Annnnnnd...

We're having a BABY!!! Well, to be realistic... I'M having the baby. =) But you get the idea. Baby Call is expected to arrive late November. The official due date is November 30 - so sometime around then.

Anyway, we're pretty dang excited. Baby (who we've affectionately dubbed Pop Tart... for who knows why) was wanted and worked for and we feel pretty blessed to get to experience this. We always knew it was a possibility (maybe even a good possibility) that we wouldn't get to, and that our story may be one of adoption (which made us just as excited). We're thrilled that we may have the opportunity to experience both now. =)

The story to Pop Tart is kind of long (too long to share in this post), full of barriers and hurdles, full of second-guessing and mixed emotions, and ultimately full of God's grace.

As I was seeing a specialist (same specialist that performed my surgery back in December) when I became pregnant, I had a TON of blood work and ultrasounds done in those first few weeks. You'll see me mention that the doctor found a blood clot... that was technically a Subchorionic Hemorrhage that could have caused me to lose the baby and if it stayed around, could have caused a pretty dangerous scenario for both of us in later weeks/months. I was scared. That should have been a happy, exciting appointment and it just wasn't. Dr. T. said they're not uncommon and that they can just be reabsorbed never causing any real damage. That's what I prayed for and when I went back two weeks later it was gone. I was relieved. All this thing caused me was some major cramping (nothing new there, ha!) and some worry. We're so thankful. I graduated from the specialist that day (after even more blood work) and set an appt. with my OB (same OB/GYN I've seen for years... Dr. A... love her) for the next week (10 weeks along). Now THAT was a happy and exciting appt. =) I THINK I should be treated like a normal OB patient from here on out. I'm not scheduled to go back until June 1.

All in all, I've been feeling pretty good... I mean... considering I'm growing a person over here. I've had a lot of nausea since basically the beginning. It's the kind that comes and goes all day long and requires me to eat excessive amounts of donuts and other bread items every hour or so to keep from feeling sick. I've yet to throw up though. Praise Jesus. I hate to throw up. I will kick and scream and fight it 'til the death if at all possible. I have had lots of gagging, hacking, and dry heaving though. A good deal of this is easing up now, though I do still feel kind of bad, especially in the evenings or if I wait too long between meals. Other than that, since the scary cramping is gone, I mostly just deal with exhaustion. BUT - you know what, I've only missed one day of work for feeling awful and truthfully, it could be so much worse so I try my best not to complain. I really do feel so fortunate to even GET to feel all this. Pretty cool even when it's not. =)

Since I found out, I've been keeping a little journal of sorts... each week, I write a little note to Pop Tart that just kind of shares me thoughts/experiences from that week. Just to clarify... I started week 8 when I hit 7 weeks.

We took my first belly shot this morning (turned 12 weeks today... hellooooo 2nd trimester!) so I plan to post a photo or two with each note from here on out. I'm thinking I'll do a "________'s (insert day of the week I've yet to determine) Pop Tart" update each week and keep the rest of my blog as it was before (you know, sparse, and not all that interesting, haha!)

I have lots of other things to update you on but wanted to get this out here today. =) Here's a look at my notes from the past several weeks.

Week 4:
It was Monday, March 19 and I decided to pee on that stick one more time. There it was. Clear as day and in a hurry. “Pregnant”. My chest got heavy, I had a lump in my throat, and my face turned hot. I was sort of taken by surprise and was freaking out just a little bit even though we wanted and waited and planned for you. It was just a lot to take in. Just a couple hours later I found out your Great Grandpa Ed was having heart problems. Later in the day still, things got worse and I worried he wouldn’t get to meet you. I surprised your Dad by putting the test in a mason jar along with $5 and tied some yellow ribbon around it. I wrote out a card and stuck it on top the jar and placed it by the bathroom sink. I put it there because that’s almost always his first stop when he gets home from work. Not that day. I practically had to beg him to go in there. Of course he saw the test first and his eyes got real big. Then he read the card (which explained that I knew he would be worried about money so I was committing to put each $5 I came across into that jar to help buy you things) and he had the biggest, most sheepish grin on his face and hugged me. That night we were with friends and he kept winking and making sly comments. The rest of the week I spent lots of time at the hospital with Great Grandpa and had lots of blood taken to make sure you were growing ok. You were! =)

Week 5:
Since my bloodwork showed you were growing like a champ, things started to sink in and feel more real. This is also when more symptoms started to come around too. Honestly, as unpleasant as some were... I was thrilled. I had a ton of cramping - oh my did I have cramping - ouch! The nurse said that it was completely normal. Even though you’re still so small, you’re already stretching things out and making yourself right at home. The nausea also got worse... even had to miss a day of work. Now, I’m armed with crackers, cheerios, peppermints, and snacks in general at all times. It seems to help a little. Let’s see... what else... oh! I bought you something. Yep - sure did. A pack of 3 gender-neutral onesies... couldn’t resist. =) You’ve also been officially dubbed “Pop Tart” at this point.

Week 6:
I have got to say... it’s just killing me not to tell people about you. It’s your Dad and I’s little secret for now though and that’s kind of fun too. =) In other news, my pants are getting tighter (maternity pants showed up on the porch this week! Whew!)  and I’m feeling more tired and sick. I don’t take a second of that for granted though. It’s going to be so worth it. The good news is this means you’re healthy and plus, I didn’t have to have any blood work done this week. =) My arm wasn’t looking so pretty. The cravings have kicked in too... did NOT expect those quite this early. This week I just HAD to have mac-n-cheese and a McChicken sandwich. Oh, and Pop Tarts. ha! Only the best for you baby. We talked a lot this week about what we think you’ll look like. Will you be pale and freckly like me? Tan like your daddy? Will you have my dark hair? His dark eyes? I wonder if you’ll be athletic... artsy... smart (oh how I hope you take after your Dad in that department), funny?. Will you like to belt out Adele like me? Oh my, all the possibilities!

Week 7:
We got to “meet” you for the first time this week. Saw you on the ultrasound. You’re still just a little bitty thing but pretty stinkin’ cool - I can already tell. We saw your heartbeat flutter and heard it too... 120 bpm. Good! You’re also measuring right on schedule! The doc saw a blood clot near your casa. She seemed concerned but not TOO concerned so that’s good. Hoping and praying it just goes away and doesn’t bother you. After the ultrasound I had some more blood work drawn. The tech begged to see your pictures. Her face lit up and she said “some people say there isn’t a God, but I know there is!” And we do too. I think your Daddy is already so proud of you. =) This week also marks two years since we lost my cousin Ryan. Oh how I wish I got to call and tell him the good news and even more that you would get to meet him here. Maybe he’d chase you around the kitchen like he did me when I was little. Heck, maybe you already know him??

Week 8:
Your dad and grandpa (and now contractors) have been hard at work on your room. We’ve been in the middle of a major remodel which means you’ll have the newest, best digs in the house! I can’t wait to see it look more like a room again. Your room! =) You tagged along as we photographed a wedding over the weekend. I was nervous I’d feel real sick but I actually felt pretty good for most of the day. Thanks for taking it easy on me. You’ve made up for it the past two days though... I think you’re caught up. Feel free to cut it out anytime now! You also tagged along for a fun photography workshop in Stillwater (my old stompin’ grounds). You’ll be frequenting that place often... sportin’ your orange, of course! In other news, I’ve been fighting some serious allergies and sinus problems. Hope you don’t wind up with that stuff too one day.

Week 9:
Still struggling with the allergies. Spent lots of time resting over the weekend. Also went to a little surprise shower for Cori and the twinsies Saturday. I got to see you again this week too. You looked great! I can’t believe how much you’ve changed in just a couple weeks. It’s amazing. You’re looking much bigger and your heart rate was in the 170’s! You’re also measuring a few days ahead of schedule. Probably those donuts I’ve fed you. I’ll try to focus more on oatmeal now! Anyway, the doctor said you looked perfect (duh) and that that scary blood clot/bleed is GONE. 100% gone-zo. How cool is that? God is good. Real good. Hoping for smooth sailing from here on out! Oh - and PS - went walking with Kayla and baby girl Dykes last week. It’s funny b/c Kayla doesn’t know yet but we used to talk about being pregnant walking buddies. Looks like we got the chance!

Week 10:
I have been one tired momma so far this week. Hardly did a thing over the weekend besides lay around and sleep. Well, and eat chocolate banana milk shakes of course! =) Meanwhile your Dad was slaving away on your room. My body pillow came in! I put that to use and it really did help me sleep better. I felt kind of silly ordering it so early but I’m glad I didn’t wait. I’m sure your Daddy is too, seeing as how I was propping my leg up on him each night. I had my first OB appt. this week. Dr. A was soooo excited. =) She said she hadn’t planned to be there that day and opened up her schedule at the last minute. When she saw my name on the list, she knew that was the reason! =) I think we’re in good hands little one. You looked great and were even dancing around like crazy in there. That same day I announced your impending arrival to Aunt Val. She was so incredibly excited it was almost comical to watch! ha! It’s feeling much more real now!

Week 11:
I got to see your Auntie Boo and lots of other family this week! We had a big Pressnall family reunion and while none of them know you exist yet, we’re excited to share the news very soon! I also had jury duty this week. It was interesting but tiring (surprisingly) and I needed lots of naps. I’ve NEVER been a nap girl but it seems you’ve changed that, at least for now. I’ve been way into them. =) In other big news, you’re growing teeth buds and finger nails this week. That’s pretty big time.


Week 12:
You made it possible for me to be wished Happy Mother’s Day for the first time. We finally got to share the news with close friends and family and oh. my. word. is everyone excited about you! =) Lots of smiles, hugs, tears, giggles, gasps, and squeals! Your dad and I both feel so incredibly blessed to be having you, for one, but also by all the love, happiness, and support that has surrounded us these past few days in particular. It’s been overwhelming... in a good way, of course. You are so loved already. In other good news, I seem to be feeling a little less sick. Still fighting sinus problems but not as bad and not as often. Maybe? haha. Oooh - and it seems you’re moving up and popping out a bit. My regular work pants are officially OUT and my stretchy top pants are IN. No sucking it in now. =) It’s also nice to not have to try and hide it anymore. Good thing we told when we did! This week I started pinning lots of ideas for your room on Pinterest. I can’t wait to get started!