1/2/08...Could it be???? Yes, the long awaited positive!

I had been waiting for this moment for what seemed like an eternity...thought for sure it would be negative, like all the others before. Praise the Lord, we had been blessed!

1/19/08 Six weeks pregnant...already a slight pudge!?!?

I am already starting to feel some slight morning sickness, extreme fatigue, and slight food adversions including seafood and processed meats. I started on a pregnancy work-out routine yesterday....got to try and keep in shape! Boy did it do a number on me...was sooooo sore today! Baby is about 1/8inch long and growing rapidly! Can't believe you are inside me....love you so much already.

2/5/08 8.5 Weeks pregnant... Our first Ultrasound, and Baby is moving already!

I have been battling with serious morning sickness since I turned 7 weeks, major food adversions, and often can only eat bread, toast, crackers, and gingerale. I even bought thoes seaband wrist bands to try to get relief! It is all worth it though...we went to our first ultrasound today... I was so nervous, after hearing about others who went in at 8weeks only to find no heartbeat or a sac without a baby. Being pregnant was somewhat fantacy at this point... I hadn't seen the baby yet. So, as soon as she fired up that ultrasound and I saw a tiny flutter on the screen, I broke down in tears....there was our baby, alive, and REAL. The heart beat was strong, baby was the perfect size! In a couple of shots the baby was actually moving his arms! What a wonderful experience...one that is truely life changing and unexplainable. For the first time, THIS THING WAS FOR REAL! God is truly amazing! The doc said baby looked great. She did find a small fibroid on my uterus, and said it most likely wouldn't cause any problems with the pregnancy, but that a high-risk OB would do an ultrasound later in the pregnancy to make sure. I am so happy!

2/21/08- 10.5 weeks

Finally I am feeling better...haven't had morning sickness for the past 5 days now, so wondering if I am finally in the clear.... My belly is larger than life already (so it seems) and I have officially started wearing maternity jeans! I don't know where it is all coming from, since the baby is only 1.5 inches long! I've been greasing my belly and breasts with coco butter after each shower, praying that I ward of the evil stretch marks some day! We got the baby's room cleard out (use to be the home office), so though it is bare, it is officially the nursery! I continue to feel nervous, excited, and amazed by this whole process.

3/6/08- 12.5 weeks

Had our 3 month doctor's appointment today...got to hear the tiny heartbeat! It is strong and regular, and in the 160's, so the doctor said it could be a boy! No telling yet. My belly is getting bigger, as seen in the photo, but I am loving every inch! Morning sickness has finally started to go away a bit, thought it catches up with me every so often. At least I am better able to eat more variety of foods, and appitite is increasing! Better watch out, I've already gained 9lbs!

3/27/08- 15.5 weeks

I felt the baby move today! I was bound and determined to feel that tiny kick...I have been listening to the baby's movements with a doppler when I am able to steal the chance at work....sounded like it was swimming a relay race! So when I got home, I lay very still on my back, closed my eyes, and concentrated very hard....it took about 15 mins, but there it was, the smallest little flutter just below my bellybutton! How exciting...called my husband immediately and told him...I think he is jealous that he cant feel it from outside my tummy yet!

4/4/08- 16.5 weeks

Had our 4 month doctors appointment this week...heartbeat continues to beat strongly, and still in 150's-160's. Got our quad-screen done this week, a simple blood test that tests AFP levels to determine the risk of Trisomy 18, Trisomy 21, and spinal defects. I held my breath for 3 days to get the results...it is hard to be a Neonatal Intensive Care nurse and know all the bad things that can happen to those little ones! But, finally the call came, and everything is normal! I was relieved, and called my husband immediately. What joy! I am feeling lots better, and only have morning sickness every once in a while, usually when I get dehydrated or really tired, so I try to keep up with my sleep and fluids! I continue to feel the baby move periodically, usually at least once a day, and the movement is becoming much more distinct...it will stop me mid-sentence! Now just waiting for that April 16th appointment to see our little one again via ultrasound.....

4/16/08-19 weeks

We had our 19 week ultrasound today.....ITS A BOY!!! We have officially named him Jacob Ryan Picarelli. My husband was certian it would be a girl, because he so badly wanted to have a boy! His jaw dropped to the floor when the ultrasound tech said it was a boy....she even had to show multiple views of the penis for it to sink in! Needless to say, we are overjoyed and so very excited to start our life with our new son! September just can't get here fast enough! The doctor says that baby Jacob looks perfect in every way....being a NICU nurse, I of course was making sure every organ was present, a 4-chamber heart, appropriate brain ventricals, a stomach bubble and bladder bubble were present, etc.... at the end, everything was present and accounted for! I am praying that he gets his daddy's eyes....

4/29/08- 20.5 weeks

Had our 20-week OB appointment today. The doctor checked my cervix and said it was thick and closed, as it should be. My weight gain has slowed down quite a bit (thank goodness), but doctor says it is appropriate. Next appointment I will have my glucose test to test for gestational diabetes. Jacob has been very active...I can feel arms and feet moving all the time! The painter will come next month to paint the nurery...we have decided to paint the nursery green...still haven't found the perfect crib!