Pregnancy Experiences...

So life has been crazy and I haven't had time to write down all my thoughts...

I went and got another ultrasound on January 26th (14 1/2 weeks).  This time I even got a picture.  SLIK (Someone Living in Karlie) is adorable.  We could barely hear the heartbeat cuz the doc said the baby is still a little too small.  But luckily the ultrasound showed the heart beating steady and fast so that's good news.  SLIK was jumping around like crazy.  It was so neat to watch but kind of surreal too.  I still don't think it has completely sunk in that I am pregnant LOL.  Basically, SLIK uses my uterus like a trampoline - Boing Boing A-Boing.  :)  I asked the doc if that was normal or if I was creating an ADHD kid ;)  All that movement is normal so I was glad to hear that. 

I noticed the first "kick" about week 15, which was interesting.  I kept feeling this bubble popping.  It was definitely something different and I've never felt it before.  I had Jason feel my stomach but the kicks aren't strong enough for him to feel yet.  Since then every once in a while I feel the "hiccups" ~ I don't know how else to describe them.  Something is fluttering around in there that's for sure. 
On February 3rd, I noticed a lump on the left side of my neck near my collar bone. I called my OB GYN and he suggested I come in and get some thyroid blood work completed. I went in the next day (Thursday the 4th). The doc check the bump and seemed a little concerned. He asked if I wanted to check out the baby right then or wait for the appointment the next day when I would get the blood work results. Since I am a scaredy-cat and I was so nervous I said I'd wait so Jason could be there with me. The doc signed me up for an ultrasound on my neck for the next day too. That night I had a little panic attack about the baby but Jason helped calm me down. The next morning (Friday the 5th), Jason and I went to the appointment and got my blood work back. Everything was normal in my thyroid other than my T3 uptake being slightly low. We got to hear SLIK's heartbeat ~ loud and clear this time! Then we headed over for an ultrasound on my neck. The lady completed the ultrasound and said it looked like a fluid filled cyst not a mass, which is good news!!! Then Monday the 8th, I had an appointment with an ENT. The doctor talked with us about what it could be and scheduled a biopsy. It was scary to hear but also a relief because the doctor let us know this happens in some pregnancies and if it is fluid filled it could go away on its own. The ultrasound results got in on Tuesday and my Ob called me and let me know it is a soft nodule (whew - fluid filled). Then I noticed it started getting smaller. So since it continues to shrink, I am not worried! Plus no needle in my neck - which was making me almost more scared than the lump. Today is Sunday the 14th and it is almost completely gone!!!!  YAY!

Friday February 12, Jason took me to Fetal Fotos to see if they could tell us the gender (I am kind of inpatient).  The technician showed us the heart beat, the profile, and the spine.  Then she looked at the baby's legs and bum.  The baby was being shy and SLIK's legs were curled up and crossed so we couldn't get a clear shot.  She had me lay on one side, then the other, then walk around.  She also jiggled my stomach, which was pretty funny to see on the ultrasound.  No such luck but she had one shot were she guesses SLIK is a girl.  Interestingly, having me lay on different sides and jiggling my belly made SLIK move around.  She showed us SLIK's toes and all the bones.  Every once in a while we would see SLIK kick me.  I think all the jiggling made SLIK mad LOL.  Even though we didn't find out the gender, it was a very fun experience.  We get to go back until we find out too (without having to pay again).  Next time, she'll print more picts and give us a CD too.  We have our prenatal appointment on Wednesday the 17th so we thought we'd go there first before we go back to Fetal Fotos.  Then if we find out the gender at the doctor's we can upgrade our package to the 3D pictures.  I am very excited to find out especially so I can pick a name.

I have finally been feeling better (YAHOO).  I think the morning sickness is pretty much gone.  I just have to make sure I eat (constantly ~ especially in the mornings and late at night).  I haven't had any cravings (except for restaurants in Virginia LOL but I don't think that's from being pregnant).  Now I have been noticing all the growing pains.  My back aches quite a bit and I go from the sharp stabbing pains near my groin and hips to the constant dull ache :(  But at least I am growing and stretching so SLIK has more room :)  I make sure to put lotion/oil on to help with the stretching.  I definitely don't want stretch marks so I am trying to reduce those too.

Being pregnant has helped me realized how self-conscious I am about my body too.  I struggle with feeling cute since I have a little belly.  Jason tells me I have a cute pregnant belly but it is still had to watch the changes.  I am trying to stay positive and understand it is necessary for the MIracle of Life. 

Despite the struggles, I think this has been an enlightening and insightful experience...and I am so thankful Jason is here to experience everything with me.  He is an amazing support!  I can't think of a better time in our life to have this experience and I am so glad we waited until now.  Life is perfect!