Friday, December 17, 2010

The sweetest sound...

So I had another appointment today. Nothing to exciting to report- met the Midwife for the first time and had an always wonderful "lady exam" (fun, fun-NOT). The Midwife, Mary, is awesome. She is very friendly and comforting. I definitely clicked with her and am happy to know that she will be there with me throughout this journey-especially for the birth. We went over the results from all my blood tests (lots and lots of blood has been drawn!) and everything looks great! We are nice and healthy! Then finally- we got to hear our little one's heartbeat again! It is nice and strong! There is nothing like hearing that sound, it is the sweetest thing I have ever heard! Brought tears to my eyes instantly, just like it did last time! Ryan and I just love hearing the heartbeat! I could listen to it all day! We only listened for like 30 seconds- but it was a wonderful 30 seconds!

Only 11 more days until we get to SEE our little one again! I am excited beyond words for that day! DEC. 28th! Thank goodness for Christmas coming so soon, all the festivities will help the time go by! We will keep everyone updated, and I will be sure to post AS SOON AS I CAN on the 28th to let you know- BOY OR GIRL! I also cannot wait because this ultrasound is to check out all of the babies organs- which takes a while, so we will be able to watch the little baby for a while. The two previous ultrasounds I've had were really short- they were over way too quickly- this one will last longer- YAY! :)

Anyone that knows me, knows that I LOVE Christmas. I just absolutely love the time spent with family, the whole feeling that comes along with Christmas is just such a wonderful thing. This will be the first year that Ryan and I will have both of our families together for Christmas. his family is coming into town the 23rd. We are so excited to see them, and to have everyone together. I cannot wait!

I am heading to the Albany area this weekend for our family Christmas party. I am excited to see everyone! My mom's side of the family is very large and wonderful-always entertaining, too! Our family Christmas party is truly one of my most favorite days of the year. I love getting all of these people together!

Here are a few pictures of our Christmas tree-

Me showing my excitement for Christmas!


Ryan with our tree-



We let the tree sit for a night before decorating it-


And our beautiful, finished tree!




Some of my other decorations-


Alright, well that's all for now! I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

<3  Amber

Friday, December 10, 2010

Let's Start at the Very Beginning...

Ok, Ok- so not at the VERY Beginning, but...

I decided weeks ago that I wanted to start a blog to document my journey through this pregnancy.  Very early in my pregnancy I was constantly reading things online because I had so many questions but we hadn't yet told anyone so I had no one to ask. Through my almost obsessive researching I came across a few pregnancy blogs that I really loved, they were helpful and personal- so much better than just reading the informative sites so often found online. I also just fell in love with the idea that I could easily share this journey with so many loved ones who I don't get to see or talk to as often as I would like to. This blog will help keep everyone up to date! I am excited to be able to share my thoughts, feelings, experiences, and pictures- lots and lots of pictures!

Ok- so on to the baby talk! We found out we were expecting on September 9th.  I had started taking home pregnancy tests a little too early and got two negative results, the third I took was a very very light positive. Ryan didn't even think he could see the second line, but I was pretty sure it was there (but thought possibly, it was wishful thinking!) So I forced myself to wait two more days (two looong days) before taking another. And on Sept 9th-  took a fourth test and got this-
WoooHooo!
The next day I went to the Doctors and got the "official" test, and we're pregnant! Such an amazing day and an amazing feeling. So much excitement and of course, fear, and at the same time, it doesn't feel real, it doesn't feel like it's really happening to us! But it is!
The following day, Ryan came home with some flowers for me- How sweet is he?

BABY PICTURES! BABY PICTURES!
We went for our first appt. with my OB/GYN on Oct. 13th. And we got to see out little bean for the first time! There are no words that can describe that feeling! Before we got to the appointment I was so nervous- I just wanted to know that everything was ok. Seeing that little bean on the ultrasound for the first time literally took my breath away. The doctor measured the baby and said everything looked great and that I was approximately 8 weeks 4 days. He gave me an estimated due date of May 22nd.  Here is the picture from that ultrasound!
I just love this picture- After my Doc. gave me the picture he laughed a little and said "At your next appt. it will look a lot more like a baby!" and I said "It looks enough like a baby to me!" I was just so thrilled to see it! It was a very surreal experience. After the ultrasound was over I looked at Ryan- couldn't peel my eyes from the screen until it was over- and he was all teary eyed.  He is going to be such a great Dad! I can't wait.

So on Nov. 10th we had our 12 week ultrasound. Let me tell you- the 4 week wait from the last ultrasound was PAINFULLY LONG! I just couldn't wait to see our little one again- and I was also very nervous, hoping everything was alright, I just wanted to get in there, see the baby and hear the Doctor say that everything was great. My mom came with us to this appointment too, once we were taken into the room, it felt like we waited FOREVER for the Doctor to come in. When he finally showed up my heart just started beating so fast. I caught a quick glimpse of the baby on the screen, but have to admit that unfortunately my focus was mostly on the Doctor. I was staring at him, waiting for SOMETHING to come out of his mouth. I was thinking "come on, say something, whats taking so long?!" Of course, he had to do all the measurements and what not and FINALLY he said "Congratulations, everything looks great." Phew...after hearing that I darted my eyes back to the screen, what a beautiful sight. We also got to hear the heartbeat for the first time and...well I don't think there are any words to describe how I felt. Knowing the baby was ok, seeing it there on the screen, AND hearing its own little heartbeat. It is just so crazy to think that that little baby is inside of me! So here it is, our little baby! (WHO REALLY IS LOOKING MORE LIKE A BABY NOW!)

I am now 17 weeks along. I cannot believe that we are already at 17 weeks. I really feel like I took that pregnancy test yesterday!
I have another appointment next Friday- December 17th. I will be meeting the Midwife, no ultrasound, but we will be able to hear the heartbeat again! We really can't wait for that! Hearing the heartbeat is so wonderful!
We have also scheduled our 20 week ultrasound. It is for December 28th! We will be finding out if we are having a baby Prince or Princess! Of course this ultrasound is mainly to check out all of the babies organs- we'll see its heart, kidneys, brain, etc. How cool is it that we can do that! Of course we are looking forward to seeing that we have a healthy baby- but we are SO SO SO excited to find out PINK or BLUE!
This appointment is actually a few days before I am officially 20 weeks- but my wonderful in-laws will be in town for Christmas and I really really really wanted my mother-in-law to be able to come to the appointment with us. So we got the appointment for the last day they will be in town! I am so excited and just thrilled that Ryan and I will be able to share such a wonderful experience with our mothers.

Ok- enough is enough for this post! Sorry it was such a long one! I promise that future posts won't be as long. But since it was the first one, and we're already at 17 weeks- we had a lot to catch up on! I hope you all enjoy my blog and thank you for joining us on this journey!

<3 Amber!