The Final Weeks

Last Prego Picture

An update for my own records, just a little behind.

Remember reading the posts where I said I loved being pregnant? Unfortunately I loved it up until week 39. Pregnancy was relatively easy for me until I reached the last week.

It all started with an earache. While at my weekly OB appointment I had the Dr. Thompson check my ear for what I assumed was an ear infection. She found nothing. I went home that Tuesday and along with the earache my right eye began pouring water. Then I noticed I didn't have as much muscle control on that side of my face. While at the high risk pregnancy doctor on Thursday, I was diagnosed with Bells Palsy. Bells Palsy is a temporary paralysis caused by pressure on one of the cranial nerves. Dr. B prescribed steroids to reduce inflammation and hopefully prevent the bells from sticking around after Oliver's birth. So five days before my scheduled C-Section I began taking the medication. As it turns out the medication made me vomit for 2 days and did nothing for the Bells. I stop taking the steroids and spend the remaining three days in the bed eating and drinking very little. Did I mention I could only smile with the left side of my face? It was less than pretty.

I did manage to enjoy a last pregnancy meal at Longhorn with the family Sunday (Halloween) night.

The good news is despite my feeling like total rubbish, little Oliver was thriving perfectly well. The monitoring was going perfectly and the final ultrasound showed what Dr. B estimated would be a 9 pound baby. Only time would tell.

Up next, the big day!

33 week update...

Every week I get these baby status updates by email and every week I just laugh. This week's notification said:

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

I've been seeing a maternal and fetal specialists for the last two months for gestational diabetes. Dr. B has recently decided that my sugar is completely in control and I can thank genetics for this large baby growing within and not the GD. As of last Friday, Oliver, at 33 weeks, was weighing in at 6 pounds and measuring about 20 inches long. I have these measurements taken weekly and every week, he's well ahead of an average size baby. Now you see why I laugh. Oliver has also decided that he prefers to hang out in the womb breech-style. If he doesn't rotate into proper position in the next two weeks, we'll be scheduling a C-Section for week 39. For the last few weeks, Dr. B seemed hopeful that Ollie would turn in time for a vaginal birth. However, the closer we get and the larger Oliver gets, the hope wanes.

I was looking forward to a natural birth but am now preparing myself mentally for a C-Section. While I would prefer not to undergo major surgery, I am a fan of doing whatever it takes to get both Oliver and I on the other side of delivery day safely. Dr. B estimates Oliver could weigh 10 pounds by birth, so when I look at it that way, may the C-Section won't be so bad.

Here's an update for record-keeping sake:

How far along: 33 weeks and 4 days.

Symptoms: Heartburn, heartburn, heartburn! Toss in some hip pain and sleep issues and that pretty much sums up the last few weeks. I recently started experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions a few times per day. I record all of that to say that I honestly have loved being pregnant and I'm thankful that I still have a few weeks to enjoy it!

Total Weight Gain: 18 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: The clothes are fine. However, I'm over the shoes. Apparently pregnancy can make your feet go all Fred Flintstone and you're forced to wear flats every day of your life. Can anyone say boring?

Stretch Marks: Evil.

Sleep: I can get to sleep, its the turning over and getting out of bed part that's becoming painful.

Best Moment This Week: Brent and I (along with Anders) took our last childless vacation for the near future. We spent the weekend in Elijay in a cabin we rented. We checked in on Friday night and didn't leave until Sunday. It was 2 glorious days of being alone and relaxing!

Movement: His most active times are 4 am, 6 am, 9:30 am, 12:30 pm, 4 pm, 9 pm and midnight. He prefers to do most of his sleeping during the NST sessions.

Food Cravings: Nothing in particular anymore.

Belly Button: Still an innie.

What I miss: Looking down and seeing my feet.

What I am looking forward to: Completely finishing the nursery! All we need to do is hang the shelf over the changing table. I can't believe that's all that's left to do!

Milestones: I've made it to the part in pregnancy where I see a doctor two times per week.

How is Daddy?: Daddy is a travelling fool right now. He's only got about 2 weeks left before the travel will cease until Oliver arrives. I'm ready for it! :) Daddy is excited about Oliver's arrival as much as I am. He thoroughly enjoyed the breastfeeding class we attended and I am sure he's looking forward to our upcoming birthing classes. He's going to a be a great father!

How are the Grandparents? Spoiling him with cute clothes every chance they get.

Stranger Encounters: I was walking into my building and held the door for a lady with a baby and stroller. She stopped and told me that I looked great and shared her birth story with me. She told me how wonderful it was and that not all stories are horror stories. You rarely have anyone go out of their way to tell you how positive an experience can be. I'll always remember her.

For you I wish...

Photo from SarahJaneStudios @ Etsy.com

Dear Oliver,

As I'm closing in on finally meeting the little person growing inside of me, I decided I would record some of my recent thoughts. I've been thinking about how a mother goes about instilling the best in her children, especially when the mother isn't perfect herself. These are the things that keep me up at night.

I promise to teach you the best life lessons I know. I will teach you the importance of service, strength of character, self-discipline, abiding compassion, deep faith, intentional action, personal responsibility, purity, beauty of spirit and love. I want you to learn that things, titles, numbers and social status are irrelevant. What truly matters is that when you leave this world, you must have made a difference. I want you to be kind to those you meet, always offering a smile.

I will give you a beautiful home filled with things money could never buy. A foundation of security enclosed in walls of acceptance for who you were created to be. A place that fosters creativity, imagination and growth. A place where I will take time to turn off the T.V./shut down the computer to spend time laughing and creating memories with you. We will sing silly songs (off key of course), dance because we feel like it, plan great adventures and take amazing journeys (even if it means never leaving our living room).

I promise to do my best at being patient, understanding, kind, respectful and firm. I will guide you to the best of my ability, always providing an ear to listen, a soft place to fall and a place to get up and try again.

Most importantly, I will love you no matter what.

Counting down the days until we meet,

Mom

Becoming a Mother

Lately, I have been wondering about the new identity I will soon assume. How will I feel when a person I do not know addresses me as Oliver’s mom instead of asking my name? What will I think when I've wiped a runny nose for the 100th time and there is screaming and crying and I’ve just stepped on every single Lego we own? When I’m cleaning up after the tenth blowout diaper in an hour, when a child is vomiting, when I am physically incapable of consoling my sleepy baby, when the thought of spending one more minute in THIS HOUSE makes me want to cry…what then? Who will I be at that moment?

I know the answer is that I will be Mom, with all of the highs and lows that being Mom brings. I will kiss scraped knees and spread frosting on birthday cupcakes. I will give out countless hugs and sing silly songs to hear a single giggle. I will enforce discipline, carry my baby in a sling and read a million bedtime stories. I will finger paint, help with homework and watch my husband throw our baby in the air. I will guide this child through rises and falls, through good choices and bad, through monsters in the closet or under the bed and friends who aren't the best influences. I will love beyond my understanding and worry beyond my current capacity and, and, and, AND! But still, of course, I wonder…

WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE TO BE A MOTHER?

Time Flies When Incubating - 30 weeks!

Third trimester? Really? I can't help but feel like it was just yesterday that I told Brent he was going to be a father. What a great time its been preparing for Oliver to arrive. In only a few weeks my entire world will be turned upside down. I'll be resigning from my job to a full-time mom in addition to birthing a baby. I don't know what this new life will be like, but I already love it!

How far along: 30 weeks today!

Symptoms: Tired! Heartburn is almost daily.

Total Weight Gain: 13 pounds!

Maternity Clothes: I added a few new ones to the rotation.

Stretch Marks: Remember those static plasma balls? Just sayin…

Sleep: It’s better than it has been. Part of that may be due to kicking the 160 pound dog out of the bed.

Best Moment This Week: Having Oliver respond to certain things I do.

Movement: His most active time is around 9:30 p.m.

Food Cravings: Orange juice.

Belly Button: Still an innie.

What I miss: Having a closet full of clothes that fit!

What I am looking forward to: I have my first baby shower this weekend. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and seeing all the cute baby stuff! I’m also looking forward to seeing the Parinatologist again to see if Oliver is still measuring off the charts in weight and length. At 28 weeks he was measuring 31 weeks and about 3 to 3.5 pounds!

Milestones: 3rd Trimester and 30 weeks! I also found out at my 28 week appointment that Oliver is no longer breech and has moved into birthing position. Here's hoping he stays put!

How is Daddy?: Ready! He talks to Oliver at night which generally results in a kick-a-thon!

How are the Grandparents?: Supportive! Brent and I (and Oliver) are truly blessed in this department!

Stranger Encounters: The man that runs the Moe’s in my office building asked me when I was due. I told him Nov. 5 and he said, “Ohhhhhh!”

Here's to the home stretch!

The Best of Friends

Above is a picture of our first child, Anders. She's a 6 year old, 160 pound, Great Dane who has made our lives much more full than we ever imagined. We often wonder, what did we do for entertainment before her? She's truly a gentle giant with quite the personality. For instance, last night when I told her to get off our bed and onto her dog bed (which happens to be a twin mattress in the floor) she looked at me and waltzed out of the room, climbed on the couch and refused to get up. At 2:30 a.m., I make one of my trips to the restroom and notice she's now laying in the floor next to my side of the bed (nothing like tripping over a body to wake you up). I go into the kitchen for water and find the living room floor scattered with things that weren't there when we went to bed. I took inventory and found; a lid to the spray starch, a blanket, a pillow, a few dog toys, a pen and some dirty laundry. Thankfully, she's not a chewer!

Anders is aware that something is changing in our house and she can often be found laying in the nursery floor. We can't wait for Oliver and Anders to meet and begin to interact. I envision spending my days as a stay-at-home (a blog on that later) taking dog toys from Oliver and kid toys from Anders. It's a good thing Brent and I don't come close to qualifying as a germaphobes.

Here's to Anders and Oliver and the bond they will share!

Kick, Flutter, Bang, Poke, Flutter, Kick...SWOON!

Dear Oliver,

I never thought I would love being pregnant. I sort of always considered it would be a necessary evil required of me to get what I ultimately desired, you. Perhaps its all the horror stories people love to share with you about their own pregnancies or all the details I read in the umpteen pregnancy books before ever peeing on a stick.

What I've learned is, I was wrong. Maybe that's because I haven't found this pregnancy to be particularly painful or complicated. I love being pregnant and pregnancy is nothing short of miraculous. Every week this journey seems better than the last. This week I can actually see you kicking from the outside. It's amazing to look down and see my basketball sized belly moving in sync with your daily soccer drills. I often find myself smiling when I feel you hiccuping from within.

I can't wrap my head around the fact that this pregnancy is more than halfway over. Wasn't it only yesterday I woke up early to pee on not one but two sticks? While I am eager to meet you, I'm also a little sad that I will soon be sharing you with the world and no longer able to keep you snuggled safely all to myself.

The finish line to taste the sweet and painful victory of birth is drawing near. Until then I will savor all of our time together, just the two of us.

Love, Mom.

24 Weeks!

Time to check in. I'm really amazed that I'm already at week 24. I have days where I feel like this pregnancy is going to last forever and days where I can't believe it's over half way gone.

How far along: 24 weeks today!

Symptoms: Heartburn sucks period. Low back ache comes and goes but is at its worst when I've been standing for long periods of time. I'm still experiencing pregnancy rhinitis (stuffy/runny nose). I seem to have found a little bit of energy and am now getting much more done after working a full day.

Total Weight Gain: 10 pounds total and some days it feels like 50!

Maternity Clothes: Nothing new to see here, just the same ol' maternity dress for the 300th wear. :)

Stretch Marks: Shall we count them? Nah, that would just get depressing (and take too long).

Sleep: I get my best sleep from 4 am to 8 am. Too bad I have to be up by 6.

Best Moment This Week: In the last four weeks, we've painted the nursery and put up crown moulding (thanks to my parents), purchased (thanks to my in-laws) and put together the crib, purchased the closet system and dresser/changing table, ordered fabric for the crib skirt and roman shade, had the crib mattress delivered and made final art selections for the walls.

Movement: I'm feeling movement all day every day now and I love it. He routinely kicks, squirms and apparently has the hiccups. I also purchased an at home Fetal Doppler. I love listening to his heartbeat!

Food Cravings: Apples with peanut butter and string cheese.

Belly Button: Still an innie.

What I miss: Sleeping a solid 8 hours. I've never had sleep issues, so this is new territory. Totally worth the headache but a full nights rest would be grand!

What I am looking forward to: Finishing the nursery, baby showers, squeezing in every date night with hubby I possibly can, retiring from work and meeting Oliver!

Milestones: Over the hump!

How is Daddy?: Ecstatic! He's reading books about being a father and parenting a son. So fun!

How are the Grandparents?: Eager as ever! They are ready to meet Oliver and have been 100% supportive in everything we need.

Stranger Encounters: I've gotten a few "when are you due" comments lately and when I say November 5 usually they say "oh big baby!"

Project Nursery - Act 1

One of the most fun parts of being pregnant (aside from seeing the baby, feeling the baby and hearing the heartbeat of course) is planning the nursery. I was dreaming of our first baby's nursery before we even conceived.

We've chosen our smallest guest room as the nursery. How much space can one tiny human need? So far, that answer seems to be a lot! But with proper planning, organization and thoughtful execution, I think it will work out just fine.

Follow me on this journey of creating Oliver's Nest and feel free to add suggestions (well except on his name, paint colors and furniture as those are set in stone). :)

Before picture of nursery/guest room...

Here's the project board I've created for inspiration after many, many hours of research:

Tomorrow my always-willing-to-help parents are coming over to paint the walls (Thyme Green - much brighter than pictured here due to scanning), paint the closet (light grey) and put up crown moulding. We'll be ordering the crib, mattress and dresser next week. I already have the adorable owl sheets and pillow from DwellStudio. Not pictured is a recliner that's being slipcovered in white as well as a crib skirt that's still in the design stage.

We are so excited to see this nursery come together!

Happy Painting!

20 Weeks and Counting (DOWN)!

20 weeks 3 days

looking right at us

waving hand

Time to check in. I've officially crossed the halfway threshold of pregnancy. I had my 20 week doctor appointment today and all looked great. I got to meet the only male midwife on staff and I loved him! That's not to say I haven't been happy with everyone in the office...well, there was that one midwife... :)

How far along: 20 weeks and 6 days today!

Symptoms: Heartburn is still showing its ugly face, low back ache comes and goes, round belly continues to grow. I've been experiencing pregnancy rhinitis (stuffy/runny nose) for the last few weeks in addition to a growing appetite. Oh and I almost forgot my varicose veins and swollen ankles by the end of the day. No real complaints though, we're on our way to having a healthy baby boy and that alone makes all of this worth it!

Total Weight Gain: 7 pounds total. Midwife is happy with the gain. When else in your life can you gain 6 pounds in 4 weeks and get a high-five from the doctor? (Well unless you happen to be one of the Olsen twins.)

Maternity Clothes: Update: I added maternity underwear to my collection and if that ain't sexy I don't know what is!

Stretch Marks: Just a forgone conclusion at this point.

Sleep: How does one get comfortable with a melon in the belly? I'm still trying to figure this out.

Best Moment This Week: Having a detailed ultrasound, confirming Oliver is indeed a boy and starting work on the nursery!

Movement: I feel movement daily, especially right after eating.

Food Cravings: I'm back to eating pretty much anything. Chicken still isn't my favorite but I can eat it. I'm also back in the kitchen creating recipes which makes hubby very happy!

Belly Button: Still in but getting sore. I wonder how much longer it will be in?

What I miss: The gym!

What I am looking forward to: Traveling to Charleston to visit the in-laws (and check out all the cute baby stores there), getting the nursery finished and meeting Oliver!

Milestones: Over the hump!

How is Daddy?: Glowing. :)

How are the Grandparents?: Anticipating Oliver's arrival and eager to help do whatever needs to be done!

Stranger Encounters: Still occurring. I love when my friends and family want to touch the baby belly. Strangers? Not so much.

And he shall be called...

OHE

Oliver Edmunds Holloway.

We've known since we conceived that if Baby H was a boy we would name him Oliver. Why you ask? Simply because we love it. It's different and not often heard anymore. The middle name, Edmunds, is from Brent's side of the family. Edmunds was Brent's great-grandfather. We feel good about not only getting a name we love but also one that connects this baby to the family he comes from.

Calling Oliver by his name makes this pregnancy seem all the more real. Last week Brent said something very simple, "when Oliver gets here..." and it completely caught me off guard. I think for the first time I actually was able to imagine what a tiny piece of our new life will be like. We can't wait to meet our little Oliver face to face.

A bit of useless information: The name Oliver means" kind one, olive tree (a biblical symbol of dignity and fruitfulness) and peace." Edmunds means "wealthy protector."

The cat is out of the bag. Let the monogramming begin!

17 weeks!

Checking in again....

How far along: 17 weeks today!

Symptoms: Nausea is gone , heartburn is back with a vengence, low back ache comes and goes, round belly continues to grow. Sore boobs and round ligament pain. Oh and varicose veins!

Total Weight Gain: Still at 1.5 pounds total (remains a 4.5 pound loss since the positive test).

Maternity Clothes: It's all I wear. Surprisingly, maternity clothes have come a long way. There are some really cute things out there!

Stretch Marks: Nasty little suckers!

Sleep: Seems to be getting a little better despite the double bathroom trips each night.

Best Moment This Week: Finding out that Baby H is a BOY!

Movement: I felt a few flutters while relaxing in Hawaii.

Food Cravings: Still hating chicken but am doing much better in the food department.

Belly Button: Still in.

What I miss: Hawaii and so does Baby H.

What I am looking forward to: Planning and decorating the nursery, oh how I cannot wait!. Feeling Baby H kick!

Milestones: Finding out Baby H's gender.

How is Daddy?: Excited he will be raising a son and all into selecting the perfect crib!

How are the Grandparents?: We invited them all to the gender ultrasound and everyone had a blast. Now that they know its a grandson, it's just a matter of time before the buying frenzy begins!

Stranger Encounters: So every stranger predicted a girl and they were all wrong! I encountered a few people in Hawaii who were interested in my growing belly but thankfully none of them were interested in copping a feel. Phew!

Brought to you by the letter "B"

Yesterday, after a long flight home from Hawaii, we had an outside ultrasound to determine Baby Holloway's gender. Brent and I, along with my parents, my sister, sister-in-law April, and Brent's parents made the trek to Stork Vision in Atlanta. I drank what seemed like a bathtub of water on the way as well as a coke (I needed to make sure Baby H was awake). Little did I know, all that water wasn't necessary and I'd have to make 3 trips to the bathroom before the ultrasound was over. It took about 45 minutes, 3 positions and lots of jumping around on my part to get the baby to cooperate. Finally Baby H let go of its inner shyness and....

That's right, a boy! Brent and I will soon the parents of a little baby boy. We are so thankful for a healthy baby and couldn't be more excited for all the fun (and frustration) that lies ahead.

Here are a few more pictures from the ultrasound:

Baby H looking right at us.

I think I'm in love

Another face shot

I love this!

Spine in perfect order

Waiving at his family.

Now the fun part begins! Time to decide on the nursery and get to work!

15 weeks!

Checking in again....

How far along: 15 weeks today!

Symptoms: Nausea is gone , heartburn is much better since I stopped eating anything tomato based, low back ache comes and goes, round belly continues to grow. Sore boobs and round ligament pain. Oh and varicose veins!

Total Weight Gain: 1.5 pounds total. Still a 4.5 pound deficit since the positive test.

Maternity Clothes: It's all I wear. Surprisingly, maternity clothes have come a long way. There are some really cute things out there!

Stretch Marks: Nasty little suckers!

Sleep: Still tossing and turning. It seems the only time I get great sleep is about an hour before the alarm goes off. Still making two potty trips per night.

Best Moment This Week: Preparing for Hawaii!

Movement: I felt flutters again while walking the dog. Great feeling!

Food Cravings: Food aversions are getting better by the day. I ate chicken once and it didn't kill me. However, I don't want it again.

Belly Button: Still in.

What I miss: Forget wine! I miss sleep!

What I am looking forward to: Finding out the gender of this baby (5/25), decorating the nursery and feeling bean kick!

Milestones: Officially in the 2nd Trimester and over the hump of morning (all day) sickness!

How is Daddy?: He actually spoke to the baby the other day. :)

How are the Grandparents?: Ecstatic! The first grandchild for all four of them. I think this baby could be spoiled...They are all going with us to the gender scan. Prayers we find out what this baby is or I'm going to have a room full of disappointed people!

Stranger Encounters: I'm adding a new category. What is up with random folks rubbing my stomach and making gender predictions? Just this week, I had two encounters. One, a lady in the lobby of my building. Two, one of the cleaning ladies felt me up on the elevator without even asking! Both predicted that bean is a GIRL.

Sugar & Spice or Snakes & Snails

In just under two weeks, we have an ultrasound to determine if Baby Bean Holloway is a girl or a boy. I was very smart in my scheduling. The ultrasound is set for the day we return from Hawaii. Oh have I mentioned we are going to Hawaii? We are Aloha bound this Saturday morning and will spend 10 glorious days soaking up sun and relaxation. I figured the vacation would keep my mind off the gender scan and the gender scan would make me want to return from paradise.

I love hearing the old wives' tales about how to determine the baby's gender. Here are a few of the predictions I have received:

• Chinese Gender Prediction Chart says GIRL;
• I'm carrying the baby high, which says GIRL;
• My feet aren't colder than they were before I was pregnant, GIRL;
• I won't eat the heal of a loaf of bread, GIRL;
• Dad-to-be hasn't gained any weight, GIRL;
• Morning sickness early on, GIRL
• No major chest enlargement, BOY;
• Sum of my age at conception & month of conception are even, BOY;
• A needle and thread held over my belly moves in circles, BOY;
• Craving salty foods, not sweet, BOY;
• Craving fruit over meat, GIRL;
• Baby's heart rate was over 140, GIRL.

So 8 out of 12 predictors say its a GIRL. My dreams tell me its a BOY. Guess we'll have to wait and see!

While we wait to see what Baby Bean Holloway truly is, let's have a little fun! Leave me your prediction for boy or girl, along with a name suggestion for your chosen gender in the comment section. I can't wait to hear it!

Spilling the Beans...

Let's back up to the story of how we shared the news, shall we?

As I said in my earlier post, I took a home pregnancy test on Saturday, February 27 around 5 am. I immediately see a "PREGNANT" sign and do a little happy dance. I made an appointment with my reproductive endocrinologist for Tuesday, March 2. Brent and I went in that afternoon and had a blood drawn. I had to wait an entire day to get the results! The numbers came back in the 1200 range. We scheduled another blood draw for March 4 only this time I made the appointment early in the morning so I could get the results the same afternoon. Crystal, the best.nurse.ever, called around 4 p.m. to let me know that my HCG levels had done exactly what they should, as they were now at 2500. It was official! WE ARE PREGNANT! Oh did I mention this was also the week of Brent's birthday? What a fantastic gift!

We decided we weren't going to tell our parents until Easter dinner. We were hosting dinner at our house and both sets of parents were attending. The first person I told about Bean was my dear friend Shea. The next people to learn of the addition were Coy & Mandi. We celebrated Brent's birthday dinner with them as we always do, and there was no keeping the secret when I had to refuse an order from the bar! Next on the list was my sister (because I can't keep a secret from her) and Brent's sister and brother-in-law. Next up was my brother and sister-in-law (who've requested to be called Aunt Apee and Uncle Hou) and my friend Jennie (who is 5 weeks ahead of me in the expecting game). So much fun to share the news but we couldn't wait to tell our parents who've been dropping not so subtle hints about wanting to be grandparents.

Caption reads "Hatching soon, a bundle of joy,

will it be a girl or maybe a boy?"

Brent's parents came into town the Saturday before Easter. This meant I had to keep it a secret for the next 24 hours. So despite my overwhelming food aversions and non-ending nausea, I managed to pull it off and even prepare Easter dinner. I had planned for weeks how I was going to tell them. I had an idea to put a pink & blue PEEP in a stuffable egg along with a little message. I had the camera ready to go. The real task proved to be keeping Homer (my FIL) out of the Easter goodies until dinner time.

We said grace and then I told everyone to open their Easter gifts. I was so thankful to capture their reactions on camera. As expected, our mothers figured it out first and both let out a little shout of excitement. It took our dads a few minutes to catch on. Homer's first words "Are you serious?" They couldn't be more excited, unless of course, they were us!

We passed around our two ultrasound pictures and soaked up every bit of the Easter we will never forget!

13 Weeks!

How far along: 13 weeks and 3 days.

Symptoms: Nausea (much better but still brought on by annoying odors), heartburn, low back ache, round belly.

Total Weight Gain: 1 pound as of this morning. That means I'm still down 5 since the positive test.

Maternity Clothes: Just about everything I wear is now maternity with exception to a few shirts.

Stretch Marks: I noticed the first one today. Ugh.

Sleep: Most nights are spent tossing and turning despite being exhausted.

Best Moment This Week: Hearing bean's heartbeat for the first time!

Movement: I felt a few flutters last week. Nothing regular yet.

Food Cravings: I'm still having issues with food aversions (mainly meat, especially chicken). I do have sorbet every night.

Belly Button: Still in.

What I miss: Wine.

What I am looking forward to: Finding out the gender of this baby, decorating the nursery and feeling bean kick!

Milestones: Almost to the end of the First Trimester and I made my first baby purchase this weekend in Florida!

How is Daddy?: He couldn't be more excited. He's willing to help do whatever when I'm not feeling up to par and goes out of his way to make sure I am comfortable. He's going to be the best dad ever.

How are the Grandparents?: Ecstatic! The first grandchild for all four of them. I think this baby could be spoiled...

You Ought to be in Pictures...

...you're wonderful to see! Yes, that was cheesy and you can all thank me later for having that song in your head. :)

I love going to the doctor and seeing the little bean squirming around on the screen. Recently (twice) I felt little baby flutters and it was indeed the coolest thing ever. I'm looking forward to the baby really moving around so Brent can feel it too!

Sadly, I've reached the stage in pregnancy where unless the midwife thinks there might be an issue, I won't be receiving another ultrasound until the gender scan during week 20 (unless of course you are like us and make an appointment with an outside imaging company at week 17). Seriously? I treated with a Reproductive Endocrinologist for the first 10 weeks and I was completely spoiled by seeing the bean every week. I suppose the Doppler and hearing the heartbeat will have to do.

Speaking of heartbeat, we experienced the joy of hearing our little one's heartbeat for the first time today. It was a solid 150 beats per minute. Best.sound.ever!

Only 3.5 more weeks until we (hopefully) find out if this bean is a boy or girl! I need to know so I can start calling this baby by his/her name and start working on the nursery. The wait won't be too agonizing as we'll be in Hawaii for 10 days of it.

Little and Growing

12 WEEKS!

Where has the time gone? When I first found out I was pregnant, I swore I wasn't going to tell anyone else until I got to week 12. Then week 12 seemed light-years away and well we all know how that went.

I get weekly baby growth updates from www.BabyCenter.com. It's fun keeping up with how the little bean is advancing and getting answers to the many questions I have each week. In 12 short weeks, baby Holloway has gained a heartbeat, tiny facial features (wonder who he/she will look like), little fingers and toes, a full set of internal organs (though they continue to grow and mature), the ability to suck and swallow, form a fist and wrinkle his/her little forehead. No wonder I'm so tired!

I have my 12 week appointment on Thursday and I'm praying we can detect a heartbeat through the Doppler this week!

Just for my records: To date, I've lost 6 pounds and gained 0. The midwife says she'd like to see me gain 25 to 30 pounds with this pregnancy and I need to start gaining in the next week or so. My morning sickness seems to be slacking off as the nausea is dwindling. Sleeping at night continues to be futile as I spend more time tossing and turning than I do sleeping. The food aversions seem to be improving but not so much that I see myself eating a piece of meat anytime soon.

Only 192 days to go!

If Only You Could Read...

Dear Little Bean,

I wrote down my feelings the day I found out I was pregnant with you. It was very early on a Saturday morning (February 27 to be exact) and I just knew something was different. I climbed out of bed at 5:30 a.m. to take a pregnancy test and within what felt like 2 seconds the test read...PREGNANT. I did a little happy dance, much like that of Hugh Grant in Love Actually (you'll come to learn this is my favorite movie), and climbed back into bed. I woke your Father to tell him of the good news but sometimes men aren't overly keen on being woken by a barking dog, a giddy wife and bright lights all around. I laid there for what felt like 3 years trying to fall back asleep. But visions of you and all things baby were too much to allow my mind to sleep.

Leading up to taking the test, I had a very vivid dream of pacing the upstairs hallway from what will be your nursery to the office. In this dream I was holding the sweetest baby boy and in it I could feel how much I loved you even in my sleep. I will always cherish that dream.

It's hard for me to imagine all that will change when you finally arrive and yet I can't comprehend what things will remain the same. I've never experienced anything like pregnancy before. It brings about feelings of apprehension, elation and joy. I feel so blessed to have gotten pregnant so quickly and despite the sometimes endless nausea and exhaustion, it is the most exciting thing I've ever done in my life. I want you to know and always remember that we wanted a baby. We hoped and prayed for our lives to be forever changed by you. We are in awe of God's mercy and grace to allow us to play a very small role in creating your life. He's chosen your body as a place for His spirit to dwell and we are waiting to see all that He's created you to be. I daydream of holding you, what you will look like, the sound of your voice, and your good newborn smell.

So dear son or daughter, stay comfy and grow perfectly in God's image. We'll be here counting down the days until November 5 (or whatever day you choose to arrive).

Love Always,

Mom and Dad!