Week 7 Survey!

How much you weigh at BFP: 130

How much you weigh now: 130

How far along are you?: I'll be 8 weeks tomorrow!

Any maternity clothing?: Not yet, all of my clothes still fit fine, thankfully!

PG Work out plan: Lots of walking, playing volleyball at work.

Did you actually do your work out plan this past week? Yes

Eating Habits? They are changing. Having to make myself eat even when I'm not hungry. Drinking Boost in the mornings a lot. Starting to enjoy eating fruit for once!

Newly craved food: Fruit, Turkey sandwiches

milestones this past week?: Scheduling out first doctor's appointment!

etc: Baby is the size of a raspberry!

Baby Development - Week 7

This week your baby is undergoing some extraordinary changes and developments. The head, heart, spinal cord, and some of the larger blood vessels begin to form. As these blood vessels form, the heart begins to pump fluid through them, and your baby's first red blood cells are created. Your baby is about 7 - 9 mm or 0.27 - 0.35 inches in length, (approximately the size of a grain of rice), and weighs about 1/30 of an ounce - less than a breath mint.

Your baby's brain, bladder, tongue and esophagus are all developing and transforming, while his eyes are moving to the front of the face and his tiny eyelids are forming. The bones of his tiny limbs have started to form and all of your baby's major organs - heart, intestines, kidneys, liver, lungs and pancreas -- are forming and growing. In fact, your baby actually goes through 3 sets of kidneys during development with this week's development, being the second set.

Both the hand plates and the genital tubercle are present this week, but you can't tell whether it's a boy or a girl by sight at this point. Nasal pits are also forming. In your womb, your baby has already become active swimming around inside the amniotic sac and kicking. However, as he's much too small and well-cushioned by the uterus and the new amniotic fluid you won't be able to feel him yet. But don't worry. In a few months you'll be able to feel him constantly.

And baby makes three!

Yep, we're gonna have a baby! Wow, I never thought those words could come out so soon! I thought maybe another year or two from now, but here we are! So, here's a rush order on the wedding and life! I'll take that any day though. With how rough things have been lately with the passing of Papa and my Great Grandma, we could certainly use some happiness! I miss my Papa dearly, but I know he would be very happy for us. Just wish he was here so he could hold that little baby in April. I know he's watching over us now and he's happy for us.

Well, here's the story! I was 2w2d late, but had previously had 3 negative tests the week I missed. I didn't really think much about it because the considerable amount of stress I had been under with the sickness and death of my Grandfather. I went to the doctor's office to get a shot for my back, the usual lumbar epidural, and they ran a routine pregnancy test. They never told me my results so I went about my day. Later, I went to the pharmacy to fill my steroid prescription, but the lady behind the counter asked me if I was pregnant. I told her no, then asked why. She went on to tell me that my insurance company was stating I was pregnant and shouldn't take the prescriptions I was getting filled. I let her know it was a mistake and left the pharmacy.

On the drive home, I just kept thinking, I'll grab another test just to make sure before I start the new scripts. I got back to my sister's house, I was babysitting, and went in to take the test. I could barely see the faint line, I thought it was just a cheapie test. So, I called my brother down to look at it too. He could see the line, but I still wasn't convinced. I went and took a digital test then. I swear that thing blinked for an eternity!! It finally popped up PREGNANT!! Wow!! This is going to change the rest of our lives!

We proceeded to tell most of our friends and family over Labor Day weekend and got nothing but overwhelmingly positive responses. That was such a great feeling! It kind of feels like everything I've ever known is about to be different! I scheduled my first appointment and it's the 23rd of this month. I can't wait to find out how Gizmo is doing in there! Ryan is going with me to film the first ultrasound with our new video camera! So exciting!

So, now I'll be updating weekly with a pregnancy survey and the baby's development. This starts the biggest ride of my life!

It's been a while...

I know it's been a long time since I've posted. I really haven't felt much like writing, just haven't felt good in general for some time and my anxiety has been a little more than I could handle. I had some real issues with the doctor's office and I am still trying to get that worked out. Hopefully I can get that managed soon.

I did buy a new car a month ago. I got a 2008 black Dodge Avenger. It is pretty nice! It isn't my Edge, but it is much more economical and it gets much better gas mileage. I got the windows tinted and it looks pretty dang good now.

I'm enjoying the spring and the nicer weather. I got my flowers planted and they look great! Ryan is starting his vegetable garden as well and I can't wait to enjoy them later this summer. We went to the Royal's home opener last month and we had a really good time. I just love baseball and it is a tradition for my dad and I to go to the game. I just wish they would actually win once in a while!

I have decided that I am going to back to school again, this time to get a 2nd Master's degree in counseling. I knew I always wanted to work with the type of kids I work with now, just on a different, more individual level. I think this is a very good step for me and my career and I think it will make me very happy.

Well, I don't have anything really exciting to talk about right now, but I just wanted to get back in the swing of posting again. So... until next time!

It's late and I'm wide awake, like usual!

Well, it's 4:30am here and I'm sitting up on the computer. That's nothing new though. I've been off work for a week now due to being on Worker's Comp. I was walking to the building from my car last Friday and there was new snow on the ground. It was covering ice... which I happened to fall on. I bruised my hip and sprained my wrist. It hurt like heck! I got in the building and immediately had to state filling out paperwork, before I could even get myself an ice pack. Go figure! Anyway, I finished my paperwork and they sent a replacement in for me so I could be seen by a doctor. Nothing was broken, just banged up pretty good and they sent me home. I went to work Saturday morning, but I wasn't supposed to be there due to my restrictions for my wrist. Yea, management isn't so great about letting you know those things. Probably because they don't want to get out of bed and drive to work at 8:00am on a Saturday morning either! My supervisor came in at noon and told me I couldn't work with my wrist because I wasn't able to physically restrain youth or protect myself, so she told me to go enjoy my week off and get my paperwork filled out.

I spent the first couple days at home on a heating pad and with my pain meds and muscle relaxers. I really didn't do much but sleep and watch TV when I was awake. My grandparents took one of the dogs so I didn't have to worry about that. The other dog just sleeps all day so he wasn't a problem. Ryan helped me out a lot so I didn't have to get out of bed other than to shower or hit the bathroom..... you get the picture. For some reason the pain meds made me really emotional and I cried on and off all day Tuesday thinking about my birthday the next day. I just got caught up on the idea that because I'm getting older, so is everyone else. I thought that this is the age I am going to get married and try to start a family and that really hit me. The thought that my children may never actually remember my grandparents, who practically raised me, was very upsetting to me. I desperately want my children to remember them, to know them. I talked to a good friend of mine that day and he told me that no matter what happens, my grandparents and parents will live on through me and my actions. That statement gave me some comfort and relief thankfully.

Wednesday was my 26th birthday. It seems strange to say 26, not sure why, but it has affected me more than 25. It's probably just because I am getting married in 8 months and will actively attempt to make a child. Wow, that's huge for me!! Anyway, my grandma drove down to meet me for dinner at Applebee's and my sister and niece met me as well. It was really nice to be with some of my family that day since I had been so emotional. Dad couldn't make it to dinner, but he drove down to give me my present and a hug earlier in the day. That made me happy! Of course they told them it was my birthday and they did the embarrassing singing thing. I still enjoyed it though. I also got well over 100 text messages and messages on Facebook from friends and family. That made me feel really special! It is nice to be reminded that people love and care for you sometimes.

After dinner, Ryan and I met up with my best friend, her boyfriend, and some of our guy friends at a local restaurant. We had some drinks there and had a great time! We moved to another bar a bit later and the night was just great! Ryan seemed to enjoy me being so laid back and happy for once. I am always overly anxious and tense, but not that night. I gave up around midnight though because he had to work the next morning. I had a really good time.

We are leaving for St. Louis in the morning for the weekend. I am so ready to get out of this town for a few days. We have an awesome hotel room near Union Station for free thanks to my mom. We are going to meet up with some of my friends from college, I am thrilled! My best guy friend is meeting up with us for dinner tomorrow night. I haven't seen him in over a year! Saturday we are going to see our friend who is also a tattoo artist. I am getting my tattoos touched up and Ryan is getting a new side piece. It looks like is it going to be amazing! Then, we are going out for drinks and to see a band that night. Sunday we are getting massages and then going to the Science Center. That has be a favorite of mine since I was a little girl. I can't wait to go again! So, we have a busy weekend, but I am looking forward to it.

Ok, I think I've said enough for one night. It's not really too interesting yet, but this is a journal after all. It's still my life, as boring as it might be! Until next time....kwa heri!

It's been too long!

It's been a while now since I've actually had the time or energy to sit down and write. With my grandparents being in the hospital, my great grandma going to the hospital, and me getting a severe head cold, I just haven't had the energy. Things are better now, except for my cold. It's just nasty! I can finally hear somewhat today though. That's nice! My great grandma really isn't faring so well though. She's had congestive heart failure for several years, she's 97 years old. The drained the fluid off of her lungs and sent her back to the nursing home. They don't expect her to live much longer and she doesn't look very well. I am going to take Ryan up to meet her next week. I think it is really important that she meets the man I am going to marry and vice versa. I know she will approve.

Ryan and I adopted a new dog this past Thursday. He's adorable! I went to the shelter last week with no intention of getting a dog. I was just feeling a little bit down and wanted to play with some of the dogs. That always makes me feel better. I played for a while and as I was leaving I notice a scruffy little silver and brown dog in a kennel in the front office. I hadn't noticed him on the way in the building the first time. I asked about him and if I could play with him for a while. I took a couple pictures to show Ryan. He was so sweet and gentle. They told me he was a one year old pure bred shih-tzu. His previous owners had to leave him at the shelter because they were military and they were getting deployed, so they couldn't take him with them. He looked nothing like a shih-tzu because his hair was so long, matted, and dirty. I really loved playing with him! I called Ryan after I left and told him about him and how much fun I had. To my surprise, Ryan told me to turn around and go pick him up! I wasn't expecting that at all! So, I went right back to the shelter, filled out the paper work, and took him home with me. His previous owners named him Junior.... yea, we weren't going to call him that! We really didn't know what to call him, but we asked around for ideas. We got stuck on names from the TV show, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia because we watch it all the time. Now we have a new dog named Mac!

When I got him home I cut off the matted fur and gave him a bath. He did really well with it all and was so happy after he got dried off. We played for a couple hours and showed him were he is allowed in the house. Ryan came home and really liked him and his temperament. Didymus, our pug, wasn't so sure about having another dog at first, but he warmed up to him quickly. Well, that is as long as we were giving him the most attention! He's the baby and he knows it! We took Didymus and Mac to the groomers on Saturday. Mac was not the same dog at all that he was when he went in!! It was clear now that he was a shih-tzu, he finally looked like one! He seemed incredibly happy that all that long, dirty hair was gone and he could see with the hair cut out of his eyes.

Now we are just working on housebreaking him, it seems to be pretty difficult while it's so cold and the ground is covered in snow. I can't say that I blame him though. He did manage to destroy my Master's degree diploma that I just got though. Not too happy about that one! Guess I will just have to order a new one! He has also developed a really bad cough and coughing up some nasty stuff I won't explain. We're pretty sure he has kennel cough. If it isn't better in a couple days we are going to take him to the vet. Well, we need to anyway to have him checked and get his vaccinations.

Work seems to be going pretty well right now. The boys in my group are going great and making a lot of progress. The "warden" is up to her usual tricks. She came into my dorm tonight just to "remind" me that we only get two fifteen minute breaks a night per policy. I just looked at her and replied, "yea, I know. is there a reason you're telling me this?" She didn't have an answer to that. I finally got frustrated enough I left a letter for the facility managers about her behaviors. I'm fed up and I know so many coworkers are as well. She is a horrible group leader and every time she works the morale plummets. She's just out to get anyone in trouble for anything she can possible think of. I just can't stand people like that. I really wish some people could just learn to be happy, stop trying to bring others down. Ah, what am I saying.... that will never happen! I can, however, remove myself from that job and get something worthy of my education and experience. I am in the process of applying for jobs now though. I am aggressively searching out new employment. I want out of there by the summer. I can't wait to be a supervisor for once and not be on the bottom of the hierarchy. It will be a relief and it will be something higher paid!

Well, this is getting a little long for one entry so I'm out of here for tonight. Until, next time, bye-bye!

Ups & Downs

Well I haven't had the chance to write for a few days, life has conveniently bumped in the way of that. With my grandparents being so sick and getting my wisdom teeth cut out, the last thing I cared about was blogging about it. I felt crummy, I looked crummy, so my stories were sure to be even worse. Thought I would spare you at least!

A few things have changed though. Grams & Gramps are now home from the hospital and are doing better. Unfortunately, my Great Grams, "Mom", is now in the hospital and is not expected to leave again. She is 97 years old and has congestive heart failure. I have a lot of mixed emotions about this. I just want to go see her again and I will this week. She looks so fragile now and she can barely see. I can only imagine what someone her age has been through. I wish I could write a book about all the things she has witnessed, how times have changed, lives have changed, and living through so many different generations. It must seem like an entirely different world than it was when she was my age. I want to be able to store those memories somehow so I can continue to pass them on, like a written history book full of nothing but life. I hope her prognosis improves. Right now they don't expect her to make it another two weeks, but I know for certain she is one tough little lady. She has lived through many situations when she was given a short span of time to survive. Only time and God will tell. I pray for her comfort.

I had my wisdom teeth taken out this past Tuesday, well some at least. It has been rough, much worse than I remember last time. Somehow we must heal quicker as teenagers than we do in our twenties. I have felt just yuck all week. I really don't feel like eating or talking and the more I do of either, the worse I feel. I have bad headaches and nausea, which I am assuming is coming from a dry socket. I can't say that for certain until I go back to see the dentist in the morning. My mouth is just killing me and the medicine doesn't seem to be working anymore. Hopefully they will get that taken care of quickly in the morning so I can get some relief. Guess I will know then.

Also, we are going to look at a house tomorrow. My cousin is a Realtor and he called me about a foreclosed home that he hasn't listed yet. It is a really nice three bedroom house in a very nice neighborhood close to us. It is within our price range and we have the chance to be the only people to make an offer on it if we like it. I am really excited! We could possibly have our own home by the time we get married, how awesome! I am going to take plenty of pictures tomorrow, so I'll post some later.

Well, I'm wiped out. I'm outta here. Night.