Starting to Grow

At 10 weeks along, I am starting to grow just a little bit! Luckily, I haven't lost weight. I actually gained a pound! The heart beat was detected via doppler at my most recent doctor visit (11 weeks). What a relief!
Dr. Jodi (chiropractor) guessed that I'm having a boy! If all goes well, I should find out for sure in about 6 weeks during the anatomical survey ultrasound.
The nuchal translucency ultrasound (NT) is scheduled for Feb 5th. I hope to see a healthy wiggly baby that day! I'm determined to have an intervention-free birth (meaning no pitocin, pain medication, IV, artificial rupture of membranes and more). I wish I could have a home birth but my insurance does not cover it. I called many area midwives and the average price for prenatal care and homebirth is $2500-$3000. It's not in the budget this time. However, I found a woman that facilitates hypnobirthing classes in the west valley. I know I can have an awesome natural birth in the hospital. Hypnobirthing techniques are just an added bonus! Dusty is not as excited about natural birth as I am, but I really hope he warms up to the idea as time passes.

It's 2009!

Here are my goals for 2009!

• I would like to get my house organized and keep it that way. I have been using the tips and schedule on Flylady.net.
• I am going to become more involved in my church. I need to start attending more regularly. I found a great church in my area that offers a wonderful children's ministry and many weekday activities. Hopefully, I will meet other young families that live close.
  
• I'd like to start eating better and using more coupons when I shop.
• I'm working on getting back into a routine with the girls. During the day we do activities such as paint or play with playdough. Sometime life gets so busy with errands and chores that I forget to let the kids have fun!
• Last, I'd like to increase my flexibility and muscle tone. I have a Wii and Wii fit...no more excuses!
  

We have a heartbeat!

I had an ultrasound on Dec 29, 2008. The baby measured 1 or 2 days smaller than the doctor expected. However, I expected it because I know that I don't ovulate on day 14 of my cycle. The heart rate was 148 bpm and everything is going smoothly! My due date is still August 13, 2009.

Christmas 2008

Christmas was fun! The girls were excited to open presents and spend the day with family. I wasn't feeling so great. I was plagued with nausea and fatigue, but luckily my mom and Dusty prepared most of the meal and entertained! It was a calm and relaxed day, which is exactly how Christmas should be!

First OB visit

Today I'm 6 weeks pregnant!

I saw the OB on December 5th. The doctor told me it was too early for an ultrasound so I'm scheduled to have one in about 10 days. I'm praying that we see the tiny heart beating.

Here is a picture of my belly at 4 weeks. Nothing has changed yet. I was 108 pounds when I took the picture. I normally lose weight in the first trimester but I hope I don't lose much weight this time around.

I only have a few pregnancy symptoms right now. The nausea normally hits me at 6 or 7 weeks... which will be just in time for Christmas. I'm having vivid and scary dreams, which has happened with all of my pregnancies.

Family Pictures

Some great friends took family pictures of us at the Gilbert Public Library. It was very fun! The pictures turned out nice except for the fact that Tylar didn't want to smile that day. Oh well, maybe next time. The pictures are so natural compared to our studio pictures from last year. Thank you Caroline, Lola, and Jen!

Shhhh....

After the loss of our son in the second trimester, we decided not to tell our children anything about future pregnancies until I really begin to show. So, I'm sharing the news with you because you won't tell the girls, right? =)

I took a test on the morning of December 2, 2008. I've heard that morning is the best time to test.

I normally see a line appear right away but this time it took several minutes and the second line was very faint.

I went to the store to get more tests! I always wanted to use a digital and this time I had an excuse to spend the extra money.

The doctor confirmed that I am pregnant yesterday. Yay! I think I'm due August 13, 2009. This will be my third August baby if all goes well!

I have been charting my cycles for 7 months. My chart doesn't look like a typical pregnancy chart so I was shocked to see the word "pregnant"!