Progress Pics!

They are starting to get more and more profound I think. I feel like I look big this week, but I don't feel big at all.  Angles of pictures are important I guess.  You can also say that I do LOVE me some sweatpants!  Have a great Saturday. We are going to go play in the snow!  We get maybe .5 in a year here in Nashville and yesterday we got about 3-4 in.  Middle Tennessee has SHUT DOWN!!  Hahaha

14 weeks update!

Hey lovies!!!  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for Isaac and Eli.  Please continue to think about them and C and B because the worries are quite over yet.  But on to Baby F and Mama F updates!

How far along?14 wonderful weeks


How big is baby?  Crown to rump length is 3.2 to 4.5 inches long and he/she weighs approximately 1 ounce now.  Baby F is about the size of a Lemon.

What is baby doing this week? Baby F is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth. He or she is such a little wiggle worm right now.  I will be able to feel that wiggle in a few weeks.
What is mama doing? I had a stomach virus this week and didn't have my best week yet.

Symptoms: Besides the stomach virus symptoms, I am really not sure if or when I had any pregnancy symptoms. It is a mystery.


Total weight gain: The stomach virus set me back about 3lbs, but since I got my appetite back yesterday I am trying to get those back slowly but surely.


Maternity clothes: I wore my first pair of maternity jeans this past Sunday night and it was GLORIOUS.  I was so comfortable.  It was like putting on magical pants that put me into the pregnant club.
Sleep: Pretty good sleep, except for the night I was in the bathroom most of the night and the times I have woken up in my own sweat! (sorry that is gross!)


Best moment last week: Being told I was glowing (although I think that was my foundation makeup) and wearing maternity jeans!


Movement: Not yet, but he/she is just a wiggling in my tummy.


Food cravings: None this week because of my sickness.  NO APPETITE.
Belly Button in or out: Still in!


What I miss: I missed eating this week, but I will make up for it.

What I am looking forward to: Our appt Thursday!!!  I love getting to hear or see Baby F.


Milestones: We are definately in 2nd tri!!

How is daddy? Right now daddy is in bed with the stomach virus that I tried not to give him.  Otherwise this week he has been wonderful, getting me things I need and starting painting the kitchen that we are finally redecorating.

Have a great weekend!!!

Update on Isaac and Eli

Here is part of the email that C sent to us last night after their doctor visits!!

Here is what we learned today: We had two appointments, the first was a fetal echocardiogram in which a doctor basically just looked very closely at Eli’s heart through ultrasound. (Isaac’s heart was looked at as well, and found to be just fine, as expected.) The cardiologist said that Eli’s heart looks good- it has all the parts it’s suppose to, and functions properly. The only problem is that just like any other muscle that gets a lot of work – it gets thicker. His heart is thickening because it is working so hard. He said that this is something that would probably cause Eli to be very sick after birth for a while, but would eventually work itself out back to normal, if he were to survive. (Just like any other muscle that you quit working out, eventually it gets smaller again…)







The two conditions that Eli has are IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) and AEDF (Absent End Diastolic Flow). The IUGR (small size) is because of the AEDF (resistance of blood flow to placenta). They told us that the AEDF was still present but hasn’t gotten worse. The doctor’s seemed to be encouraged by this.




Eli’s weight, however, is still not where it needs to be for him to have much of a chance of survival if he were born now. The doctor did not feel delivering now was a good option, just because both babies would be at such risk for not surviving (mainly Eli), and both at risk for possibly having severe long term complications. Eli has grown in the past two weeks but he remains in the 4% for his gestational age. His weight today was 436 grams- 500 grams is still sort of a goal- but even that weight is still putting him at a pretty large risk. At the rate he has been growing he probably won’t be at 500 grams for another 2 weeks.

 So the plan for now from here is that they are going to monitor B and the babies once a week. We have another appointment Monday, February 1st, so that the doctors can check the status of the AEDF and Eli’s weight. We don’t expect him to be at 500 grams by Monday, so this appointment will probably be strictly monitoring. We will go again a week after that and check weight and status of the AEDF again. Once Eli gets to 500 grams, we could possibly choose to take both boys from the womb then, but as long as the AEDF isn’t worsening, and Eli’s heart isn’t dangerously thickening and he isn’t collecting fluid on his heart or other areas of his body (which is a concern), the doctors want to try to keep them in the womb as long as possible. There is still the chance that Eli’s heart could stop working at any point through all of this.

Thank you ladies for your thoughts and prayers.  They are still needed of course, but as of now things are ok!  Have a great day!!

Thoughts and prayers!

Hey ladies!  Well, it looks like the start of a new week.  YUCK! 

I have a favor to ask.  A couple that Clint and I are great friends with are 26 weeks pregnant with twin boys, Isaac and Eli.  Eli has almost since conception has been a few weeks smaller than Isaac and it has been because his poor little heart is working double time to get his nutrients and everything he needs. 

Here is an excerpt from the email they sent us:
The problem is with the placenta that is feeding him. We are little fuzzy on all the details, but basically there is some type of resistance with his placenta/umbilical cord that is causing his heart to have to work much harder than it should be. (It's equivalent to an adult having high blood pressure, basically.) This probably also has something to do with why he's so small, and has been small all along. (He's in the 4th percentile for weight.) So since his heart just has to work so hard, there's a chance it could just stop working.



Today (Tuesday) they gave me a steroid shot, and I'll go back tomorrow for another one. Then we will wait two weeks, to see if Eli has grown. He's 350 or 360 something grams right now, and he would have to be 500+ grams for the doctors to even consider taking him, and Isaac, from the womb early. The steroid shot is to help develop each of their lungs, should we be facing the decision to deliver them in two weeks. They would do this (take them early) so that Eli's heart wouldn't have to work so hard anymore. But then there are all the risks involved with delivering 26 1/2 week old babies. They did tell us, too, that there's a chance that he won't even be alive when we go back for another ultrasound in two weeks.

Tomorrow, is the day they go back to the doctor to see if they will be taking the boys, if they have made it this far, or many other options.  They are very nervous and anxious about it as any parents will be.

What I am asking is if you could pray or think good thoughts or whatever it is you do when someone you know is going through a hard time, for B and C(the parents) and Isaac and Eli.

I know they will appreciate any good vibes you could shoot! 

Thanks ladies!  Have a great rest of the Monday.

2nd trimester....music to my ears

Hey you hot ladies!  I hope your week has been full of good things.  Even though, we are out of the miscarriage woods (well, being only 1%), I still get a little nervous.  My mom had a miscarriage at 13 weeks and there is that little Naggy Nadine in the back of my head.  I am choosing to ignore her! 

We are so excited to be in the 2nd trimester.  It starts a whole new process.  Let me enlighten you.  (It is as much as of an enlightening for me and Clint too.)

How far along: 13 weeks!!!!




How big is baby? Baby F is he size of a gas cap.  About 3 inches long and 3/4 of an ounce.

What is baby doing this week? Baby F's liver will start producing insulin and his/her intestines are also moving further into the body.  His/her eyelids have formed and are fused together, but arms and legs move and twitch.  He/she can suck her thumb, too!!  That's so amazing.



What is mama doing? According to Pregnancy weekly, "aside from your growing belly you may start noticing bumps forming on your breasts. These bumps are glands that help the breasts grow and develop during pregnancy. You may also find that your libido and energy start returning at roughly 13 weeks pregnant. Most women consider the second trimester the honeymoon phase of their pregnancy."  HECK YEAH!!!!!  Although we haven't had problems with that, bring on more of my libido!

Symptoms: Nausea is pretty much non existant! YES!!!  My belly is starting to not just be bloat, but an actual pregnanct looking belly and not just chubby.  My boobs are less sore unless Clint decides to check and pushes to hard.  My cravings haven't been there either.  My healthy Courtney side has come back to town and I am eating better, but when asked what I want to eat I have NO IDEA!!!  Strange!

Total weight gain: My scale at home says I am up 6lbs since my 6 week visit. Still in the healthy range.  I'm not complaining about the glorious mama weight I am gaining!!

Maternity clothes: My friends have given me a lot of their maternity clothes, but I haven't quite grown into them yet.  Give me a few weeks!  I have bought a few small/medium shirts that fit comfortably that I can wear for a while.


Stretch marks: I'll retire this question until I actually get some.  Oh jeez I hope I don't ever have to put this question back on here!


Sleep: Some good hard sleeps and some not so great.


Best moment last week: Trying on maternity pants.  Even though they were too big, just that I was able to be able to be in the club!


Movement: No but I am counting down the days until it could happen!


Food cravings: Like I said above, not much.  Salads could possibly be up there right now.  Oh and oatmeal!  How could I forget thee.


Belly Button in or out: Still in!


What I miss: I am loving it all, except today when I saw people at the gym working hard and sweating and thought I am getting after it when I am able to.  I miss pushing myself working out!  I will be able to around August or September.  Until then, I am enjoying building Baby F.



What I am looking forward to: Our next appt.  February 4th!


Milestones: We made it to 2nd tri!!!


How is daddy? He is nesting I think.  We are redoing our living room floor and he has been at it hardcore the last two days.  As soon as he finishes that we will tackle the kitchen and repaint it.  That was my nesting idea!

Have a great Friday ladies!!!

For your enjoyment! (Maybe)

Without further ado, here are our weekly pictures up until this past Saturday.  We will continue to take the progression pictures each week until delivery. I think this is an amazing thing to look back on and see how Baby F is changing my bofy each week.

7 week bloat!

A liitle more bloat!

Yet another week of bloat! Sheesh!

Less bloat!

Is that bloat or bump?!

I think we have a bump emerging!

Have a great Tuesday!

Birth-weekend

Monday Monday!  I hope y'all are having a good one.  I know some are off for Martin Luther King Day and some, like me, are not.  Holidays are prime days for people to come in and join gyms because it is their day off!  So, I am here.

I had the BEST weekend! 

My actual birthday was yesterday, but we started celebrating on Friday night at my parents's house with the family.  I requested chili and Lemon bundt cake.  I had been looking forward to it all week and it was amazing!  I had already had a day pass to the emotional rollercoaster on Friday and that night didn't change.  I started crying over the cards and the fact that none of my grandparents were able to be there.  (They have all passed.)  It was funny how I was such a crybaby and my sis said "You can cry if you want to!"(talking about the song)

Saturday morning was my day to pick whatever.
-Breakfast at this little old country restaurant where I ate like a lumberjack.
-We got back in bed. (I took a 2 hour nap!)
-Went shopping and got some great loot with some birthday money.
-Home Depot for paint so we can redo our kitchen.  I love Clint for being so OK with me wanting to start nesting!
-OLIVE GARDEN.  All I need to say is SALAD!!!!  HOLY YUM!

Sunday
-Church
-Lunch out with my husband.
-Home Depot-we bought new flooring for our living room.  We are taking out the carpet.  I think Mr. Clint might be nesting.  (don't tell him that!)
-The mall to walk around and got a few more things for myself.
-McDonalds for soft serve kiddie cone.
-Home to relax and do nothing.

It was the perfect weekend for a birthday!  I have always loved my birthday and my family has always tried to make it special, but when Clint came into my life he bumped up the special ante.  He ALWAYS makes it the best day weekend for me. 

The only thing that could've been better was the fact that I have been getting on and off headaches for the past week, but Saturday night started a whammo of one!  It slacked off a little this morning, so I called my nurse and she got back to me and said that it could be sinus issues. I told her I have never had sinus issues and she said that pregnancy does crazy things to your body.  (umm yes it does)  She told me to take Tylenol Sinus and if needed Benadryl at night.  If that doesn't work she said that I am at the stage that my Progesterone levels start coming down and that could give me headaches.  Wonderful.

I ran out and bought Tylenol Sinus and we will see if that is the miracle drug. 

I hope everyone has a great rest of the day!!!

An end to the 1st trimester!

Hey sistas!!  I have been reading how everyone's weeks have been going.  There is a lot of roler coastering going on in blog-o-land!  I want all of my bloggy friends to know that I am thinking and praying for each of your situations, no matter good or bad.

12 weeker!!!
How far along: Like I said last week, not exactly sure, but according to our charts we are 12 weeks today!!

How big is baby? Baby F is the size of a Plum!

Average size: 2.1 inches, .49 oz.

What is baby doing this week?Our baby has its reflexes and also practice movements in the digestive tract.  He/she will also grow about an inch this week! Holy growth spurt!

What is mama doing? EATING!  I have to help the huge growth this week!
Symptoms: Nausea is ONLY when I get hungry.  YAY!!  I have been sleeping a lot at night again.  This baby building wears a mama out!  I have started having multiple daily headaches which seem to be another symptom that you pick up the further you get.  I don't take anything. ( I have a list of OK things to take, but I choose not to!)

Total weight gain: I am thinking still about 5 ish pounds.  I am starting to get more belly though. We have been taking weekly pics on Saturday's so Clint can be there and take them.  We will probably start putting those on the blog each week.


Maternity clothes: Starting getting hand me downs from recently pregnant friends.  They are too big now, but will come in handy!   I love free stuff.  Clint and I are going shopping this weekend for new undies and sports bras(I am blessed to get to wear them at the gym everyday! Plus my bubbies feel so much better at night if I wear some support.  Otherwise, it is like my nipples could start a fire.


Stretch marks: No thank you!


Sleep: Sleeping like a log at night.  Unless I have to pee which is almost a definate.

Best moment last week: Clint said "aw you are getting a little bump!"  I love it!


Movement: No but I CAN NOT WAIT!!


Food cravings: About the same, except my healthy Court is rearing her head again.  I am craving salads and apples, and cheese.  Bring on the healthy foods.  Although, I am still doing a smidge of carb indulging!


Belly Button in or out: Still in!

What I miss: Still enjoying it all!


What I am looking forward to: 2nd trimester next week and skipping down the maternity aisles!!!


Milestones: 2nd trimester is so close!


How is daddy? He is all about learning what is going on with the baby's growth.  He is my own Mr. Google.

My National Holiday is Sunday and I AM SO EXCITED!!!  I will blog ALL about it!!!  Have a great rest of your Thursday!

11 weeks and doc appt

Hidey ho girlies!  I hope y'all have had a great week so far.  Tomorrow is Friday!!!  If you read my last post you know it has been a crazy couple of days. We have had 6 big fans and 5 dehumidifers going the past two days constantly and it is so loud you can barely hear the phone ring or THINK!  They are coming to get the drying equipment tomorrow so that is a blessing for my ears.

We went to our second OB/gyn appt today and met our actual doctor for the first time!  We loved her.  She actually delivered our RE's last child.  You can't go wrong with that then.  She has a lot of experience and is very personable.  Se got the doplar out for us to hear the heartbeat.  She put it on my belly and not 10 seconds later we heard the beating heart of our baby F.  I started to giggle because it is an amazing sound and a reassuring feeling.  My giggle messed up the sound a second and the doctor laughed at me.  I couldn't help it.  She said, I found it really quick and its a good strong beat!  YAY!  We did a pap-smear.  It was Clint's first time to witness that!  Walking out he said "what a great day for a pap."  SO goofy. 

Dr. told me to schedule for 4 weeks and asked if we wanted to do the genetic testing.  She layed out all of the scenarios and left the decision up to us.  We asked the chances of them being accurate and why people get them.  We came to the decision (I don't want to sway anyone's decision on this.  It is definately a personal and couple choice!)  that we ARE NOT going to get the testing.  We don't want to find out there is a genetic disorder with our baby and be worried, anxious, and stressed about the outcome when we have no way to change it.  We want to enjoy this pregnancy each and every day and IF God has us have a baby that has harder tasks in life, it won't change the love and care we would give to that child.  We will cross that ROAD if/when we get there.

So without further adoo.  Week 11 update!

How far along: According the doctor, I am in between 11 and 12.  I guess we will find out for sure next appt.



How big is baby? Baby F is the size of a LIME this week . 1.6 inches, .25 oz



Symptoms: I have been feeling better actually.  No yacks and only nausea when its about time to eat.  SORE TATAS FOR SURE!!!  They have gotten bigger which is amazing going from a SIZE NIPPLE to an actual size makes me feel all womanly.


Total weight gain: I was scared about this one but I have gained a total of 5 pounds.  Doc is completely ok with this!  Whew Relief!



Maternity clothes: No actual maternity clothes but I wear my belly band like a CHAMP!



Stretch marks: No, but I have been lotioning like a fiend.  I know they say that it is genetic and you get stretch marks for lots of reasons, but I AM NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES!!



Sleep: Still a mix of sleepless and sleeping hard!


Best moment last week:



Movement: Not to that stage yet!



Food cravings: I have had spaghetti and garlic bread 3 nights in a row!  I can't help it.  I am digging the Jimmy Dean D'lights sandwiches!!  It's like McDonalds without the real fattening aspects. I just started eating oatmeal again and I eat that about twice daily.  Crazy things your body wants!



Belly Button in or out: Still in!


What I miss: Nothing!!!


What I am looking forward to: NO MORE BLOAT!!!(same as last week) and 2nd trimester. 


Milestones: Almost to 2nd trimester!

How is daddy? He is so helpful and supportive!  Loving the bod!  I don't quite understand, but I'm not complaining if you know what I mean (wink wink!)

I needed a boat yesterday!

Hi ladies.  Story time.
Yesterday, started out like any typical day at the gym.  I had a client at 8am, picked up the gym a bit, and then me and Baby F did our daily exercise.  All was normal until about 2pm.

A member was on the Arc Trainer and I was reading a book.  All of a sudden we heard this woooooshhh noise and water started coming out of the sprinker room (holds all of the pipes and things for us and the businesses beside us).  I run back there to see water RUSHING out from under the door.  I try to open the door to see what's going on and got soaking wet because it is like a fire hydrant is going off in the closet.  I then run frantically to get the phone and somehow think to call the water dept.  The lady tells me that I need to call a plumber.  WHAT???  Water is rushing out onto our carpet at a highly fast rate.  I hang up and call the owner of the gym and he calls the Property manager.  Now, the water is STILL RUSHING OUT!!!  The member and I are running around unplugging things and moving what we can that could be water damaged.  The water dept lady calls me back and asks "do you want us to come turn the water off?"  UMMMM  YESSSS!!!!!  Why else would I call the WATER DEPT.????  The owner calls back and says the "property manager is sending out a cleaning crew and plumber. 

Water still going!

 The water guys finally get there (its been about 10 excruciating long minutes) and there are 4 of them trying to shut the water off.  From where I was sitting, it didn't look like they were doing much thna scratching there heads while the water is still rushing out!

They geniuses finally got the water stopped but the damage had been done.  Our gym from front to back is about maybe 30 feet and the water was all the way to the front doors about and 1inch deep.  I called the owner telling him the water was contained and I guess he thought it was some minor pipe.  I said, "Jay you wouldn't believe how much water there is unless you were here."  He was working at our other gym across town so he sent his wife and co-owner to assess the damage.  She walks in and immediately rolls up her pants.  It is that bad.  The owners of the cleaning crew got there to tell us what was going to happen and how long the process would take and that water had seeped under the wall into the Physical therapy place next door.  They would clean their business first and then start on ours.  The entire drying of the building will take 3-4 days.  We had to shut the gym down while they started the cleaning.  Jacquie told me to go home since there was nothing more I could do.  Heck yeah!  Going home early, but I would have chose a different reason!

I am going in to the gym at the normal time this morning and we will see what we can do about letting people back in.

I am so glad I was there when it happened.  If I hadn't been, it would have destroyed more than a couple of businesses. 

Needless to say it was a touch stressful and I got my heartrate up more during that 15 minute crazy adventure than I did 30 minutes on the treadmill.

The END! Thankfully.

Happy New Year!

Welcome, 2010!!!  2009 was full of ups and downs, trials and blessings.  Clint and I survived and are stronger people for it.  We ended our year with just the two of us.  We went to Olive Garden and had a fabulous meal and then headed to Target and bought a few things.  It was the perfect date night.  Although, I didn't quite make it until midnight, Clint did wake me up to being in the New Year.  A perfect start to 2010.

This year is going to be full of firsts for us and I am excited and scared at all of the new things that we will endure in our marriage and becoming parents.  AHHHH  PARENTS!!!  I can't believe it!!

We hit the double digit mark yesterday and are now at 10 weeks.  Here is our weekly update!!

How far along: 10 weeks 1 day



How big is baby? Baby F is the size of a prune this week .  1.2inches and .14oz

Symptoms: Nausea is still there.  The only relief I get is when I eat.  I am going to be a Big mama!!

Total weight gain: Not sure for fear of the above answer.  Go to the doc next week, so we shall see.


Maternity clothes: No real maternity pants yet, but I did get a Bella Band for Christmas and it is AMAZING. 

Stretch marks: No siree.

Sleep: I have nights where I toss and turn and nights where I don't even move or wake up.  Its a good mix right now.

Best moment last week: Hitting double digit weeks!

Movement: Nada.

Food cravings: My horizons are broadening, BUT I am starting to crave greasy foods.  GASP I know.  For this health nut it is cravy to even think about pizza 4 days a week, but alas I am.  Am I caving for the craving?  No not really because I still have control of what I eat, regardless if I want it or not, and don't want to be the size of Ellie from the ICE AGE movies.

Belly Button in or out: In!  I did take out my belly button ring and m belly looks NAKED!!


What I miss: Still loving it ALL!!!


What I am looking forward to: NO MORE BLOAT!!!

Milestones: Busy busy few weeks for Baby F.  (That makes me very hungry as he/she is growing big and strong!

How is daddy?  He is loving the new size of my every growing ever SORE chest!!!  He has been telling me how great I look!  Although, I don't feel like it, I know that he believes it and it puts a little pep in my step.


HAVE A GREAT FIRST DAY OF 2010!!!!