Today we saw Dr. K again. It was a relatively simple checkup. We did get to hear the Niesling's heartbeat, which was exciting. The doctor figured it to be about 140 beats per minute. Since we didn't get to hear it last month, it was great to get it this time. That was about the extent of the appointment. She answered a couple questions for us, including mine about morning and night pains. She said as long as the pains don't last very long and there's no bleeding with them, everything should be fine. She also agreed with Eric that I can exercise everyday and it would help me be in better shape for labor. Dr. K said she wasn't worried that I haven't gained much weight yet. That eased my mind, as I've only gained a couple pounds. I am hungry all the time, so I'm sure I'll start putting on more weight soon. Our next appointment is scheduled for December 9th, where we will have an ultrasound and hopefully find out the baby's gender!
Other than the appointment, things have been relatively normal. I'm eating about the same, and appear to be finished with the sickness. I did get the H1N1/swine flu shot last week, although it seems as though that has calmed down as well. I am still sleeping a lot, including at least one nap per weekend. I do crave pancakes all the time though...
Also, congratulations to our friends the Nevins who found out they are having a boy!
Hopefully I will have the next round of pictures up soon.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Weeks 14 & 15
Things have been pretty calm around here lately. I'm sleeping extra when I can, including 12 hours Friday night and then an hour nap on Saturday afternoon. Despite having built in extra hour last night with daylight savings time, I was up early this morning. Eric has been good about letting me take a nap if I'm tired.
One more recent development has been my almost constant hunger. The nauseousness and queasiness are pretty much gone. The only time my stomach is upset is if I get hungry and don't eat. Consquently I've got snacks everywhere, from trail mix and fruit at work to cheese and salad at home. I feel like I'm eating a lot but am only slowly gaining weight. I'm not weighing myself every morning like I was before but feel healthy. Which I think is more important.
Last week was my birthday, my last one without a baby. And as one of my coworkers put it, my last one as Michelle. From now on I'll be "Niesling's mom". Which is fine with me, just made me pause for a minute and realize how much my life is going to change. Only for the better, but still different. It's a new chapter in my life I'm really looking forward to.
With everything that was going on, Eric and I missed a picture for Week 14, but below are Week 15 pictures. I am getting a bigger bump, but I think it's more obvious when I'm wearing a couple layers of shirts. 
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
First Doctor's Appointment
For all my promises I haven't been very good about updating the blog. I'll try to be better as time goes on.
Last week I had my first doctor appointment. Thankfully I have a wonderful husband who insisted on going with me. I hadn't met the doctor before (we'll call her Dr. B), but she was great. I'm looking forward to getting to know her and having her with us through this process.
The appointment started, as most first appointments with a new doc do, with the medical history questions. Dr. B's nurse Anna is quite the character, but at least she'll keep me laughing. After she finished asking us about our backgrounds and such, Dr. B came in. She went through some of the same questions and we got to know each other a little bit. Because we thought I was at 13 weeks, she said we should be able to hear the heartbeat with a hand-held doppler. So I laid on those fun beds they always have in doctor's offices and got the fun cold goo on my belly. Dr. B went over my belly for 5 to 10 minutes. While it was cool to hear my own heartbeat, she couldn't find the baby's.
This was one of my big worries, that something had happened to the baby in the first three months (since I didn't see a doctor that entire time) and we wouldn't know it. Eric, being Eric, wasn't worried, but since I am the worrier of the two of us, I will say it gave me some restless nights. I think being my first pregnancy, and having heard sad stories from more than one couple who are friends, I was justified in my worry.
Dr. B decided to order an ultrasound since she couldn't find the heartbeat. She didn't seem worried at all. She thought I might have a tilted uterus or be a week behind what we thought, either of which would have made it harder to find the baby's heartbeat. We headed over for the ultrasound (where I once again got my belly exposed to the chilly goo) and the tech had no problem whatsoever finding the baby.
In that moment, it became completely real for both Eric and I. I knew I had this baby growing in me, but it wasn't the same as seeing him/her right there in front of me. (And for those of you taking bets, there is officially only ONE baby. Sorry.)
So without further ado, behold the newest Nies:
We each have a copy at work, plus the original on our fridge. I also believe Eric's mom has a copy on her desk at work. The kid isn't even born yet and already has more pictures out there than me!
Needless to say, the ultrasound was a great relief. While the tech said she had hoped we would see some movement, just knowing our baby is safe and sound was enough for both of us. When I called before the appointment, they did tell me that they usually do ultrasounds at Week 20, and then with Eric's connections at the Care Center, hopefully we will have more pre-birth pictures to share.
The ultrasound tech also said, according to the measurements, she thought I was at Week 12, which would put us a week behind what we thought, also moving my due date to April 20, 2010. (Sorry to those of you looking to have the baby born on your birthday, earlier in the month, though anything is possible.)
The ultrasound was the most exciting part of the appointment. Aside from it and the previously mentioned question portion, there was the always fun "female" (Pap, exam, etc) part, and then the blood draw. Eric and I also got flu shots, and I will be getting the swine flu shot, most likely at my next appointment (which is November 10th).
It was a wonderful first appointment and I am so glad I waited the extra couple months to see Dr. B. She is a great doctor and I think will take good care of all of us. I did ask her about my not gaining any weight, in fact losing a couple pounds in the first trimester, but she said it was nothing to worry about at this point. If I don't start putting on some weight though, we will have to do something about it. I am still not really craving anything, but find myself getting hungrier more often during the day. Luckily I have very understanding bosses who don't mind me snacking on fruit or such at my desk.
According to a few people, I am getting the baby bump, which I think is more obvious at certain times than others. But I'll let you judge for yourselves with some pictures of me. The first two are from two weeks ago (Week 11), then last week (Week 12), and this week (Week 13). (Also, when looking at the older pictures, please note they will be a week behind what I said because of the adjustment.)
Last week I had my first doctor appointment. Thankfully I have a wonderful husband who insisted on going with me. I hadn't met the doctor before (we'll call her Dr. B), but she was great. I'm looking forward to getting to know her and having her with us through this process.
The appointment started, as most first appointments with a new doc do, with the medical history questions. Dr. B's nurse Anna is quite the character, but at least she'll keep me laughing. After she finished asking us about our backgrounds and such, Dr. B came in. She went through some of the same questions and we got to know each other a little bit. Because we thought I was at 13 weeks, she said we should be able to hear the heartbeat with a hand-held doppler. So I laid on those fun beds they always have in doctor's offices and got the fun cold goo on my belly. Dr. B went over my belly for 5 to 10 minutes. While it was cool to hear my own heartbeat, she couldn't find the baby's.
This was one of my big worries, that something had happened to the baby in the first three months (since I didn't see a doctor that entire time) and we wouldn't know it. Eric, being Eric, wasn't worried, but since I am the worrier of the two of us, I will say it gave me some restless nights. I think being my first pregnancy, and having heard sad stories from more than one couple who are friends, I was justified in my worry.
Dr. B decided to order an ultrasound since she couldn't find the heartbeat. She didn't seem worried at all. She thought I might have a tilted uterus or be a week behind what we thought, either of which would have made it harder to find the baby's heartbeat. We headed over for the ultrasound (where I once again got my belly exposed to the chilly goo) and the tech had no problem whatsoever finding the baby.
In that moment, it became completely real for both Eric and I. I knew I had this baby growing in me, but it wasn't the same as seeing him/her right there in front of me. (And for those of you taking bets, there is officially only ONE baby. Sorry.)
So without further ado, behold the newest Nies:
We each have a copy at work, plus the original on our fridge. I also believe Eric's mom has a copy on her desk at work. The kid isn't even born yet and already has more pictures out there than me!Needless to say, the ultrasound was a great relief. While the tech said she had hoped we would see some movement, just knowing our baby is safe and sound was enough for both of us. When I called before the appointment, they did tell me that they usually do ultrasounds at Week 20, and then with Eric's connections at the Care Center, hopefully we will have more pre-birth pictures to share.
The ultrasound tech also said, according to the measurements, she thought I was at Week 12, which would put us a week behind what we thought, also moving my due date to April 20, 2010. (Sorry to those of you looking to have the baby born on your birthday, earlier in the month, though anything is possible.)
The ultrasound was the most exciting part of the appointment. Aside from it and the previously mentioned question portion, there was the always fun "female" (Pap, exam, etc) part, and then the blood draw. Eric and I also got flu shots, and I will be getting the swine flu shot, most likely at my next appointment (which is November 10th).
It was a wonderful first appointment and I am so glad I waited the extra couple months to see Dr. B. She is a great doctor and I think will take good care of all of us. I did ask her about my not gaining any weight, in fact losing a couple pounds in the first trimester, but she said it was nothing to worry about at this point. If I don't start putting on some weight though, we will have to do something about it. I am still not really craving anything, but find myself getting hungrier more often during the day. Luckily I have very understanding bosses who don't mind me snacking on fruit or such at my desk.
According to a few people, I am getting the baby bump, which I think is more obvious at certain times than others. But I'll let you judge for yourselves with some pictures of me. The first two are from two weeks ago (Week 11), then last week (Week 12), and this week (Week 13). (Also, when looking at the older pictures, please note they will be a week behind what I said because of the adjustment.)
Week 11:
Week 12:
Week 13:
Week 12:
Week 13:
*Please ignore my not-so-happy expressions in the pictures. They in no way reflect how I feel about this pregnancy and baby. It is a reflection for the time of night (right before bed) that Eric usually takes these pictures.
A short update on everything else about the pregnancy: I'm still queasy, tired, visiting the bathroom frequently, and breaking out. But I'm hoping the first two on this list will be gone in the next couple weeks as I start the second trimester.
A short update on everything else about the pregnancy: I'm still queasy, tired, visiting the bathroom frequently, and breaking out. But I'm hoping the first two on this list will be gone in the next couple weeks as I start the second trimester.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thank the Lord for good family and friends
Now that it has been almost two weeks since my last post, I've decided to give you an update. There actually won't be much of an update. Things have been plugging away the same as before. Nauseous, breaking out, tired, hungry, and maybe a little whiny. I keep waiting for the queasiness to be over, but as of yet there has not been any relief.
I keep waiting for the cravings to kick in so I can send Eric to the store for pickles at 2 in the morning, but they haven't shown up either. I haven't been eating as well as I should have in the last couple weeks, so if anyone has fun easy ways to incorporate more fruits and veggies into my diet, please let me know!
The last post I wrote was a little bit of a downer about all the bad things in the world that we bring children into, so this time around I thought I would be more positive.
One of the greatest blessings we have that I'm so thankful for are amazing family and friends to help us through this stage of our lives. Both of our families are very excited and have been nothing but supportive for us. It doesn't hurt when Eric's mom brings us new stuff for the baby every weekend after she's done with the garage sales. I don't know what we'll actually have to buy new when the time comes. As this is the first grandchild and great-grandchild on both sides, I don't think we could have happier relatives. And I know they are all there for us, no matter what we need or how far away they are.
Along with these great families, we have wonderful friends. The ones who already have kids are answering any and all questions we have about child rearing, the ones who are pregnant along with me are there to commiserate and advise, and the ones not yet to the family stage are just plain excited for us. I hope we are as good of friends to others as these people are to us. Even when we seem to be "ignoring" them. We just have to spend a lot of time at home because I haven't been feeling well. (Hopefully that will change soon! Both the sick part and the non-socializing part.)
I don't know what we would do without all these amazing people. Yes, we could make it on our own, but they make it a lot easier, and more fun because they are around us, supporting us. So thank you to all you out there. You know who you are, and more importantly, we know who you are.
And yes, we will be calling you for babysitting duty!
I keep waiting for the cravings to kick in so I can send Eric to the store for pickles at 2 in the morning, but they haven't shown up either. I haven't been eating as well as I should have in the last couple weeks, so if anyone has fun easy ways to incorporate more fruits and veggies into my diet, please let me know!
The last post I wrote was a little bit of a downer about all the bad things in the world that we bring children into, so this time around I thought I would be more positive.
One of the greatest blessings we have that I'm so thankful for are amazing family and friends to help us through this stage of our lives. Both of our families are very excited and have been nothing but supportive for us. It doesn't hurt when Eric's mom brings us new stuff for the baby every weekend after she's done with the garage sales. I don't know what we'll actually have to buy new when the time comes. As this is the first grandchild and great-grandchild on both sides, I don't think we could have happier relatives. And I know they are all there for us, no matter what we need or how far away they are.
Along with these great families, we have wonderful friends. The ones who already have kids are answering any and all questions we have about child rearing, the ones who are pregnant along with me are there to commiserate and advise, and the ones not yet to the family stage are just plain excited for us. I hope we are as good of friends to others as these people are to us. Even when we seem to be "ignoring" them. We just have to spend a lot of time at home because I haven't been feeling well. (Hopefully that will change soon! Both the sick part and the non-socializing part.)
I don't know what we would do without all these amazing people. Yes, we could make it on our own, but they make it a lot easier, and more fun because they are around us, supporting us. So thank you to all you out there. You know who you are, and more importantly, we know who you are.
And yes, we will be calling you for babysitting duty!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Week 10 Update
Sorry for the lack of posts the last week. I've been tired and queasy and not up to the task of dragging myself to the computer to type. Thankfully I'm feeling better tonight, so you all get a post!
(And actually today officially begins week 11, but I thought I should let you know how week 10 went first.)
There wasn't much excitement around our house this week. Primarily the ordinary housework, go to work, relax time. I swear if I wasn't queasy 90% of the time, tired 80% of the time, and using the bathroom every hour I wouldn't even think I was pregnant! Oh, and there is the breaking out like a high schooler, moodiness, food cravings, and other assorted pregnancy symptoms. I don't understand the stories about women who don't even know they're pregnant until they give birth!
One thing that did really hit me this week is something I'm sure all parents go through. Wondering about bringing a child into the world. I mean, between all the pain and suffering we go through, the possible surgeries, the losses we sustain in our lives, the day-t0-day grind, why would anyone want to be part of this? I think it was mostly my father-in-law having surgery last week that really made me think. He came through great and hopefully will feel a hundred times better once he's through recovery, but what if something had happened?
I've been fortunate not to have a major loss in my life thus far. But just the thought of not having someone there, of losing them forever really makes me pause. Of course we still have children and continue to grow our families but I think it's something that comes more the the foreground once you know you'll be bringing a child into the world and subjecting them to all of that.
Okay, enough with the heavy stuff. Now on to what I'm sure is everyone's favorite part of the blog (although I know it's not mine!), the pictures:
There is no obvious changes yet, but we want to stay faithful to our week-by-week update. And just to show everyone that Eric is not gaining any sympathy weight, feast your eyes on this!
Not quite the same Buddha we all used to know and love, huh? He has done an amazing job of losing the unnecessary weight and keeping it off. Hopefully he can inspire me to lose the baby weight next year. But of course, safely and not in a hurry.
I think that's all for now, I'll try to post again soon. Hope everyone has a great Wednesday!
(And actually today officially begins week 11, but I thought I should let you know how week 10 went first.)
There wasn't much excitement around our house this week. Primarily the ordinary housework, go to work, relax time. I swear if I wasn't queasy 90% of the time, tired 80% of the time, and using the bathroom every hour I wouldn't even think I was pregnant! Oh, and there is the breaking out like a high schooler, moodiness, food cravings, and other assorted pregnancy symptoms. I don't understand the stories about women who don't even know they're pregnant until they give birth!
One thing that did really hit me this week is something I'm sure all parents go through. Wondering about bringing a child into the world. I mean, between all the pain and suffering we go through, the possible surgeries, the losses we sustain in our lives, the day-t0-day grind, why would anyone want to be part of this? I think it was mostly my father-in-law having surgery last week that really made me think. He came through great and hopefully will feel a hundred times better once he's through recovery, but what if something had happened?
I've been fortunate not to have a major loss in my life thus far. But just the thought of not having someone there, of losing them forever really makes me pause. Of course we still have children and continue to grow our families but I think it's something that comes more the the foreground once you know you'll be bringing a child into the world and subjecting them to all of that.
Okay, enough with the heavy stuff. Now on to what I'm sure is everyone's favorite part of the blog (although I know it's not mine!), the pictures:
There is no obvious changes yet, but we want to stay faithful to our week-by-week update. And just to show everyone that Eric is not gaining any sympathy weight, feast your eyes on this!
Not quite the same Buddha we all used to know and love, huh? He has done an amazing job of losing the unnecessary weight and keeping it off. Hopefully he can inspire me to lose the baby weight next year. But of course, safely and not in a hurry.I think that's all for now, I'll try to post again soon. Hope everyone has a great Wednesday!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)