Thank You!

Thanks to everyone who has wished us well during the pregnancy! We've received many cards, gifts, e-mails, phone calls, get well wishes etc. Thank you everyone ...

I'd especially like to thank my amazing husband who has unfortunately had to assume the role of Mr. Mom. Lately, I've been so sick that he's had to take care of everything from bathing the dogs, to cooking, cleaning, yardwork and dealing with my misery. Add that to being a full-time employee and student and I'm lucky he hasn't thrown his hands up and said "screw this!" I feel blessed to have married him and I only hope that I will feel better soon and be able to help!

My other BIG thank you goes to my Mom (who in my opinion and my sisters) is probably the best Mom ever. Not only does she give super advice, she often shares my old baby items so that I can reminisce and try to incorporate into the nursery (such as my old receiving blankets, my hospital bracelets etc.), she also brings by food and has Scott and I over often, makes special shopping trips for me, and lately she's even helped clean my house!

I'm officially at week 13 but this week is tougher than ever. I'm really sick, stressed out and completely overwhelmed. At my doctors appointment today - The doctor and I discussed how I still have not gained one single pound, how it's strange to be sick now worse than ever, and how if I don't chill out my stress and health could affect the baby (so she has me off work for 3 days). The Good news - I was able to hear the heartbeat, she says the baby is growing at a normal rate and I got a prescription for sickness. So here's to my second trimester - in hopes that it's a good one!

Katie at 12 Weeks -

Now I look a little more like a pregnant girl! I really think that's the baby and not the bloat! From what I've read the baby is a little larger than the size of a lime this week! I'm still sick unfortunately but the books say being sick is generally a good sign so I'm powering through. Looking forward to my doctor appointment next week as I'll almost be in my second trimester!

Just a fun fall picture ...

Katie at 11 weeks

Nothing much new. Still sick and hoping it ends soon! I'm getting excited for week 12! There are tons of pregnant women - friends, family and co-workers and a few of them are about to have thier babies! It's really neat to watch them and know soon it will be my turn!

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Is it me or does my stomach look smaller than week 10?

Katie at 10 weeks

Why I didn't start taking pictures from the beginning I'm not sure! Not much has happened in my mid-section - except a little thickening that only Scott and I can tell. Up to this point I've had all the symptoms. Some women say they have none and some get them all! It’s pretty much been constant nausea, gagging, and throwing up since week 6. Exhaustion – doesn't bother me except during work. I've recently been forced to sleep in my car at lunch! I've got the headaches and vivid dreams like crazy. Food aversions – lately I’m not to keen on chicken, turkey or anything Mexican. Food cravings – so far only peanut butter and jelly with pickles, fried chicken, fruit pizza, mustard and chocolate. Mood swings – these don’t really bother me but I don’t think Scott is a fan of them. The other day in Kroger I saw a posting about a lost dog and I was cyring as people looked on confused at the crazy woman crying at a cork board. Heightened sense of smell – This one is not a favorite.
I have just about every symptom possible, but minus the nausea I'm not complaining!

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Here I am at 10 weeks - not much change except my auburn hair!

Let's tell everyone forget waiting until 12 weeks!

So I'm pregnant! We're having a baby! It's so exciting! There are so many emotions and feelings and I know this is just the beginning but I think it's going to be great! Since we had taken our tests and gotten the official word from the Doctor we decided we couldn't wait a an hour to tell our parents and closest friends, let alone wait until the 12 week mark! The first person to learn the news was my Mom. We knocked on her door (luckily she was home) when she answered she saw Scott and I was holding Lily who was wearing a baby bib that I had made minutes before our announcement. The bib read "Little sis now, big sis in 9 months". Mom read the bib and said "Does that mean what I think it means?" and we said yes! We stayed a while and filled her in on all the details as even she didn't know we were trying! As we were leaving I tried to call my Dad and Jeanne but they didn't answer and I wanted to be sure to tell them in person, so I watied. Then it was off to Ryan and Maria's house to meet before our weekly volleyball game. This time we let Winston in on the fun. I made him a T-shirt that said "Big Brother again in 9 months". We put it on him (he really didn't seem to mind) and let him run full speed into Ryan and Marisa's house. Everyone got it right away and was shocked and super excited! After volleyball we headed to Scott's parents house. Winston got to tell them as well. They couldn't believe it! Marilyn cried and hugged us and we all shared some delicious apple pie. That night, I uploaded the picture of Lily and I and e-mailed it to my sister as I called her at the same time. She totally didn't get it at first! I kept emphasizing the 9 months part and she finally caught on! The next day I was able to talk to my Dad and I told him that he was going to have another grandchild soon. To that he replied "You're getting another dog?" Not a dog, I said ... and then he caught on as well! Over the next few days I was either calling friends and family or sending out the picture of Lily with her adorable bib. It was so fun to hear people's reactions!

Little sis now ... big sis in 9 months

Katie, Scott, Winston & a new family member!

August 2008 was going to be a big month for us, though we didn't know it yet. After a going away party for our friends in Columbus we decided that we should stop by and "look" at a breeder that happened to have golden doodle puppies; just like Winston. I've come to find out that you can't go and look at a puppy. It's not possible. If you're looking, you're buying. We welcomed Lily into our family and we had a full house! We had Lily for 2 days when we decided to take a pregnancy test...
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Lily

But here's the full story. Truth be told, Scott and I had started "trying" back in December of 2007. Unfortunately, we didn't have much luck. For some reason I just knew that it would take us a while so we decided to keep it a secret from everyone. It was tough but also exciting as it was something that only Scott and I could share. Every month we would think - this is it! But the tests just kept coming back negative. A few doctor appointments and months of jumping through hoops and we were finally on track. During the month of August (before we got Lily) as I look back I realized that I really should have known...

My first clue: hunger!
One night in August Scott made us a big healthy dinner. Fresh cut watermelon, huge salads with vegetables from our garden, and appetizers. After dinner we headed to the couch for an evening of our favorite television. --About 15 minutes in-- I suddenly looked up at Scott and asked if we had any fried chicken.
He simply replied - "Of course not, we never have fried chicken, why do you ask?" Me - "I'm hungry for some fried chicken and I don't understand why we don't have any." Him - "How could you possibly be hungry after the huge dinner we just ate? Just relax." Me - "Fine. Whatever." --20 minutes later-- Me - "I'm going to McDonald's do you want anything?" Him - "Wow, are you serious? No I don't want anything." --10 minutes later-- I returned with chicken nuggets, fries, and coke. I ate my meal happily on the couch and fell sound asleep directly after.

My second clue: Irritability
One day while I was napping on the couch Winston jumped up and woke me up. Instead of cuddling with him, I started crying hysterically for absolutely no reason.

My third clue: Postive!
On Monday August 25, 2008 Scott and I met at home for lunch. He didn't come empty-handed but instead with 2 pregnancy tests. He said that since I was late and we were both noticing changes he couldn't wait any longer and I had to take the test right then and there! Reluctantly I did. I hated that test because I always failed and it was so depressing but something about this time was different - he bought the tests not me. So I take the test I look at it and I only see one line. Not at all suprised I tell him it's negative. He wants to see the test and as he is looking at it he says "Maybe you didn't wait long enough." "Well, I'm getting pretty good at these I think I've waited long enough" I said as I look down at the stick and see the faintest second line anyone has ever seen. I say to him - "Do you see that?" He says "Yeah, I see a second line but it's so faint - has it ever looked like that before?" "I don't know!" I scream as I take the test outside to see if I can tell better in daylight. "I think you're pregnant" Scott says, take another test. "I can't, I don't have to pee" I say as I beging to chug water. A few minutes later I take another test and the same thing happens. So, like two teenagers I call the number on the back of the pregnancy test box. I'll never forget that recording - "two lines no matter how faint the second line indicates a positive pregnancy". We both went nuts. We didn't believe it and so I scheduled an appointment with my doctor that day to do a blood test and make sure. Luckily they saw me and confirmed that indeed I was pregnant but that it was early so that probably caused the faint line! They asked me to make sure that I re-tested a few days later and this time there was no mistaking that second line! I finally aced that test that I had been failing for months!We are over the moon about welcoming our new little one into our family in May of 2008!

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It's impossible to see the second line in the first two unless you magnify but it really is there! Luckily the last test shows for sure!