Dearest Little One-
This morning, we went off to the doctor's office again. This time was a little different since we never even saw the doctor! First we meet with a lady who handles the insurance & billing stuff for the doctors. We had to prepay our portion of the bill based a normal regular pregnancy & delivery. I hope and pray that everything remains "normal". Then we meet with the health educator, Amy, and one of my favorite nurses, Anna. We talked about our families history and most of the things that will occur during the next eight or so months. She gave us lots on information about the upcoming ultrasounds, parenting classes, and breastfeeding. It feels good to have sort of a plan and know when things are going happen. The next time I see you, you will be 12 weeks old! I can't imagine having to wait another month, but that's only a fraction of the time I have to wait to hold you. So I can be patient. After all that talk was over, I headed over to the lab to give blood which will be screened in a couple prenatal tests. It's nothing I am worried about, just routine stuff. Our next appointment is April 7th. It will be a full exam and also the time that we discuss the birth plan with the doctor. I can't really fathom talking about a birth plan at this point, but I guess we will start thinking about it. My plan is to give birth and then take you home a few days later. Could it be that simple?
All my love,
Mom
March 28, 2008
8 Weeks
Dearest Munchkin,
Today I am 8 weeks pregnant! We are 2/9 of the way through our pregnancy journey together. You and I have changed a lot this past month. This month, your Daddy and I were fortunate enough to see your tiny heart fluttering on an ultrasound. I went through a few days of feeling bad, but all in all I am incredibly lucky to have only some mild discomfort from all my wonky hormones. My main issue is not being able to stay awake. I don't think your Dad and I have gone to bed at the same time in over a month now! (Meaning I now have an 8:30 bedtime). My clothes are getting slightly snug as you are making some room in my tummy. I did purchase a few maternity pieces, but I don't plan on needing them for a little while. Hopefully I can make my clothes work for me a little while longer. Here's what your Mama looks like this month:
Today I am 8 weeks pregnant! We are 2/9 of the way through our pregnancy journey together. You and I have changed a lot this past month. This month, your Daddy and I were fortunate enough to see your tiny heart fluttering on an ultrasound. I went through a few days of feeling bad, but all in all I am incredibly lucky to have only some mild discomfort from all my wonky hormones. My main issue is not being able to stay awake. I don't think your Dad and I have gone to bed at the same time in over a month now! (Meaning I now have an 8:30 bedtime). My clothes are getting slightly snug as you are making some room in my tummy. I did purchase a few maternity pieces, but I don't plan on needing them for a little while. Hopefully I can make my clothes work for me a little while longer. Here's what your Mama looks like this month:
One hot topic of discussion between your Dad and I has been whether or not to find out if you will wear pink or blue. Believe it or not, I am an advocate for waiting and being surprised. I think it makes the whole pregnancy more exciting. Plus, it really makes no difference to me, so long as you are healthy! We have a while before we have to make a decision, so I am sure the topic will be debated again. And again. And again. In a hour or so, we are off to the doctor, so I will post again after I get back.
I love you, Mom
March 25, 2008
The Fun Begins
Dear Munchkin-
The following things have made me gag today:
1. The smell of my own breath this morning (although on any given morning I would gag but today was especially bad).
2. The smell of my toothpaste. But I'd rather smell and gag at my toothpaste than face the smell that would occur if I didn't brush my teeth.
3. My water bottle.
4. Opening brand new papertowel roll. I guess it was the plastic wrap????
5. Hearing someone down the hallway blow their nose.
6. The first bite I took of my leftover salom. Normally a favorite of mine, but the first bite had a big piece of crab stuffing in it and from there it was history.
Things seem to be moving right along. Just thought you might like to know how I was feeling today. Doctor's appointment set for Friday, so I hope to know alot more then.
Love you bunches,
Mom
The following things have made me gag today:
1. The smell of my own breath this morning (although on any given morning I would gag but today was especially bad).
2. The smell of my toothpaste. But I'd rather smell and gag at my toothpaste than face the smell that would occur if I didn't brush my teeth.
3. My water bottle.
4. Opening brand new papertowel roll. I guess it was the plastic wrap????
5. Hearing someone down the hallway blow their nose.
6. The first bite I took of my leftover salom. Normally a favorite of mine, but the first bite had a big piece of crab stuffing in it and from there it was history.
Things seem to be moving right along. Just thought you might like to know how I was feeling today. Doctor's appointment set for Friday, so I hope to know alot more then.
Love you bunches,
Mom
March 17, 2008
1st Ultrasound
Dearest Babe-
Words cannot express my joy! Today your Daddy and I got to see our first glimpse of you. Our child, our baby, and our future. I was truly awestruck by this experience. You are currently measuring 6 weeks 3 days old (6mm) and have a heart rate of 135 beats per minute. Absolutely perfect in every way, right on target. Right now, you are still in a tiny little sac, but we could see the flicker of your tiny heart beat. Your Dad and I cried tears of joy. We weren't able to hear you quite yet, but just seeing your heart beating was amazing. We meet with Doctor Davis after the ultrasound. He reassured us that everything looked perfect and as it should be. We are scheduled for the health education appointment on the 28th of March and then back to see him early next month for our 10 week appointment. So make yourself a happy home inside me and get comfortable kid! It's going to be an exciting 9 months.
I love you,
Mom
March 14, 2008
6 Weeks
Dearest Munchkin,
Today you are six weeks old. We have made it half-way through the 1st trimester. So far, so good and all seems to be going smoothly. I am still having some rumblings in my tummy most days and my feet have turned into ballons, but all in all, I can't complain too much. Your Daddy seems to think I am sleepy a lot lately, but I really (I mean really really) liked to sleep before you came along, so it doesn't feel too different to me. Although I do think my energy level has dipped some in the past few weeks. I hope that you get that good sleeping gene from me.
I am so excited about our ultrasound appointment on Monday morning. We can't wait to have a sneak peek at you so we can be reassured that you are healthy and growing. It is still up in the air whether or not we will hear your heartbeat, since it is pretty early on in the pregnancy. It would be such a wonderful treat!
Your Dad and I have already been discussing some plans for your future. We have a lot to think about in the upcoming months and we want to make sure that we take the best possible care of you. But I think all my planning is driving your Daddy a little crazy. I did slipped up last week and told your Aunt Lori about your upcoming arrival. I know I was supposed to keep this quiet, but it is such a relief to have my best friend know all about you! I have so many questions and she is just the person I need advice from. Needless to say, she is quite thrilled about our news! Now, maybe I can drive her crazy instead of your Dad.
I will write again on Monday after the ultrasound to let you know how things turn out. Hopefully I will even have some pictures of you to post. Until then sweet pea....
All my love,
Mom
Today you are six weeks old. We have made it half-way through the 1st trimester. So far, so good and all seems to be going smoothly. I am still having some rumblings in my tummy most days and my feet have turned into ballons, but all in all, I can't complain too much. Your Daddy seems to think I am sleepy a lot lately, but I really (I mean really really) liked to sleep before you came along, so it doesn't feel too different to me. Although I do think my energy level has dipped some in the past few weeks. I hope that you get that good sleeping gene from me.
I am so excited about our ultrasound appointment on Monday morning. We can't wait to have a sneak peek at you so we can be reassured that you are healthy and growing. It is still up in the air whether or not we will hear your heartbeat, since it is pretty early on in the pregnancy. It would be such a wonderful treat!
Your Dad and I have already been discussing some plans for your future. We have a lot to think about in the upcoming months and we want to make sure that we take the best possible care of you. But I think all my planning is driving your Daddy a little crazy. I did slipped up last week and told your Aunt Lori about your upcoming arrival. I know I was supposed to keep this quiet, but it is such a relief to have my best friend know all about you! I have so many questions and she is just the person I need advice from. Needless to say, she is quite thrilled about our news! Now, maybe I can drive her crazy instead of your Dad.
I will write again on Monday after the ultrasound to let you know how things turn out. Hopefully I will even have some pictures of you to post. Until then sweet pea....
All my love,
Mom
March 5, 2008
Symptoms and Strange Feelings
Dearest Babe-
Oh, how you have already changed my life. And my body for that matter! I went into this feeling pretty confident that I was going to experience minimal unpleasant side effects of pregnancy. Can you say naive? That would be your Mama. Now I can finally understand what it meant when my Mommy friends told me all about how my chest would ache when someone hugged me or how the smell of something cooking would send me running to the bathroom. I want you to understand that this is not a complaint letter. All of these things are supposed to happen to me and actually reassures me that things are "normal" in Munchkinland. In the past few days, I developed a seriously sore chest, had a few bouts of morning sickness, and have been racing to the bathroom to pee. A lot.
Aside from the physical symptoms, I find myself irritated with people. Particularly your Daddy. The worst part is, I don't even have a good reason. This frustrates me to no end, because he is one of the kindest and nicest people you will ever meet. I know he would do anything he could to make this experience easier for me. I really hope I can chalk this up to my raging hormones and get over it soon. It would make life a lot more pleasant in the Beale household. Until then, I have to remember that this particular stage in pregnancy is going to bring about a ton of physical and emotional changes and just try to enjoy this crazy journey!
I love you,
Mom
PS- I got all sorts of good pregnancy reads in the mail this week, so I will be reading up and getting educated on all the cool things that will be happening to you and I in the coming months.
Oh, how you have already changed my life. And my body for that matter! I went into this feeling pretty confident that I was going to experience minimal unpleasant side effects of pregnancy. Can you say naive? That would be your Mama. Now I can finally understand what it meant when my Mommy friends told me all about how my chest would ache when someone hugged me or how the smell of something cooking would send me running to the bathroom. I want you to understand that this is not a complaint letter. All of these things are supposed to happen to me and actually reassures me that things are "normal" in Munchkinland. In the past few days, I developed a seriously sore chest, had a few bouts of morning sickness, and have been racing to the bathroom to pee. A lot.
Aside from the physical symptoms, I find myself irritated with people. Particularly your Daddy. The worst part is, I don't even have a good reason. This frustrates me to no end, because he is one of the kindest and nicest people you will ever meet. I know he would do anything he could to make this experience easier for me. I really hope I can chalk this up to my raging hormones and get over it soon. It would make life a lot more pleasant in the Beale household. Until then, I have to remember that this particular stage in pregnancy is going to bring about a ton of physical and emotional changes and just try to enjoy this crazy journey!
I love you,
Mom
PS- I got all sorts of good pregnancy reads in the mail this week, so I will be reading up and getting educated on all the cool things that will be happening to you and I in the coming months.
February 29, 2008
4 Weeks
Dear Munchkin,
Today I am 4 weeks pregnant. We are 1/9 of the way through our pregnancy journey together. This coming week you will start to develop the beginnings of your eyes and ears and have little arm and leg buds forming. These next couple weeks are going to be crazy for you because you will be growing really rapidly. I feel confident that everything will develop the way it should be. Nothing is more important to your Daddy and I then bringing home a healthy baby! All of my research tells me to take good care of myself in the coming months and I am sure going to try. So far, I haven't really felt any symptoms of pregnancy, but I know you will do your best to let me feel your presence soon enough! I have been feeling pretty tired and a little queasy now and again, but all in all you aren't causing me much discomfort. I wanted to post some pictures of what I look like each month, so someday when you are old enough to read, we can go back and look at how you changed my body. Trust me when I say this is the only time that I have been excited to gain weight! Although, I may lose a little since I am trying to cut out drinking pop and any extra junky stuff I had been eating. My main focus is getting good healthy meals to you, so you are well nourished and strong.
Here's what your little Mama looks like at the beginning of your life: (Try not to laugh too hard-remember who's in charge of naked baby pictures!)
Today I am 4 weeks pregnant. We are 1/9 of the way through our pregnancy journey together. This coming week you will start to develop the beginnings of your eyes and ears and have little arm and leg buds forming. These next couple weeks are going to be crazy for you because you will be growing really rapidly. I feel confident that everything will develop the way it should be. Nothing is more important to your Daddy and I then bringing home a healthy baby! All of my research tells me to take good care of myself in the coming months and I am sure going to try. So far, I haven't really felt any symptoms of pregnancy, but I know you will do your best to let me feel your presence soon enough! I have been feeling pretty tired and a little queasy now and again, but all in all you aren't causing me much discomfort. I wanted to post some pictures of what I look like each month, so someday when you are old enough to read, we can go back and look at how you changed my body. Trust me when I say this is the only time that I have been excited to gain weight! Although, I may lose a little since I am trying to cut out drinking pop and any extra junky stuff I had been eating. My main focus is getting good healthy meals to you, so you are well nourished and strong.
Here's what your little Mama looks like at the beginning of your life: (Try not to laugh too hard-remember who's in charge of naked baby pictures!)
We are headed to your Great Grandma's for the weekend. Your Uncle Ross and Aunt Amber are in town and we are going to visit with them. It isn't too often that we can get together, so we are really looking forward to it. We aren't going to tell them about you until we visit them again in April. It's going to be rough to keep it a secret, but this time it isn't about me! I love you with all my heart, Mom
February 27, 2008
2nd Beta
Dearest Munchkin,
I just got off the phone with Nurse Heather, who gave me more good news. Your beta score has gone up to a whopping 330! I feel so blessed. This is a definite sign that things are progressing as they should be. And if you believe the Beta Base, it looks like there could be two of you! But right now, I am not really too concerned about it. Plus it's already in God's plan, so I can't change it anyway. Beta scores can be really subjective and as long as they are rising, that's good enough for me. Your Daddy and I will take whatever comes our way.
Nurse Heather and I got to discuss what will happen next in Munchkin world. Since it was kind of struggle for us to start our family, we will get a sneak peek ultrasound after six weeks. This Saint Patrick's Day (March 17th) we will get our first glimpse of you. Our Munchkin. Everything that I have read, tells me that your heartbeat will be good and strong by that point. I am sure it will be music to my ears. I have a feeling that this ultrasound will make things very real for your Daddy and I, as we will finally be able to see you and hear you. As excited as we are, we still worry about being good parents and the responsibility of raising you. Our dream is to help you grow into a wonderful mature person with good values. No pressure, right?
After the ultrasound comes the Health Education Appointment on March 31st. I think this has a lot to with how we are going to pay for you! This appointment isn't with a doctor, just someone "in charge" of this at the doctor's office. No worries, Munchkin, your Daddy and I have thought ahead and took advantage of a pre-tax flexible spending plan. It's looking like that's going to come in real handy next month.
Then in the first week of April, we will have our 10 week doctor visit. This will probably be a pretty big work up and the first time your Dad and I will get to really chat with the doctor. As I am sure you will figure out, your Mother (me) will have lots of questions and this appointment will set our minds at ease. After that, we will probably begin telling people about you. I can't wait for that to happen! It seems so far away now, but it will be here before we know it.
All my love,
Mom
I just got off the phone with Nurse Heather, who gave me more good news. Your beta score has gone up to a whopping 330! I feel so blessed. This is a definite sign that things are progressing as they should be. And if you believe the Beta Base, it looks like there could be two of you! But right now, I am not really too concerned about it. Plus it's already in God's plan, so I can't change it anyway. Beta scores can be really subjective and as long as they are rising, that's good enough for me. Your Daddy and I will take whatever comes our way.
Nurse Heather and I got to discuss what will happen next in Munchkin world. Since it was kind of struggle for us to start our family, we will get a sneak peek ultrasound after six weeks. This Saint Patrick's Day (March 17th) we will get our first glimpse of you. Our Munchkin. Everything that I have read, tells me that your heartbeat will be good and strong by that point. I am sure it will be music to my ears. I have a feeling that this ultrasound will make things very real for your Daddy and I, as we will finally be able to see you and hear you. As excited as we are, we still worry about being good parents and the responsibility of raising you. Our dream is to help you grow into a wonderful mature person with good values. No pressure, right?
After the ultrasound comes the Health Education Appointment on March 31st. I think this has a lot to with how we are going to pay for you! This appointment isn't with a doctor, just someone "in charge" of this at the doctor's office. No worries, Munchkin, your Daddy and I have thought ahead and took advantage of a pre-tax flexible spending plan. It's looking like that's going to come in real handy next month.
Then in the first week of April, we will have our 10 week doctor visit. This will probably be a pretty big work up and the first time your Dad and I will get to really chat with the doctor. As I am sure you will figure out, your Mother (me) will have lots of questions and this appointment will set our minds at ease. After that, we will probably begin telling people about you. I can't wait for that to happen! It seems so far away now, but it will be here before we know it.
All my love,
Mom
1st Beta
Dearest Munchkin,
The doctors office called me yesterday afternoon while I was picking up your Daddy from the eye doctor (One thing you can count on is getting the bad eyesight gene from Mom & Dad). The nurse told me that they did some tests on the blood I gave on Monday and everything looked great. In fact, your Beta score was 120. That number is slightly higher than average for that day and that was very good news. Apparently you are already advanced for your age! I will go back this afternoon to repeat the test and make sure that this score is rapidly increasing as it should be. I hope and pray that this is the first sign of a healthy and safe pregnancy! Also, I posted a picture of the pregnancy tests so I can look at them and remind myself that you are finally going to be a part of our family.
I love you more and more each day.
Mom
The doctors office called me yesterday afternoon while I was picking up your Daddy from the eye doctor (One thing you can count on is getting the bad eyesight gene from Mom & Dad). The nurse told me that they did some tests on the blood I gave on Monday and everything looked great. In fact, your Beta score was 120. That number is slightly higher than average for that day and that was very good news. Apparently you are already advanced for your age! I will go back this afternoon to repeat the test and make sure that this score is rapidly increasing as it should be. I hope and pray that this is the first sign of a healthy and safe pregnancy! Also, I posted a picture of the pregnancy tests so I can look at them and remind myself that you are finally going to be a part of our family.
I love you more and more each day.
Mom
February 26, 2008
Yesterday
Dearest Baby Beale,
Yesterday was a big day for your Daddy and I. It was the day that we found out that you were more than just a glimmer of hope in our eyes. It was a day that changed our lives forever and we are so grateful to know you are going to be joining our family. We have hoped, prayed, and dreamed about you coming into our lives for a long time now and it feels surreal that it is finally happening. I want you to know how much you are loved already. And you will be surrounded by love. There are so many people who will be so excited to meet you. You will have parents, grandparents, even great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends of your Mom and Dad, and a church family who will all shower you with love and attention. They will all love you almost as much as your Daddy and I do. Almost.
I have decided to write love letters to you throughout this pregnancy. Not only to record what is happening, but to let you know how your Daddy and I are feeling about all of this. It is going to be a wild exciting ride and I want to remember every moment I have with you, before I have to share you with the world. Right now no one knows about you except the doctors office, your Dad, and I. We have decided to keep you a secret for now until you have developed a little more and we can plan how tell our family and friends. I do know that your Grandma and Grandpa Lumsden are visiting in a couple months and we can't wait to see the look on their faces when we surprise them with our big news! You are my most precious secret and I can't wait to shout the news of your impending arrival with joy. But for now, you constantly remain in the thoughts racing around in my head. I am not so good with secrets, so this will be a test and a half for me. (More on that later).
Your Dad and I have decided to call you Munchkin until we know whether you are a little boy or girl. It is difficult for us to talk about you without a name and we have decided this will be a good interim name until you officially enter this world. Which by the way, is supposed to be November 7th, 2008. Provided the doctor's office is on the money. Just in time for the holidays. In the future, please don't be embarrassed if we shout your nickname in public for all to hear. My child, this is what parents are designed to do. Lesson one, parents will embarrass you. Tomorrow I have another blood test to make sure that you are safe and sound. Two weeks after that, hopefully you will have your first official photo taken. I can't wait. I am sure your heartbeat will be the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. I will write soon, when I have the result of lab work to report.
I love you Munchkin. With all my heart.
Mom (How weird is that?)
Yesterday was a big day for your Daddy and I. It was the day that we found out that you were more than just a glimmer of hope in our eyes. It was a day that changed our lives forever and we are so grateful to know you are going to be joining our family. We have hoped, prayed, and dreamed about you coming into our lives for a long time now and it feels surreal that it is finally happening. I want you to know how much you are loved already. And you will be surrounded by love. There are so many people who will be so excited to meet you. You will have parents, grandparents, even great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends of your Mom and Dad, and a church family who will all shower you with love and attention. They will all love you almost as much as your Daddy and I do. Almost.
I have decided to write love letters to you throughout this pregnancy. Not only to record what is happening, but to let you know how your Daddy and I are feeling about all of this. It is going to be a wild exciting ride and I want to remember every moment I have with you, before I have to share you with the world. Right now no one knows about you except the doctors office, your Dad, and I. We have decided to keep you a secret for now until you have developed a little more and we can plan how tell our family and friends. I do know that your Grandma and Grandpa Lumsden are visiting in a couple months and we can't wait to see the look on their faces when we surprise them with our big news! You are my most precious secret and I can't wait to shout the news of your impending arrival with joy. But for now, you constantly remain in the thoughts racing around in my head. I am not so good with secrets, so this will be a test and a half for me. (More on that later).
Your Dad and I have decided to call you Munchkin until we know whether you are a little boy or girl. It is difficult for us to talk about you without a name and we have decided this will be a good interim name until you officially enter this world. Which by the way, is supposed to be November 7th, 2008. Provided the doctor's office is on the money. Just in time for the holidays. In the future, please don't be embarrassed if we shout your nickname in public for all to hear. My child, this is what parents are designed to do. Lesson one, parents will embarrass you. Tomorrow I have another blood test to make sure that you are safe and sound. Two weeks after that, hopefully you will have your first official photo taken. I can't wait. I am sure your heartbeat will be the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. I will write soon, when I have the result of lab work to report.
I love you Munchkin. With all my heart.
Mom (How weird is that?)
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