"You have 2 heartbeats inside of you"

Michael has been just soo amazing! If you don't like to read about mushy stuff...stop reading now... :)
Aside from his episode at the doctors office on Monday - he has been soo sweet! haha :)
Michael ended up quitting his job at Apex on Monday(it just wasn't conducive to family life, and there was just no real training with high expectations), and will start his new job at ValPak in Advertising Sales on Monday. He is really excited about this opportunity. His manager seems to be really great, and he'll be attending "ValPak University" the second week in January - so that'll be great for him/us! :)

When he came home on Monday, he came up to me when I was making dinner and said..."You have two heart beats inside of you" (aww)...and gave me a hug. Soo sweet! The next morning, he woke up much earlier and easier than when he actually has to get up for work, and snuggled and kept saying "Can you believe we are going to be a mommy and a daddy soon?" ...I think its really starting to click for him now, and (I'm sure) getting really excited! Yesterday morning, he got up before I did, and made me homemade french toast...soo good...the key ingredient is Breyers Vanilla Ice Cream! I know it sounds crazy, but mmm...its SOO good! This morning, I told him to just sleep in and enjoy his last day "off" for a while - so he did. I got a call about 10 am this morning and he said "your delivery boy is outside"...very confused, I walked outside. He handed me a small fruit bowl from Publix and said it was like an Edible Arrangment on a budget! (and he got me an orange juice too) I just melted. Soo sweet, soo considerate! I have such a great husband, best friend - I don't know what I would do without him...probably be very hungry!! Haha I love him soo much! I can't wait to bring our new little "peanut" into this world with him...

It's Facebook official!!

This morning, Michael and I had a doctors appointment. We met with a nurse who went over a bunch of the specifics - doctors visits, sonograms, different tests, etc. She was really great. She said that she is going to put in my due date as July 20th...since it is more accurate than the 22nd! YEAA!!!! Which means, the latest this baby will be is July 27th :)

After we met with her for about 45 minutes, I had my blood drawn for different tests they send to the lab. Once we got to the room, Michael had sit still long enough, and was playing with all the different gadgets they have on the table. He was most fasinated with the NuvaRing Example...it had a string on it that retracted, and became this toy. It was soo funny!! He put it on his belt buckle and everything LOL.

Dr Desmarais was back today, and she asked me a couple questions, and then did a quick ultrasound to make sure everything looked good. She didn't print me off anything, but it was really neat! It has grown soo much since the last one. It almost fills up the entire sack already...crazy! And we saw the heart beat too :) I am in just utter awe!

She put in a note for me to come back in 3 weeks to get a Nuchal Ultrasound which will be better resolution and tests the length of the baby's neck. They will also prick my finger, and test its chances of having Cystic Fybrosis and Down Syndrome (I think). We get to bring in a DVD to tape the entire ultrasound on it too - I can't wait!!

And last but not least...I made it facebook official!! (You are welcome Anna!)
Everyone is excited for us!

This is just soo very surreal! Even Dr. Desmarais (who just had her baby) says she holds her daughter, and thinks...her mom will be here any minute to pick her up...oh wait...thats her. hahah.

Life definitely comes at you fast! I'm just trying to take it all in...one day at a time.

Sympathy Illness??

Well today, I am 8 weeks and 2 days. I have had a bit of nausea, but nothing to really complain about. I keep crackers and water at my desk (and in my car) at all times, which seems to do the trick when I start feeling bad.

This morning, Michael and I were getting ready for work. After being up for about 15 minutes, I had gotten out of the shower, and Michael said..."well, I guess thats what they meant by "sympathy illness"". I was totally clueless in what he was talking about. After a couple seconds, I asked what he meant. He said he had gotten sick this morning. I didn't believe him at first, but he said he ran to the kitchen because he didn't want me to see or hear it and then make me sick. I guess they say (this was the first time I had heard of it), that the spouse sometimes will get sick out of sympathy for the wife. Poor thing! He felt fine as we finished getting dressed. I felt soo bad, but thought it was just a little funny :) He's been such a great partner with all this!

Phew!!

So yesterday, I had a bit of a scary moment.
I took the girls outside real quick during my lunch break. Someone was doing laundry, which causes condensation in the hallway. As I approached the back steps, I ended up slipping and falling about 5 or so steps down. The loud boom scared Palmer - and I was instantly in tears. Once I got my composure back, I called Palmer back up...Lola wasn't too far below me...and limped inside. Poor Michael, ran to the door as soon as he saw my condition to help me in any way possible. Luckily, I just scraped up my knee, shin, and the top of my foot - all superficial, but oohhh soo painful! I have a bruise on my hip as well. "Nurse" Michael made me stay a little longer, so I could elevate my foot and ice it (with a bag of peas) haha. He was soo good and soo concerned. I'm doing fine today - it stings quite a bit still, and is pretty bruised all the way up my leg. Definitely was very lucky!!!!

HOPEFULLY we can get out of our condo ASAP, so I don't have to worry about it anymore. My biggest concern is once the baby comes...ahh, what a nightmare!!!!

Can't believe it!

Well today we had an appointment with Dr Wrennick. Everything looked great! The baby had a racing heart beat of 160 beats/minute, and was measuring 7 weeks 3 days. (I'm just 7 weeks) They estimated my due date to be July 22nd! There was definitely a huge weight lifted off my chest when seeing the heart beat and getting a good reading. We go back in 3 weeks to get a better sonogram picture and more information on the progression of the baby, finances, etc. YEAA!!! I am still in total awe! Such a little miracle growing inside of me! Can't believe it :)

Photoshoot tomorrow!

Our baby's first sonogram is tomorrow with Dr Wrennick! Michael is just beside himself and can't wait. I am very excited, don't get me wrong...but for some reason, I am just soo nervous. Not sure why, but I guess if I expect the worst, I'll be pleasantly surprised if all goes well!

Dr. Desmarais is on maternity leave, but should be back for the second appointment in January. I'll post the sonogram once it comes in!

I haven't told my office yet - but may decide to let everyone know towards the end of this week if all goes well...
Fingers crossed!!!

Thanksgiving prayer...

We went to Cincy for Thanksgiving. This is the first year without my grandfather, so it was going to be a little difficult for me. But we had some BIG news to share with all the family, so it was definitely worth the trip!

When we got up to Cincy, we met Nancy, Steven & Laura at Skyline. Since Don wasn't there, we decided not to say anything to them. Afterwards we went to my Grandma's house, chit chatted some, and I told her I wasn't going to be able to have bourbon slush this year... :) ...she was excited for us!
Later that evening, Don was still at work, but we decided to go ahead and tell Nancy & Steven, who were home. It was just too hard to carry on conversations without telling them. So Michael ran out to the car, and got the box that had the picture frame in it. Needless to say, Nancy was very excited and couldn't believe it. We ended up making a trip out to the airport, where Don was working and told him real fast too. Later that night, we went up to Laura & Dave's for dinner and let them know too.

On Thanksgiving, I ended up going to my grandmas and hanging out there for a while. I ended up cornering Julie into the office and told her that I had some bad news: Michael and I wouldn't be able to go to the family vacation this year like intended. She just looked at me, like its no big deal...and then I told her because we were pregnant!! She was really excited! I got a little emotional, letting her know I'm nervous about the health and maintaining the baby. As I was talking about that, Angela walked in and I told her the same thing. She was excited too!! (of course)

After that, we went to see Grandma Maushart at Larry & Jodi's. After a few minutes, Michael whispered in her ear "how do you feel about being a great-grandma?". She just screamed and couldn't believe it. Everyone else was really excited to hear too :)

We didn't stay too long - and then headed back over to the Mausharts for the Donnelly family dinner. The dinner was set out, and then Nancy said grace, and at the end asked if anyone else had anything to say. Quickly, Tom said "AMEN"...and after (what seemed like a long pause), I chimed in..."Well...we have something to say". Immediately (without even really saying anything) Karly screamed...and then I said "Michael and I are expecting". Everyone was soo excited and the room was filled with lots of congrats!

After dinner, we headed back over to my Grandma's house, and hung out. By the time we got there, everyone had left except Jack, Kim, Molly, Rob, Ang & Julie. I couldn't find a 'right' time to say anything, but at the end, I ended up saying something when Kim & Molly were at the table. They were also very excited.

Anyways...long stories...

We had a great time. We painted pottery with the Kues family, shopped some (didn't buy anything), and went downtown to see the trains. After a 13 hour drive back home...it was nice to be back home!!

Trying to keep it a secret!!

It is definitely NOT easy trying to keep the pregnancy a secret! One of the hardest points was when Stephanie sent me chocolate covered strawberries at work (soo sweet, I just couldn't believe it) - and I had to try and explain why she sent them. Luckily, I was able to think on my feet and made up the story that she is moving to Europe in a few weeks, and she is going to really miss me! LOL So she is trying to get in as much as she can before she leaves...which wasn't really a lie, right?? I just didn't show anyone the card...Thanks Stephanie! You definitely made my day, and definitely have the best sister EVER!! I am REALLY going to miss her next year :(

Feeling great!

Today, I am 4 weeks 3 days pregnant - and I'm feeling great! I really haven't had any "horrible" feelings. Hopefully this will last for a long time, if not then entire time :) Wishful thinking!!!

Last night we put "Coming July 2010" with baby footprints in a GRANDKIDS picture frame, and gave it to my parents. My mom only saw the GRANDKIDS part, and my dad only saw the "coming july 2010" part...haha. My mom started crying, and my dad gave the awkward "good job" shake to Michael. It was really funny. Needless to say, they are very excited for us. We talked about where we are going to put the nursery (it'll be the small room), and how we have to take apart and move the desk. We talked about cribs and stuff too, but I would like to wait until at least 12 weeks before we make any real purchases!!

Tonight, we are going out to dinner with the Perez's & Adam and Amber to Carabbas. I'm sure we'll end up telling them the big news! Kristen already had an idea last week, when I told her (before any tests) I thought I could be pregnant. I'm sure they'll be stoked! And thankfully, I will NOT be pregnant at Ambers wedding! YEAA!!!

Have a great weekend! :)

It's Confirmed - letting some know...

Well we took our final test yesterday morning and it was a DEFINITE positive.


We are very excited, and really just can't believe it!
Michael told his manager - so we are able to leave to go up to Cincinnati Tuesday about 3pm, so we can get up there a little early to tell his family. I told Andrew too (in confidence). He threw his pen up in the air, out of disbelief. He wanted to make sure I didn't tell anyone else in the office, as this is a "private time". We'll see.

We ended up having Stephanie over after dinner tonight (sweet tomatoes...yum!). She was probably just as anxious for us to get pregnant than we were! So I figure she had the right to be one of the first to know. After a few little conversations, we non-chalantly asked if she was going to be buying a round trip ticket for her return next summer. She said she will probably come back in either June or July. Michael said, "well you probably want to look more into July". She asked, "Why?". He said, "because you will be having a niece or nephew". She said, "well, you have to be pregnant first for this to happen." There was a dead silence for about 5 seconds, and she looked back and forth at Michael and I. Michael said, "She IS pregnant!" She continued to say "no you aren't", over and over and over again. Anyways...long story short, she was really excited and didn't really hit her right away. Michael left for a few minutes to take the trash out, and I think it finally hit her...a few tears and emotions started coming. She was upset that she wasn't going to be here for the pregnancy, and she will potentially miss the baptism (we'll see about that), etc etc. I felt soo bad. Unfortunately, there was no good way of "planning" this out, since she'll be gone for 12 MONTHS!! (thats a big dislike!) Shortly after the tears, she immediately looked online for "BEST AUNT" bibs, outfits, etc. She's soo funny, and will be an AWESOME aunt!!! :)

I made an appointment with Dr. Wrennick for Dec 1 at 9:45am. Michael is going to try and get off too for the appointment. I should get my first sonogram.

Michael got me a bouquet of flowers and went to Books a Million and got a few books. (soo cute)

And the verdict is...

Last night, Michael wanted to go to the Jacksonville Fair. As we were walking out the door (purse and keys in hand, coat on), I asked Michael if he thought I should take a pregnancy test. As we stared at each other for a few seconds, we both smiled, and ran to the bathroom to get the test. As the "three minute wait" was ticking, I sat on the toilet anxiously, and Michael sat on the tub reading the directions for the test, seeing what our chances were. Well...apparently, we are only 63% accurate, since I am still 3 days early. And the verdict is...

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POSITIVE!!!!



This is our first POSITIVE test. The line is light (the picture is even lighter), but I am still 3 days early. I'm going to wait until Tuesday to take a real pregnancy test (this one was "early detection"), and then I'll make an appointment for the doctor. Unfortunately, my OBGYN is actually due mid-November, so she will be on maternity leave when I go for my first checkup, but she is suppose to be back the beginning of January.

WE ARE SOO EXCITED!!

Needless to say, we still went to the Fair. We saw David Nail (sings "Red Light" - who was AWESOME!), and Michael had his funnel cake and shot a few hoops! He won a stuffed animal...woo! haha

More details and updates to come :)

No go today

I took a test this morning, but only one line came through (the test line).
I am 5 days early - so I'll probably take another test in 2 days to give it more time. I'm still pretty confident, but as time progresses, my doubts are starting to take over. I really hope this is the month of success...waiting is definitely the hardest part because so many emotions run through my head...its driving me crazy!

2 Week waiting period

Hello everyone!

So this is my first blog entry. I've never blogged before, but I figured I would start since we are about to start a very exciting time in our lives, and I would like to capture it and share it with close family and friends.

I got this great idea from my friend, Kim, who started this when she became pregnant last year - her beautiful daughter will be ONE in 3 weeks (I can't believe how fast time has flown!)

We don't know if we're pregnant yet, but I will be taking my first pregnancy test in the morning to find out the RESULTS. I'm soo nervous, but yet excited at the same time. I will be taking a test a couple days early, so it may not be accurate - but there are 3 tests in the pack (and my sister gave me another one a few months back...thanks Steph!) The test said you could take it 5 days early (and tomorrow, I will be 5 days).

Michael and I have been "trying" for a few months now, but obviously haven't had much luck. Right now, we are looking at a due date of July 20th-ish. **FINGERS CROSSED** I have had a few symptoms (not going to get into details - sorry!), but I don't know if it is all in my head or actual pregnancy symptoms.

Both of our families are really pushing for this, and we have anxiously awaited a few months now for good results. I'm hoping this one is IT!!

Please say a prayer...hopefully my next entry will be a good one! I think I am about 65% confident that I am pregnant (haven't been this confident yet), but I continue to have my results, since it is a little early to detect.

I'll keep you posted...hopefully with the good news!