November 18th, 2007: I took my first pregnancy test today. I used a Dollar Tree test, and received a faint positive. I don't think I trust it yet. I'll try again tomorrow morning! Wish me luck :-)

November 19th, 2007: A second faint positive line. Maybe I should get an expensive brand just to be certain!

November 21st, 2007: It's a BFP!! I used a Clear Blue Easy today, and within seconds it showed up positive! Now I feel confident enough to tell my husband! Any suggestions?

UPDATE: I told Ben!! He's as excited as I am! When I asked him if he wanted a boy or a girl, he looked at me in shock and disbelief! Then he realized what I was telling him...first question out of his mouth- "How far along?"

UPDATE: We then told his parents and his family while we were up there for Thanksgiving. We drove back home on Friday and told my parents and my family. I think (hope) everyone is as excited as we are!

December 4th: I talked to the nurse on the phone today hoping to clear up a few questions I have, but she couldn't really answer the important questions. I have hypertension, (controlled under medication), and I want to know if I should continue the medicine I'm on, or if I need to switch. I had a heck of a time getting anyone to see me before 10 weeks. Finally one said he'll see me next week and will do my first ultrasound to make sure everything is going as it should. Wish me luck!

December 6th: I had a bad episode today in regards to my new bloodpressure medicine. I ended up slightly fainting at work, so I went to the nurses office who took my bloodpressure. Of course, everyone who walked by automatically assumed it was morning sickness (even though I haven't told anyone at work that I'm pregnant). So, I had to let them know that I was pregnant, but I knew what was wrong, and that it had NOTHING to do with my pregnancy. My OBGYN wanted to see me to make sure everything was ok. Ended up getting an ultrasound early!! They thought I was only 5 weeks 4 days along, but I was actually 6 weeks 3 days, so I was able to see the heartbeat for the first time. I was excited that my mom was there with me to see the heartbeat too, but I was very disappointed that Ben couldn't be there with me to see our baby for the first time. We go back Jan. 3rd, so we should actually be able to see what would look like a little teddy bear at that point! I'm so excited! I can't wait to see our baby grow!

Jan 3. 2008: We had our second Dr. Apt today. I thought we were going to have our 10 week ultrasound, but I guess since I had to have an earlier one due to my problem they decided I didn't need one this time. I was very disappointed...but we did get to hear the heartbeat! 176 beats per minute...(we're hoping for a girl), but we wouldn't be at all disappointed with a boy. We have our own fetal heart monitor at home that my sister-in-law loaned to us, so now we can hear the heartbeat whenever we feel the need. Technology is GREAT!!!

Feb 4. 2008: We had another "boring" appointment today. The only good thing we got from it was to hear the heartbeat again, but we can do that at home everyday. So...nothing too excited to add, other than we get to find out on March 3rd, whether our baby will pee sitting or standing! Wish us luck!

March 3, 2008: It's a GIRL!!! How amazing is it to see this living being inside of you so clearly! I love our 3D pictures. She's such a drama queen already. My favorite picture is where she's holding her hand up to her head like it's so rough being a baby! Our appointment went really well! She weighs 9 oz. and looks great! I have a spine problem, so I was worried about her, but her spine looks perfect, so that concern is out the door! As for me, I have gained 2 more pounds for a total of 5 pounds now! I'm really not looking forward to the next few months of major weight gain. We plan to call her Aubrey, which is my maiden name, but we'll probably change the spelling to either Aubree or Aubrie to make it more feminine. I hope everyone is doing well! Enjoy your pregnancy!!

March 6th, 2008: I finally can determine a kick from just movement! I was laying on the couch last night because I didn't feel real well, and of course, it hard to keep my hands off my belly, so while I was feeling around, I felt a little flick under my finger. I was POSITIVE she had just kicked me and I could actually feel her now from the outside, which means my husband should be able to feel her soon. So, I played around a little while longer to see if she would kick again, and she didn't. Later when I went up to take a shower, I laid down on the floor to see if I could feel it again, and sure enough I did! 3 times in a row at least, and maybe even a 4th time. My hand slightly moved on the last one, so I don't know if it was her or me moving. I tried to get Ben to feel it too, but she must have went to sleep after my shower, b/c I couldn't get her to budge. BUT...I know he'll be feeling her soon! I'm so excited for him! Anyone else have troubles trying to get their s/o to feel the baby kick when you first start feeling it?

March 15, 2008: Ben was finally able to feel Aubree kicking! Throughout the day, she would mainly kick straight down on to my bladder (not good when you're traveling like we were), but then around 9:30 that night, she moved and was kicking up a storm. It was so cute to see his face when he felt her move. For now, he can only feel a very faint kick on the outside, so I can't wait until he gets a swift kick in the back while we're sleeping. Then he'll get a dose of what I'm getting!! :)

This Friday is the start of my school's Spring Break, so my husband and I, along with my mom, are heading out to California for a 5 day vacation. They always say to take one last ADULT vacation before the baby comes, so we're taking advantage of that now while we still can. We'll be staying with my brother and sister-in-law while we're there. It's my brother's 30th b-day on Easter, so his wife has set up a really cool adventure for him. She has rented out the Trapeeze Trainers for all of us to go soaring through the air (if we so desire). There isn't a rule against not doing it if you're pregnant, so I'm actually debating on trying it out myself. Of course, that notion may change when I get there and see how it works. If it looks too dangerous, then there's NO WAY I'll even consider it an option. Guess we'll have to wait until Saturday to see!!

April 3: My mom and I went for my 23 week check up. I officially got to have my freak out over my weight. Up to this point, for the last 19 weeks, I have only gained 5 lbs. In the past 4 weeks, I gained 8 pounds!! I thought that was just ridiculous! But, the nurse reassured me that only gaining 13 pounds in 23 weeks was perfectly normal. So, after that, I felt a little bit better. She told me that my baby had a huge growth spurt, so it should be expected that I gain more weight. Other than that, heart rate was great...dr. said she's an active little thing. Of course I could have told her that. She definitely kicks more throughout the day than she does sleep. In four more weeks I have to go back for my glucose test! I'm not too excited about waiting around for an hour after drinking a nasty drink mix. But, in two more weeks we go back for another ultrasound. The ultrasound tech couldn't see all four chambers of her heart at 19 weeks, so they want to look at her againt make sure everything looks good.

When I told the doctor that she continuously kicks, my mom reminded me that she's never been able to feel her yet. So, I laid down on her bed that night to see if she could get to feel her. She obviously has too warm of hands, because everytime she was kicking, mom would put her hand there, and she would stop. I'd poke around at my belly to get her to kick again, and she finally got to feel her once. She was able to see my belly moving though, which I think is just amazing to watch!

April 14th: I thought at my 19 week appointment that it seemed like we were already on a 2 -week schedule, but now I know I am. Had an appointment with the high risk ultrasound doctor today to check out the four chambers of our little girl's heart b/c last time they didn't get a good picture of it. As for her, everything looks good. She weighs 1 pound 10 ounces, which is right on track. The only problem so far is that my left artery (?) that sends blood to her is constricted, which I guess is the first sign of Preclamsia. I've mentioned before about my hypertension, so this really wasn't too suprising to me, other than the fact it's started so early on. I figured I might start having problems around 32-33 weeks. So...it's off to the doctor every other 2 weeks and to the ultrasound doctor on the alternating weeks. Talk about a lot of trips to a doctor that is over an hour away! BUT!!! If it means our little girl and I stay safe and healthy, then that's all that matters! I added a couple of pictures from this ultrasound....which I wasn't at all impressed with. Last time we got MUCH better pictures, and even 3D. I love the shot of her leg...I'm just hoping and praying that she gets her daddy's long legs, rather than my short stumpy legs! My mom went along with us this time, so she got to see her moving around, pushing her hand up towards the doctor as to say "GET THAT THING OFF OF MY HEAD!" It was hilarious! I don't think she really appreciated her pushing on her so much with the ultrasound wand. Well...that's all for now. I'll write more in 2 more weeks!

April 30, 2008: I went back to see my regular doctor today to have my glucose test. It's so funny how such a small drink can give a baby such a quick sugar high! I couldn't believe how quickly she responded to it and started moving all over the place. I couldn't help but hold my stomach and laugh. I found out my results for the "Fifth's Disease" a.k.a. Parvo for adults came back negative, but I'm not immuned to it, so I'll have to be careful with my next baby as well. Everyone her at work figured I would have already been exposed to the disease either through elementary school, or now at work with still being around kids all the time. The nurse here told me after I have this baby, that I need to go hang out with the infected kids to get infected myself...that way I won't have to worry about it with our next baby. Well, not too much to report this time...I have another ultrasound on the 12th, so I'll post more then!

May 12th, 2008: We had another AWESOME ultrasound today! The ultrasound tech said the 3D pictures we got were the best she had done all day! It's so unbelievable what they can do with technology today! Ben and I were looking at her pictures trying to figure out who she looks like. We can to the conclusion that she has my nose...other than that, we can't quite tell yet. I can't wait to compare what she looks like when she's born to the pictures of her inside of my belly. At 29 weeks, she weighs 2.7 pounds, but we're still not sure how long she is. I guess we'll start finding that out at the next ultrasound in 4 more weeks. At most, only 9 more weeks until we get to meet our little girl!!!

May 29th, 2008: Yesterday and today haven't been very good days for me and my blood pressure. All day yesterday it was running 165-169 over 102-105, and today it's close to that or higher at 175/112. So, I tried to call my doctor all day to see what I should do, and of course it took 7 hours for them to get back to me to let me know what I should do. I have to do another 24 hour urine collection so they can remeasure any amount of protein in my urine. I had to do one at the beginning of my pregnancy, so I'm not sure why I have to do another one, but I'll do whatever to make sure Aubree stays healthy. They also upped my medicine dosage to three times a day, and want to see me when my obgyn returns from her vacation in Hawaii. So, keep your fingers crossed for me, and hope that my pressure goes down. The last thing I want to do is deliver her so soon to make my preeclamsia better, but if that's what it takes, then I'm sure she'll be in good hands.

June 4th, 2008: NOT A GOOD DAY :-(

Had my doctor appointment today with OBGYN, and after about seeing her for 10 minutes, she sent me straight up to Labor and Delivery to be admitted for bedrest to try and get my bloodpressure under control. Starting off, I have been taking 200mg twice a day of Labatelol, which when I called last week to let them know it was high, they changed that to 3 times a day. BUT...still way too high, so my OBGYN doubled that even to 400 MG thee ti

\mes a day to try and lower it. I guess it wasn't getting low enough, so I'm also taking Procardia on top of the Labetalol. I thought that if my pressures got under control, that I'd be able to be released. After getting the results from my 24 hour urine collection back, she said I'd be here until I deliver our little girl. So...that will all depend on my preeclamisa symptons. I guess a mild case of protein in the urine would be a count of 300 or less. I have a count of a little over 3800....so Dr. Schroeder said even though I feel ok right now...everything can hit me in an instant and the only cure from there would be to deliver Aubree. So, it's just a waiting game now to see if any of my symptons worsen. So far, the symptons I've had are seeing the stars, feet, hands, and face swelling, struggles breathing (not including the normal trouble breathing from being pregnant), high protein in urine count, left artery constricted, carpal tunnel in both hands. They're recording everything I drink, and I still have to record how many ML of urine I get out of every potty break so they have an idea if my kidneys start to fail. Everyone keep your fingers crossed for us! I know I'm in the best of care, but when all this hit me yesterday that I wouldn't be able to go home and finish getting ready for our little girl, I had an emotioal breakdown and still continue to tear up off and on just thinking about laying in a hospital for the rest of this pregnancy. I know Ben absolutely HATES hospitals with a passion, so this will be just as hard on him as it will be me. EXCEPT for the fact that he can actually leave and get out for awhile. My brother and his wife went through this with their twins (now 8 1/2 months old)...and she was on bed rest at home for ever, then here in the hospital for 3 weeks, so I know it's managable, just annoying. Of course, her twins turned out to be perfectly healthy and didin't have to go to the NICU at all, so that keeps my thoughts positive, knowing how good of care my little girl and I have here. Well, I'll quit rambling for now (hands and fingers are numb, making it harder to type). If I have any new updates, I'll defintely add here.

The Surveya

Name:
Amanda:

Age?:
27:

Height?:
5' 6":

Pre-pregnancy weight?:


About The Father

Name?:
Ben:

Age?:

31:

Height?:
5' 11":

Are you still together?:
Yes!

About Your Pregnancy Is this your first pregnancy?:
Yes:

When did you find out you were pregnant?:
October 19th, 2007

Was it planned?:
It was a whenever it happens on it's own thing....

What was your first reaction?:
Happy, excited, nervous

Who was with you when you found out?:
no one

Who was the first person you told?:
Ben, and then his family on Thanksgiving

How did your parents react?:
Dad was happy, but I think mom was nervous b/c of my health issues

How far along are you?:
11 weeks N 4 days

What was your first symptom?:
Couldn't cool off at night and was having very vivid dreams

EDD, July 28th, but DR. said she would take it earlier b/c of my blood pressure

Do you know the sex of the baby?:
Not yet

If so, what is it?:


Have you picked out names?:
Yes
If so, what are they?:
Colin Edward or Aubrey Kaylin

How much weight have you gained?:
1 pound

Do you have stretch marks?:
NOPE...thank God!!

Have you felt the baby move?:
nope

Have you heard the heartbeat?:
yep...we have a fetal heart monitor at home!! 176 beats per minute

About the birth

Will you keep the baby?:
YES OF COURSE!!

Home or hospital birth?:
Hospital

Natural or medicated birth?:
Medicated!!!!!

Who will be in the delivery room with you?:
Ben

Will you breastfeed?:
Hope to, but we'll have to see if I can

Do you think you'll need a c-section?:
Hopefully not

Will you cry when you hold the baby for the first time?:

Isn't that a given??

What's the first thing you might say to him/her?:
You're so beautiful...I love you!

Would you let someone videotape the birth?:
Maybe

Are you excited about the birth, or scared?:

Both:-s

Would yo like a GIRL or BOY?:

We'd like one of each, so it really doesn't matter. But if my father-in-law has anything to say about it, he hopes the first one's a girl. BUT...as long as he/she is healthy thats all that matters:-)