This is a part of pregnancy? Really?

It's amazing how much you don't know what pregnancy entails, until you are actually in the midst of it. There are many things I have been experiencing that never crossed my mind before pregnancy, such as: that I would be getting up at least 5 times during the night to pee, would not be able to breathe out of my nose for the past 2 months, acid reflux/heartburn are parts of the joys of pregnancy, even if you buy a new shirt or new pants one day--the next day they may already be too small. I also never would have thought gaining 35 pounds would be so easy to do (but then again, being pregnant during delicious holiday meals doesn't help either ;). If you are a mother, I'm sure you are laughing at my list because you know exactly what I'm talking about.

The weird and not-so-fun preggo list goes on and on....but there is only ONE thing that makes it all worth it in the end, and that's all that matters.

Baby Joshua is due in less than 4 weeks now (if he decides to show up on time or earlier)....and I am sooo ready!

More pregnancy news

This morning we had our 13 week checkup. Dale and I were able to hear the baby's heartbeat again, and it sounded healthy--about 60 beats per minute. The doctor informed us that around 18 weeks we can find out the gender. I can't believe that's about a month away... we are sooo excited! We'll be counting down the days!

So far the pregnancy has been going rather smooth. Since this is our first pregnancy, we didn't know what to expect. Morning sickness has not really affected me (thank goodness!). There were a few weeks of nausea, but I continued to work and get things done around that.

I've kept a weekly log of new pregnancy experiences:
4 weeks (april 29)- migraines, vomiting, restless nights started
5 weeks- craving pineapple pizza, eating constantly (even in the middle of the night)
6 weeks- eating constantly
7 weeks- pee almost every 2 hours
8 weeks- extra nauseous
9 weeks- stomach pains from belly growing, ultrasound
10 weeks- craving strawberry waffles
11 weeks- back pains
12 weeks- not sleeping well
13 weeks- just started the 13th week :)

*Picture: i just bought this shirt, and couldn't resist not taking a picture. Instead of it saying "intel inside"... it says "Baby Inside". lol

Baby's First photoshoot =)

During my 9week checkup, we had the baby's first ultrasound. It was truly amazing how well defined the baby was at just a few weeks in utero. While I wait for our bundle of joy to arrive, I am making a pregnancy scrapbook. This week I included a picture of the 9 week ultrasound and my first written letter to our baby. This is what it says:

To my sweet baby
I have always dreamed of the day of becoming a mommy. Now that I am pregnant, it still feels like a dream. Not only do I dream about if you will be a boy or girl, what color hair you'll have, or what kind of person you will become, but most of all--what it will feel like to hold my sweet baby for the first time. When I was nine weeks pregnant, I had my first ultrasound. When Daddy and I saw your cute little body on the screen, we were beaming with joy. All we wanted was a healthy baby, and everything was going as planned. You had a strong heartbeat too--75 beat per minute! God has definitely answered my prayers. I have been given the best gift in the world--You! I couldn't ask for more. I love you so much! Love Mommy

We're Having a BABY!!!!

The evening of April 30 brought us some great news! After applying a blue cleansing mask to my face, I took a pregnancy test and didn't expect much of anything (a week ago we had taken a test and it was negative). To my surprise, there were two lines--Positive! I'm sure Dale was a little disturbed when I ran into the living room screaming, jumping, and my face covered in blue "paint". Shoving the stick in front of him, I screamed, "Is it true?!"

The next morning I took another test to see if the results were correct. At 6am I was bright awake and couldn't wait any longer. This test was also positive! Dale was still sleeping so I nudged him awake. Beaming with joy, I stuck the pee stick in front of his face until he realized what was happening. Dale's response was, "I'm gonna be a daddy?!"

A few days later, our doctor confirmed the good news--we're gonna be first time parents. We told our friends and family right away, and they also shared in our joy. Dale and I cannot wait for our little miracle to continue to grow and be healthy.