Hi.. I am Jen. I have been married to the greatest guy for a year. We found out that we are expecting our first baby in October 2008!! We are so excited!! It is so amazing to know that we have created this baby inside of me! So far in my pregnancy, I am feeling pretty good. Just a little nausea and being tired all the time!! We have a minature daschund puppy, Hershey, who will probably have a hard time adjusting to a new baby.

February 11, 2008

Today, my period is a few days late. I decided I should take a home pregnancy test. I was so excited when I saw the second pink line!! My husband and I hadn't even been trying to get pregnant yet, so this was a complete shock to both of us! But we are both so excited about having a baby and entering the role of parenthood.

I am not sceduled for my first Dr. Appt until March 11. This is where we meet with the nurse and go over medical history and stuff like that. I go back to the Dr. on March 27 to have an exam and hopefully to hear the baby's heartbeat! I don't know if I can wait that long!!! Many of my friends had Dr. appts early on in their pregnancy and had ultrasounds at 6-8 weeks. I am pretty sure I won't have my first ultrasound until 20 weeks.

February 14, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day! My husband got me the Willow Tree figurine, Cherish. This is the one where the woman is holding her pregnant belly. It was such a sweet and thoughtful gift!! I am so thankful to have such a wonderful, caring, husband!!

So far, I am having no complications in my pregnancy and I feel great!! We have already told our friends and family that we are expecting a baby. We just couldn't keep it a secret!! Plus, with my job as an Occupational Therapist, I must tell my co-workers and bosses about the pregnancy. That way my co-workers can assist me in lifting/transferring patients and they can assign me easier patients to see that don't need lifted on. Also, I have to be extra cautious around patients that have infections, and not treat patients that have shingles or having chemo treatments.

February 19, 2008

I am starting to have some of the symptoms of pregnancy. I am just so tired!! My breasts are getting tender and I am so bloated! Some evenings, my belly sticks out so far I look like I am 5 months pregnant!! I am trying to eat healthier and drink lots of water.

February 28, 2008

Today I had my first doctor appointment. After lots of prayers, I decided to switch doctors. My old OB/GYN didn't want to see my for my first exam until 10 weeks, and I would only get one ultrasound around 20 weeks. I have friends that go to my new OB/GYN and just love her. I called yesterday, and was scheduled today for my appointment.

I met with a nurse and she gave me lots of information and free samples. I had blood work done, which actually wasn't that bad. I absolutely hate needles!! My nurse told me after my bloodwork, to call the office again and see if they had any openings for an ultrasound today. They were able to squeeze me in this afternoon and I had my first ultrasound! It was absolutely amazing!!!! You could see the heart beating on the screen, and I was able to hear it beating as well. The baby's heartbeat was 125 and it measured 0.92 cent long and 6 weeks 6 days old.

I am starting to feel some morning sickness. I am nauseous alot during the day. I get hungry all the time, but not much appetite to eat. My stomach is already sticking out some. But this is all worth it!!!!

March 12, 2008

I am in my 8th week of pregnancy and feeling pretty good!! The last week and a half, I have had very little nausea, and I have yet to really feel sick. I am still tired alot, but that seems to be better. I am hoping since I have made it this far without being too sick, that the rest of the pregnancy will be a breeze!

I had another doctor visit yesterday, and I was told that all my levels and bloodwork came break normal.. that was a big relief!! I go back monthly for routine checks, and should get my next ultrasound in the next 2-3 months!! I can't wait to find out if we are having a little girl or boy!! I think the most exciting part of finding out what we are having is getting to go shopping!!

I haven't gained any weight yet, but my stomach and breasts are getting bigger. In the mornings, my stomach is still pretty flat, but my evening I look to be 4 months pregnant! I ordered a Bella Band to wear over my normal jeans, so I am hoping to wear my jeans longer. It allows me to unbutton my pants and the band looks like the top of maternity pants. Plus it holds your stomach in tighter! I shall give it a try in a few weeks. I can't wait to look pregnant and not just chubby!!

April 2, 2008

11 weeks pregnant! So exciting!! I went to the doctor today and I got to hear the baby's heartbeat - 150 bpm. How amazing to hear the thumps fill the room!! Still no morning sickness.. I think I may have avoided it!! If only I could sleep better at nighttime and not be so tired!! I have also been having some hip pain. My hips only hurt after working all day at the hospital or nursing home. I bought gel insoles for my shoes.. hopefully that will help!! I can't wait to find out what we are having.. 9 weeks to go!!

April 22, 2008

I haven't done a very good job of keeping this thing updated!! I am in my 14th week and have been feeling great. No morning sickness or anything. But today has been not so good. On my way home from work, I was turning at a green light and some 83 year old partially deaf man ran a red light and I hit him. Luckily I was only going 5-10 mph and my air bag did not deploy, but I was pretty shaken up just thinking about what could have happened. I was not concerned about my car or myself, just my unborn baby. The old man seemed pretty disoriented and he will be cited for the wreck, but that doesn't help calm my nerves at all. I feel ok, and no cramping or stomach discomfort. I am going to call my doctor tomorrow and hopefully get an appointment for tomorrow to get checked out. I doubt I get much rest this evening :(.

April 23, 2008

Well today I went to the doctor and everything turned out great!! They found the baby's heartbeat using the doppler without a problem and it was 147 bpm. I was still concerned about the possibly of the placenta breaking off due to the wreck, so they did an ultrasound today. The baby measured right on schedule and looked great. It was cute.. the baby kept moving around and kicking its legs!! I am in love!! Oh.. and IT'S A BOY!!!!

My husband and I are so excited to be having a little boy! He will have a little hunting buddy haha. I can't wait til my 20 week ultrasound to see him again!!

May 12, 2008

I am now 17 weeks along. My belly is starting to look more like a pregnant belly, which is very exciting! Yesterday a complete stranger asked me when I was due, so that made me feel good!! My back and hips are finally starting to feel better. They still hurt pretty bad at times, but nothing like a few weeks ago. I threw up for the first time today!!! I thought for sure I was going to make it through this pregnancy without puking, but I guess I was wrong :( . I had taken my prenatal vitamins with breakfast, and I am pretty sure the vitamins just didn't settle well.

My husband and I moved into our new house over the weekend!!! How exciting to start a new chapter in our lives. It is peaceful at the new house, out in the country with a beautiful view! I can't wait to fix up the baby's room.. I still haven't decided what theme to go with. Possibly some sort of animals.. like baby farm animals or safari print.

We are going to the beach next week and I can't wait!!! It will be so nice to have a break from work and moving. Hopefully we have beautiful weather! I can't wait to wear my new cute maternity bathing suit and other cute maternity summer clothes I have bought! Hopefully I can survive the 10 hour car ride there!!

May 29, 2008

19 weeks!!! These past few weeks have been so exciting! I am feeling the baby move on a daily basis. He is an active little guy!! I can't wait until my husband will be able to feel him move, too! I went to the doctor Tuesday and she said I am doing great. I have gained 12 pounds now.. which doesn't surprise me b/c my belly is getting huge!! I am definitely all belly. The baby's heartbeat was 146 bpm at the the doctor's office. She had trouble finding the heartbeat and keeping it b/c he is just so active! I am scheduled for my 20 week ultrasound tomorrow morning.. I can't wait to see the baby again!!! I pray that nothing bad shows up on the ultrasound and he is a healthy little boy.

We spent last week at the Outerbanks in North Carolina. It was so beautiful there and so relaxing!!! We had a great time and didn't want to come back! Surprisingly, the 10 hour car ride wasn't too bad.. my back was uncomfortable from all the sitting, but nothing I couldn't deal with. My hips haven't bothered me in probably 2 weeks.. so that makes me very happy!! I am finally starting to feel like myself again!

June 14, 2008

22 weeks and I feel like crap!! I have this horrible cold and have been coughing my head off nonstop for the past two days!! I called my doctor, and she ordered me a prescription cough medicine and told me some over the counter medicines I can take as well. Nothing seems to help!! I coughed all night the last 2 nights and maybe got 3 hours of sleep. You wouldn't think I'd get sick when it is over 90 degrees outside!!!

On a positive note, I feel my baby kicking and moving a lot! It is so sweet to feel him moving around in there. My husband got to feel him kick on Thursday... he was pretty excited about that. I have picked out my baby bedding, now I just have to order it!! Here is a picture of the room

We still haven't decided on a boy's name yet. Most likely it will be either Levi, Caleb, or Wyatt. Picking a name is so hard!!!

July 9, 2008

25 weeks along... how quickly this pregnancy is going by! I finally got over my cold. It took 3 weeks and 2 rounds of antiobiotics to get over it. I still don't have any energy. I just want to sleep all the time! Next week at my Dr. appt, I may ask them to test me for anemia just to be on the safe side. I should be having my gestational diabetes test sometime soon as well. I have been having heartburn in the evenings.. not fun at all!

I feel the baby move all the time now. On Monday night, I saw my belly move for the first time! It was the most amazing thing! I love feeling my baby move!

We still don't have a name picked out for him yet. It is such a hard decision! We are thinking maybe Jackson. And we also like Wyatt and Logan. I am not too worried about it. He will have a name by the time he arrives! We bought the baby furniture. I got it from a place called USAbaby in Pittsburgh. It is beautiful! It is a 3 piece set: convertible crib, 5 drawer dresser, and 3 drawer changer dresser. The crib was so easy to put together! We put the stroller together as well.. it is all so exciting! We registered for baby gifts at Toys R Us last week. My husband was a good sport!

I am starting to get a little bit nervous about the delivery. We need to sign up for childbirth classes sometime soon. It is so hard to believe that he will be here in less than 15 weeks!!