It's a Girl!

Today we had our one and only ultrasound, and found out we're having a little girl! I have to say I was a little shocked. For whatever reason, I thought it was boy; but, we are so happy!

The ultrasound was a very special experience. Maybe it's because it's our only ultrasound, but it was so special and neat to see the baby move and to see that a little person is in there!

When we first got there, our technician asked us if we knew what we were having and we said it was our first ultrasound so then she asked if we wanted to find out. I'm way too much of a planner to not find out! About halfway through the ultrasound, she mentioned us wanting to see to know the gender again and announced that we were having a baby girl. Devin has been accidentally saying things like "your niece" to his sister, or "your sister" to our cat, so I guess subconsciously he knew. I however was surprised. I actually asked the technician how they tell if it's a girl, if it's just a lack of male genitalia or if they can actually see that it's a girl. She said "No, we can see the labia." and showed me again later. So we really are having a girl!

I didn't realize how in-depth they go, but it makes sense when you think that it's called an anatomy scan. Our technician showed us the heart, kidneys, bladder, stomach, diaphragm, hands, feet, legs, arms, brain, umbilical cord, face, profile, bum, genitalia, arteries, as well as my ovaries and cervix (weird!). They measured all of the limbs, the head (I wouldn't have been surprised if it had been big, because I have a huge head), the lip to check for cleft pallet, the spine, etc. Everything looks good, healthy, and normal! :) We did measure 2 days behind my due date, but that's within the normal range; and, both of our moms had small babies, so I wouldn't be surprised if we have small babies too. I would be completely okay with that. :)

Apart from seeing that everything was healthy and good, it was an emotional experience. Right after it started, I started praying that everything would please be okay. Before the ultrasound, I tried not to think about it too much; but this is the time when you typically find out if something is wrong. Thankfully, so far nothing is wrong and our little girl looks perfectly healthy. I teared up a little to see images of the little life that is growing inside me. Devin says I'm soft ;) Devin says he felt happy though too. Definitely makes things feel more real.

Funniest moment, we saw her little bum and I told Devin the baby must have his bum because his bum is smaller than mine. Haha!

Profile. Look at the little nose :)

Baby Foot!

A Hike and Some Swag

As mentioned, I'm going to Girls' Camp this year. Part of camp is always a hike. We always did our hike AT camp, but here they do it before Camp. Now you might think I'm crazy, but yes, I did a 5 mile hike while pregnant. Don't worry, it's pretty flat here and I drank PLENTY of water. (Devin let me borrow his Camelbak, a Christmas present he hasn't even used yet. He loves me.) We had some adventures with girls not bringing water or their sack lunch, but fortunately other people had surplus. We also didn't know exactly where we were going and went the wrong way first. But, in the end, we all survived and got a good workout. Plus it made me happy to hear that some of the Camp songs I knew when I went, are also sung here :) Admittedly I was sore afterward, and laid on the couch for an extended period but that was probably more from laying on my couch for a good 3 months and less from being pregnant.

Speaking of pregnancy, I went and got myself some pregnancy clothes. I still don't fit in them really, but I know I will need them eventually. I went to our local mall, Gurnee Mills. It's HUGE. It's a hybrid of a regular mall and an outlet mall and is literally like a mile from one end to the other. I started at one end, and worked my way to the other. I was there for like 4 hours, and had to stop for a bathroom break and some snacks about halfway though! I also had my water bottle with me and bought a lemonade to drink. By the end, when I had to walk back to the other end of the mall with my bags, I felt like I was waddling. I wish I had one of those carts the give people rides on in airports. I was worn out! The good news, I got some swag! I got about 7 tops, 2 bras, 2 capris/shorts, 1 pair of jeans, 2 dresses, a skirt, and a camisole. All for about $200. I still feel like it's not a lot when compared to an entire wardrobe, but I got some great deals. Now we'll see when I need to start wearing it!

5.22.12  About 19.5 weeks

Mother's Day

I have to say, it's a little weird to have people wishing you a Happy Mother's Day for the first time. Not bad weird, just surreal! It's my first Mother's Day as an almost mom and my last Mother's Day without a real, here child. Ahh!

Devin wished me a Happy Mother's Day before anyone else did, and that was sweet (though admittedly strange). At church, they gave us a tulip and some chocolate. Almost all women love flowers and chocolate, so it's hard to go wrong there! After Church, I got to open my presents. Devin got me a kitchen scale haha! It's even more funny because he has almost bought it for me for various other occasions several times, and finally decided to get it. My sweet, and super generous mother-in-law sent me a card and money to get some maternity clothes. For dinner, Devin made pizza.

Post-diner, we called all the moms in our lives. I called my mom, my sister, my paternal grandmother (mom's mom passed before I was born), and my sister-in-law Cristina. Devin called his mom and his maternal grandmother (dad's mom passed away in 2008). We are very blessed to have so many strong, wonderful women in our lives who love and support us. I only hope I can learn and grow from their experience and example and be a good mom when the time comes. And it's coming soon!

5.3.12    16, almost 17 weeks

Pregnancy, Part 1

First and foremost, I am VERY grateful to be pregnant. I wanted to be pregnant and do not regret being pregnant at all. I'm sure that it will be 100 million trillion times worth it in the end, no matter what happens in the meantime.

That being said, pregnancy sucks. Women who tell you being pregnant is wonderful are either a) lying, b) have forgotten what it was like, or c) had a different experience from most of us.

Here are a list of early pregnancy joys that you may or may not be aware of. It is not for faint of heart, but is an honest list.

• Nausea. This can vary from light queasiness to feeling like you're going to vomit any second. It can last (and typically does) all day, come in waves, come and go, or strike you at random. Most of the natural remedies do not work. And if they do work, it's short lived. Can not be planned or planned around. You just never know when you'll have it or how bad it will be. And this makes gaining weight hard when food is just gross to you.
• Gagging. Random retching can be triggered by smells, tastes, sights, thoughts, bending, or seemingly nothing. It's also loud and scary sounding. Oh, and combination of this and nausea means you can't brush your teeth without great difficulty.
• Vomiting. Often caused by a combination of the previous 2 things. Does anyone enjoy vomiting? It's awful. Period. This can happen only occasionally or multiple times a day. Can strike at random, like when you get up from the couch to go to bed. The worst is when there's nothing in your stomach and you still vomit anyway. Stomach bile is awful. OH. And the WORST, peeing while you throw up.
• Sensitivity to smells. The kitchen and I are not friends. And the fridge and I are mortal enemies. I have also forbidden Devin from making anymore frozen pizzas. Or cooking meat. Going out to eat can either help with this, or make it worse. Then there are things like my own deodorant being almost too strong for me now. This is a hard one for Devin, because things smell fine to him.
• Mucus. More nose blowing, nose crusties, and thick spit. The latter can lead to vomiting.
• Dryness. My skin has never been this dry. Not in Utah, not in Nevada, not in the Winter. And this dryness also leads to blood in your nose.
• Acne. Already had this, and still have this. 
• Sensitive gums. Your gums are more sensitive and prone to things like gingivitis and bleeding. Also, if you don't take care of them, this can lead to preterm labor. Only made worse by my aforementioned inability to brush my teeth.
• Peeing. You have to pee all the time, no matter how much you drink. And you leak. Ick.
• Constipation. Everything slows down from the relaxin. And some women get hemorrhoids. These 2 things do not mix.
• Gas. More gassing and burping. The burping lends itself to nausea/gagging/vomiting. The gassing smells so awful, no matter what you have or haven't eaten; and your sensitive nose only makes it worse to cope with. And it's embarrassing.
• Exhaustion. You're tired all the time, no matter how much you sleep and rest. And you have no energy to do anything for more than about 30 minutes.
• Pregnant Brain. All of the sudden, your brain is mush. I have an EXCELLENT memory, always have. Now I can't remember what someone told me, what I was thinking, where I put things, what I was doing, what I need to do, etc. I have forgotten things at home that I have even set out so that I remember to bring them (e.g. Temple bag, purse, insurance card).
• Hormones. Mostly I'm just less patient, less tolerant, and more easily upset. This means I'm more prone to crying and more prone to wanting to kill you. Trying to be mindful and in control of this is an adventure. Again, poor Devin.
• Exercise. This is only bad because you're supposed to be doing it; but when you feel like trash, you can't and then you worry about it. When you do try, you get so worn out you feel like you need to rest for 3 days to recover.
• Leg pain. My most recent complaint. I have to wake up and rotate from side to side when sleeping because my bottom leg starts to hurt/feel numb.