Saturday, January 24, 2009

Everything's Great in Week 8!

All About Us

So, I can picture you on the edge of your seat, waiting to read how our very first Dr's appointment went. Well, let me tell you, you can go ahead and sit back, because it was rather disappointing. Jason and I were super-excited for this appointment because we thought we were finally going to get some of our questions answered and even more exciting, get to see the baby's heartbeat. I got up early, shaved my legs (what kind of Dr. wants to feel prickly legs?), and tried to look my best for our first glimpse at our baby. I started the car and off we went to encounter one of the best days of our lives. We walked in and watched Saved By the Bell until we were escorted by a "Medical Assistant" (whatever that is) to a small, 6 x 6 room. The "Medical Assistant" then began asking me all these questions about my health and sex history. She then asked me if my current sexual partner had ever engaged in intercourse with a man - I looked over at Jason and asked him, "Well, have you?" It was quite funny - I guess you had to be there. Moving on, I finally asked the girl if I was going to see the Dr. today. She said "no" and my heart sank. She stated that the Dr's don't see pregnant women until they are 10-12 weeks along. In my head I thought, "bullshit," but I kept my cool. She then walked out of the room and had Jason and I listen to some 10 minute tape that she obviously did not have time to say herself. I was so sad that I sank in my chair and laid my head on Jason's shoulder and began to cry. I felt like I had been stood up by my own Dr. She had the potential to show Jason and I the most amazing thing we have ever seen and in an instant, it was stripped away from us. After the long, monotonous tape was over, we were brought to the room where they draw blood. I have never had a needle in my arm for as long as I did here at this visit. The woman took 6 viles of blood from me - most likely to check my hcg levels (pregnancy hormone), to check for the cystic fibrosis gene, my blood type and Rh status, my iron level, my antibody titer levels, and possibly whether I have rubella immunity. This was not told to me, this was something I learned by reading my book, What to Expect When You're Expecting. The only good thing about this entire appointment was that I learned I only have to pay one $40 copay for the entire pregnancy (not including labor and delivery). This was extremely relieving to us! We got our next appointment date, February 25, and off we went. On my way to work, I contemplated whether I had made the right choice in Doctor's. How could my Dr. not want to see me on my first visit? It just didn't make sense to me. I decided that I would wait until our actual first appointment with her to make that judgement. Hopefully, our expectations will be met at this next appointment and we will get to see our baby at last!

This week, Jason has been catering to my needs as usual. I am still sick, but towards the end of the week I have been feeling better. He is very good to me and doesn't take things offensively. I may have snapped at him a few times, but he was able to stand back and realize that it was just the hormones talking. I feel extremely lucky to have such a kind, understanding, and loving husband. I had a craving for lasagna and he had no problem going to the grocery to get me the ingredients I needed to make it. I've noticed that once I crave something and have it, I don't want it anymore. The list so far has been nachos and cheese, yellow cake with white frosting, and lasagna. I was able to get my hands on all of these items, but thinking of them now makes me ill. I have been trying to eat a lot of veggies and fruit - even though that's not what I want, I know it's what baby wants. Also, it helps my most recent pregnancy symptom - constipation. Anything that will help "move things along" looks appetizing to me!

It kind of seems like I haven't had a good week, but really I have. Any week that our little raspberry is still with us is a GREAT week.

Little Raspberry


Our little one is now the size of a large raspberry. I knew you would get sweeter! You are measuring a half an inch in length (always measured head to rump). That still seems so small! But if you compare an Appleseed to a large raspberry, there is quite a difference in size. You have been growing up a storm! Your heartbeat is going strong at 150 beats per minute. A very exciting thing - you are beginning to make spontaneous movements in your arms and legs. This is so neat to think about. I obviously cannot feel these movements. You have quite a bit of room down there, so get moving my child! It's kind of like when mommy and daddy are about to fall asleep and we jerk our legs - a spontaneous movement.

You were comforted this week by your brother, Angelo. Ang has been sick the past few days and has been laying his head on mommy's abdomen for comfort. I have a feeling that Ang knows you're in there. You also got to hear your pseudo Aunt Ashley and cousin Isaac as they visited us on MLK day. You are going to have so much fun with Isaac! You two can do all sorts of things together. He might boss you around, though, since he'll be a year older than you, and most likely, a lot taller than you.

Here's to another great and amazing week of pregnancy!


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