There IS a baby in there!

Yesterday Judd and I got to see Peanut for the first time!!  This optional ultrasound (why would I say no?!) was done at 11 weeks.  Typically the midwives don't do an early ultrasound (which usually happens at 8 or so week), so I was later in having this one done.  I am really excited that we waited because rather than seeing a blob as I expected, there was obviously a baby in there!!  The technician said his/her hands were pretty much fully developed!  They were moving around and he was so active, jumping constantly!  It was crazy surreal.  Judd said that for the rest of the day he kept thinking about Psalm 139: 13 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb."  God is knitting little peanut together as I write this!  Its so incredibly crazy how two cells join and everything comes out of that.  It only makes sense that God has breathed life into this baby because its all too miraculous.  Wow. 

Up until this point I have really been having a hard time believing this is all real.  Sure I have been pretty confident it has been (especially after hearing the heartbeat), but its so hard to believe something is going on when you haven't seen anything tangible.  It definitely doesn't help the cause when we have been so careful to limit who we tell.  This weekend marks to beginning of telling people (phew!!).  Next weekend we are going to California for Easter and will tell my family.  We told Judd's parents that next Saturday is a free for all and they can tell anyone and everyone and can feel free to post all-over facebook :)  

Hearing the Heartbeat!

Letter from Laura this morning!

Today was my first doctors appointment!  I have decided to go with the Boulder Nurse-Midwives and could not be more pleased.  From women I know and trust who have gone through them as well as everything I have read, I definitely believe midwives are the path for me.  The amazing thing about the BNW is that they are across the street from the hospital, are closely connected and you deliver in the hospital.  I really don't like going to the doctors and prefer to stay out of their offices as much as possible.  I love that the BNW office is not at the hospital, but they are there when and if you need them.

Ok so now back to the first appointment that Judd joined me at.  This morning we met Kala who is extremely nice and sat with us and asked questions/ answered ours for about 45 minutes.  Since I am only a few days into nine weeks so expressed some concern that we may not hear the babies heartbeat (typically 9 weeks is the earliest you can).  After about five minutes of trying so found it!!!!  We got to hear the quick beating of peanut for about 20 seconds and it was incredible.  So crazy!  Up until this morning I have been a little scared that today they would not find anything and tell me that I am not pregnant (haha).  After hearing the heartbeat though, I realize that this is definitely real.

There was no ultrasound at this appointment, but we scheduled one "for dating" (although its really because I want to see peanut :)  in two weeks.  This way we will have a picture to take down to Southern California with us when we tell my family at Easter!

Oh yes, I cannot forget that I had blood drawn. Yuck. I seriously hate needles so much.  I tried to be brave, and actually was not as nervous as normal because I was so excited after hearing the heartbeat, but nonetheless it was not pleasant.  I did have the most amazing nurse, however, so for getting blood drawn, this was a pretty good experience.  The nurse kept me nice and distracted as she drew enough blood to fill 5 vials.  I had no idea until she was done and I looked down at the table, ha.  She said I was starting to turn a little white in the process.  Oh well, at least that part is over.  I think I will have to do this one more time, not to mention other, much more painful things to come....  Until then, so excited to hear your sweet, cute little heartbeat peanut!!

Morning Sickness

Judd and I in Mexico last week!

I am eight weeks pregnant as of yesterday.  Up until five days ago I thought I was going to get away with very mild morning sickness.  I was wrong.  The last few days have marked the beginning of me actually feeling pregnant, (up until this point my mild symptoms could have almost passed as in my head).

This is not what I was expecting, and carrying on like normal has been much harder than I expected.  Up until the last few days I have been keeping a very good and steady workout schedule at the Y, going to a variety of cardio, weight lifting and yoga classes.  The last few days I have not wanted to do any of it, and I haven't.

I think the biggest battle right now is that I feel like my stomach is the size of a grape.  I truly cannot eat more than a few spoonfuls of yogurt without feeling completely stuffed and bloated.  Yuck.  And I love food.  The nausea comes every day now, but luckily sticks to the morning and lasts only a few hours.  This morning when I was feeling particularly horrible, my coworker posted a BBQ menu in the office that he wanted us to look at.  I could hardly read the words from where I was sitting, but even just seeing the words BBQ made me fight back gag reflexes.  Ugh.  Oh well.

I know that in the midst of feeling sick and completely not myself, I am joyful that these signs all point to the fact that I am indeed healthily pregnant.  My first doctors appointment at Boulder Nurse Midwives is in a week!!  At this appointment I will have an ultrasound and also see/hear the babies heartbeat!!  I pray everything is well and peanut is healthy!  Exciting news to come!