This Mommy Runs on Caffeine

This Mommy Runs on Caffeine

January 26, 2009

It's Not a Secret Anymore!

So, we had our first ultrasound on January 16th and with a very healthy heartbeat and diagnosis from the fertility clinic, we felt comfortable sharing the news with our families finally. Up to this point, I've told very few people because of our past history with miscarriages. I told my BFF and my mom on the day we found out and then a few weeks, my boss because of me needing to take it easy at work. We were going to wait until the first week of February during my dad's and DH's mom's birthdays' but the secret was getting harder to keep and making up reasons why I wasn't around was becoming more interesting by the day! ( :

We told the families (except for my mom, she already knew a few weeks ago) by giving them belated Christmas presents (we finally took the Christmas tree down on January 17th- when you have to muster up enough energy to drive home from work and change your clothes, doing much else is pointless!). First K&J- we gave them each a present that had Grandma and Grandpa appropriate onesies along with the ultrasound photos. They were so excited! And so many questions to answer. G'ma K was excited and began telling our nephews about the news but for a 5 y/o and 1 y/o it's not real fun- yet! This is not the first grandchild on that side of the family; but now on to my dad and step-momster. My dad is thrilled- it is his first grandchild; and I think the baby can't come soon enough! G'ma L ran upstairs and copied the first "baby pictures" -the ultrasound photos- and at 7w1d, it looks like a little wad of gum, a cute wad of gum for sure! They are all now calling on a regular basis to see how I am feeling and that ranges depending on the minute- seriously! So, if you feel so inclined, you too can spill the beans! ( :
TTYL,
C.

January 15, 2009

"Honey, Will You...?"

... and he does. See, I've been blessed with a supportive husband (who might even be suffering from his own sympathy symptoms!) who has been floating on Cloud 9 ever since I could share with him the good news. He's always asking if I need this or that, or whatever.... and he bolts up in the middle of the night wondering if I'm okay (mind you it's after the 3rd bathroom trip of the night!)- I'm so lucky! So, call me surprised when I sweetly asked for mashed potatoes from Jack's and he claims it's going to be a long 8 months! Do you know that cravings are very hard to curb? And who wants to make a pregnant woman cry!

I swear, I'm really not high maintenence- and this science experiment calls for just a wee bit of TLC, right? LOL. I think I've heard this comment at least once before too... but for him it's only 8 months, for me, it's going to feel like the gestation period of an elephant.... especially during the nice and cool Sacramento summers!

I haven't really had many cravings- the first few weeks I was hungry- no, make that ravenous and wanted whatever popped into my head. A cheeseburger from In-n-Out (I haven't had one for over a year), chocolate ice cream (I'm a plain vanilla kind of girl!), chips and dip for a few days, and since then not really anything in particular in the last few weeks. Actually, food doesn't sound good at all the majority of the time and not because of morning sickness, just because it doesn't. So, when I scarfed up those yummy mashed potatoes, I was a happy pregnant chick. (I'm sure it was the lopsided pout - thanks to the cold sores- that won my DH over!)- at least I'm a cheap date right now! Okay, my energy level has just been depleted (do you hear that beeping like your cell phone!) and it's time for bed.... and this coming from a reformed night owl! TTYL!

Spin the Wheel and Win....

... a random symptom or two! So, here we are at nearly 7 weeks and I've had the pleasure of experiencing a wide range of pregnancy-related symptoms. Seriously, it's like a new part of "The Price is Right!" Ladies and dear husband, what random symptom shall we deal Carol today???? Personally, I'd settle for the $1,000 bonus round, but the outcome of this little experiment will be a priceless bundle of joy, right? Yeah.

So, I've been fortunate enough to not have morning (or noon or night) sickness to the extent that I've heard others have had. Mine is more like an unexplainable little feeling in my stomach that goes away if I eat a cracker or two, or whole package for that matter. I'm hoping that that is the bulk of it. But, I'm prepared- with toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash and gum in my purse just in case; and of course the box of Nilla Wafers is patiently sitting by my bed (hoping to be turned into a trifle in about 6 more weeks!) This little feeling hit last Saturday, just about exactly at the 6 week mark. I felt like I was constantly eating- it might have also been the altitude as I was attending a conference in Denver! Speaking of food....

So the first two weeks, I couldn't get enough to eat- and I was ravenous when I did eat. Now, the thought of food turns my stomach. What sounded good two minutes ago doesn't so much anymore! Cereal is my trusty friend. I was almost in tears the other night when my dear husband (DH) tried to force me to eat. Oh, and I am a morning-cup 'o joe- fiend- my usual Venti Sugar Free Vanilla Latte is no more. Partially because of cutting down on the caffeine- the doctor says to keep the intake as low as possible, but I can have a minimal amount- but also because coffee just doesn't always taste good. Now, this is to the bewilderment of my DH who thought he would never see the day that he is the Star-biz-uck's regular, not I! (Me too!) Also helps in saving a little $$, but c'mon- that's my only vice left! (Should I trade it in for weekly pedis???) So, there have been a few cravings- ice cream, an In-N-Out cheesburger once (extra pickles!), and lots of veggies. I love veggies right now. Mostly, I've been relying on cereal and PB&J sandwiches- anything that is easy on the tummy! I think this child is going to be a picky eater... LOL.

I would have to say that fatigue is the worst thing to deal with- it makes everything just a tiny bit harder to accomplish. (And alas, no caffeine to help with energy!) Well, there is alot going on at work- moving into a new office with absolutely no help, launching a two-week long training class, and trying to juggle four new projects on top of a daily commute that had doubled- so absolutely nothing is getting done at home. I have a reserve of energy only about two hours long once I get home, and it quickly fades. Mind you, I was a night owl before- not so much anymore- I'm in PJ's once I hit the door and in bed fast asleep by 9:30 tops! Thank goodness for my DH who is taking over so much of the responsibilty for right now- I awoke to a sparkling clean kitchen the other night- yay! Oh, and let's not even talk about the two days within the past few weeks that were spent sleeping- all day! Not a marching band nor a forest fire kept me awake! It's amazing how this little being takes control of your body- oh how we'll see when BabyW actaully arrives!

So aside from above, the occasional headache or sore back, the tendency to cry when someone just says hello, my favorite random symptom has been the cold sores and dealing with the 'girls' if you know what I mean! I've suffered from cold sores as long as I can remember but for crying out loud hormones- do you have to unleash your wrath on my lips all at the same dang time! Oh but I fight back- Abreva and this new kick-a$$ topical medicine I found at Safeway, along with rubbing alcohol- it hurts crazy, but these cold sores are so wrong.... anyways, I've pretty much had one non-stop since I found out we were expecting. Probably the hormones, the fatigue, stress, you name it. Note to self to ask the doctor if lysine and acyclovir is safe. ... oh, and about the 'girls,' I've had to wear a bra non-stop to help alleviate some of the tenderness which has led to a rash. See what I mean- random stuff? I know that once lil Baby W comes, none of this will matter, but it's so much fun to reminice on!
I'm also noting all of this in my Belly Book- the cartoon on the cover says Hello Belly, Good Bye Feet! Cute! So, until the Wheel 'o Symptoms spins again.....

January 7, 2009

And A Blog is Born!

What is it about the two little lines on that stick that turns nearly every woman into a harried, worried and tired, walking, talking science experiment? One that make you feel as if you can't get enough information about the miracle that is pregnancy? Sure enough- my test said "Yep" and off I run to the bookstore to scour the shelves to find the perfect pregnancy encyclopedias. Not only to the bookstore, but I also bookmarked no less than eight websites for advice and knowledge. You would think that it really did require a user manual to be a pregnant woman! It's hard to believe that millions of women have had healthy babies and prego journeys for hundreds of years without so much as a manual!

I am currently 5 weeks, 3 days along- and you are thinking- she found out early!! Yes, I did. My period technically wasn't even late but, my husband (now referred to as DH) and I have been trying for over three years, and I was diagnosed with some minor fertility issues and we conceived Baby W with the help of Clomid through the fertility clinic at Kaiser. So needless to say that we were very aware of what was going on and I took the first opportunity to tinkle on a stick to find out. I've also had several miscarriages and although I am cautiously optimistic, I have a good feeling about this time around. (**Send good thoughts!**) We deserve this little bean. I can't tell you how hard it was every time I heard the word pregnant or even saw a pregnant person for the last few years. It just wasn't fair! I feel for anyone that is going through problems trying to conceive their children; I can relate. And now I'm excited to relate to pregnant ladies and join the Mommy Club. So, I hope that if you are reading this you find this entertaining and even educational- I'll try to refrain from too much information (TMI)! Thanks for stopping by.
~Pregnant Chick and Soon to Be Mommy, Carol~