Odds and Ends

What have we been up to lately?
1. Cody and I went to the Pitt County Maternity Fair last weekend. It is held at the local convention center. From doctors to community resources to baby shops, there are tons of different vendors to visit. They offer fresh fruit and veggies as a snack, and they give away lots of door prizes during the entire event. Door prizes range from bags, gift sets, strollers, and booster seats. Cody was a lucky winner of the door prize; he won a gift set which included a stuffed bunny, baby wipes, a sippy cup, and disposable nursing pads. Hershey took over the stuffed bunny, but the rest of the items will come in handy after the baby is born.

2. Strawberries at the local strawberry farm are ripe for picking! Cody and I went to pick our own fresh strawberries yesterday. We got two little baskets of strawberries for only around $2.50, plus they taste so much better than the ones you buy at the store. We had a great time, other than Cody getting stung by a bee on the bottom of his foot. We enjoyed homemade strawberry shortcakes (made by my dear husband) last night for dessert after dinner. I'm sure we'll made several trips back to get more strawberries before the season is over, and I look forward to picking blueberries in June and peaches in July!

3. I love spring and cannot wait to get hanging flower baskets for the front porch each year, as soon as the weather turns warm enough. I'm a little behind this year, but Cody and I finally made a trip to Plant and See nursery. We bought two hanging baskets of some kind of purple flower that hangs down over the baskets--I'm not sure what kind they are, but they are pretty. We also got a blue/purple colored hydrangea for the table between our rocking chairs. Now we just have to remember to water them...

4. Cody is on call today, but luckily, most of the afternoon was pretty slow. I had met him over at the hospital for lunch, but was able to spend the afternoon with him and even eat dinner with him before I left. Two meals together, plus a whole afternoon together, is unheard of on a call day! Let's hope tonight doesn't get too busy for him. One of the advantages of having a doctor as a husband is that he has access to medical equipment. While I was visiting today, he was able to use the doppler machine on me. It's kind of like an ultrasound machine, but there is no picture, only sound. We were able to hear the baby's heartbeat and listen as long as I wanted! The heartbeat was almost 160 beats/minute. I don't think I could ever get tired of hearing that sound!

5. Happy Easter! My Redeemer Lives by Hillsong

The Wingler Wiggler

We had another doctor's appointment on Monday. We first had an ultrasound appointment with our reproductive specialist, Dr. Cal Hayslip. The baby was so active--wiggling, waving, and kicking during the entire ultrasound. It was awesome to the see baby so happy. It was almost like he/she was waving and saying, "Hi, Mommy and Daddy!" I think the baby may have Cody's personality--already enjoying the spotlight and staying active! The baby was measuring at 10 weeks, 3 days. (I was exactly 10 weeks on Monday, so we are right on target.) The heartbeat was around 165, and the baby was 3.47 cm. The doctor was pleased with our progress, so he took me off the progesterone supplements and discharged us from his care! That was a huge step for us; however, we will miss Cal. He doesn't usually do deliveries since his focus is on reproductive medicine, but he mentioned that he would like to deliver our baby. I thought that was really sweet! He knows that Cody has first dibs on delivering the baby if he wants, but of course, we'd love to have him help with the delivery. We'll be followed by the midwife through the pregnancy, and then one of the three of them or all of them (Cody, Cal, or midwife Monica) will deliver the baby!

Our precious baby


After our ultrasound appointment, we had our first appointment with the midwife, Monica Newby. I loved her! She was so sweet, and very thorough with her exam. She and Cody talked me into getting the Hepatitis B vaccine. (No, I didn't have it in 6th grade when everyone else got theirs, and I've managed to put it off this long. Even though I really don't think this vaccine will help the baby, I guess it will help mommy stay healthy, which will help mommy be able to take care of the baby!) Thankfully, Cody was able to get off work long enough to be at the ultrasound and at most of the appointment with Monica. We are scheduled to go back to see her in 6 weeks (June 1). We will have another ultrasound, and hopefully we will be able to find out the sex of the baby at this appointment! Be sure the answer the poll about what you think we are having--boy or girl?!?!? Can't wait!

9 Weeks (Almost)

Technically, I won't be 9 weeks until tomorrow, but it's close enough.

How's baby doing?
The baby is now the size of a green olive. He or she has been kicking his/her newly grown arms and legs, although I can't feel anything yet. The eyelids and ears are forming, but they aren't complete. (Can't wait until the baby's ears are formed so I can start reading to our little peanut!) Our next doctor's appointment is on 4/18/11, where we will have another ultrasound and I will have physical. So excited about seeing our baby again!

How's Mommy doing?
I'm feeling somewhat better, with the help of medicine, but the nausea is still present. Some days are better than others, but at least I'm able to function a little better. I've been able to eat a little more (and more of a variety of foods) since my nausea is better controlled. I stay tired most of the time.

Almost 9 weeks (8 weeks, 6 days)


How's Daddy doing?
Cody has been so great--he is taking up my slack around the house big time, plus constantly taking care of me! He has done pretty much all of the cleaning, laundry, and cooking since I've been pregnant, and hasn't complained once. Plus, he is always so willing to take care of me, even if it's in the middle of the night! He is such a wonderful husband, and he is going to make a great dad! I love you sweetie!

How Many Babies Are in Melanie's Belly?

We had a doctor's appointment on Friday, March 25 to find out how many babies we are having. So how many babies are in my belly? One sweet, perfect little baby! (91% of people who answered the poll thought we were having twins, and 9% thought we were having triplets or more!) The baby was measuring 6 weeks, 5 days at the time of the ultrasound and was 0.86 cm. Our due date is November 15, right in between my mom's birthday and my birthday.



I am now 7 weeks, 4 days pregnant. For a little two weeks, I have had morning sickness...all day and night (which can explain why I haven't posted the baby update before now)! I finally gave in and got some Zofran from the doctor yesterday to help with nausea, and it has made a huge difference. I'm still not feeling 100%, but I can definitely function through my day much easier. Even though I think nausea is one of the worst feelings in the world, it is a constant reminder of how lucky we are to be pregnant. Cody and I feel so blessed with this baby!

5 Week Update

If our calculations are correct, we are 5 weeks pregnant today! Our baby/babies is/are around the size of a sesame seed. So far, I've not had too many symptoms. I've mainly just been tired, feeling a little bloated, and needing to pee a little more than usual.

My HGC levels were continuing to rise at my doctor's appointment this past Friday, so everything looks good so far. My HCG level was at 715.5. Our next appointment is on 3/25/11 for an ultrasound, which is when we will find out how many babies we have!

My mom and dad came to visit this past weekend, and they gave us our first baby gift--a little baby robe and hooded towel. My mom also gave me her old sewing machine, and I completed my first sewing project with my mom's help--a nursing cover. Thanks momma and daddy!

Please continue to keep our precious baby/babies in your prayers!

Hershey Has Some Big News to Share...

We're pregnant! God is so good! We went to the doctor's office yesterday for a pregnancy test, and it was positive. I go back on Friday for another blood test to make sure that my HCG levels are still rising properly. We have an ultrasound on March 25, and we will find out then how many babies we have baking in the oven. (Make sure to answer the poll to the right.) We are so excited!

After we got home from the doctor's appointment I took a home pregnancy test. Of course, we knew what the result would be, but we've never had the joy of having a positive test. After going through years of having negative tests, we figured that was something we needed to experience!



Baseline pictures (4 weeks):

A Forest of Daffodils!

There is an area in Winterville where someone has planted tons of daffodils in a field. We've heard a lot of people talk about this place each spring and have seen many of our friends' family pictures taken in this location, but we had never seen it in person...until today! We decided to take Hershey with us and take some pictures. You could tell where it was located from a way down the road, marked by the many cars parked on the side of the road. There were many families there taking pictures, as well as 2 or 3 artists painting and drawing pictures. It was really beautiful!

An enchanting forest


Daddy and Hershey


The majestic prince


Mommy and Hershey


That smells good!


Mel


Awww...this reminds me of our high school prom pictures!


Sweet love!