Time Flies

It is amazing how fast the time goes by!  Although, whenever I say to a friend, "I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going" they don't hesitate to remind me that in a month or so I will be wondering how much longer I have to endure this agony.  On July 6th we found out we are expecting a baby girl (yay!  so excited!) and we couldn't be happier.  I have had so much fun looking for girly things.  Ryan insists that she will learn to play golf...I say, as long as she enjoys it. 

Much of the time now I am really only experiencing 'growing pains' and not too much discomfort (thank goodness!).  I have been craving more naughty things, like chocolate chip cookies, but try to reach for fruit or cheese instead.  There really ins't a substitute for chocolate so if I just can't satisfy, I grab one :) 

Ahh, Heartburn

We are well into the 17th week (18 weeks on Thursday) and all the nausea has subsided but I am left with heartburn.  I have never experienced this flaming of the chest and stomach before and hope that after the baby gets here it goes back to whence it came.  I don't want to give up peppers and spice forever!!!  I have more energy now, which is good, but by the end of the day I am wiped out.  At least I can get through the day now though without feeling like I need to lay my head down and take a nap. 

As my baby bump gets bigger, I think I have felt the little guy/girl moving.  It was a strange feeling and difficult to expalin away as anything else but the baby.  For some reason it has only been at night when I am not moving around myself.  At my last doctors visit we listened to the heartbeat again and it started out at 149 beats per minute but went all the way up to 159 beats per minute.  Dr. Stafford said he/she is wiggling around in there, which makes its heart rate go up and down.  I am excited for Ryan to be able to feel it moving around...but I am sure that will be a while yet. 

We have the 'big ultrasound' scheduled for July 6th and hopefully we will find out the sex of the baby.  I can't believe we are already there!  Time seems like it is going by so fast!  I can't wait to find out who to will be coming to live with us...a little slugger or a ballerina :)     

The hearts of little children

Nothing in the world has touched my heart like the sound of my baby's heartbeat. My only wish is that Ryan could have been there with me.  He had to settle for a recording from my phone.  So, my second appointment was yesterday and Dr. Stafford says everything is going great.  My energy is up (a little) and I am no longer experiencing the constant cold, thanks to the synthroid.  Now that I am in my twelfth week the nausea is starting to subside - slightly.  My tummy is starting to feel more firm and (supposedly) Baby Lang is about the size of a plum.  Hopefully I am one of the lucky ones who gets to experience a smooth sailling second trimester :) 
I know I am not the first woman to be pregnant but this is my first time experiencing it.  I felt that I knew a good deal about pregnancy and babies but I am learning so much now that I think I barely knew anything!  I am so lucky to have my mother, mother in law and grandmothers (including Grammie in law) who all gently give advice and offer suggestions.  Being so far away from all of them is tough. 
So only two more months before we will have an opportunity to find out - Boy or Girl!  I just can't wait.  I am excited to know if we need to buy baseball bats and golf clubs or barbies and golf clubs.  Ryan is so excited to teach golf to Baby Lang no matter who comes out!  He might have a harder time if we end up with a prissy little girl (like I was) who doesnt care to get dirty.  But we shall see! 
Love you all!

Week 11

So I heard from my doctor earlier this week about my bloodwork.  Everything was normal, she said except my thyroid levels were low (consistent with hypothyroidism) so she sent me to an endocrinologist.  There, I gave more blood and talked wtih Dr. Shaw (easier to type than endocrinoligist :) ).  She said it is pretty normal for a woman to develop hypothyroidism during pregnancy, though I could have had it before but was never tested for it.  Since the baby doesn't develop the thyroid until week 12 my thyroid is working 30-40% harder and has a hard time keeping up.  So, I started taking synthroid this morning (at 5:30am since I have to wait at least an hour before eating) and hopefully this will help with my always being cold and exhausted.  I am going today to have an ultrasound of my thyroid just to make sure I don't have thyroid cancer (which according to Dr. Shaw is unlikely but she is just taking precautions since I do have bumps on my thyroid).

Other than that things are pretty quiet.  I had a tough time with nausea yesterday but with crackers and water I was able to get through it and get some dinner down.  I can't believe I am 11 weeks already.  It seems to be going by quickly but I think that is because we are counting weeks...I do have 29 weeks more to go which sounds like alot!  I hope you all are well and miss you all very much! 
Love and Smooches from the Langs! 

Moving right along

Happy Easter for any of you I was not able to talk to yesterday.  I flew out to Pittsburgh to be with Ryan for Easter since he was stuck here for work.  I was a bit nervous - even though my doctor AND Nicole said flying is perfectly safe in the first and second trimesters.  I prayed through the first take off and landing but realized I felt perfectly fine.  Phew!  The weather here in Pittsburgh has been as rainy and overcast as Franklin.  But it is always nice to come back here and visit my old haunts and see friends I don't get to see otherwise. 
Not much has changed in the growing baby department.  I still have random nausea and find myself either still full from my last meal or STARVING and weak, needing to eat immediately.  I try to keep snacks close by so as not to get too weak and so far I have been doing ok.  Exhaustion hits me like a freight train though and sometimes I just have to close my eyes for a bit and rest. 
I have been reading some of my book to Ryan and I think things are starting to sink in for him.  He does get a little overwhelmed when I try to teach him things to be careful of (like how to try and prevent SIDS by not leaving pillows and blankets in the crib).  I think I should focus more on getting through the pregnancy with him first and then we can talk more safety and strategy when I am much closer to delivery.  He has a few months till then :)

First Doctor's Visit

We saw the baby today!  And the heartbeat!  What an amazing sight.  Dr. Stafford was very nice and was glad to hear I am healthy and moving right along.  PHEW!  They took some blood and luckily I didnt pass out.  All the doctors I met today were very nice and I am excited to work with them during my pregnancy.  My next appointment is May 16th. 
I guess that is all for today.  I am a little overwhelmed from the experience of seeing the baby for the first time.  I am so relieved it is growing normally and I am on schedule.  Now I can relax some and focus on my eating and exercise. 
Love you all!!

Interesting...

I started reading a book called "You: Having a Baby" by Michael F. Roizen, MD and Mehmet C. Oz, MD.  This book has introduced me to alot of different things; from what to expect to happen to my body to what to eat and how to recognize pregnancy depression.  I read an interesting fact about the male brain vs the female brain.  Since the 'male fetus has more testosterone than the female fetus, it typically lags three weeks behind the female fetus neurologically at birth'.  This is why females survive more commonly when born premature than males.  Due to the childbearing importance of girls there is not much variation on girls' brain development. Boys on the other hand, have a wider variety of ups and downs which 'manifests in more autism and a broader intellectual curve'.

Another interesting thing I read was about fingerprints.  I will simply quote the book here:  "Innumerable environmental factors influence the formation of fingerprints, including the exact position of the fetus in the womb at a particular moment and the exact composition and density of the amniotic fluid that's swirling around the fingers as they touch srrounding structures.  And that's what decides how every individual ridge will form.  The entire development process is so chaotic that, in the entire course of human history, there is virtually no chance of the same exact pattern forming twice."  *I thought my two scientific minded sisters (Amanda and Nicole) would enjoy these facts :)

So tomorrow is the first doctors appointment.  Since everything feels just fine I am sure that is what the doctor is going to say - " You're doing great!!"  Still I am a bit nervous.  Most of the weekend I have been pretty nauseous.  And extrememly tired.  Especially when I workout, I am pretty exhausted.  I have started shy-ing away from eggs - I just can't stomach them.  Which is sad because they are a great protein for breakfast!  I still can't even think about eating red meat...<I even shudder when I type it>...

Ryan has been pretty amazing this weekend.  I have only made one meal and that was my lunch today (he is out playing golf).  I am so greatful to have a husband who is taking such good care of me.  It makes me sad for women that have to go through pregnancy alone.  It is such a blessing to be able to share this all with Ryan and to watch him change into such a wonderful caregiver.  I am sad he is going back to Pittsburgh next week  :( 

I will update you all tomorrow after the appointment.  Love!!!

And the award goes to...

Ryan!!!  I got to work this morning and out of nowhere started craving an Egg McMuffin from McDonalds.  I told Ryan and off he went, just in time, to get me one.  It is super tasty (as I type this I am still chewing my last savory bite) and I feel so lucky to be married to Super Husband!!  Well, maybe that is a little bit over kill but that's ok.  It was really sweet of him to go get my cravings desire.  (And if you are wondering, wasn't he supposed to be in Pittsburgh - he ended up changing his travel plans and won't be leaving again until next Tuesday.  Thank goodness he was here!!!)

So today I noticed a small bump while I was getting dressed.  Nothing too encumbering but I don't think my jeans will fit without a 'baby band' so I can leave them unbuttoned.  I am wearing more dresses these days so thank goodness the weather is warmer!  Although, I find I am cold alot.  Which is weird because my body temperature should be going up, making me hot.  It could have something to do with the AC being down to 71° at work and 69° at home.  I have to wear socks when I go to bed and use an extra blanket.  Of course I wake up at 2 am sweating and tear it all off me.   

Tomorrow marks eight weeks (two months) along.  My doctors appointment isn't until next Monday (the 18th) and I am really excited.  I have a list of questions to ask (one of which is it ok that I am cold alot) and I just want to hear from the doctor's lips "Everything is going wonderfully".  I have been still working out - doing more cardio than resistance training.  My day at the park on Sunday was wonderful.  I got a little sunburned on my shoulders though.  I guess I underestimated the 10am sun!  On days I work out I am even more tired.  Drained, really.  But I am happy I can get out and work up a sweat.

I hope you all are enjoying these little naratives.  It is nice to have a way to keep you all in the pregnancy loop.  Love to you all! 

I am about to head out to the park for a little exercise.  We have a beautiful park close to home with a walking trail and today is just gorgeous.  Ryan is out playing golf so I figured I would take advantage of the nice weather as well. 
I still feel pretty good.  I do have the occasional cramp still and I have started a new thing with food.  I am in the middle of eating, say a burritto, going right along and about half way through the thought of another bite makes me want to hurl.  It has happened a few times now and it is slightly frustrating because I eat just enough to not be hungry anymore but don't really feel satified yet.  Hopefully that will subside.  I for sure won't be able to eat a hamburger for a while.  The thought of red meat right now - yuck.  Ew.  No, thank you. 
One thing that I have enjoyed lately is my ability to know exactly what I want.  In our relationship, Ryan is usually the picky one.  He wants spaghetti, so we have spaghetti for dinner.  He wants to eat out, we eat out.  But now that I am pregnant, my decision making had gotten so much better and Ryan is very accommodating.  In fact, he has been so sweet lately.  He made me breakfast in bed yesterday (I seem to sleep in much later now and feel tired alot) and pretty much lets me do what I want to do...within reason!  He won't let me get a carton of ice cream and eat the whole thing :)  which wouldn't be good for me or the baby anyway. 

7 Weeks

Things are moving right along here.  It is hard to believe we only found out about baby Lang two weeks ago.  My mindset has changed so much about everything it seems like it has been years since we found out.  Everything has new meaning and my view on the world is so different now.  Our lives are about to change so much but in a way that will be enriching and positive.  At least I hope so!!
Some of the morning sickness I was feeling last week has subsided.  SOME.  It still comes every now and then but for the most part I can eat what I want and I am not sick feeling.  I do have soreness and cramping but I really don't have too much to complain about.  Well, except my jeans are now really uncomfortable!  I am trying to wear things that don't constrict my tummy since it doesn't want to give much anymore.
Ryan and I have decided we will need a slightly bigger place for the three of us.  We have until August to decide on something new so there is time.  I am not looking forward to packing but will be glad to get to where we are going so we can plan out the nursery.  We don't have anything yet for the baby but we have plenty of time to work on all of that as we get closer.  I would rather wait until we have the space we will be living in to start that.  Less to move!!  :)
    

Morning Sickness!

Mom said to me, "If you go your entire pregnancy without getting sick I might have to kill you!"  I knew she was kidding but it was as if by saying that she bestowed the precious gifts of morning sickness on me.  Woah it is so nagging!  But I don't think I have it as bad as some women.  So far I have no food aversions...I do however seem to always want a pickle.  Just the thought of one makes my mouth water with anticipation. 

Ryan told me he is sure we will be having a boy.  I have tried to get him to see that there is a 50-50 chance but he reiterated, he is sure it is a boy.  He told me about the 'talk' he had with his little 'swimmers' about making sure only boy sperm made it there.  We shall see, I guess.  Me, I just want little baby Lang to be healthy.  Either way, I will be just as excited (although it would be more fun to decorate the nursery for a baby girl). 

The mood swings are starting to get to Ryan.  I hope he can make it through to the second trimester!  At least he will get a break when he heads back to Pittsburgh next Monday. 

Finding out the good news...

Friday, March 25th 2011, I (Dawn) had just woken up.  I felt a little twinge in my stomach, which seemed new and strange.  Of course, since we were trying to get pregnant, my thoughts first went to "hmm...does that mean...".  I was already 9 days late and was doing my best to not think about it, because one can really drive oneself crazy trying to interpret the different twinges and such that occur in a womans body.   Not to mention, some pregnancy symptoms are the same and similar to symptoms of other ailments.  Despite all that, I decided to take the one pregnancy test I had just to see.  I hadn't planned to take it until at least that Sunday IF I had not started my monthly cycle yet.  I fully expected it to be negative since I know how much  of a miracle it is to get pregnant.  There is only a 12 hour window once a month that an egg is available for furtilization and knowing when that 12 hour window is is almost impossible.  So, I took the test just as Ryan called for our morning chat.  When Ryan is in Pittsburgh working, we always start off our day together with a quick chat about our nights rest, how our day is planned and anything else we need to discuss.  In the middle of Ryan's sentence I got up and checked the results of the test.  "Babe, it's POSITIVE", I said, catching Ryan by surprise.  I had not even told him I was taking a pregnancy test so his first response was "WHAT?!?".  I repeated and added, "I think we are pregnant".  The next few minutes were a blur.  We both were in a bit of shock and disbelief and I told Ryan I had only one test in the house but false positives are not very common.  He was eager to know for sure and I told him I would take another test or two later, when I had a chance to go to the store and get more.  He seemed to be getting excited and although I wanted to wait and make double (or triple) sure before we 'spread the news' I told him he could tell his family 'the test was positive'.  I called my mom and dad, he texted his family, I texted my siblings and away we went.  READY OR NOT.