MIA blogger!

Hey ya.  I have been neglecting you, my bloggy friends!  I am so sorry.  The holidays definately TAKE over your life.  It doesn't just last for one day either.  People just have to have one more get together or you need to see one more family member.  Whew!  As much as I LOVE Christmas, I am glad it is once a year.  It is like a tornado whisks you away and then drops you back into your house with presents, wrapping paper, dirty dishes, and merry decor that got there somehow.  I need an elf to come and de-tornado our house.  (Note to Self: Ask Santa for a clean up ELF crew!)

I just hope this ELF doesn't get dropped off.  The thought of spaghetti and syrup with a sprinkle of candy makes me want to yack!!

We survived the Christmas season, with great times with family,gifts given and received and a 4 day run of the yacks for me. Who could ask for more?!?!? 

I do have a story that I never thought I would have in my life folder of "Courtney's stories."  We have Clint's family over to our house for Christmas day lunch and his cousin and her hubs came.  Now, it has been YEARS since Clint and cuz have seen each other, so this was the first time to meet her.  She came right in like she knew me and gave me a hug.  SOLD!!  I am a huge hugger and I knew I liked her from the start. 
We all started eating and everyone was yapping about this and that.  Cuz was at our dining table with Clint's gramma and some others and I heard her talking.  Well, honestly when I heard her say "endometriosis", my ears perked up and I started to "really listen." 

From what I heard her say, she and hubs have been trying to conceive for years.  She has a blocked fallopian tube and the docs say the ONLY way she can get pregnant is though IVF.  They are saving money for that, but she doesn't know. 

Right then and there my heart slammed to my xmas socked covered feet.  I WAS THE "OTHER WOMAN."  I had become that woman that I was so jealous of.  Here I am so excited about our blessing, that I didn't think what our joy could be doing to her. 

I caught her going to the bathroom (perfect timing I know) and apologized right there.  I told her how sorry I was, because I know how hard it is to be around the "pregnancy joy."  She hugged me and said "I'm ok with it.  I have accepted it.  Don't be sorry."  After that we started sharing doctor stories and all was good. 

I learned something though.  I will not forget what we have struggled through.  Yes we are so overjoyed and blessed for our Baby Bug but I am still going to be conscience of other women around me.  I won't be able to tip toe around everyone I come in contact with, but I can be aware! 

IF is hard and I wouldn't wish it on anyone!!

Merry Xmas Eve!

Merry Christmas Eve!!!

I love it.  This is my favorite time of the year, except for my birthday.  Hey, it's self-love!!  I will recap the holiday adventures of the next couple of days in my next post! Busy busy bees.  It does drain me more so now though.  Cleaning the house this morning was a doozy!!!

Ok on to the 9 weeker updater!!!

How far along: 9 weeks today.


How big is baby?  Our little one is the size of a medium green olive and about 0.1oz.


Symptoms: All day nausea, exhausted, NO AFTERNOON SICKNESS WOOT WOOT!!, hungry, sore boobs, and OMG the BLOAT!!


Total weight gain: 3lbs



Maternity clothes: Not quite.  I feel like they would be more comfortable, but I would't fit into them yet.  My sis is going to let me borrow some of her jeans.  I love freebies.


Stretch marks: Nope.



Sleep: I am still exhausted, but sleep has become harder to come by.  I just can't fall asleep and when I do I am awakened by my friendly bladder.  I'm talking 4 times a night.  And to thing it gets worse!

Best moment last week: Realizing it is ok to gain weight and to enjoy every minute!



Movement: Still really gassy!  Got to love it!



Food cravings: Anything with salt or crunchy. Crackers, pickles, bread, cereal. I am a carb lovin mama these days. SAME THINGS.  Although, sweets are coming back into the picture!



Belly Button in or out: In!



What I miss: Nothing!  Still cherishing every minute I can!



What I am looking forward to: A real baby bump would be nice!!



Milestones: We are now into fetus-hood!!



How is daddy? He is fabulous.  He is going to be a great daddy.  He is really taking care of me!

8 week 3 day Quiz

Hi lovelys!  Sorry I haven't posted since Tuesday.  Our little kidney bean has been making mama sick! He/she wants me to eat, but then can't seem to keep things down. Anyway, I saw this quiz on a blog that I started reading a while ago that had a huge impact on my heart.  She did this update every week and I added a few things. I am a few days behind, but my plan is to do it at the start of each week.

How far along: 8 weeks 3 days

Symptoms: All day nausea, exhausted, just started having "afternoon sickness", bloated


Total weight gain: 2lbs

Maternity clothes: Not yet, although my jeans are a little snug.

Stretch marks: Nope.

Sleep: I sleep like a rock.  It is such a deep sleep that when I fall asleep on the couch at night Clint has to repeatedly try to wake me.  I sleep until about 4am each morning and have to go pee.
Best moment last week:

Movement: Does gas count?

Food cravings: Anything with salt or crunchy.  Crackers, pickles, bread, cereal.  I am a carb lovin mama these days.

Belly Button in or out: In!

What I miss: Nothing so far.  I am loving every minute.

What I am looking forward to: I am looking forward to Christmas this week.  It is my favorite day of the year.

Milestones:No big milestones yet.

How is daddy? He is great. So excited.  Each week he informs me of what is happening with our baby's growth and he even puts it on his facebook status!  Gotta love it!

Tuesday. The day after Monday.

Hi chicas.
 I have never been much of a fan of Tuesdays.  Of course Mondays are never fun. Wednesdays are Hump day and the week is on the down slope.  Thursdays are almost Friday.  Fridays, well they are FRIDAYS.  But Tuesdays (bleh) are still going up hill in the week and seem to be the one day when you have nothing to look forward to. 

I am having a Bleh day.  Today is my 13 hour day and my pregnancy symptoms are in full force.(bring em on!) 
UNTIL my BFF, Egg, gave me the VALUED BLOGGER AWARD.

This gave me the biggest smile and made my day.  I am thrilled to get this award.
Thank you, Egg!!! I appreciate you so much.  You are my BFF/sista and I couldn't make it through my days without your support and friendship. (whew sappy and emotional on my road today!)  You are "sucha" beautiful woman inside and out!  You kind words on your post, had me with big ole alligator tears. 

Here are the rules to this awardy!
1. Tell your readers how your journey into blogging began. Be as verbose or shy as you like.
Well,  after we got married, I was a frequent stalker/sometimes poster on The Nest.  I typically go through phases and this phase was message board for What's Cooking.  A lot of these women had started these things called Blogs where they would post all of these recipes and pictures of foods.  I started looking at all of them and thinking wow!  how cool to be able to do that.  I didn't think my cooking (although I can cook and bake some southern food like nobody's business) was good enough to be put on a blog for everyone to look at or heaven forbid comment. 

My next phase was all of the health blogs on top of all of the cooking blogs.  These were blogs that focused on eating healthy, working out, but living a balanced life.  I was all over those!  So with the wonderful technology of GOOGLE READER, I was able to look at all of my fave blogs and keep up with them, comment, or Star them for my future reference.

When Clint and I decided to TTC, of course like all of us, we thought it would be a piece of cake.  (We know that is an EXTEMELY SICK LIE!)  After, a few months with my not so helpful OB/gyn, meeting our great RE, and continuing therapy on a need be basis, I decided I needed to write my feelings.  I have almost always kept a journal.  I feel so much better when I can purge my thoughts onto paper or now type them out.  It is my own therapy session and starting my very own blog was so fun.  I found a few pregnancy blogs and then this whole world of IF.  I was home!  I finally felt like y'all truly did know what I was going through.  Until you go through some sort of IF, you have no idea what kind of roller coaster it can be.  You ladies are wonderful!  I have learned so much from you all and have a new appreciation for the fact that I AM NOT ALONE.


2. Pick 3-5 fellow bloggers whom you adore and write what exactly it is you value about that person or their blog. The more you write about them the better. This is a chance to really appreciate your blog friends who have been there with and for you through thick and thin.
Now for my pickies.
1. The Sassy Infertile Lady.  Her blog is straight to the point and a joy to read.  Her and her husband are about to go through IVF and have been approved for the loan and things are looking great for their plan.  Her husband, Mr. Sassy, gave a cameo about his endeavors in IF-land.  It was great to see a guy's perspective as well as H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S.  Sassy's blog is a great read and you will be whisked away on their journey to have a little sassy for themselves.
2.Hubby, baby, and me...would make three!  Jill has had an amazing journey with IF.  Her and her husband struggled with IF and they won the battle.They got their precious BFP.  But although, winning the IF battle is glorious, sometimes life throws us curve balls.  Her and her family are going through quite a lot right now and she is showing such strength.  She amazes me. 
3. My sweet friend, Skinny Menny!  She is a fellow healthy nutter and balancer with her life.  She has been with my blog since the first and I have followed her for a while as well.  She is a beautiful woman and for a while has been struggling with where she wanted her life to go.  She wasn't happy with her J.O.B and wanted to do something that she loved.  She went and got her NCSF cert for somewhat of a backup plan.  She loves to be fit and healthy, so why not.  She has just recently got a great job that she loves and although she works a lot, I think this is where she wants and needs to be on her rocky road of life!!
3. Let the blessed winners know they have been awarded.

This was a hard chore for me, since a lot of my faves have either been given this award (for good reason) or I just couldn't choose.  I want everyone to know (who reads this) that you are all valued in my life. Clint's as well, since I can vent to someone other than him.  Ladies, things will work out.  Please don't give up and keep writing because I will keep reading!!!

New Ob/Gyn

Hey lovies!  Happy Friday!  Heck Yeah!  I am thrilled.  I have tomorrow off.  It has been the 1st Saturday I have had off and nothing planned since Thanksgiving weekend.  With the exhaustion of our now blueberry, and me working 12- 13 hour days at the gym, I just want to do NADA!  This is typically not me.  I get stir crazy if we are in the house for too long, but as of now I just want to lay around tomorrow and *gasp* be lazy. (We will see if I can!)

I had been going to a Nurse Practioner Ob/gyn for the last 5 years.  She was a great lady and treated me wonderful.  UNTIL, I wanted to get pregnant.  She gave me two options when we I hadn't started my period in over 60 days after getting of BCP.
1. Eat more and gain weight
or
2. Take injections everyday so that I can ovulate.  At about $2000 a month.

Um, WHAT?  That is it?  You mean there isn't anything in between???  Did I miss a few steps??

We took things into our own hands and contacted the best RE in town.  We met her and she had a step by step plan.  (My kind of lady. )  We went step by step after 11 long months, everything paid off. 

When we met with her on Wednesday to graduate, I asked her if she had any recommendations for great Ob/gyns.  She gave me 3 names that she said were the best.  NICE!  As soon as I got back to work, I set out on researching which of the three were going to be our doctor and get very intimate with.  One of them I couldn't find. SHE WAS SCRATCHED.
The other one has 14 years experience and good reviews.  SHE HAS POTENTIAL.  The last one has 27 years experience and she graduated from the UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA.  SOLD!!!!

In a previous post, I described the team love in our household.  So, I as soon as I saw she went to UofAL, I didn't have to go back to look at the other option. 

I called and made an appt for today at 12:30 to meet with the nurse of my new Ob/gyn.  I got there early to fill out the "fun" new patient info. Of course, I brought a book.  You never know when you can get in a few pages.  The nurse called me back and introduced herself as Judy.  I fell in love with her.  She is funny, calming, and has a little wit.  She has been my doc's right hand woman for 24 years.  That is a good sign.

We went through my history as well as mine and Clint's family history.  Thankfully neither one of us have any things in our families that could warrant potential problems.  She went through all sorts of info.  Which, since I already have my Ph.D in pregnancy related topics and issues, I was aware of everything she was telling me.  We meet the actual doctor in 4 weeks on January 7th to get a pap-smear and some other things done.

She weighed me!!  Honestly, I was ok with whatever the number was going to be.  Ever since I let counting everything go, I have been at peace with things.  I have gained 2lbs of glorious baby weight so far.  Judy said that my doc recommends 20-30lbs. and I am A-OK with this.

After the appt, I had to go downstairs to the lab and get blood drawn.  5 vials of my hard working baby-making blood was gone!  I didn't know when she was going to stop.  Judy also highly recommended me to go to the Health Dept and get the H1N1 shot.  I have teetered on this topic ever since we got pregnant.  I really wasn't sure what I would do.  Since,  I now have a love relationship with Judy, I trusted her and my doc's recommendations.  I hope I don't get sick now.  The ONE time my college softball coach made us get the flu shot, I got sicker than a puppy.  I hope this won't be the case.

Here are some questions for y'all!
Would you be ok switching Ob/Gyns??
Would you get the H1N1, if you haven't already??

Have a lovely weekend!!!

1st Ultrasound

Oh my goodness. Talk about being a NERVOUS NELLIE!  My stomach felt like it was a mix of pregnant nausea and a herd of antelope galavanting around.  Not a good mix, might I add.

Neither one of us slept very well last night.  My mind was going a 100 different directions about what would or could happen today.  Clint was super anxious about it.  That means not a lot of sleep for either of us.

When I tell you that time felt like it stood still today, I am not joking.  Usually, when I have 3 morning clients, time goes pretty quickly.  NOT TODAY.   I kept looking at my watch hoping that 1pm would come quickly and wishing it wouldn't come. 

I went to pick Clint up from work early enough that we went to Subway to get lunch.  Me, being the nervous wreck that I am, could barely stomach the sandwich and Clint had to choke his down.  We were a pair! 

We arrived about 10 minutes early and waited and waited and waited.  We were the ONLY ones in the waiting room.  I brought a book to distract me and Clint was looking at a Sports Illustrated magazine that was on the table.  We waited for a good 30min.  It was TORTURE!!!

FINALLY, they called us back, checked our wrist bands and put us in the u/s room.  I couldn't get my pants off quick enough.  One, because I was nervous and wanted to get it over with.  Two, because I was anxious to see what was in the uti!

The u/s tech that put the vag-cam on my follies last month, was there to do our u/s today.  That was a little comfort since she remembered me.  (Remembered me or my uterus?  Who knows?)  Vag-cam starts the show and we see the MOST GLORIOUS LITTLE SAC AND MAKINGS OF A BABY EVER!  I start to cry, OF COURSE.  The tech, starts telling us what we are seeing and points at what looks like a blinking light.  IT WAS THE HEARTBEAT!!!  She turned up the dopplar and we got to HEAR IT!!!  I have never heard a sweeter sound in my life, which brings oon more tears. 

We go out to meet our RE and and before she comes in it hits me.  We are really pregnant.  It is real.  Tears start to come and I was full of such happiness I can't express it.  Our doc comes in to say everything looks great and see if we have any questions. We really didn't since we have our Masters in baby books and websites.  She gave me some of the best Ob/gyn's she new and said that we didn't need to come back to see her. We graduated from RE school.

I made an appt today with one of the doctors she referred me to for a consultation sort of thing on Friday.  Yay!!

We will be 7 weeks tomorrow, are measuring at 5.4 mm, and are on our way to blueberry status. 

We are due July 29, 2010.

We are about to go tell my brother.  We can't wait anymore.  I think we are going to start letting the cat out of the bag. 

WHAT DO YOU THINK??  WHEN WOULD YOU TELL??
I always thought I would be able to wait, but ARE YOU KIDDING ME??  We have been waiting too long for this miracle of ours!!!

Busy bee eats food.

Hi there bloggy friends.  Do you ever start writing a post and really have no idea what you are going to write about???  That is me today my dears.  I don't have a clue what direction this will take, so be prepared. 

I had a very busy weekend.
Saturday-Clean house, work 10-1pm, Xmas party that me, my mom, and sis help run each year 4-11:30pm
Sunday-church, nap, Baby shower, shop some with my mom, meeting at church.

I am starting off the week tired.  Although being tired seems to be a common symptom for me, I am even more tired from this weekend and because I didn't sleep very well last night.  I kept dreaming about our u/s on Wednesday.  I dreamed we were having twins too!  Scary.  We shall see though. 

I am extremely nervous about the appt though.   A couple of my pregnant friends are going through some scary things with their babies health right now and I, of course, start thinking of everything that can go wrong.  I know that is not good for me or the baby, but hey it is a reality. 

Let's talk a little nutrition.  I have always been very dilgent in keeping up with my calories, fat, protein, and carbs through Sparkpeople.  It has kept me in check to get to a comfortable baby carrying weight.  I am slightly OCD and put in everything I eat everyday as well as my exercise. 

According to all of the literature, once you are pregnant, you keep your calories about the same the 1st tri, increase 300 calories the 2nd tri, and up to 500 extra calories the 3rd tri.

I am going to talk to my RE Wednesday when we meet with her and ask her what she thinks I should do.  I am on the low end of the "normal" BMI.  I also came to the conclusion that I am NOT going to track what I eat anymore.  It has become a hassle and a controlling factor.  Days when I am not hungry, I HAVE to eat because I HAVE to his those calories.  It becomes forced and not fun.  Other days when I am starving, I don't eat that extra snack because I HAVE to stay within my calorie range.  Hungry+Courtney+Angry=HANGRY. 

I am done.  I am packing lots of food for my LONG days at work and when I am hungry I will eat and I won't when I am not.  I am not going to go overboard and eat at every fast food place and eat cartons of ice cream.(well maybe on occasion!  I did crave a McDonald's sausage biscuit Saturday, although I let it just be a craving and didn't go through with it.)  I just know that this is a time for me to nourish this baby and myself.  I will pick foods that I can stomach and that appeal to me.  I'm going to trust my doctors and listen to what THEY want me to do to ensure the healthiest baby possible.

I am so content and happy about this decision and this weekend, went really well putting it in to practice.

What do you think you girls will do, are doing, or have done about pregnancy nutrition???

On another food for thought moment.  What is your opinion of women drinking wine while pregnant??
At the Xmas party on Saturday, a woman who is about 10 weeks was drinking wine.  It kind of threw me for a loopity loop.  I don't agree with it, but was curious as to what you thought!

Have a great day!  Xmas is 18 days away!!!!

Dear Juan,

Dear Juan Valdez,
As much as it pains me to do this, I need to break up with you!  You have been like air to me for so so so long.  You have carried me through grad school, early morning training clients, and I can forget a little spur of the moment "afternoon delight."

Your smell has always made me swoon, even to the point of walking down the coffee aisle in the grocery store and inhaling deeply at the fresh coffee grinder.  I loved the warm feeling you gave me when I was cold or needed to just comfort myself. 

You have been with me for so long, but it is time to say goodbye.  You see, the little "sweet pea" that is growing and developing so amazingly inside my belly does not like you very much.  "Sweet pea"  gets REAL queasy when I drink your rich roasted goodness.  REAL QUEASY!!  Today for instance, when I walked down the glorious coffee aisleto have a little rendevous with you, the smell of you repulsed me.  I can not take you any longer.  You make me sick!

So with a sad heart, I will say good-bye.  Hopefully, one day we will meet again when I don't feel like vomiting all over you. 
Yours forever,
Happy Mama to be

Updatey date date!

Hi there ladies!  I hope your Tuesday has started out great so far.

Bloodwork update: Well, I received a call from the RE nurse this morning to go over my levels.  According to LMP, we are 5 weeks and 5 days along.  That's unreal!
HCG levels-5,547
Progesterone-27.2 (she said they look for it to be at 20!)
She said both were really good numbers.  We had an appt for in the AM to get another round of bloodwork done, but she said since my numbers were so good that we could just schedule an ultrasound for wait for it...
NEXT WEDNESDAY!!! 
We will be about 6.5 weeks along and according to my Ph.D in google, it is possible to see a heartbeat.  The heartbeat isn't ALWAYS to be seen but there is a chance!  I will try not to get my hopes up.  haha yeah right!

Clint told his immediate boss yesterday, so he will be able to go to most if not all of the appt.  I am going to love him being there with me each time to experience things for the first time together.

Symptom update:  Still exhausted.  I went to sleep on the couch about 8ish last night and after Clint tried to wake me multiple times so we could go get in bed, I slept until 6am.  I could take a nap right now.
I had my first smell thing this morning with a guy who comes into the gym and has this normal mildewy sweat smell.  This morning, I could smell him all the way up to my desk and it made my stomach churn.
I will take all the symptoms in the world!  It is so worth it!!!

MIL update: She decided with our new news and all she doesn't want to intrude on us.  She is probably going to store some stuff in our garage, but she is more than likely getting an apt. with her boyfriend!  We are just glad she is getting out of the situation that she is living in now. 

Have a great day!!!