11 weeks, 2 days: We heard it!

It took a minute or two, but Dawn was able to find it...The HEARTBEAT! It was about 173 beats. It's the most exciting thing I've heard in a really long time! I think Michael was able to pick it up before me b/c I kept hearing my heartbeat. Once you make it past all of the background noise it's there, loud and clear! I thought I was sure I was going to cry, but it's too exciting. I think I had a smile that could have been seen from space. Everything else was good. I've gained 6 pounds since my appt a month ago. My bloodwork all came back clean except that I'm RH negative. At this point it's no issue, but they are going to monitor me. I will need to have some more blood drawn in about 5 weeks to test for antibodies and if they show up then I'll be put on meds. Dr. Christian assured me that there is no need to worry so I'm really not going to think about it. The less thinking the better.

He did advice me to make an appt with the neurologist for a checkup. They don't want me to take the normal migraine meds unless I absolutely have to b/c of the lack of research. I'm going to do everything I can to tough it out. They're predicting that the nausea and headaches should get better once I hit the second trimester. I did get the okay to see the massage therapist for my neck and head. Hopefully that will help with the headaches. I'm looking foward to that!

Just a few other notes (mostly for my reference): I'm craving Coke and cheetos! I have cheetos when I get home for work and a small glass of coke every other night after dinner. It's something about the sugar. Sometimes I think I could drink a two litter at a time. And the Carnation Instant Breakfast in the morning with the cereal is still not a good idea. It still doesn't stay down.

Thanks to all for reading!
-Erika

10 weeks, 6 days: I'm such a slacker...

Not really. I know it's been awhile, but I have a good reason. The migraines are back in full force! I didn't even work full days on Thursday and Friday last week. Today is day #5 and still no relief. A little on Saturday - just enough for the Gator game - but it was back on Sunday morning. I called the doc and they gave me some pain meds with codeine, but it doesn't knock out the pain. It does help me sleep, so I've been doing a lot of that lately. I'm trying to tough through it b/c I know it's all part of "the plan", but it sure is hard. I just hope that the baby doesn't inherit them.

Everything else is going good. My belly is slightly bigger than it was before, so I went this weekend with Mom and Michael and bought two new pairs of pants. They're the kinds with the elastic waistband in the back. They actually zip and button - Love them! I have an appt on Thursday morning and I'm hoping we get to hear the heartbeat. The doc did say after 11 weeks. They mentioned doing another ultrasound since I didn't get to see or hear anything on the last one. Maybe we'll get that also. I'd love to get our first baby picture...

I promise I won't wait so long to update next time.
-Erika

Happy Birthday!!!

Today is Jesse's 26th birthday. Hope you had a great day...

Love,
Sis

9 weeks: I told the boss.

Last Thursday. I told him that morning and then made an announcement in our weekly meeting that afternoon. My office is so small that everyone knows everything that is going on and I really wanted to wear some of the new clothes that I bought in TN (which show my little bump)! Now it's out and I don't have to pretend to feel good anymore.

And just as the morning sickness is getting better, along comes a cold. Michael and I always seem to get something after we fly. It started to get worse on Friday night and then Saturday... a migraine! Great - just what I always wanted. I don't think I got off the couch or out of the bed at all this past weekend. I can't lie though - it was kind of nice being lazy. I finally broke down early Monday morning at 2 am and took the Fioricet the doc gave me. I know, I know. He's the doc and he should know, but I just felt a little weird about taking the prescriptions. But the pain was too much. Sad thing is...it helped, but only temporarily. I had to take it again last night. Today the migraine monster is gone and I've finally convinced myself that the meds are not going to hurt the baby (thanks to mom and Michael for the reassuring talks). Things are going great and it becomes more real each and every day.

On a side note...(Insert sarcasm...) Rusty "really" likes the picture of us that I posted below. Did he get a good look at me? I look HORRIBLE! I promise that I'll post redeeming pictures of both of us at a later date. Love ya!

Erika

8 weeks, 1 day: Everyone knows!

All the family, that is. We still have some friends to break the news to. Our trip to TN went great!...as far as telling the family. The actual traveling part was a nightmare, but we only have Delta to blame for that. Since we didn't get our luggage until the last night that we were there, we had to improvise on the t-shirt. We wound up writing the message on a white t-shirt that Delta gave us and giving it to Rusty Saturday afternoon. Everyone was together in the camper and was able to share the news at the same time. Everyone burst into cheers...Angela even cried. And, to her credit, she did know. She even asked me 15 minutes before we told everyone and I had to fib - again. But it was all worth it. The look on everyone's face was priceless.

I was only sick twice this weekend, having to blame the Saturday morning sickness on the mountains. Motion sickness?! Had to come up with something to throw Michael's parents off. It worked. For the most part, the morning sickness has really gotten better. I still feel sick here and there, but not nauseous ALL DAY like I was before. I just have to make sure that I eat before I get hungry. So is that why I can't fit into my clothes? At the doctor last week I still weighed 104, but my stomach has already started to expand. So, I'm starting a new thing. Every month I'll post a picture of my growing belly. Here's the first one...don't laugh!

I didn't believe it myself so I had to show it to Michael. He couldn't believe it either! It's not much, but it's there. It's just enough so that my pants don't zip. At this rate, the people who don't know will know soon. I'm getting my hair chopped off today. Being pregnant changes so many things...things I didn't know would change. My hair being one of them. It's so dry and stringy and I'm sick of it. I can't wait! I guess that's enough for now. More to come soon!

-Erika