Sunday, April 22, 2012

Sharing Our Secret

This weekend was so much fun!  We finally got to share our good news with almost all of the family (still waiting to tell one set of great-grandparents).

There were happy tears, shouts of joy, embarrassingly loud shouts of joy, and overall expressions of excitement from everyone.  We are so happy we finally got to share our big news.

The "Baby Fairy" visited Mimi's house over the weekend.  Baby has his or her first nursery item- a Fisher Price Cradle 'n Swing.

Precious Baby, you are SO LOVED already, and you're only 9 weeks old!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

I'd like to say "thank you"

To the person who invented ondansetron (Zofran).

Today's work day would not have happened without you.

On a less-sick note- we figured out how we're gonna tell the grandparents-to-be.  We made a shirt for our labrador (our current only child) that reads "Big Sister in Training" on the back.  She's going to wear it this weekend when we visit all the grandparents to share our good news.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Making an Olive out of an Orange Seed

Again, I have a tendency to over-share.  Please proceed with caution- medical descriptions ahead.

This morning was very nerve wracking.  I was nervous the whole way to the Doctor's office because I knew I was being brought in to rule out a miscarriage.  I knew I would have a very difficult time if the ultrasound tech were to tell me that my womb was empty.

When we got to the office, the receptionist told me they'd call me back for ultrasound first, and then I'd go back again to see the Doctor.  When we went back for the ultrasound, I was pretty sure I knew what to expect.  I'd researched what an almost 5 week old baby should look like on ultrasound- I figured I'd see a big black spot (the gestational sac) and maybe be able to see the yolk sac inside.  As I was watching the screen where my image was projecting, I saw -very clearly- a baby.

I thought to myself, "so soon?"

The ultrasound tech confirmed what I thought.  She looked at me and said "there's your little Bambino!"  Then she started taking all kinds of measurements.  When she measured the crown to rump length, she looked a little confused.  She glanced at my papers and then said "Early OB appointment?!  Sweetheart, you're 8 weeks 1 day."  At this point I was REALLY confused.  8 weeks?  My LMP was 5 weeks ago, meaning I experienced a true cycle while pregnant.  Since crown to rump length is a better determinant of gestational age than LMP, we had to change our due date.  Baby is now due November 25th (same day as Daddy's birthday!), instead of December 18th.  Apparently Baby (and mommy) look great, with Baby's heart beating strong at 164 bpm.

After our surprise with the ultrasound, we got to meet with the Doctor for our first OB appointment.  She gave me a goody bag full of prenatal vitamin samples, pregnancy resources, and prescription for Zofran and Phenergan (Bless. Her. Heart.).  We were really pleased with our OB; she answered all of our questions the best she could (still not exactly sure why I had a period 3 weeks pregnant...) and sent me down for blood work.

This means our plans have changed regarding telling the family.  Instead of waiting until graduation, we're gonna go ahead and tell them this weekend!  My original plan was to tell everyone through these adorable Christmas-themed announcements that I've already ordered.  (I figure I'll still send them out; now they're just funny).

Right now Baby likes- Milo's (well- seeing as how the nearest Milo's is in Gardendale, Baby has been wanting Milo's, a LOT), pickles, fried okra

Right now Baby dislikes- the smell of coffee, sweets

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Scary Thursday

This week I experienced my first "new mom freak out."  If I'm anything like my mother, it'll be the first of many, I'm sure.

It should be noted, I have a tendency to over share. Therefore, proceed with caution.

All throughout this pregnancy, I've had some intense abdominal cramps.  I wasn't concerned about them as they were never accompanied with bleeding, until Thursday.  When I noticed I had some light spotting, I immediately called my OB's office, just to make them aware.  The RN called back promptly assuring me that the type of bleeding I was having was perfectly normal, and to not worry.  When she found out about my cramps, she wanted to consult my OB.  A few hours later she called back saying my OB wanted to see me first thing Monday morning for an ultrasound, just to make sure everything was okay.

I've been trying hard to not worry.  I figure stress of any kind is not good for Baby.  While I was praying for Baby during my lunch break, I was reminded of Psalm 139-

"You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed" Psalm 139: 15-16.

How precious to know that my Heavenly Father is watching Baby grow, even while he or she is too small for even ultrasound equipment to see.  I was given peace, knowing that God is watching over my child, and that His plan is perfect.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Crazy Cravings and Awful Aversions

I'll be honest; I thought people who talked about cravings were making them up.

Sorry to all the people I secretly judged.

While at work on Friday, all I could think about was wanting a baked potato.  I think this started when I ate a BBQ baked potato on Thursday, and then didn't feel sick for the first time since days before my positive test.  I kept texting Keith at work telling him how much I couldn't wait to get home for a baked potato.  Fortunately, Keith is a good sport and took me straight to Lawler's BBQ so I could indulge my craving.

Then today at church, all through the sermon I kept thinking about how I wanted a pickle.  Fortunately I was able to eat a few before everyone came over for Easter lunch.  I think me eating pickles out of a jar would cause some people to figure out my secret.

Just as unexpected as the cravings have been the food aversions.  My child does not like the smell of coffee or peanut butter- at all.  The smell of peanut butter turning my stomach was actually my first clue that I might be expecting.  I also have a really hard time with anything with stringy melted cheese.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

The Gallahair Family is Growing!

"For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to Him" 1 Samuel 1:27 (ESV)

It's no secret that my mother wants "to be a Mimi."  She really wants grandchildren- just ask her.  Over the weekend at her house she gave me a late birthday present- a pretty beverage dispenser with a spigot on the bottom, to use at showers.  As a "subtle" hint, she filled the inside with baby items- washcloths, a pacifier, a bib, baby spoons, etc.  What Mimi (and I) didn't know at the time was that those items would be necessary sooner than anticipated.

I took a test one morning on a whim (I was only a day late), and lo and behold, two pink lines.  I was too shocked even to tell Keith right away.  After gathering my thoughts, I presented Keith with a copy of "Oh Baby, the Places You'll Go- A Book to Be Read in Utero" by Tish Rabe (why yes, I DID have a copy in my closet).  Inside the front cover, I wrote "Dear Daddy, Will you read me a story? Love, Baby Gallahair."  Keith's face was priceless!  I'd also purchased the Willow Tree Angel "New Dad" for him as well.

After celebrating with Keith, I scheduled my first OB appointment.  The timing works out perfectly- I'll have an appointment and ultrasound prior to graduation, where we'll share our secret with our family.  I'm predicting Mimi's reaction will be fantastic.

Even though I'm incredibly early in this pregnancy, I'm already having some annoying nausea.  I'm just assuming this means that Baby is growing big and strong, and that my hormone levels are surging appropriate for gestational age.

Right now Baby likes- ice water, saltines, plain tortilla chips

Right now Baby dislikes- stringy melted cheese