Dear Sweet Pea,
Today I am 7 weeks along, and you have been developing for 5 weeks. This coming week you will be about 1/2 an inch long (about the size of a blueberry). Your organs are all in place now, and your fingers are starting to form. Your joints are well on their way, and you're able to move around a lot, but its still too early for me to feel you.
As for me, I am sleeping, eating, and peeing a lot! I feel as though I am digesting food faster than ever and my tummy is always asking for more! That being said I have been feeling more nausea in the last few days, so even though I don't always feel like eating, it does actually make me feel better. I have one pair of pants that are starting to feel a little on the tight side!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
First Midwife Appointment
Dear Sweet Pea,
Today Daddy and I met with one of our 3 midwives. They work in teams in three so that they can take turns being on call for labour and deliveries. This means that any one of them could deliver you, so they want the parents to be comfortable with all of them.
We went through my medical history and they gave me a requisition for a full blood workup. Even though I had this done before you were conceived, they said things can change during pregnancy. We also talked about when you are due. Even though I'm pretty sure of when I conceived (because I was charting) they asked if I wanted to go for a dating ultrasound anyway, and I said yes please! We are looking forward to getting a peek at you in a few weeks. They will only change my due date if the ultrasound shows that I am 5 or more days further or less along than I think I am.
We will see our 2nd midwife at 12 weeks, and at that point we should be able to hear your heartbeat with their doppler :)
Today Daddy and I met with one of our 3 midwives. They work in teams in three so that they can take turns being on call for labour and deliveries. This means that any one of them could deliver you, so they want the parents to be comfortable with all of them.
We went through my medical history and they gave me a requisition for a full blood workup. Even though I had this done before you were conceived, they said things can change during pregnancy. We also talked about when you are due. Even though I'm pretty sure of when I conceived (because I was charting) they asked if I wanted to go for a dating ultrasound anyway, and I said yes please! We are looking forward to getting a peek at you in a few weeks. They will only change my due date if the ultrasound shows that I am 5 or more days further or less along than I think I am.
We will see our 2nd midwife at 12 weeks, and at that point we should be able to hear your heartbeat with their doppler :)
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Cravings!
Dear Sweet Pea,
They say that when a mommy to be craves certain foods, she is deficient in something that is abundant in that particular food. That being said, I haven't exactly been craving healthy foods! The first food I've been eating a lot of, is paninis! If its lunchtime and I'm near a place that I can get a panini at, I do! My current favourite is from Save On Foods and its two cheese and turkey on sundried tomato bread. Soooo good! I've also been craving chocolate-covered almonds and chocolate milk. Since I'm a chocoholic anyway, I can't say for certain that these are pregnancy related cravings, but I spent $10 on bulk chocolate almonds last week!
They say that when a mommy to be craves certain foods, she is deficient in something that is abundant in that particular food. That being said, I haven't exactly been craving healthy foods! The first food I've been eating a lot of, is paninis! If its lunchtime and I'm near a place that I can get a panini at, I do! My current favourite is from Save On Foods and its two cheese and turkey on sundried tomato bread. Soooo good! I've also been craving chocolate-covered almonds and chocolate milk. Since I'm a chocoholic anyway, I can't say for certain that these are pregnancy related cravings, but I spent $10 on bulk chocolate almonds last week!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Week 7
Dear Sweet Pea,
Today I am 6 weeks along (going into the 7th week) and that means you are 4 weeks old and I'm already halfway through the first trimester! By the end of this week, you'll be 4-5mm long. Your development this coming week will include your limb buds, brain, eyes, and nostrils. Bone tissue is beginning to form, and the basis of your nervous system is complete. You have a pancreas and appendix now, and the placenta and umbilical cord are maturing.
I have continued to feel quite tired, am peeing more often, and some days I have a hard time keeping myself feeling full! I started weighing myself every morning about a week ago, and so far I've gained about 2 pounds. No morning sickness yet (knock on wood), so I've been feeling pretty good. Many people I've talked to say they didn't start to really "feel" pregnant until at least 8 weeks along. I have been feeling quite paranoid about the possibility of miscarrying. I know that the further along I get, the risk goes down, and I'm sure you'll be just fine. I'm hoping I'll get sent for an ultrasound soon so I can make sure everything is OK, but since I know when you were conceived, I might have to wait a while yet to see you. I know I will feel better once I see your little heart beating in there :) We meet our midwife one week from today.
I ended up not getting in to see the doctor last week, as the office somehow managed to screw up my appointment, and the doctor I wanted to see left for the day before I could see her. This made me even more confident in my decision to use a midwife instead of a doctor for my care!
I'm sure I'll have more interesting news to share in a week or so!
Today I am 6 weeks along (going into the 7th week) and that means you are 4 weeks old and I'm already halfway through the first trimester! By the end of this week, you'll be 4-5mm long. Your development this coming week will include your limb buds, brain, eyes, and nostrils. Bone tissue is beginning to form, and the basis of your nervous system is complete. You have a pancreas and appendix now, and the placenta and umbilical cord are maturing.
I have continued to feel quite tired, am peeing more often, and some days I have a hard time keeping myself feeling full! I started weighing myself every morning about a week ago, and so far I've gained about 2 pounds. No morning sickness yet (knock on wood), so I've been feeling pretty good. Many people I've talked to say they didn't start to really "feel" pregnant until at least 8 weeks along. I have been feeling quite paranoid about the possibility of miscarrying. I know that the further along I get, the risk goes down, and I'm sure you'll be just fine. I'm hoping I'll get sent for an ultrasound soon so I can make sure everything is OK, but since I know when you were conceived, I might have to wait a while yet to see you. I know I will feel better once I see your little heart beating in there :) We meet our midwife one week from today.
I ended up not getting in to see the doctor last week, as the office somehow managed to screw up my appointment, and the doctor I wanted to see left for the day before I could see her. This made me even more confident in my decision to use a midwife instead of a doctor for my care!
I'm sure I'll have more interesting news to share in a week or so!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Bump Baseline
Dear Sweet Pea,
I plan to take weekly pics of my bump (once you start making your presence known) so thought I would post how I look before you start showing yourself. This is at 5 weeks 2 days.
I plan to take weekly pics of my bump (once you start making your presence known) so thought I would post how I look before you start showing yourself. This is at 5 weeks 2 days.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Week 6
Dear Sweet Pea,
Today I am 5 weeks along. You are now about the size of an apple seed (2-4mm). Your head is now distinctly formed and your eyes and ears are beginning to develop. Limb buds, kidneys, liver, nerve cells, and tooth buds are forming. Your blood circulation has begun, and your neural tube has closed over (thanks to all that folic acid)!
I have been feeling pretty good over the past few days, and haven't been noticing any cramping or as much fatigue as I was during the weekend. Maybe that's because I forgot to bring my vitamins with me when we went away for Thanksgiving! Later today I will go back to the walk-in clinic for my prenatal physical, and in two weeks we will meet our midwife!
Today I am 5 weeks along. You are now about the size of an apple seed (2-4mm). Your head is now distinctly formed and your eyes and ears are beginning to develop. Limb buds, kidneys, liver, nerve cells, and tooth buds are forming. Your blood circulation has begun, and your neural tube has closed over (thanks to all that folic acid)!
I have been feeling pretty good over the past few days, and haven't been noticing any cramping or as much fatigue as I was during the weekend. Maybe that's because I forgot to bring my vitamins with me when we went away for Thanksgiving! Later today I will go back to the walk-in clinic for my prenatal physical, and in two weeks we will meet our midwife!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Week 5
Dear Sweet Pea,
Because I conceived you before my membership ran out on Fertility Friend, I've been able to transfer it over to the Pregnancy Tracker website. This site keeps track of how far along I am, how you are developing, and gives me a heads up as to how I might be feeling and what to expect.
Today I am 4 weeks and 5 days along, since the time is calculated from the first day of my last period (September 5, 2010). Your actual age is about 3 weeks. At this point you are smaller than a grain of rice, but there is a lot going on! Your central nervous system, muscles, and bones are in their early stages of development, and your little heart has begun to beat already. The placenta is beginning to form, so soon you'll be receiving all your nourishment from all the foods that I eat. This is a very important time for you, and man is it tuckering me out! I have been quite tired everyday, and have noticed a few of the classic early pregnancy signs, like increased sense of smell and a bit of nausea (hopefully that part doesn't get too bad)!
I have to keep taking all my vitamins, eating well, and exercising so that I stay nice and healthy. Hopefully that will help you to be born healthy, too :)
Because I conceived you before my membership ran out on Fertility Friend, I've been able to transfer it over to the Pregnancy Tracker website. This site keeps track of how far along I am, how you are developing, and gives me a heads up as to how I might be feeling and what to expect.
Today I am 4 weeks and 5 days along, since the time is calculated from the first day of my last period (September 5, 2010). Your actual age is about 3 weeks. At this point you are smaller than a grain of rice, but there is a lot going on! Your central nervous system, muscles, and bones are in their early stages of development, and your little heart has begun to beat already. The placenta is beginning to form, so soon you'll be receiving all your nourishment from all the foods that I eat. This is a very important time for you, and man is it tuckering me out! I have been quite tired everyday, and have noticed a few of the classic early pregnancy signs, like increased sense of smell and a bit of nausea (hopefully that part doesn't get too bad)!
I have to keep taking all my vitamins, eating well, and exercising so that I stay nice and healthy. Hopefully that will help you to be born healthy, too :)
Telling Our Families
Dear Sweet Pea,
Daddy and I had already decided that when I got pregnant, we would only tell immediate family and a few close friends before spreading the news to everyone else once I was through the first trimester. Since most miscarriages occur in the first trimester, we didn't want to have to explain to everyone if something went wrong. I also read that once the mom is past 4 weeks along, the risk of miscarrying goes from 50% to 15%, so that made me feel a lot better.
The first person to find out was your Auntie Erin (my sister). She lives in Australia and the time difference is 15 hours. I was able to give her a call in the evening our time, which corresponded to the next morning her time, just before she started work. Just that week I had asked her for her phone number so that I could give her a call when I found out I was pregnant. So you can imagine her surprise when that call came just a few days later! Auntie Erin was so excited to hear the news, and Daddy and I are saving our money so that we can go visit her sometime after your birth.
About half an hour later I called your grandparents (my parents). My mom answered the phone and I tried to play it cool through some small talk before asking if the two of them were ready to become grandparents. My Dad arrived home a few minutes later so I was able to talk to him too. He said he'd better hurry and go buy some knit sweater vests and old-man hats so that he'd look the part! They were both thrilled to hear the news, and are happy that they'll be young, hip grandparents!
I told three of my best girlfriends online that night, and they were all surprised and asked me "Already?!" Rebecca, Bernadette, and Jenny are so excited to meet you!
Since we would be heading to Daddy's hometown in Salmon Arm for Thanksgiving a few days later, Daddy decided to wait until then to tell his side of the family. When we arrived that night he told his parents that they were about to become grandparents for a second time, as your Uncle Dusty (Mike's brother) and Auntie Jesse just welcomed your cousin Claire at the end of August. The two of you will be less than one year apart. They were very excited, as was your Auntie Lacey (Mike's sister). We are still trying to get a hold of Uncle Dusty and Auntie Jesse to give them the news.
Daddy and I had already decided that when I got pregnant, we would only tell immediate family and a few close friends before spreading the news to everyone else once I was through the first trimester. Since most miscarriages occur in the first trimester, we didn't want to have to explain to everyone if something went wrong. I also read that once the mom is past 4 weeks along, the risk of miscarrying goes from 50% to 15%, so that made me feel a lot better.
The first person to find out was your Auntie Erin (my sister). She lives in Australia and the time difference is 15 hours. I was able to give her a call in the evening our time, which corresponded to the next morning her time, just before she started work. Just that week I had asked her for her phone number so that I could give her a call when I found out I was pregnant. So you can imagine her surprise when that call came just a few days later! Auntie Erin was so excited to hear the news, and Daddy and I are saving our money so that we can go visit her sometime after your birth.
About half an hour later I called your grandparents (my parents). My mom answered the phone and I tried to play it cool through some small talk before asking if the two of them were ready to become grandparents. My Dad arrived home a few minutes later so I was able to talk to him too. He said he'd better hurry and go buy some knit sweater vests and old-man hats so that he'd look the part! They were both thrilled to hear the news, and are happy that they'll be young, hip grandparents!
I told three of my best girlfriends online that night, and they were all surprised and asked me "Already?!" Rebecca, Bernadette, and Jenny are so excited to meet you!
Since we would be heading to Daddy's hometown in Salmon Arm for Thanksgiving a few days later, Daddy decided to wait until then to tell his side of the family. When we arrived that night he told his parents that they were about to become grandparents for a second time, as your Uncle Dusty (Mike's brother) and Auntie Jesse just welcomed your cousin Claire at the end of August. The two of you will be less than one year apart. They were very excited, as was your Auntie Lacey (Mike's sister). We are still trying to get a hold of Uncle Dusty and Auntie Jesse to give them the news.
Taking the Test and Telling Daddy
Dear Sweet Pea,
Over the next two weeks I continued to take my temperature and keep track of how I was feeling. I definitely noticed some minor cramping about a week after fertilization, and now I know that was you getting nice and comfy in my uterus. After this point I began to notice that I was feeling quite tired, and sometimes took a nap even before I started work for the day. It was at this point that I began to wonder if there might be a little human developing in there. I waited until 14 days past my ovulation to take a pregnancy test. Even though I wasn't sure if my period was late, I figured that if I was pregnant, a good test would be able to tell me by then. I had one cheap test in my bathroom so I used it the morning of October 6th, 2010. A faint line came up beside the control line, and a huge smile erupted on my face!
The next thing I did was drive to the drugstore to buy a more sensitive test that I could take a little later in the day, so that I could have something to show Daddy. I went to the doctor right away to request a blood test to confirm that you were in there. I got the results back later that night, and sure enough, you were!
I called Daddy and offered him a ride home from work that day. Before leaving, I took the second pregnancy test, and the positive symbol came up immediately (even before the control line)! When Daddy got in the car I told him I had a surprise for him, and to close his eyes and hold out his hands. I then put the test in his hands and told him he could open his eyes. He also got a big smile and said "No way, that's awesome!" He gave me a kiss and I told him about everything I'd already gotten accomplished that day!
The cool thing about Fertility Friend is that after ovulation is confirmed, it tells the user when their due date would be if conception occured that month. In my case, the date given was June 15th, which of course is Daddy's birthday. I reminded him that day that maybe he'd be getting an extra special birthday gift, and he thought that was pretty cool.
Over the next two weeks I continued to take my temperature and keep track of how I was feeling. I definitely noticed some minor cramping about a week after fertilization, and now I know that was you getting nice and comfy in my uterus. After this point I began to notice that I was feeling quite tired, and sometimes took a nap even before I started work for the day. It was at this point that I began to wonder if there might be a little human developing in there. I waited until 14 days past my ovulation to take a pregnancy test. Even though I wasn't sure if my period was late, I figured that if I was pregnant, a good test would be able to tell me by then. I had one cheap test in my bathroom so I used it the morning of October 6th, 2010. A faint line came up beside the control line, and a huge smile erupted on my face!
The next thing I did was drive to the drugstore to buy a more sensitive test that I could take a little later in the day, so that I could have something to show Daddy. I went to the doctor right away to request a blood test to confirm that you were in there. I got the results back later that night, and sure enough, you were!
I called Daddy and offered him a ride home from work that day. Before leaving, I took the second pregnancy test, and the positive symbol came up immediately (even before the control line)! When Daddy got in the car I told him I had a surprise for him, and to close his eyes and hold out his hands. I then put the test in his hands and told him he could open his eyes. He also got a big smile and said "No way, that's awesome!" He gave me a kiss and I told him about everything I'd already gotten accomplished that day!
The cool thing about Fertility Friend is that after ovulation is confirmed, it tells the user when their due date would be if conception occured that month. In my case, the date given was June 15th, which of course is Daddy's birthday. I reminded him that day that maybe he'd be getting an extra special birthday gift, and he thought that was pretty cool.
Your Conception
Dear Sweet Pea,
As planned, I went off the birth control pill when Daddy and I returned from our honeymoon in Cuba. I began taking my temperature every morning and recording it on a website called Fertility Friend. This website was able to keep track of my cycle length, pinpoint my ovulation date, and everything else you could possibly imagine! I recorded all physical symptoms I felt each day. For my first cycle charting, I was more concerned about seeing what my body did naturally, coming off the pill. I wasn't sure if I would even ovulate because I'd read that it can take a while to ovulate after coming off birth control.
But wouldn't you know it, I ovulated on September 22, 2010, on day 18 of my cycle. Without giving too much detail, Daddy's sperm survived in my uterus for 3 days before that egg came along for one lucky swimmer to fertilize! Little did I know, that day was the start of our journey together!
As planned, I went off the birth control pill when Daddy and I returned from our honeymoon in Cuba. I began taking my temperature every morning and recording it on a website called Fertility Friend. This website was able to keep track of my cycle length, pinpoint my ovulation date, and everything else you could possibly imagine! I recorded all physical symptoms I felt each day. For my first cycle charting, I was more concerned about seeing what my body did naturally, coming off the pill. I wasn't sure if I would even ovulate because I'd read that it can take a while to ovulate after coming off birth control.
But wouldn't you know it, I ovulated on September 22, 2010, on day 18 of my cycle. Without giving too much detail, Daddy's sperm survived in my uterus for 3 days before that egg came along for one lucky swimmer to fertilize! Little did I know, that day was the start of our journey together!
Pre-Conception
Dear Sweet Pea,
I have always known that I wanted to be a mom, and your Dad and I talked extensively about when we wanted to start our family. After much consideration we decided that I would go off the pill after our honeymoon in August 2010. I couldn't wait as I'd been on the pill for nearly seven years! At the beginning of July 2010, I decided it would be a good idea to head the doctor to request some pre-conception bloodwork, just to make sure I was healthy enough for pregnancy and to make sure there were no health concerns that I didn't know about. Everything came back normal, and I was given the all-clear. At this point I had already begun to take prenatal vitamins. I did a lot of yoga to prepare for our wedding day, and I knew this would benefit me during pregnancy as well. Some people thought I was going a little overboard by preparing for you before you even existed, but I wanted to do everything I could to give you the best start possible. You were 100% planned for and are very much wanted!
I have always known that I wanted to be a mom, and your Dad and I talked extensively about when we wanted to start our family. After much consideration we decided that I would go off the pill after our honeymoon in August 2010. I couldn't wait as I'd been on the pill for nearly seven years! At the beginning of July 2010, I decided it would be a good idea to head the doctor to request some pre-conception bloodwork, just to make sure I was healthy enough for pregnancy and to make sure there were no health concerns that I didn't know about. Everything came back normal, and I was given the all-clear. At this point I had already begun to take prenatal vitamins. I did a lot of yoga to prepare for our wedding day, and I knew this would benefit me during pregnancy as well. Some people thought I was going a little overboard by preparing for you before you even existed, but I wanted to do everything I could to give you the best start possible. You were 100% planned for and are very much wanted!
Introduction
Dear Sweet Pea,
I am Holly, your Mommy, and your Daddy is Mike. I have decided to document my pregnancy with you in order to keep a detailed account of pre-conception to your birth. After your birth I will have this blog printed as a book, and we will give it to you so you can learn all about how you came to be. I will include notes about your development, how I'm feeling along the way, and what Daddy and I are doing to prepare for your big arrival. We have decided to nickname you Sweet Pea because people say that your Daddy and I look like Popeye and Olive Oyl (the cartoon characters), and their baby was called Sweet Pea :) We hope you enjoy reading this!
I am Holly, your Mommy, and your Daddy is Mike. I have decided to document my pregnancy with you in order to keep a detailed account of pre-conception to your birth. After your birth I will have this blog printed as a book, and we will give it to you so you can learn all about how you came to be. I will include notes about your development, how I'm feeling along the way, and what Daddy and I are doing to prepare for your big arrival. We have decided to nickname you Sweet Pea because people say that your Daddy and I look like Popeye and Olive Oyl (the cartoon characters), and their baby was called Sweet Pea :) We hope you enjoy reading this!
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