Christmas Ultrasound

The week before Christmas, we had our latest doctor’s appointment, and they wanted to do an ultrasound just to check up on our little man.  I was very anxious for this appointment because after how the last few have gone, I wasn’t really sure what to expect.  However, I knew that I was excited to get the opportunity to get to see him again. As an added bonus, my mom was able to come to Des Moines and join us.  It was a pretty awesome experience to have her there.  I think the ultrasound tech even did a little bit extra since she was with us, including some 3D imaging.  Seeing him like that made me even more excited to meet him!  Hoping the next 10 weeks go by quickly. 

The tech also let us know that the two things they noticed at 20 weeks that had them concerned are not a worry any more.  His leg measurements are within normal range and the bright spots on his heart are no longer there!  Wonderful news!  God is so good!!!!

We are now at the point of appointments every two weeks.  Seems unreal to already be at that point, but excited to be getting closer. Also, our prenatal classes start in January!

Christmas was pretty good for Baby B this year as well.  Both of our families were extremely generous, and they are already spoiling him.  Also, my aunt Heidi brought up a vehicle load of baby stuff for him.  How they managed to get all that stuff and two kids up here still puzzles me, but we are thankful they didJ  I am starting to feel a lot more prepared for when he decides to join us.  Although I am excited for him to be here, but hoping he waits a little longer.

Love his little face!

31 weeks

He is already spoiled:)

Ultrasound at 20 weeks

At twenty weeks, Zeb and I were able to go to our long awaited anatomy scan.  We couldn’t wait to see our little one and to find out if the baby is a boy or girl.  We were able to see the baby at 12 weeks because the doctors struggled to find the heartbeat, so I was anxious to see how much change we would be able to see in two months.  Wow!  I had no idea how much we would be able to see during this scan.  Seeing our little one’s hands, feet, spine, face and so much more was truly an amazing experience.  As the tech was showing us all these things, we were both anxiously awaiting the big moment: boy or girl.  Before we went in, Zeb and I had discussed our predictions. I had been saying girl for day one; I just had a gut feeling.  Zeb hadn’t said anything until the week of our appointment, but once he did guess, he said boy. Turns out, Zeb was right!  Our little one is a BOY!  He wasn’t shy about it eitherJ 

Telling the students

Zeb and I decided to tell the girls basketball team first. These girls had worked hard all summer in the weight room, and much of that time was spent pestering Zeb about when we were going to have a baby. Little did they know, we were already pregnant:) Two days before school started we decided to have a BBQ to reward the girls for all their hard work in the gym, at least that's what we told them.

 

 I knew I wanted to find a cute way to tell them, so I spent much time agonizing over the perfect way. When I came up with an idea, Zeb's response was "You are such a teacher!" I decided to make them work for the information. I wrote each letter of "We are having a baby" on cupcakes and scrambled them up. I told the girls that they couldn't eat any until they figured out what it was supposed to say. Lucky for me, Zeb was videotaping them and started the video at exactly the right moment. He caught it on tape when they figured out what it said. Their reaction was better than I could have imaginedJ  The girls were genuinely excited for us.  Looks like we will have lots of babysitters available!

 

Before...

After... (sorry, I can't figure out how to rotate it)

 

My first post

This is my first attempt at blogging, so it might take me a while to get the hang of it. I love reading other people's blogs, and since our family will be expanding soon, I thought this might be a great way to stay connected to our family and friends.

We found out that we were expecting on June 30th, the day we left for a weekend away to celebrate our 1st anniversary. The first two weeks or so, I thought "Man, this is going to be so easy!" Little did I know how wrong I was going to be. Just a few weeks later, the morning sickness started. Whoever decided to call it "morning" sickness obviously never experienced it. I was getting sick morning, noon, night, and everywhere in between. In fact, mornings were actually when I felt the best.

Throughout the first trimester, I battled the MS. I went on medicine, which I didn't think seemed to help, so I decided not to renew my prescription. Big mistake. About a week after I stopped taking it, I ended up in the ER because I had gone almost an entire day without keeping anything down, including water. The doctor started me on medicine again, and this time I stuck with it. I had to learn that the medicine would not stop the sickness, but it would keep out of the ER.

 

As the beginning of the school year started to approach, I began to get very nervous. I wasn't sure how I was going to be able handle the MS and being back at school. Also, I knew we were going to have to tell the students soon. (There was no way I would be able to keep it a secret from them!) I should have known I had nothing to worry about. My students were extremely understanding and supportive.  If I was having a bad day, they would be sure to stop in and see me to get my mind of things.  They continue to do this, and I am so thankful for their support.