The 10th Week

Tomorrow marks 10 weeks! This week has been fine-- I've had the usual fatigue and headaches. I'm looking for the supposedly symptomless second trimester. Can't wait until I dont have to take naps in my car anymore! The weekend with the shirts was a big hit-- really fun to watch people figure out. :) Now all of the family knows-- we're excited to have their support through this time! My dad has booked vacation for when the baby comes.

We went for our first ultrasound this week! It was so exciting! We saw the heart beating, and the baby was dancing around! It must have some Strenk in it's blood! Dancing before it can walk! Everything looks good, and after measurements, they determined that the initial due date is right on target- December 24th exactly!

I can't believe the time has flown by so far! I'm almost 10 weeks...only 3 more weeks and I can tell my boss and friends at work! On another note, I'm starting to pooch out already...I've been wearing my pants unbuttoned. Soon I will have to bite the bullet and buy some maternity pants. I've already borrowed maternity jeans-- mine don't fit around the waist.

We're praying for our peanut every day-- for good health and strong growth. :) Grandmom/Mom-mom (whatever she decides to be called) said : Praying for my little grandchild…being filled with the Spirit in the womb….loving Jesus with all his little heart as a child….

Right now, here is what "they" say about the baby's development:

Although the baby is still very small, it is beginning to look more like a human being. Your baby's back is straightening out and the tail is shrinking. In proportion to the rest of his body, the head is large and remains curved forwards onto the chest. The head is erect and the neck is developing well. Even though your baby's eyes are well developed, they are covered by a membrane lid. The eyes will not begin to open and close for quite some time still. Your baby will begin to make tiny movements as the muscles start to develop. You will not be able to feel any of these early movements, but you might be able to see them during an ultrasound. The arms and hands are progressing faster than the legs and feet at this point. By this time of your baby's development, the hands have defined finger ridges and the tissue between them will die off to leave separate fingers. It is impossible to distinguish a male from a female at this time because external genitalia look very similar at this point.

The Ninth Week- First Appointment

I feel a bit less anxious now. I had my first OBGYN appointment yesterday for the pregnancy, and everything looks good.

If you're interested, this is what happened. If you're not, skip this paragraph! :) In the beginning, the nurse asked me if I wanted to do certain tests for diseases (in myself) because if I was positive for them, they would harm the baby. Most of them were STD's, so if only have one partner, thy're not necessary. When the doctor came in, she started off by asking me about family history of high blood pressure, ovarian/breast cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and diabetes. She then asked how I've been feeling, and what symptoms I've had. She did an exterior exam (just felt my belly) and when I asked her what that would show her, said that if I had a cyst, or if a bowel was inflamed, she would be able to feel it from the outside. She then did an internal exam just to make sure my uterus is enlarged (indicating that the pregnancy is progressing). Mine was definitely enlarged, she said. She gave me a list of foods I can't eat: lunchmeat only once a week, no fish, shellfish only once a week, no hotdogs, no caffeine. She also said if i have a cat, not to change the litter box, and if I garden, to wear gloves-this is in order to prevent toxemia. One of my questions was about prenatal vitamins: I've been taking CVS brand and wanted to know if they were sufficient. She prescribed me a different one-- this one has a particular fatty acid in it that helps with brain development. The fatty acid would come from fish, but since I can't eat it I won't get it. I asked her about the possibility of twins, as they run in the family, and she said that the ultrasound will either confirm or deny whether there is more than one. She told me about exercise; if I've been exercising it's ok to continue (walking/running/non-strenuous). The goal is not to overheat, so if I feel myself getting really hot or really tired, stop. No hottubs is another rule; also because of overheating. Last but not least, the due date is December 24th. Depending on the measurement of the baby at the ultrasound, it could be earlier or later. As of right now, though, Christmas Eve it is! So that was it! It was short and sweet!

This weekend we are going to tell Keith's family about the pregnancy. We made Spencer, Wesley, and Brandon (brothers-in-law) shirts that say "say uncle" on them, and are going to have them wear the shirts around until people start to get the hint. If it takes too long, and no one catches on, we'll just blurt it out. I can't wait! Telling people is the fun part. :) Our first ultrasound is Tuesday May 22. We can't wait! After that, we're going to tell my mom and dad's sides of the family. Dad told me he already 'slipped up' to Uncle Dennis yesterday. Hopefully he doesn't tell! So excited for the ultrasound! Can't wait to see our little peanut!! Or peanuts??

This week has been pretty easy, except for the fatigue. I spend most of the days tired, and have been way too busy to go home and nap. Last night I had a ton to do and laid down for a nap at 7:30. I slept the whole night through. It was wonderful! I feel refreshed today, but surprisingly I'm still getting tired now and then. Tomorrow marks the end of the ninth week and start of the 10th! These weeks are just flying by! Tune in next week for ultrasound pix of baby Collier!

Cute Conversation

My dad called last night and the conversation went like this:
D: Hey! How's my pregnant daughter doing? How are you feeling?
S: I'm feeling good. I've been getting headaches but that's about it.
D: Yeah you're going to go through so many changes you won't believe it!
S: That's what I've heard!
D: *chuckle* so I heard you went to the doctors and they confirmed the pregnancy?
S: I got my blood drawn and the test was positive but haven't been to the gyno yet. Won't go until may 23.
D: Oh ok. I wish it was here now.
S: What? The baby or the doctor's appointment?
D: The baby!!! I could take him fishing!
S: *laughing* Oh ok. He'll be here sooner than you think!
D: Yeah i know. Well I love you, just wanted to check on you.
S: ok, love you, bye *hang up*
*dad calls back*
D: I forgot to ask- can i tell people now?
S: Nope, not yet. We want to wait until 12 weeks.
D: How far along are you now?
S: 7 week.s
D: You're going to make me wait four weeks!? Why?
S: because that's when we're out of the woods. Maybe i'll only make you wait three, but i'll let you know when you can tell people.
D: *sigh*ok
HAHA! TOO CUTE!!! So to our little angel, when you read this, you'll see that your Poppy is really excited for you to come into the world!!

7 Weeks

Today is Wednesday May 2nd-- the middle of my 7th week. I've still been feeling pretty good! I had a migraine on Monday, but haven't gotten a headache since. I get tired midday, but that's hard to distinguish from your average after lunch fatigue. When I'm tired in the morning (10Am-ish) I know it's from the pregnancy. No morning sickness! HOORAY! I would love for things to stay that way! A little bit of moodiness but nothing I can't control. I've been going for 10 minute walks in the afternoons, just to get some fresh air and change up the routine a little bit. The weather has been amazing!

The baby's heart is now beating, and it's still the size of a bean. This week, the facial features are starting to form, and the organs are continuing formation. Arms and legs are beginning to form as well.

I was just marking the weeks of my pregnancy on my calendar; I'll start to show by July. I'm glad the pleasant part of my pregnancy will be during the summer! It's my favorite time of year! Fortunately, as I get bigger, the weather will be colder, and thus more comfortable to the pregnant body. I'm going to the shore this weekend to read and relax on the beach while Keith and Dad put the boat in. I'm really looking forward to it! Keith is still excited about the baby. Every day, when he comes home, he asks how his babies are doing. :) We pray, every morning, that the pregnancy will be problem-free, and the baby will grow healthy and strong.