to relate.

Speaking of headaches, I have one so bad right now that typing is the last thing I should be doing. I will most certainly post photos after my ultrasound on Tuesday! I could use any words of encouragement at this point, as I am still very apprehensive and scared, but so excited to see my baby!

Is it a Sign??

So, I already wrote a post today but I felt quite compelled to post after speaking with my mother an hour ago. We spoke yesterday for a while so I wondered what she needed to speak about today that we hadn't covered previously. She said "Well, I had a dream last night." I immediately thought back to the dream I had last night at that moment.

I dreamt I was having twins.

Before I said anything to her about it, she went on to tell me that she dreamt I was having two babies! But in her dream, I somehow managed to get pregnant "twice." I was having one baby in 7 months, and the next two months later. She said it wasn't twins though.

In my dream, I could feel both of the babies heads in my stomach (bizarre, I know). I told my mother I was having twins, but she didn't believe me! I had to take her hand and put them on both of the babies heads to convince her.

These dreams were likely happening around the same time. I am just SHOCKED. It doesn't automatically mean I am having twins, but good lord, the thought is certainly crossing my mind now!

I need to go to bed, this is just too weird!

Home Sweet Home

Ian and I arrived back from vacation yesterday and it feels great to be back home. Allowing myself the time to get away from work and spend time with Ian's family was wonderful. The mountains and the air were perfect. However, I find that being away makes me miss what I have in Columbia that much more, so what I take away from this is that my life is pretty great and I'm ready to get back into the swing of things. I can't thank my in-laws enough for the time away. We all had a great time. Some highlights:

~Ian and I stopped in Colby, Kansas to stay the night Friday before finishing our drive the next morning. I thought I would share the sign that Ian witnessed in the lobby

If you don't know whats so funny, than nevermind!

-I climbed the second most difficult mountain at Rocky Mountain National Park- 6 weeks pregnant! Honestly, I didn't really know what I was getting into at the time, but I had taken a 4 mile hike two days ago and it was pretty easy, so I thought a 9 mile hike wouldn't be so bad, right?? Well, the words "Flat Top MOUNTAIN" didn't really resonate. I realized soon after the whole 4.4 miles there were UPHILL! It took us 2 1/2 hours to get there, but I made it (I went with Andrew's girlfriend Lauren and Ryan). It was such a proud moment for me, at the risk of sounding corny. I knew in that moment if I could do that, I could do anything and I have what it takes to give this baby the best life he/she can ever imagine. Here are some photos, proof of my escapade:

My first checkpoint on the trail


On Flat Top- the scenery was amazing!


With Lauren and Ryan at Flat Top


~I took a ghost tour at one of the most notoriously haunted hotels in the US, the Stanley Hotel


The tour wasn't as scary as I had hoped, but I may have caught a small ghost(or dust) in one of my photos. You be the judge! (on the right by the door)

Either way, it was a good time and there is a lot of history to that place, so it was neat to say I had been there. We even went into the room that Stephen King stayed in where he began to write The Shining... RM 217.



That wraps up the vacay!

I found out great news for my friend Mandy- she gets induced on Wednesday! Congratulations to her! I can't even imagine whats going through her mind right now. Not only does it make the situation so much more real that I'll get to meet her little boy this week, but it made my pregnancy much more real to me as well. In the next 8 months, I will be in this same situation and I cannot wait. I am still struggling here and there with the baby's health and "what ifs" but I pray for God to just take thos worries away from me and spare me the hurt. Its not good for me or the baby.

As a side note, I turned 6 weeks on vacation and I am happy to note I experienced no pregnancy symptoms while away. They will either creep up in these next few months or I just might be one of the lucky ones. I don't want to speak too soon. I did start to feel nauseous around 7 weeks last time, so we'll see! I have a busy month ahead of me so I'll hope for the best!