February 28, 2011

So I went to College Station on Saturday. Francis attended Andrew's (one of the groomsmen in our wedding) bachelor party, and I rode up with him to spend time with Audrey and Tracy. Luckily the trip was short enough that I did not get car sick. Yay! While Francis and the boys were out roughing it in the woods somewhere, Tracy hosted a Karaoke party. It was a lot of fun. I can't help but wonder if the baby was going, "What in the world is going on?" as I sang out the words to Hit the Road Jack along with the blaring music. Audrey and I talked late in to the night afterward. It was wonderful to catch up.

I went with Audrey to church Sunday morning and attended the college Sunday school with her. I compulsively felt the need to explain that my husband was at a bachelor party and that I was just visiting from Austin. I felt awkward with my little bulging belly in the middle of students up to 7 years younger than me. As I was sitting at a table, a couple of guys sat down and introduced themselves to the table. Audrey asked them what year they were. They were juniors, I think. Then they asked us, and I said I was visiting and I had already graduated. I could see the look of confusion on their faces which was only compacted when we stood up to sing worship. I could see one of them out of the corner of my eye staring at my stomach and then looking at my wedding ring. His brow was furrowed and he was pretending to sing. Poor boy...I don't think he ever got over it before he left. If Francis had been there, it probably would not have been so confusing.

Francis came and got me after lunch and we headed back to Austin. I was feeling pretty good, so rather than going home, we went on an adventure. We ended up going to the Nature and Science Center in Austin. It is a little free nature preserve that has some animals and birds of prey to look at. It was a lot of fun to just walk around in the beautiful weather and be with my beau. I will definitely be bringing the baby there in a couple of years.

And now for the best news. We got home last night, and while I was relaxing on the couch, I felt something. In fact, three little somethings. After the first I said quietly, "Do it again." A second little bump came from inside my belly. "I think I felt the baby," I said quietly. I instinctively grabbed Francis's hand and pushed it on the spot where I felt the last little bump. Sure enough a few seconds later, a third one came. "Did you feel that?" Francis beamed. "It's our baby!" he responded as any proud papa would. We waited a bit, but three signals were all we got. It's enough though. We know he's in there. I felt the baby kick!!!

February 24, 2011

So I am an aunt, and this baby has a cousin! Abigail Grace Boerger was born yesterday in Houston. Francis and I drove all the way down from Austin just to see her bright and smiling face. She set the bar pretty high on the cuteness scale. Francis held her (and she didn’t break like he was afraid she might!). He is all the more ready for our baby to come. I got to hold her also. All the way home I swear the baby was moving in my stomach because he was so excited. It felt like nothing I’ve felt before. I’m still waiting for one definitive kick before I say with certainty that I have felt him move.

In other news, I got a call from the doctor’s office today and the baby doesn’t have Spina Bifida! The blood work came back normal. That is one less thing to worry about. I pray this baby is healthy, strong and that he knows he is loved. Can’t wait to find out what this baby is on March 22^nd!

February 22, 2011

So good news and bad news. The good news? Francis came to my appointment and got to see the baby's heartbeat as well as see him move around for the first time. He seemed genuinely pleased, and I think it meant a lot to him. The baby loves his daddy. The baby was moving all around, laying on its side, back, front and everywhere in between. There was fun had by all.

The bad news? We still don't know if it is a boy or a girl. The doctor took a look (the baby was very cooperative), but she wouldn't make a judgment call. I think she knows, but is hesitant to say until she is sure. So, four more weeks of waiting and calling the baby a him until we know for sure. Definitely not the end of the world and totally worth the trip.

More good news: the doctor did not say my blood pressure was high this time. It's been high every time I've been in partially due to stress. She also said the headaches I'm having are unfortunate, but do not have anything to do with my pregnancy. This is also good news. I wish my head would not hurt, but I prefer it hurt me and not the baby!

My next appointment is March 22nd. T minus 28 days and counting.

February 21, 2011

So,  in my journey of becoming a mom, I am learning that there is no way to escape genetics.First of all, I just want to say how much I love you mommy! We used to tell my mom (and still do) that her "I'm interested" look she gives us when we were talking or giving speeches comes across as a "judging" look or a "you've done something wrong" look. My mother is a wonderful person, and we tell her this out of love. This is the background for the story I am about to tell on myself.

I was sitting next to Francis on the couch yesterday watching hockey (guess who had the remote). I wasn't really watching anyway. I was thinking about how blessed I am and how excited I am to become a mom ...just thinking pleasant thoughts. Yeah, there were probably some hormones involved in this euphoria. Then I looked at Francis. My! I thought. I married a handsome man! He is just wonderful! I would like nothing more than to give him a kiss and a hug and tell him how wonderful he is. Seriously, this is what I was thinking.

Well, Francis noticed I was looking at him. He looked confused for a moment and then looked a little scared. "What did I do?" he asked, concerned. "Did I do something wrong? What's wrong?"

I was taken aback. I laughed in a sort of nervous way and said, "Nothing's wrong. I was just thinking how much I wanted to give you a kiss."

He looked skeptical, "Are you sure? It looked like you were about to kill me or yell at me..."

Apparently, I have inherited the look. Sorry for the years I teased you, mom. Next thing you know I will be sneezing and coughing at the same time...

My 16 week appointment is tomorrow. Your prayers are appreciated.

February 15th, 2011

So yesterday was in fact Valentine's and it was a wonderful day indeed. I had been having stomach pains the past couple of days due to a poorly timed jump by Bella in which she landed on my stomach. I finally  woke up yesterday to no pain, but even better, I woke up to a dozen roses on the pillow next to me. Francis had been hiding them in the nursery closet. He's very fortunate that I hadn't been feeling up to venturing about, or I probably would have found them. They were beautiful.

I went about my day full of school work and then got ready for my night out. Francis picked me up about 5:30 and we went to Jasper's, a nice restaurant in Austin. We had four courses, but my favorite thing was the garlic mashed potatoes. Did I mention the baby LOVES garlic? It's ridiculous. I could have eaten an entire plate of solely these potatoes. The only thing I really didn't like (or should I say the baby didn't like) was the tortilla soup. It tasted like bitter salsa and after a couple of bites I felt like I was going to gag. I've only had that happen one other time and so it was weird that it crept up then. Thankfully the steak and garlic mashed potatoes came after the soup and all was forgiven. The conversation was lovely and the company even lovelier. I have an awesome husband!

We came home, and Francis gave me a beautiful necklace of a cross with two diamond hearts inside. He's so sweet. He also bought strawberries and chocolate dipping sauce, something I have never been known to say no to! It was a pretty perfect Valentine's Day. Next year we will have an extra person to share it with!

My next appointment is the 22nd. I hope to find out what we are having, but I don't know if we will be able to or if the doctor will even try. I will be just barely 16 weeks, so my chances are slim, but I am still hoping. Otherwise I will have to wait at least four weeks more. I really want to call this baby by their name and start decorating the nursery!

February 8, 2011

So I got the test results back from my blood test today. I am in the lowest risk group for Down's syndrome (1 in 10,000). This is awesome news. My next appointment is the 22nd. Francis may go with me since he hasn't gotten to see the baby move. It will be great if he can get off. Other than that, this is Francis's last week on shift. Hopefully they will hire the new technician so the engineers can stop covering for that spot. It was nice to have him home yesterday, but a regular schedule will be even nicer.
I volunteered at the Widows' Valentines party on Saturday. I was very smart and did my prenatal yoga before going to the party. After two hours of standing, someone asked me to get something that was below the table I was standing behind. I bent down and couldn't get back up! I am still a little sore, but doing much better. It was pretty funny even at the time.
I am beginning to learn what I can and cannot do. At the Superbowl party on Sunday, I sat on the floor. About the third quarter I was so sore that we headed home so I could lay down. Smart move,
I know...I should basically make sure I am not cutting off circulation to anything and keep moving around, but not too vigorously.
Francis and I got to bum around yesterday and it made for a wonderful and relaxing day. The baby and I got a work out by walking around the outdoor mall nearby. We all got to recharge a little and we needed it. I think this baby is growing a lot nowadays since my lower abdomen feels pushed on more so than it has so far. It is uncomfortable but I would not say it is painful...anything for my baby!
That's it for now!

February 2, 2011

I went to the specialist today to get the baby measured and make sure that the baby was low risk for any chromosomal disorders. We want to be prepared for whatever may come. Great news, everything looks good! Barring anything coming back funny in my bloodwork, all the measurements did not indicate a risk of disorder. Even better news, I got to see baby Phillips move for the first time! The little hands were clasped out in front of the chest and the baby was laying on his side. The spine looked like a lizard tail. They looked at the blood flow of the little heart using a red and blue color scheme and its heart lit up like it was the 4^th of July. Needless to say, the blood is pumping up a storm. The heart rate was 171. The showed me both hemispheres of the brain and they are forming nicely. His measurements are right on track.

The nurse kept trying to get him to lay on his back, but he wouldn’t. The baby tried to go to sleep on us, but the nurse wouldn’t let let. Finally, I had to stand up and walk around to get the baby to move into position. The skin behind his neck was in normal range (which means no Downs Syndrome), and his nose is VERY prominent which is also good for the purpose of the tests. I am sorry to say I think he may have inherited your nose from me. There are worse things to inherit though, I suppose.

In the middle of everything, the baby got the hiccups. Seeing him move all around made me laugh. Just when I thought he had gotten over it, he would hiccup again. We could also see all the little fingers. They are all there and were reaching out toward the camera. I have a picture to prove it.

It was one of the best days yet. I can’t wait to see what comes next.