Lets talk about the birds and the bee's. After about 3 days past "p" time I decided to go out and buy a First Response...without telling anyone. One morning, after Tristan left for school, I decided to test for the big P. I had never actually seen once of these devices first hand and had no idea how to work it. While holding in my pee, dancing around the bathroom cause I have to go so bad, I'm trying to read the instructions. Finally, when I think I get the main idea I sit, posed and ready, and I am unable to go. Stage fright. I can pee in a cup for the doctor in half a second but peeing on a stick is, apparently to my bladder, a whole different story. After a quick pep talk and deep breaths I had success. A couple minutes later I saw them...2 pink lines. I smiled and thought, "Oh man". I hid the pee ridden stick, got ready for work, and went about my day as if nothing happened. That evening, after Tristan and I ate dinner I decided to pull out the stick. I handed it to him, without saying a word. He looked and laughed, being a man of few words said, "That's exciting! What do you think about it?" I was unsure at the time. Shocked, happy, scared, unsure, excited. It was a very weird mix of feelings. He said, "I can't believe you didn't tell me all day." I wanted to tell him in person so I decided to wait.
The next day I set an appointment with my doctor, who is our primary care doctor but also does the baby thing. I went to Barnes and Noble to buy "the bible", What to Expect When You're Expecting. The appointment was set for when I was expected to be about 10 weeks along.
Over the next month little was said about it. I read the bible. I was having no symptoms of pregnancy. I was starting to wonder if there was anything in my uterus at all. As the appointment time drew nearer Tristan and I grew more anxious and excited.
October 14th: After I got off work on Friday Tristan and I headed over to Dr. Holmes office. I peed in a cup, they drew my blood and we waited for the doctor. After a minute of small talk he turned on the ultrasound machine and we saw it, the baby, for the first time. Crazy! It was kicking its legs and moving its body up and down, side to side. Thus the nickname was born, wiggly worm. We lovingly refer to the thing making me use the restroom 3 times a night as Wiggly Worm. Dr. Holmes measured Wiggly Worm and decided my estimated due date is May 14th, 2012, just weeks after Tristan graduates.
October 18th: Tucker family was informed.
October 19th: Perdue family was informed.
November 15th: We had our second doctor appointment today. It was a fairly quick check up. I peed in a cup, which I expect I will become an expert at. When Dr. Holmes came in the room he announced I was still pregnant, phew. He reviewed my labs from last visits blood draw and said all my levels were excellent. We also found out I am A- blood type and also Rh negative so I'll have to get a RhoGAM shot at 28 weeks and again after delivery so my body doesn't reject and fight growing baby. Thank goodness for modern medicine! He used the Doppler to hear the baby's heart beat. Something alive is living inside me? Weird. He also asked me how I was doing and I had no symptoms to report besides some aches and pains which he says are all normal. I am going to announce now that I have had NO nausea at ALL. Only the occasional re-occurring constant constipation and bloating. My energy has returned and I feel normal again. The first trimester had me on the couch the second I walked in the door from work. I asked Dr. Holmes about the possibility of finding out the sex before we go home for Christmas (I want to shop and craft!!) and he said that would be fine. We set up our next appointment, 4 weeks from now, for December 13th when we will find out if Wiggly Worm is a he or she.
November 28th: Today was my first day back to work from a week off for Thanksgiving. I am also 16 weeks today. My tummy sure did grow over the last week cause my khaki pants barely buckled today. This is not good. I still have not told everyone at work. I think it's going to have to happen sooner than later. I refer to the feeling I have as "being in the closet" and I'm beginning to feel more and more ready to "come out of the closet." There are two other girls at the office that are also pregnant. One about a month ahead of me and the other about a month behind me. The gas has been relentless today. I focused on fiber today, to help things along, which might be the culprit. I swear I can feel baby kick about once a day. Its a subtle feeling that definitely does not feel like gas. It feels like a muscle twitch. I like to think it's baby and not a uterine spasm. I noticed today my belly button is starting to poke out a bit. I have an outtie belly button that sinks in so its only a matter or time before that baby is poking through my shirts. I've decided I'm going to embrace it. I'm still able to run. Last week, while at home I ran 5 miles 5 days of the week and it feels great. I noticed I feel better (less achy) on the days I do run.
November 30th: I had a bad dream about baby last night. One where I woke up sad and worried. I haven't talked much about my pregnancy. Obviously, since I'm 4 months along and only a handful of people know. When asked why I don't want to talk about it a lot or tell everyone my response is, "I don't want to be one of those annoying people who are always rubbing their belly talking about their baby every chance they get to open their mouth." And I know a few of those people. I know you love your unborn child but forgive me, I can't stand it. After my dream last night I also realized another reason I've kept quiet is because the more you think, talk about, and obsess over something the more emotionally involved you become and I have been trying to avoid that if something were to, unfortunately, go wrong. After this morning, it's too late. I've realized I already love baby and I don't want anything bad to happen to Wiggly Worm. It is crazy to me. So I am exercising, taking care of myself and eating the best I can to have the healthiest baby possible.
December 6th: My friend at work informed another girl in the office was starting to ask if I was pregnant or just gaining weight. Ohh geez.
December 8th: Came out of the closet at work by posting on the office Team Space website.
(read the orange writing)
Timeline:
September 8th: First positive pregnancy test
September 10th: Second positive pregnancy test
October 14th: 9.5 weeks. First doctor appointment, pregnancy confirmation, and the first ultrasound.
October 18th: Tucker parents were told via video chat
October 19th: Perdue parents were told via video chat
October 29th: 12 weeks. Baby ran first half marathon with mom.
November 15th: 14 weeks. Second doctors appointment, first time hearing babys heartbeat with the Doppler
December: Began to feel movements around 17-18 weeks
I am 18 weeks today!! Time has flown. Tomorrow is doctor's appointment number 3 and we should find out baby's gender!!!
