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!