Nathan's First Week (15 photos)

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Holding Steady at 38 Weeks

I had my 38 week check up last night and all is well! Surprisingly, even after a giant super salty Chinese lunch yesterday, I did not gain any weight since last week. Still hit the scale at 176. My blood pressure was 110/70. Last week when doctor measured my tummy, I was between 39 and 40 cm. Last night, I measured 38 cm. It's either a result of 1 of 2 things... or both. Nathan has dropped, which was confirmed by the doctor (YAY)... and I ate less food last week while Dan was out of town. Y'all know that I don't cook... I microwave and boil but those are about my limitations :) So, for whichever reason or both, I measured right on my due date of December 27th. I asked my doctor if he thought there was any chance that Nathan would come early and of course he dodged the question. I knew he would because this really isn't an exact science. He dodged it by saying he delivered a baby last week that was actually due on the 27th, and he thought of me. It would be nice if Nathan would come just a tad early. The 26th would be purrfect. That way my parents would be here (they are coming December 26-Jan 3) and it would be before my doctor goes on vacation to Disney World. He leaves December 27th. I would need to start contracting on the 25th for that to happen most likely so I told Dan we'll eat a big dinner and then I'll walk and walk and walk. Should be a neat next few weeks to see how it all spins out. I asked doctor about how long he lets his patients go before inducing them and he said he doesn't like to induce prior to 42 weeks. It's better for the baby as long as everything is healthy. If I don't have Nathan by 2 days past my due date, then I will be sent to the hospital twice per week to check the amniotic fluid around the baby and his responsiveness to stimuli, meaning check to see if his heart rate increases and decreases normally depending on what is going on around him. As long as both the amniotic fluid and his responsiveness are ok then the longest I'll go is 42 weeks before induction. That would put me at January 10th. The good thing is at least I am comfortable and having no complications. And who knows... my dad's birthday is January 8th so maybe Nathan has that in mind.

My next appointment is December 21st!

Remember to vote on Nathan's due date if you haven't already.

Kisses!
Toni

Could it Be? Our Youngin' may be Early?

Up until last night, I have measured right on my due date or slightly smaller at the doctor's office. So you can imagine what thoughts went running through my mind last night when my doctor meausured me and muttered 39, 40... 39 cm. Just for a point of reference, I measured 36 cm last week. This is the largest growth spurt I've had. When doc first came in the room, he even said how I looked straight out front this week more than usual. He did not seem too concerned with me measuring larger than my due date but he did say that since I'm 37 weeks, I am considered full term. Could Nathan grace us with his presence early?? Only time will tell. Early is fine... just not before Friday of this week. Dan is in San Diego!

I weighed in at 176, which was a 1 lb gain from last week. My bp was 102/70 which is great considering pregnancy usually increases your blood pressure. My swelling is the same pretty much as last week. Mostly from my knees down and my feet are the worst. So uncomfortable. I left my appointment very excited last night because my doctor was excited too, and my nurse. They were both all smiles. Doc and I talked some about the actual labor/delivery part. I've known for some time now that he is going on vacation Dec 27th (Nathan's due date) and won't return until Jan 3rd. There is a back up doctor that will be on call that has worked with my doctor for over 20 years so there won't be an issue with me not having a doctor. But of course, I'd really like for mine to deliver Nathan and so would he, especially since he will be Nathan's pediatrician. I still think the whole medical practice of "cradle to the grave" is really cool. Nathan still hasn't dropped yet but doc said that sometimes babies don't drop until right before they are delivered anyway. I'm not sure what the transition period was for my mom and sister when they had their babies but it would be a good indication for me. I asked about if there was any way to tell if Nathan would be a big baby. His guess is somewhere in the 8-9lb range. That is about what I was anticipating too.

Please be sure and vote on Nathan's due date if you haven't already!

Stay warm!
Kisses,
Toni

Tis the Season... 8 lbs in 2 Weeks

We'll call my visit to the doctor last night my post-Thanksgiving check up. I knew going in that the whole weigh in scene would be interesting but never would I have guessed comical. Since my last appointment 2 weeks ago, I have gained 8 pounds which resulted in a weigh in of 175. I looked at Dan and we both had to hold back laughter. The nurse weighed me a second time on the digital scale just to be sure and it was 175, right on the money. My blood pressure was up too... 120/80 which had to be because my sudden shock. The doctor said he could tell I had a great Thanksgiving and we all ended up laughing about it. He said not to be surprised if my weigh in next week is less. Also, my swelling has seriously increased recently. I am swollen from my toes to my knees. My hands have swollen to the point that I now can only wear my wedding band and have put away my engagement ring and other 2 bands. My face is swelling too. My doctor noticed the swelling and said I am carrying a lot of water weight. It's weird how all of a sudden the ninth month hit and bam! The water is here. I've read that the best way to control the water weight, as odd as it sounds, is to continue drinking plenty of fluids. I measured 36 cm which is right in line with being 36 weeks.

Another ninth month symptom is the constant trips to the bathroom. Geez! Nathan is just sitting on my bladder so even when I completely empty it, it's only a matter of time before I go rushing back. And it's important not to fall into the trap of waiting too long to go to the restroom. Just hope nothing makes you laugh along the way. I still walk at lunch and whenever else I get the chance but my steps are slower and softer. Any extra pounding makes my bladder feel like it needs to be emptied, even if it doesn't.

We heard Nathan's heartbeat and the best way to describe it now is it sounds like a galloping horse. Then the worst part, and most dreaded part, of the night came... THE INTERNAL EXAM. It was necessary for two reasons... doc had to do the strep B test and then he had to feel which way Nathan is turned. The strep B test was easy... I barely felt that. It was just a swab. Then... we learned that Nathan is head down but learning that was seriously painful. NO FUN AT ALL. Apparently my cervix is very sensitive right now. And since Nathan hasn't dropped the slightest bit, in order to feel the head... well, you get the idea. Doctor said each time he felt Nathan's head he would bounce up or float up. I had my eyes shut and was fighting back the tears. Dan was there and was a good boy. He could tell I was in pain and just held my hand. I was exceedingly thankful when it was over but I was happy to hear that at least Nathan is not breech. This experience just reminded me that my pain threshold is low. I guess now is the time to work on that.

My next appointment is 12/7 as I am now going to the doctor once per week.

Over the weekend, I got all of Nathan's clothes, blankets, towels, washcloths, and security blankets washed. And all the same is put away. Plus I purchased his diaper bag. Only a couple more staples remain! I feel so relieved now knowing my youngin' will have clothes on his back and a place to rest his head when he comes home.

Kisses,
Toni

A Surprise Baby Shower

After months of plotting and planning, today my girlfriends and husband pulled off a surprise baby shower! I realized how blessed I am to have such a great group of friends and a loving husband. As far as I knew, at 2:30 today we were arriving at my friend Lillie's house to hang out with her family and watch football. The funny part is that I was embarrassed to go over there because I was coming empty handed. Even as Dan and I approached the front door I was stressing over showing up without food or drink. What a splendid surprise it was to open the door and discover smiling faces of people I never imagined to be there. Dan left with Lillie's husband while the females enjoyed some girl time. We played games, ate lots of yummy food, opened presents, and I asked questions of the mothers there for any advice they had to offer for me and my youngin'. It was such a great time to be had for all. Two of the girls had even constructed a diaper cake! A slideshow of the shower pictures is located on the left. I felt really special today and was extremely grateful to share my baby excitement with my bay area friends! Kudos and praise to Dan for helping set up the party, preparing and sending the evite, and making sure all the details were together in order for me to have a fantastic day. Man... I just love that boy!

Kisses!
Toni

Embracing Forgetfulness

Monday night I had my 34 week check up and all is well. I weighed in at 167 lbs which means I gained 1 pound from my last visit 2 weeks ago. That is ok, considering I had gained 4 pounds for that one (on 11/2/2009). My bp was 110/70 and I measured 33 cm, which is close enough to 34 weeks. This was the first time I did not measure exactly on target for my due date but as my doctor said, I cannot be perfect every time. I heard Nathan's heart rate and the cool thing this time was that it sped up and slowed down while we heard it. The doctor said that is a good sign because when it speeds up that means he is responding to stimuli. How cool is that! He knew something was going on!! The doctor also felt my tummy on the outside and said he is about 80% sure Nathan is head down. He will know emphatically the positioning in 2 weeks when I have an internal. My doctor will also be Nathan's pediatrician so I confirmed that up as well. I think it is so cool how in our family practice, the doctors serve all "cradle to the grave" purposes.

I've noticed lately that my memory is shot. It's extremely difficult for me to handle because I have always had a good memory whether it be in personal matters or in the workplace. I had heard that pregnancy can make women forgetful and fortunately, I haven't experienced that in the previous 8 months. Now, I am making lists constantly and asking Dan questions over and over. He's being a good boy though because he knows I can't help it. He knows it's out of character for me. If only I could just remember that I am forgetful...

Nathan now has a place to rest his little head when we bring him home thanks to the gracious gift of the van Welzen family. My sister helped me find a co-sleeper which I will keep next to the bed on my side for a while. It's kind of like a bassinet but is shaped rectangular and has a shelf on the bottom for diapers and other essentials. You can check it out on the Babies 'R Us or Target website under co-sleeper and it's made by a company called Arm's Reach. Now the crib purchase can be put on hold for a while.

Yesterday Dan and I were talking about that moment in the hospital when Nathan is born and we see his face for the first time. It just choked me up to think about seeing his precious little face. Dan will see him first. I guess because it's getting so close now that I think a lot about what he will look like. Oh, those first little moments are so precious and you never get them back.

My next appointment is November 30th where, as I said before, I will have my internal exam and strep B test. The reason for the strep B test is that 1 in 5 people carry that bacteria and if a pregnant woman has it, then during labor the mother is given penicillin to help prevent the passage of the bacteria to the baby.

Have a great Turkey Day!
Kisses,
Toni

The Hospital Tour

Saturday we did a tour of the hospital where Nathan will be born. The hospital is called Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley. It was one of the most exciting things we’ve ever done! The woman that led the tour was an RN who is also a lactician. We started by meeting in the lobby and she told us when to come to the hospital (around 4 cm dilated) because it’s best to go as long as one can at home. She explained how the home environment is more relaxing to us and more conducive for contractions. Also if I go to the hospital too early there is a chance I will be sent home. After that explanation, she indicated where we should park or drop off. She told us in great detail about the registration process and what to expect upon arriving at the hospital. We were told to also be sure and eat something before we come and to bring snacks for the dad since labor is typically a lengthy process. Next we ventured to the 3rd floor which is the maternity floor. I will start in the triage room which is a long room with many beds separated by curtains. This is where the nurse will check me out to determine how far along I am and give me a full medical once over. After triage, I’ll move to my own labor and delivery room where there is a twin bed for me (including all sorts of “fun” looking medical devices to hook me up too), a couch, tables, windows, shower/tub, toilet and sink. There are 3 rooms that don’t have windows but the trade off is that they have Jacuzzi tubs. In the labor and delivery room she explained what each accessory is that will be hooked up to me. I could tell she was fairly anti-epidural because she harped on how if you get an epidural you are confined/restricted/tethered to the bed at around 5 cm. Otherwise, you are free to roam the halls. 4 people are allowed in the room with me, although Dan will be the only one I want. There will be 2 nurses rotating for me until I reach 8 cm. At that point, I was get my own nurse. When it comes time for the actual delivery, there will be my doctor, nurse, the anesthesiologist (for epidural purposes), and 2 nurses from NICU to give Nathan a full health check up immediately after birth. I think that covers all the additional people she said would be in there. Sounds like a full house to me! When we left that room, we ventured to the recovery room. Those rooms have a bed for Dan instead of a couch so that will be nicer to sleep on. Nathan will be with us the entire time after he is born unless there is significant enough of a medical issue where he will have to stay in the nursery. We know this won’t happen so our boy will not leave our sight, except when he is circumcised. We are allowed to bring almost anything into the room to make our stay more comfortable. She suggested something lightly scented which will help to relax me. 90% of the recovery rooms are private so the odds are great that I won't have to share.

There were several times that I got pretty teary eyed during the tour with the most touching moment being when she explained how there is about a 2 hour window right after the baby is born where he will be on high alert. He’ll open his eyes and look all around, including at Dan and me. The hospital is a huge advocate of breastfeeding and immediate contact between baby and mom’s chest. I am happy to know that.

There was a lot of detail explained during our tour and I’ve only touched on the highlights. I feel even better now knowing more about what to expect. Here is a link to the hospital’s website if you are interested in reading more about where I’ll be. http://www.altabatessummit.org

Kisses!
Toni

32 Weeks and the H1N1 Vaccine

Last night marked my 32 week check up and it was an interesting one. I was accompanied by Dan and his mom, who is in town visiting until November 8th. I was pleased Dan came because the appointment was the same time as game 5 of the World Series, which could have been the last one. By the time we got home the game was over. Luckily for Dan, the Yankees lost and will move on to game 6.

I started with the typical weigh-in which this week was a little more than average. I am supposed to be gaining 1 pound per week which up until now, I was doing beautifully. I weighed 166 which was 4 pounds more than my 2 week ago weigh-in. I attributed it to eating not so healthily this past weekend. My goal is to gain only 2 pounds before my next visit on November 16th. My blood pressure was good at 108/70, and that is about what registers at all my visits. I measured exactly 32 cm which lines up perfectly with me being 32 weeks. I asked the doctor about my swelling because over the weekend my right foot swelled up a lot and my left foot barely at all. I had no pain but it tingled when I took a step. Also the skin half way up my leg into my shin was pink. The doctor said it is a normal amount of swelling and not to worry. Apparently veins don’t operate as well on the right side of your body so that could be why the circulation isn’t as good and the swelling has increased.

We heard Nathan’s heart beat and it was wonderful for Dan’s mom. Aside from her own three children, she’s not heard the fetal heart beat of another grandchild-to-be.

Then came the emotional part of the visit. Dan and I decided it would be best for me to receive the H1N1 vaccination and since I am in a high risk group, I was able to get it from my doctor. This was an issue that I went back and forth with for months and months, trying to decide if it would be okay for Nathan. I wasn’t concerned in the least about myself because I am not an anti-vaccine person. For this one, however, it was the fear of the unknown in how the unborn baby is affected. Months ago when I first talked with my doctor about this vaccine he said it is perfectly safe for pregnant women and if I were his wife, he would tell me to get it. I kept replaying that conversation in my head last night while sitting on the table in anticipation. The nurse came in to administer it. As the nurse got to my arm, I looked at Dan and told him to remind me that it would not harm Nathan. Dan could not tell how serious I was at that moment and made light of my question. My response to him was not to joke because this was a serious question. I put my head down as the nurse got prepared for the injection. The nurse then asked if I was having second thoughts when he could see my eyes welling up with tears. I shook my head. I then placed my right hand on my tummy and the vaccine was administered. I thought about Nathan and silently prayed that everything would be okay. Then I just lost it and all my emotions came flooding out down my cheeks. Dan came up to me and started telling me scientifically how the vaccine was inert and just the protein coat, how I wasn’t getting a live virus and how the media was making way more of a bigger deal about this than necessary. He reminded me that the risks involved with me getting the flu are far worse than any side effect of the vaccine. He and the nurse also told me that if Dr. Eichel (my doctor) told me that the vaccine was okay then to trust him. In my mind, I knew ALL of this was correct. I know I did the right thing. But in my heart I was absolutely terrified. I feel like 100% of what happens to Nathan before he’s born is my sole responsibility. Everything I eat, he eats. Everything I drink, he drinks. And everything that is injected in me is injected into him. I am carrying the most precious cargo that God has blessed us with. On the bright side, I am now vaccinated against the H1N1 flu. I just continue to pray that everything will be alright with Nathan.

My next appointment is November 16th.

Kisses,
Toni

31 Weeks and it's Time to find a Crib!

Today marks exactly 2 months from Nathan’s due date and I am totally biting the bullet. I guess it’s finally time for Dan and me to decide on a crib. After all, the little guy needs somewhere to sleep, right? This search is completely overwhelming. The only thing I know for sure is that I want a white crib. Beyond that, I am clueless. Fortunately, I have access to Consumer Reports thanks to my parents so one evening this week I am planning on putting a lot of time into researching. There are many theories about drop down sides, width of the bars, type of mattress, height of mattress, length of crib, 3-in-1, convertible, etc etc etc. I don’t remember even putting this much thought into anything major we’ve purchased!

Starting last week, my hips and legs began to ache. I think it’s from a combination of a few things. First of all, I am carrying roughly 20 extra pounds than I did pre-pregnancy. Second, my hips are widening to make more room for Nathan and prepare for delivery. Third, I am secreting 10 times the normal amount of the hormone Relaxin. Its function is to allow the joints in the pelvis to relax to allow the baby room to pass through the birth canal. From what I’ve read, Relaxin also causes abnormal motion for other joints in the body, hence the achiness. The secret I’ve found for this pain is to walk. I know that seems counterintuitive but for me, the increased blood flow from walking and moving around helps drown out the aches.

My feet are swelling now which isn’t fun. I am on the brink of having to break down and purchase a new pair of work shoes. I am looking at either something cozy like Easy Spirit or Naturalizer. Tennis shoes are getting a little tight too on my feet, although that may be due to socks I wear under them when I go to the gym or walk. Perhaps the solution there is wearing thinner socks or tying my laces a bit looser. Luckily my fingers haven’t swollen yet so I am still able to wear all my rings. I noticed last night that my rings were a little bit snugger when I took them off but hopefully I can get at least another month out of them.

Nathan’s awake and asleep times seem to be becoming more scheduled so that’s comforting. I can almost predict exactly when I’ll begin feeling him move. As for now, I think he remains asleep at night when I am so his movements don’t wake me up. From what I understand, that may change. I know it definitely will once he is born!

Nathan is now close to 18 inches long so he is almost the length he’ll be at birth. It’s hard to believe when I look down at my tummy that I have a baby almost full length in there. It’s estimated that he is close to 4 pounds too. I am glad babies don’t have memories of being in the womb. I’m sure they would be mighty uncomfortable ones.

My next appointment is Monday, November 2nd. I enjoy going to the doctor. Most of the people there know me by name and they are always so cheerful and pleased to see me.

Kisses!
Toni

30 weeks and Comfy in Dan's Clothes

Monday evening was my 30-week checkup and everything turned out great. I weighed in at 163 lbs which is good. That’s 1 pound per week like he told me to do. My last check up was 2 weeks ago. I measured once again right on the money for 30 weeks… 30 cm. We heard the heartbeat which now sounds like it is going to beat right through my skin! My blood pressure was 110/60 so that was a little bit lower than the last visit, which is also wonderful. No more blood work or any testing until week 36 so my visit was pretty short and sweet. The next appointment is November 2nd.

One of the great things about Dan being such a huge guy is that I now have ready access to very comfortable clothes. Monday was my first time delving in and I wore a long sleeved t-shirt of his to the doctor. It was super comfortable. He and I both got a chuckle out of seeing me in it. It honestly was only too big in the arms but was just perfect around the belly. If only I could wear stuff like that to work!

Nathan is now kicking and moving around a ton. Sometimes I wonder if he will just kick his way out! It’s so neat though to feel him and see him move, although when he kicks because he’s hungry I feel sorry for him. I’ve been in situations before where I cannot eat and I can tell he’s super hungry.

I had my “uh oh” moment on Sunday when I realized I was 30 weeks. There’s only roughly 10 weeks to go, assuming Nathan is born right on time. I had a little panic, thinking I wonder if this will be a lot harder than I am imagining it to be, or can we really do this. We need to start looking at cribs seriously and really plan, just in case Nathan comes early. I am sure all pregnant parents have there *gasp* moment and mine was just a few days ago. Dan was really good about calming me down and reassured me that I’ll be a great mom and can handle it. So I guess the search is on now for baby furniture!

Kisses,
Toni

Swollen Ankles, Karate Kicks... and a Bottle of Sugar Water??

The title of this blog entry does have a meaning and for all of you who have experienced pregnancy, you probably have it already figured out. I am in the home stretch and have begun my Third Trimester!! I had my 28 week appointment last night and all is well. I have gained another 5 pounds and am now 161. I measured right on the money for being 28 weeks. The doctor said that the due date given to me at the first ultra sound is the most accurate and it won't change. I confirmed this by reading online and verified by many websites. Everything physically came out great and I was in and out in no time flat. My bp was 110/72 which is really good for being pregnant since typically your bp rises during pregnancy. Before I left the office I scheduled the remainder of my appointments and how bizarre that was! I am now scheduled all the way up until December 21st, which is 6 days before my due date. I am now going on a 2-week cycle and beginning December 7th, I will go weekly. My next appointment will be October 19th.

I experienced my first episode of ligament pain in the front and center on Sunday and Monday. It felt different than the ligament pains I'd had before, which were on the sides. My doctor explained that there are 2 large pelvic bones in the front and center with a ligament that runs down the middle, hence the new pain. Nathan is now more than 2 pounds and I am growing all out front so naturally my pelvis is stretching out front too.

Saturday I did the glucose tolerance test. I had to drink a medium sized bottle of fruit punch flavored sugar water and then wait an hour for my blood sugar to be tested. I passed with flying colors. The drink wasn't as disgusting as what I had heard from other people so the formula must have been changed. It pretty much tasted like fruit punch Kool Aid. It really threw Nathan for a loop because I had fasted and then dumped tons of sugar in my system! That is when the karate kicks came into play. Poor little guy.

A few weeks ago my ankles swelled up for 3 days. It was really strange because I have no idea what brought it on and why it lasted for 3 days. The only trigger I can come up with was we ate a ton of Mexican food one Wednesday night and from Thursday through Saturday I had tree trunk legs from mid calf down (that was what I nicknamed them). They did not hurt at all but just looked funny. I could not even make out my ankle bones. Then suddenly on that following Sunday, the swelling went away and hasn't returned. The doctor said that will happen and not to worry. I told him the only reason for concern was that my mom had pre-eclampsia with my sister and swelling is one of the signs, although I know that would not begin this early. I don't know if pre-eclampsia is hereditary but it was my way of reminding him that my mom had it, just in case it matters.

As you've all seen from the new title of this site, Nathan's middle name is Alexander. We think it's a very strong and masculine name. Thank you for voting! It was fun to see the opinions of my friends and family. December will bring a new poll regarding my due date.

Love you all!! New picture to come this weekend as I update the title picture each Sunday.

Kisses,
Toni

24 Weeks and a Disappearing Belly Button

Another doctor appointment today. I am 24 weeks, 2 days officially. I gained 4 pounds since my last visit so I am now a grand total of 156. My doctor was pleased and could tell that I've been really good about staying active. I heard Nathan's little heart beating and it is now much louder and more pronounced than ever before. I had a question for the doctor today about the swine flu vaccine. I am not one to worry about getting sick... I don't even get concerned about catching a cold. It's weird though being in an at risk group, according to the CDC, and being cautioned about getting the swine flu. My concern about getting the famous H1N1 virus vaccine is due to the vaccine being tested very little by the time it's distributed in mass quantities. If I weren't pregnant, I wouldn't think twice about it but I don't want anything unduly harming Nathan. I heard that testing will begin this month on pregnant women so we'll see how that goes. My doctor said that the odds of me getting the swine flu and falling deathly ill are virtually the same as walking outside and being hit by a car or struck by lightening. The odds are just so low that I'll be a victim. However, he also said that if I were his wife then he'd tell me to get the vaccines for both the seasonal flu and swine flu. So, that was good enough for me. October is when, supposedly, the vaccine will be available. Dan and I both are in at risk groups so we'll both be in line. My next appointment is October 5th.

As the title of my posting amply states... my belly button is disappearing. It's such a weird thing to see! Kinda gross too.

Be sure to vote if you haven't already on Nathan's middle name!!

Kisses!!

23 Weeks and Growing

I am now 23 weeks with Nathan and cannot believe I am roughly 17 weeks away from welcoming a beautiful baby boy into our family. Last night Dan and I were talking about how Nathan is now around 11 inches long! Wow! My tummy has started growing at a fairly rapid rate as my uterus is now overtaking everything else in the abdominal region. The most uncomfortable time now is after dinner. Imagine an organ near your stomach suddenly pushing on your stomach hard after you eat. It makes that "oh man, I ate too much" feeling 10x worse. For some reason, it doesn't happen at breakfast or lunch... only dinner. I need to get some good pictures of my tummy posted on the blog. I'll try and do that over the Labor Day weekend. Supposedly the 2nd trimester is the honeymoon phase of pregnancy but I am affected now more than in my 1st trimester. My back hurts most of the day from it being pulled forward in a sway back position and my glorious sciatica has returned... and the gas... OHHHH the gas pains. I just keep remembering that I have a human being forming inside of me and naturally I am going to feel some aches and pains. Sleeping is fine... I have a pillow between my legs and another by my arms that I grab on to. I only get uncomfortable around 2 in the morning because I haven't moved for hours. So I usually adjust and fall back to sleep. As a dear friend of mine recently told me, enjoy your sleep now as much as possible, so I have taken that advice to heart. My next appointment is September 8th and I'll write more then. Hope you all have a great holiday weekend! Kisses :) :) **There is a new poll on the blog for Nathan's middle name. Thomas won by a landslide so I have pitted it against 3 others that we like. Please vote. It really helps**

Ultrasound Pictures (12 photos), by Toni Kahl

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Baby Shower Pictures

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21 Weeks and a Name

Tonight I went to the doctor as I am now 21 weeks, 1 day. I have gained 6 pounds since my last visit and weighed in at 152. The way I figure it, I've carried 155 pounds before in college and I wasn't pregnant so I've been there, done that. My next visit will be September 8th and then the appointments start rolling in more frequently after that. Everything from my 2nd trimester screening for genetic abnormalities came back negative, so that is great! We heard the baby's heart beat again and it just gets sweeter all the time. I asked my doctor about baby's BPM being 167 at the ultrasound last week but he said that is normal for his size. He said it will slow down a little bit as our boy gets bigger. He also said it may even get that high again if the baby gets excited.

Another piece of news is that we are 100% decided on our boy's name... Nathan. Still working on the middle name... ***you can help by voting in the poll on the left side of the page**

It's a BOY!

This morning we found out that we are having a BOY!! The entire ultrasound experience lasted about 45 minutes and I saw every nook an cranny of our baby. He made it super obvious he is a boy too. I had no idea the amount of detail that you can see during these tests! I saw all 4 chambers of his heart, his arms, legs, hands, facial features, bladder, and male anatomy! It seemed everything was there in the appropriate place. There was an ultrasound technician that did the test so she could only tell me so much. Next week I'll see my doctor after he reviews everything just to have a piece of mind that all is well. The technician said it was so we'll see. He weighs 1lb, 1oz with a heart rate of 167bpm. The weight is in line with his due date so for those of you who haven't guessed his date yet, let me know. I have a baby pool going. There is no money involved but I am just keeping track of everyone's guesses. We also need to agree on a name. We are open to suggestions so please throw them out there if you can think of anything you like. We have a pretty long list that holds the following: Brady, Brodie, Bryce, Chase, Gabriel, Grayson, Jayden, Jeremiah, Mason, Nathan, Nelson, Owen, Ryder, Shane, and Thomas. Nathan is the front runner right now. Odds are we won't go with a 1 syllable name because it doesn't sound right with Kahl but my list is just brainstorming so anything goes. At least we have 4 more months to figure it out! I will get the ultrasound pictures scanned in this weekend to share.

The Day our Baby Moved... and I Felt it!!

I will never forget Friday, August 7th, 2009... the day when I felt our baby move for the first time. I was actually making dessert with my mom and I started feeling sharp pain sensation on my lower right side. It would come and go very quickly and felt like a slight gas pain. I told my mom what was happening and she said it might be the baby! She placed her hand on my tummy and felt movement! After about 1 minute, it stopped. That evening I was laying on the couch watching tv and started feeling the flutter of my baby. Whether it was kicking or punching... I don't know. But it was phenomenal! I just laid really still with my hand on my tummy and felt it. The next day on Saturday I felt even more! I had eaten a good amount of chocolate in the afternoon which was a new thing for baby. When my pregnancy started I became almost 100% caffeine free. The only amount of caffeine I took in was from the little bit of chocolate on my daily protein bars. So, once baby had a much larger amount of caffeine, he/she decided to dance all day long. I felt movement for hours and hours! It was amazing!! Dan was able to feel it too. Even now as I type this, my baby is moving! I guess the best way to describe how it feels is to equate it to gas bubbles floating around. I think everyone knows what that feels like. It's a tiny little flutter. Tomorrow we find out if our baby is a girl or a boy and I will write more then.

4 Month Check Up

I am now officially in my 2nd trimester and am 15 weeks, 2 days pregnant! I had a visit to the doctor yesterday and everything is progressing beautifully. I gained 2 pounds since last month, which is great!! I am gaining inches slowly and apparently the doctor could feel the top of my uterus from the outside. When he was pushing on me, it also was pushing on my bladder! I thought I would just lose it there!! We heard the heart beat again and it is much more pronounced than before. My next appointment is August 10th and shortly there after will be my ultrasound where hopefully I'll get to see my baby's gender!

Work is getting much better with the girls that know. I was pretty emotional when I wrote my last blog entry and probably went a little over the top. I guess the girls had to get out their first round of questions before being supportive. I still have the one who says "my Toni, you are really popping out there" or the one that says "are you sure you aren't having twins." These were said on days when I wore tops that over exaggerated my little pooch. These comments stung a little at first. I know the girls meant no harm so I was able to move on. One of my partners gave me 2 rubbermaid bins of maternity clothes to borrow! It is like Christmas going through everything!!

I am waking up each night like clock work between 2 and 3 am to go to the bathroom. I had heard that would happen in my first trimester but not true for me. It seems as soon as I reached month 4, my uterus started to grow faster and push on my bladder more. No other new symptoms to report. Still feeling great!!

~love~
Toni and baby

Music to our Ears

As you can probably guess from the title, we have heard our youngin's heartbeat and it was music to our ears. The first time I heard it was June 4th when I went to my doctor for a nutrition and genetic counseling appointment. The nurse told me she wasn't sure if she would be able to find the heartbeat but would try. First she placed to doppler where she and I could hear my heartbeat. Then she sought out baby. The moment I heard it my eyes welled up with tears. I was overcome with joy! Baby's heart is racing and the difference in the pace between his/hers and mine is astounding. The next time I had the pleasure of hearing it was June 9th. I decided to switch doctors and in so doing, the new doctor wanted to see me asap. Fortunately Dan was able to accompany me to that appointment. He then was able to hear baby's heart. The look on his face was pure bliss. This week, I went back to my new doctor again to finish my initial prenatal visit. This time, we could definitely hear a difference in the beat. It was more pronounced than previously. I am now 12 weeks! I cannot believe next week will be the beginning of my 2nd trimester. It seems like just yesterday I took my at home pregnancy tests. I am also starting to pooch out a tiny bit in my tummy. I have packed away all but about 4 pairs of pants that I can still fit in for work. I think next week I will finally splurge for some pants. I've heard that in the 4th month my body will really start to grow.

Last week I finally told my office manager that I am pregnant. She said she already suspected it because of my dr appointments but wasn't going to ask. The meeting went a lot smoother than what I had figured and I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Monday, a paralegal confronted me about being pregnant. She was cute because she said she had a question but wasn't sure how to ask... that if the answer was no then I would be upset. Since I knew where she was headed, I told her just ask. So she did and I said yes. Apparently, I am walking different, standing different, and my hips are widening. I had no idea. She did not mention my pooch though so I am ok with that. So the grand total of people that know I am pregnant from direct conversation with me is 4. I know the gossip train has started because a source told me someone asked her if I was pregnant.

Still no further pregnancy symptoms. My appetite has slightly increased but I'm not extra tired or nauseous. My sense of smell periodically kicks into overdrive and that can be a curse at times, especially with strong perfume. Well... I guess my hormones have started going crazy. Anything that Dan has done before that made me a little nuts makes me WAY nutty now. Glad he has thick skin. It's like I know when I am saying or doing emotional things that it's from pregnancy but I can't stop. Dan has taken control of scooping the litter box after 2 doctors told me to STOP, even though I was using gloves and a mask. I know it's crazy but I hate giving up that task. I love to take care of my kitties!! I watch Dan like a hawk every time he scoops.

I will write more next week. My next doctor appointment is July 6th but I am having blood drawn this Saturday. Yikes!! Toodles :)

When We Found Out

I figured this would be an appropriate time to describe the events which led up to Dan and I discovering we are parents to be. April 27th was the big day when I passed the test. That day at work, Dan and I had talked on the phone about the fact that I was late. I did not think much about it because late is a relative term, and with my body, I've never really defined "late." That evening, we went to the gym at our apartments and after about 15 minutes, I told Dan that I had to stop because suddenly I was ferociously hungry. We had dinner and I felt better. Earlier in the day, we had toyed with the idea of me taking a pregnancy test but after dinner, I decided it was silly. It was just another one of those months. Around 8pm, we had to run to Walgreens to pick up something... I don't even remember. I sat in the car while Dan went inside. He came out with 2 pregnancy tests even though I wasn't really interested. About 30 minutes after we got home, I took the test, laid it on the floor and walked away. I honestly thought it was negative. I walked into the kitchen and Dan asked from the bathroom what a positive result looks like. I told him and all he could say was "You're pregnant, you're pregnant." Of course I said "nuh uh." Once I compared the test to the box, my jaw dropped open and I just cried and laughed. We hugged and he sweetly said "I'm gonna be a daddy." Neither of us could focus the rest of the night. The next morning, as many women do, I took the 2nd test just to be sure. And it was positive immediately. We did not want to tell anyone until I went to the doctor so I made an appointment for 2 days later. We went together and after I tested, I was told "congratulations. you are very pregnant." So, the first person I called was my sister as we have always had a pact that when we get pregnant, we tell each other first. Dan then called his mom and dad on conference call to tell them both at once. That weekend was when I went to San Antonio and could not wait to tell my parents in person. What purrfect timing! Friday, May 1st, I broke the news to them. Before we left the hotel room that morning for breakfast, I asked my mom if she could put something in her purse for me. She laughed and said her purse wasn't that big. I just said, can you bring my prenatal vitamins for me? She looked at me and said are you pregnant? I said yes! She hugged me and so did my dad! My sister took pictures and it was a very blissful moment. I have an appointment with the nurse practitioner tomorrow regarding nutrition so I'll blog about that next time.

Week 9

Welcome to my blog! I received inspiration to create this from my sister Lindsay whose sister-in-law hosted a blog for her baby boy James. To this day she continues to update her friends on his growth and development and her new life as a mom. I've never been much into blogs but I thought this may be a neat way to keep everyone up to date on our baby.

Today I am 9 weeks, 2 days. I had my first prenatal appointment last week and was pleasantly surprised with an ultrasound. I did not even know they did ultrasounds this early! There I learned that I was not as far along as I had thought. Based on the size of the baby, 1.75 cm, I was 8 weeks, 2 days at that appointment so my due date was pushed back to December 27th. The prospect of a Christmas baby is exciting! I saw the heartbeat and it was amazing. It took my breath away. I won't be able to hear it until my next appointment. I am going back on July 2nd but before then, I will be doing the run around at different locations to have all the blood and early genetic testing done. What fun!

I have been feeling great so far! No morning sickness at all. I was having some trouble for a few weeks riding the train to work because the stopping and starting and the motion was making me a little uneasy. That has gone away now. My hunger has dramatically increased but I remain sensible about what I put in my mouth. I haven't slept straight through the night in weeks which is unusual for me. I wake up early each morning around 3 to go to the bathroom. I am also becoming a lighter sleeper and I think my body is preparing itself for those many sleepless nights to come.

It may be coincidence but I think Sugar senses a change in me. She always sits and sleeps with me. I used to be her steppin' stone to get to Dan but now he has taken on that role.

I am going to try and update this blog at least once per week! Feel free to email me with questions if you have any. tonikahl@yahoo.com or tinypawprint@gmail.com

Oh, and for names... we have a girl name Annabelle. The boy name is still up in the air and I have a feeling will be for a while.

Love
Toni