9 Weeks, 3 Days

Here's my 9 week, 3 day belly. You can really tell that my bump is starting to get more bumpy. Haha.

New updates this week:

I thought my morning sickness was getting a little better, but I was soooo wrong. I've been miserable almost 24-7 for the past few days. I usually get a small break shortly after dinnertime, but not always.

My energy is starting to come back, which means I'm finally tackling some of the housework that has been piling up. Kyle was about to wring my neck out of frustration.

I still have really intense cravings, mostly for pizza and spicy chicken nuggets.

I got a call from my primary care doctor (who has been following me for my post-traumatic anxiety attacks). She told me that all of my bloodwork came back fabulous, although I'm on the lowest end of normal for B12, which means I need to eat a bit more meat and dairy. I am by no means a vegetarian, but meat isn't my favorite thing. I guess that means it'll have to be dairy.

My next OB appt will be next Thursday, so look for an update then, if not before.

Meet Baby #2!

I had my first OB appointment this morning at 10:30 with Dr. Hamilton. I was pretty nervous about everything, but it couldn't have gone better! The nurse took my history, then called in the doctor. She immediately came in the room and gave me a big bear hug. She asked how I was doing with everything and told me how sorry she was. I said, "I guess they told you what happened to me." She said, "Sweetie, a good doctor always reads the chart. I'm gonna look you over then get you into ultrasound to set your mind at ease." I thought for sure that I'd have to plead for the ultrasound, but she told me that she's a softie, and when she saw my case, she knew it was the right thing to do. When I went in the ultrasound room, she brought up the screen and gave me a direct shot of my baby. She also turned on the sound so that I could hear the beautiful sound of his/her heartbeat. And yes, only one baby, as it happens. She took all of the measurements and said everything looks great. I'm measuring exactly as far along as I thought I was, which puts my due date on Monday, September 26, 2011.

I'll be back with more updates as they come in!

8 weeks, 3 days

Sorry! I missed taking an 8 week picture on the dot, but I'm guessing that you guys will forgive me. Here's a belly shot at 8 weeks, 3 days. As I type, I'm preparing to leave for Ochsner to have my first OB appointment. They normally don't offer ultrasounds until 20 weeks, but due to my anxiety attacks and some possible cardiac issues, I may be a special case. I intend to beg and plead if I have to. I desperately want reassurance that everything is going well with my little sprout. I also want to see how many bambinos are floating around in there.

Morning sickness is still kicking my butt, but I welcome it. It gives me a little reassurance that everything is progressing how it should be. My always full bladder is also doing a pretty good job!

If you all are seeing this in time, please join with me in prayer that I am able to get my ultrasound and that I have a wonderful visit with my new doctor, Dr. Monique Hamilton. Even if you don't see this post in time, still join with me in prayer to ask for a blessed, healthy baby. I thank you all for your support and love.

Pregnancy Week 7

I have had some very intense cravings with this pregnancy! I've actually always been a slave to my cravings, even when I'm not pregnant, but they seem so much more magnified now.

Here are a few from recent memory:
-a Big Mama hot pickle (the kind they sell at Video Plus)
-meaty spaghetti and caesar salad
-Wendy's spicy chicken sandwich
-lasagna with lettuce
-chinese food
-Papa John's pizza
-a banana split with only chocolate and vanilla ice cream, in a waffle bowl

Aside from my cravings, a few things of note have happened recently. Due to my expanding waistline, I finally gave in and switched to some maternity pants at work. My regular khakis were digging into my belly whenever I sat down.

I also proudly displayed my new bump at church on Sunday. I would swear that I heard a collective gasp from some of the ladies in the church when I unzipped my jacket in the choir loft. It made me smile.

7 Week Belly

Here's my 7 week belly. As you can see, I'm popping out already. I think it's because I was just pregnant and my body already knows what to do.

"Morning" Sickness

I would love to smack the person who came up with the term "morning" sickness...it HAD to be a man. Here I am, for the third night in a row, vegging out in front of the TV while trying to distract myself from the nausea. I haven't actually thrown up yet, but I just know the day is coming. With Nile, I remember being sick to my stomach, 24-7, from weeks 6 to week 20ish. It seems that this baby started on week 6 too. Right on cue, bambino!

Here are some of my pregnancy symptoms for the moment:
-nausea
-heartburn at night
-bloating
-mild cramping
-extreme fatigue
-specific cravings

Speaking of cravings, this pregnancy has been different from my last in that regard as well. With Nile, I wanted non-stop fruits and veggies. With this baby, I crave meat. I want steaks, burgers, chicken, etc. Yesterday, I was dying for a Burger King whopper. Today, I would have killed for some honey mustard sauce.

6 Weeks

I thought it would be fun to blog about the pregnancy and take a few pictures along the way to show my baby bump. It's still very early, but I already feel my belly starting to pop. The experts say that women show sooner with their subsequent pregnancies, and I definitely see the truth in that.

Here I am at 6 weeks, 2 days (my best estimate). My estimated due date is Monday, September 26, 2011. That means that I will be going through the heat of a New Orleans summer in my third trimester. Oh boy!

Still, even though I joke, I will be thankful for whatever pregnancy tortures I will have to endure. It'll all be so worth it.

Drumroll Please!

As many of you know, my world changed forever on the morning of December 9, 2010. I lost the biggest blessing that I was ever able to call my own. I'm learning every day how to move forward with my life, and God's helped me every step of the way.

This blog isn't being written to focus on the negative, although there will undoubtedly be moments of intense sadness. Bear with me in those times. Instead, I wanted to start fresh and celebrate my new way of living.

It seems that God had a fresh start of His own in mind as well. After quite a bit of suspicion, I finally took a test and got the answer I was praying for. TWO BIG FAT POSITIVES! (I realize that the flash makes the lines ever fainter than usual, but trust me.) I was immediately both scared and overjoyed, and I imagine that I'll feel that way for quite some time.

I took the tests on the evening of Wednesday, January 19th - I had been struggling with some morning nausea, bloating, and the night before, I was so tired that I went to bed at 7:30! When I got the first positive, I called Kyle immediately. He knew my suspicions, but I still think he was in shock when I gave him the news. We both agreed that I should take another test before I got too excited, so after evening church, I ran to the store to pick up another one. When I got home, I anxiously watched as another blue line started for take shape. It seemed so unreal, but after confirming the results with Kyle, the excitement came again. I called some of my dearest friends and family and spread the news. I think I was on the phone until almost midnight. Everyone was shocked, excited, and a little nervous, which I expected....but the conscensus was the same - this baby would be cherished. Nile's death has taught everyone the value of life and of children.

The rollercoaster ride is beginning, and I couldn't be happier at my second chance at life. I pray God's blessings on this pregnancy.