On Our Toes

Dear Baby B,

Everyday you are growing and growing inside of me, and currently you are the size of a blueberry!

This week your brain has been growing at a phenomenal rate of 100 new cells a minute and both hemispheres are formed. You are also starting to grow your arms and legs and even form joints. And you now have a permanent set of kidneys! You're also going through a growth spurt in size; going from approximately 0.16 to 0.2 inches all the way to 0.5 inches. Maybe this could explain why Mommy has been so tired! 

Aside from the exhaustion, the nausea has begun to set in as well. Although it hasn't been terrible, it definitely comes and goes in waves. But I can't complain because it's reassurance to me that you are continuing to grow inside; although not much on the outside yet. Here we are at 6 weeks:

Well last week we had our first trip to the Doctor, or rather the Nurse and the lab. We went through lots of paperwork and had some blood drawn. Everything came back good and they even confirmed a due date of March 11, 2011 (unless the ultrasound shows differently); which makes me 7 weeks as of tomorrow. However, Saturday night you gave Daddy and I a little scare as I had some spotting at work. Thankfully it immediately went away and other then being a ball of emotions, I felt good. Frustrated that I couldn't call the Doctor at that moment or even the next day, I waited it out til Monday. The office was not overly concerned but they did bring me in for blood work and a Rhogam shot. Turns out that Mommy has a rare blood type (A-); apparently only 15% of pregnant women are Rh negative (figures I fall into that little number). 

We got good news the next afternoon that my HCG levels were very high. The nurse's response when I called was actually "Whoa, you're definitely pregnant." So we thought that was the end of it, but nothing is ever that simple when it comes to us Baby B. The next day the nurse called back to let me know that although my HCG levels were very high my progesterone hadn't risen to where the doctor was comfortable with it being. So she started me on Progesterone and moved our ultrasound up to Monday rather than waiting til Aug. 6. 

So needless to say, you've kept Daddy and I on our toes this week. It has been a glimpse into how life will be from here on out I guess. Always thinking and worrying about you and what we can do to love, protect, and help you - our number one priority! 

Love You Always,

Mommy

PS: Daddy and I are SO SO SO excited to get our first glimpse at you on Monday morning!! :)

You, Me, & Daddy Make Three!

To Our Baby B,

Three - that's how big our family will be once you arrive, and that's how many tests it took your Daddy and I to believe you were really on your way!

It was the 4th of July and we were nearly on our way out the door when a little voice in my head told me - "you may be taking someone else along with you." So I quickly decided to take that test I had been saving for this special day; and much to my surprise and trembling hands, after 3 long minutes I saw those two pink lines! I quickly ran downstairs to find your Daddy, trying to decide how exactly I was going to be clever and tell him in a unique way. Well cleverness went out the window and nerves took over. I sat there staring at him and he just knew something was up; at which point I confirmed that I thought we were going to be parents and showed him the test. He couldn't believe it either, but let me tell you the smile that lit up his face was unforgettable. Daddy didn't need any more convincing, but I still couldn't believe it, so on our way out, we stopped at CVS for another test. And to no surprise, it was another positive; as was the test I decided to take a couple days later before calling the doctor's office.

Since taking that test we have filled in all your grandparents, aunts, and uncles...and a few other important people in our lives. They are all so excited to meet you! Everyone else can wait a little longer - for now, you will just have to be a little secret among the ones who will grow to love you the most!

Speaking of growing, here's our first picture together just a few days after we found out. Although you're not obviously making your presence known yet, after all you were only the size of an orange seed in this picture, you are making it known to me. From the way thoughts of you have consumed my every free moment (and even the moments I'm overly busy) to the physical changes I can feel my body starting to going through. It's an amazing connection that I feel with you now and can't even imagine how that will grow. I'm so excited for the day I wake up and you've decided to make your first appearance to everyone as a tiny little bump in my belly. That will just be the beginning of Mommy and Daddy showing you off to the world!

All My Love,

Mommy