Dear Friends that have had Babies... shall I remind you about early pregnancy, because you didn't give me any warning!

Dear Friends who have had children,
Lets take a trip down memory lane, shall we...

Week 5: Bloated, Cramping, Insomnia, Tender stomach, worry and stress about even being pregnant still, feeling full, clothes fitting just tight enough to be uncomfortable, and lets not forget the constipation.

Does all that ring a bell? Cheese and flippin Rice ladies--- I would have told you about this, or is it that "i didnt ask?"  I would lick the sidewalk to lose the weeks worth of extra food I've eaten. And, the feeling of a blow torch being held to my boobs is enjoyable-- I've heard sore, but for future reference, I'd actually recommend saying your nipples will be "burning like fire" instead.

I am worried-- all that I feel, is not what I read you should feel. I want some reassurance! I want a ultra sound or blood test again. I am half tempted to go pee on another "GOLD$$" stick.

Sighhhh... Monday can't come soon enough. Oh, and bonus, here I've been eating flax seed- like i normally do on my yogurt and now I find out that it could cause hormonal disrupters. DAMMIT!!!  To the trash that goes.

Ill be ok-- just normal stress I guess, which I imagine IS a classic symptom of pregnancy!!

~~ JAIME

Telling family and friends- starting week 5

This morning I received the result of Friday's HCG blood test. The number came back at 832. So a little more than doubled, thats perfect news! They wanted it to nearly double in 48 hours, so we are right in line.
Friday I spent the day calling family and friends. My mom and dad were OVER THE MOON!  Mom said she's been just crying tears of joy and Dad has called all the family to share the news. Adam called his family and screams of joy were heard the same. It's such a fun feeling to have so many people excited for us. They all know the patience and strength we've had to have over the last 3 years trying to conceive this little baby. Now the fun can begin.

I found this great checklist to keep up with all the progress... it will be nice to fill in and not forget anything important.

How far along? Starting my 5th week

Total weight gain: no weight gain thus far. Pre pregnancy weight 140.

Maternity clothes? No maternity clotes yet, but I do feel things are little more snug- especially my workout pants-- nothing like spandex being snug, barf!

Stretch marks? No thank you, lets keep it that way

Skin, Hair & Nails: My nails have been growing like crazy, my hair seems to be a little less lively which is kind of a drag. Guess it's time for volumizing shampoo :)

Sleep: Sleeping is hit or miss. I either sleep just "ok" or can't sleep at all.

Best moment this week: Getting my second blood test score!! 832!!

Miss anything? Caffeine, Caffeine, Caffeine

Movement: nope, nothing yet. Maybe some cramping

Food cravings: I'm going to say no, but I am loving dairy!!

Anything making you queasy or sick: not really, I had a little bout of queasiness after eating meat one night before I was confirmed pregnant, but otherwise Im ok for now

Gender: It's far too early, but I'm leaning towards keeping that a surprise

Labor signs: No way!

Symptoms: cramps, dizzy when I stand up too fast. Off and on loss of appetite.

Belly button in or out? In for now! 

Can you see your toes? Yes!

Happy or moody most of the time: Ive been pretty moody- poor adam, and weepy! But mostly extremely HAPPY!!!!!

Looking forward to: The first ultrasound!!!! May 19th. 

Here is some pictures I have so far:

I'M PREGNANT!!!! 4 Weeks to be exact!

I have to first before any news give all my thanks to God for blessing me. This journey has been one that I will never forget and never ever take for granted. It's been a long 3 years, and I am in SHOCK that this day has come. I am so happy!!

I woke this morning to take another pregnancy test and loud and clear I read the positive result-- with a skip in my step I began the best day of my life. This afternoon I had the confirmation with my blood panel results that read my HCG level to be at 403. That number is in perfect range for 4 weeks pregnant- which I am. The normal levels can range from 5-490.  I feel really lucky to be on such a healthy start. On Monday I will get another call confirming my HCG levels have doubled, which shows my pregnancy is progressing perfectly.  Adam and I have been calling our families and just staring at eachother with huge smiles and feelings of butterflies and happiness. Today is also my little brother's Birthday-- what a special birthday present I shared with him. Our families are just overjoyed!!  Here starts the journey to the best years of our life. 

First doctor's appt: 

April 30th

Feeling: 

EXCITED.. bloated, crampy, sore boobies, and a little "off" I would say. Otherwise I have so much energy and feel nervous I may do something wrong already-- welcome to parenthood I guess :)

I'M PREGNANT!!!! 4/20/2012

FIRST BLOOD TEST MEASURING HCG

~~ Jaime

April 19th.. one day to go, drumroll !!

So technically tomorrow, April 20th, is my "big reveal" per Dr. Nemiro's orders. Of course I couldn't wait that long, but I will test tomorrow. I also have my second blood test tomorrow @ 1pm. I'd imagine those results will be to me my afternoon?! I'll definitely have more of that "oh my gosh I'm pregnant" upon my stick test in morning though.

Already I'm so conscious of my eating and habits. I feel like I'm constantly trying to keep my lifestyle as healthy as possible--I have no excuse really, actually, no one does.  Being conscious of your health can be a blessing and a curse when it comes to pregnancy I'm finding. Blessing because I already eat clean as a whistle, don't drink or smoke, and eat primarily loads of vegetables with the occasional eggs, fish, a little chicken. I don't eat candy or cookies or junk, and as a bonus, I'm Celiac-- so no starches for me pretty much. Okay, so you can probably guess where the curse comes in-- my diet is so strict and limited that I am searching endlessly on what is crucial for a baby's development to MAKE SURE I have it my grocery cart. I should have a points card at Whole Foods(aka: whole paycheck) I'm there so much-- I know it's not necessary, but I cringe at the thoughts of bugs and hormones in my food and I find they have the biggest selection of clean eats.  Can you feel my stress level rising??

As far as the gym goes-- I've already had a long long talk with my Doctor on what is awesome and what's not preferred for my workouts. I'm loving the fact that I can stick with my normal routine, just not increase the load. So we'll see how long this little bugger lets me have my play time.

I'm definitely accepting of a big ol' belly and weight gain, BUT I wont be tolerating a big chunky bootie, saddlebags, wings, muffintops, and tree trunks for legs--- HECK NO!!  I don't mean to be judgmental, because pregnancy is so beautiful, I really do mean that, but I've seen some recent celebs(Jessica Simpson among others) that literally could have a basket tied to her ankles and shot up in the sky to be mistaken for a hot air balloon. That wont be me, I'll be damned.

And, any of my girlfriends reading this-- I give you permission to tell me I look like a snowman and make my emotional fat ass cry when the day comes that Im reaching for my 30th helping of whatever bag my fat hand is shoved into. Got it! That's gotta be in friendship code somewhere.

Today I'm 4 weeks pregnant, and I weigh 140lbs and I can still button my pants. When do I get to buy a belly band? I needed one like 6months ago. HAHA!

~~ Jaime

Insomnia

Why can't I sleep? I lay and toss and turn, and watch tv, and turn it off, and toss some more. It's really starting to bug. I read that you can take a pill like Unisom to help fall asleep, but really is that true? I don't want to take anything I shouldn't. SO instead, I hardly sleep and get up early. Funny thing is, I don't feel all that tired. I took another test this morning... I read in my literature from my Doctor in AZ, Dr. Nemiro, that if the HCG were wearing off, that the lines would become more faint over time. NOPE-- not the case! yahoooo! Tomorrow is blood test #2, I think after the blood test results it will all feel more real. Right now, I am sort of in this surreal place of disbelief. Can you blame me... it's been 3 years of trying and struggle. That's a long time for a girl like me to be patient.  All I can say is that once I let go of the control and gave it to God, and let him make me realize that I need to stop putting myself and my needs first, everything started to fall into place.

~~ Jaime

Of course I tested again today :)

Woke up to a new type of test, EPT. I was using First Response- ya know, the double pink lines. Well somewhere I read that the blue dye tests are more sensitive, so I purchased EPT. Its an "x" rather than the double lines. "x" showed up loud and clear, but it was more faint the the way the pink/red lines show. I guess an "x" is and x.
Also, today was my first of two blood tests requested by my new doctor, Dr. Gaiser. I drove down to Dublin Health Center before the gym this morning to get my blood drawn, then in 52 hours I go back there to do it again. I guess they are looking for an increase in the HCG-- apparently it has to double every 48hours. Learned something new.
Going to the gym has been super awesome for me, I feel lucky. I have tons of energy, and am feeling good.  I actually struggle more with the idea that my heart rate needs to stay at or below 140. I do wear a heart monitor to keep track, but its almost like doing nothing when its as low as it is "supposed to be."  I guess with time I will learn to slow down. I have been trying to ween myself off of energy drinks too-- another learning curve I'll have to master. No Caffeine!? OH BROTHER :(
After the gym I cruised over to Whole Foods to stock up on my dailies... which I know I need now more than ever!! Eat up peanut-- you have a crazy health nut mama on your hands!

~~ Jaime

Seriously this cramping has to stop!

Do you want to know why I was so anxious to test early? Because it currently feels like a monkey is swinging from one ovary to the other all day long. The cramping I feel is comical really. I don't know if I've ever had anyone or read anywhere that cramping is a sign of pregnancy, not just little "ooo that kinda hurt"... no, more like "holy torpedo my uterus is under internal warfare."  That, is why I made Adam flip a U-Turn into the nearest CVS so I could run in and grab a test, and some Starbursts(because why not right?!?).

I was totally convinced my period was going to start. I never have periods normally, so one can only assume that this is what it would feel like. And, you can bet your ass that if that test came back negative I'd be ripping into the Tylenol bottle like a raccoon. 

So, even better, is positive--happy... but Jaime is stuck in misery with no Tylenol-- sad news! At least I can eat my Starbursts and listen to my thighs begin a new growth spurt :) Cheers to me!

~~ Jaime

Testing 1...2...3

April 14,2012: I COULDN'T WAIT!! I know it was a bit early, but I had to just "see"... for my sanity. Drumroll... TWO LINES BABY(literally). OMG!!! I was in shock. I looked at the stick and slowly saw a faint second line show up. I bolted down the hallway to ask Adam if I was going crazy or blind. NOPE, he confirmed it!
So I decided I'd wait until Tuesday to test again and then of course I test Friday(because that's when I was supposed to wait till anyways).

Well Monday rolled around(yesterday)... and of course I just wanted to check again. Not only did I get a second line, but it turned quick and DARK!! Happy Dance... this could really happen!

Today(Tuesday)... I called my new Doctor.  Her name is Dr. Gaiser, and she was referred to me by my Doctor back in Arizona(Dr. Nemiro), and my good friend Jen.  They have me set up for two appointments. One for my orientation, and the second for my first pregnancy appt. Crazy!!
They called me back today to let me know that they would feel best for me to go have blood work done tomorrow- to test my HCG, and then again 52 hours later(Friday) to do another blood test. I guess that to determine a healthy on track pregnancy this early on, my HCG levels need to nearly double in a 48-52 hour window.

Adam is in NYC right now until Thursday night. So I plan to take one more hpt on Friday to have one final pee stick party. Can you believe it!--- 3 years of trying... God has big plans for The Keel's, on his terms and his timeline. Very blessed girl right here!

~~Jaime