Wow, we are closing out the year tonight and I haven't written since just after Michaya was born. I can't believe how time has flown by since her arrival. There is no way I could have imagined how wonderful life would be with her in it...just like my dad said. She is the most precious soul on earth to both me and her dad. We met her only four months but I cannot even think of life without her now. I love my husband and I love my family but I believe I can say my life lacked true meaning until she arrived even though I didn't realize it at the time. What an angel she is to the both of us.
Every morning when I wake up, I have the pleasure of turning to look at her as she sits patiently for me to wake up and greet her. When I do, she looks at me with her big beautiful eyes and gives me a huge smile...and it never fails. She is such a happy baby and just melts my heart. She lights up when her daddy comes through the door each evening and smiles from ear to ear with a little twinkle in her eye. She loves people too which is so nice to see. I love that she is happy and hope she always will be. We are so incredibly blessed.
We just returned from Christmas in Cincinnati with Opa, Nonna, Uncle Kilian and Aunt Tessa. Michaya's first Christmas has been a joy so far and we can't wait to see her with everyone else (my family) tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Baby Michaya Concettina has arrived!
After nearly 3 years, we finally have the sweetest angel in our family. Michaya Concettina Eckert arrived at 6:40pm on August 27th. She weighed 8 lbs 7 oz. and was almost 20 inches long. She is the most perfect little girl and we are so blessed and truly ecstatic that she is here and in good health.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
August 27th
Well, quite a bit has transpired over the last couple of weeks. I went into my 37 wk appt to find that I had progressed only a little since the week prior and I was pretty disappointed. While the doctor was checking things out, she decided to stretch my cervix and strip my membranes....painful. That night and the following night were really quite painful and I was almost certain I was going to have wake Derek up to take me into the hospital but nothing was progressing enough to make a drastic move like that. I went last week for my 38 wk appt and would have bet lots of money I had made tons of progress only to find that I had not dilated anymore from the previous week....major disappointment considering the pain I had felt all week. So, the doctor offered to try and stretch my cervix 2cm which would get me to 4cm. She felt like it would be possible to do and at that point, the pressure from the baby would cause my water to break and I would go into labor. I seriously considered it but decided to decline and discuss being induced. We are confirmed to be induced on Wed., August 27th and have to arrive at the hospital at 6:45am sharp. I am anxious and nervous. I can't wait to see the baby! I am very nervous and of all things, I am nervous about getting an IV. I am such a sissy so this should be interesting to say the least. Today is Sunday evening and its hard to imagine that on Wed evening (or so I hope its no later than Wed evening) we will be able to hold in our arms our little sweet baby!!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
I lost my ankles this weekend...among other things
The weekend was nice but it is now Tuesday and I lost my ankles on Friday and still can't find them. My feet have been swollen for several days now and I am not certain what to do about it.
Thank heavens I go see the doctor tomorrow! I have on the biggest shoes I own and my feet are still getting sausage lines around them when I remove my shoes. Very unattractive but I am more concerned about health issues than appearances at this point in time. We'll see tomorrow.
On to other lost items. I lost my mucous plug on Saturday...or I should say started losing it on Saturday. I won't go into explicit detail since it was kind of unpleasant but I did start to panic a bit. Linda's birthday was Saturday and we were all set and ready to walk out the door when I went to use the restroom one last time prior to our 45 min drive to Dad's house. It was then that I got a quick lesson in yet another lovely pregnancy fact. Sometimes after you begin to dilate, you lose your mucous plug! It took all day Saturday and most of the day on Sunday to completely come out but it is gone now so no more lovely, soothing baths. Oh well, means I am one step closer. Thank heavens.
On Sunday, Aunt Shirley and Sherry hosted a baby shower for me. We had a very nice time and I finally got a Longhorn onesie! I was beginning to worry that come game day I would have to run out to get one for the baby or worse yet, cut up one of mine to make it fit the baby instead. ;)
Thanks to Linda though, we are all set! Yeah!! I got lots of diapers and baby wipes which were on my "stress about" list, a list that is getting shorter every day. Now I really need to concentrate on putting together my hospital bag, just in case.
I feel worse and worse each passing day but I am hoping that's a good sign. I am hoping the doctor has great progress to report tomorrow when I go in for my 37 week appt. I must say, I will very likely be quite disappointed if I go in and she says little to no progress has been made since last week despite the cramps and sharp pains and ligament issues etc. I have had.
Will update soon.
Thank heavens I go see the doctor tomorrow! I have on the biggest shoes I own and my feet are still getting sausage lines around them when I remove my shoes. Very unattractive but I am more concerned about health issues than appearances at this point in time. We'll see tomorrow.
On to other lost items. I lost my mucous plug on Saturday...or I should say started losing it on Saturday. I won't go into explicit detail since it was kind of unpleasant but I did start to panic a bit. Linda's birthday was Saturday and we were all set and ready to walk out the door when I went to use the restroom one last time prior to our 45 min drive to Dad's house. It was then that I got a quick lesson in yet another lovely pregnancy fact. Sometimes after you begin to dilate, you lose your mucous plug! It took all day Saturday and most of the day on Sunday to completely come out but it is gone now so no more lovely, soothing baths. Oh well, means I am one step closer. Thank heavens.
On Sunday, Aunt Shirley and Sherry hosted a baby shower for me. We had a very nice time and I finally got a Longhorn onesie! I was beginning to worry that come game day I would have to run out to get one for the baby or worse yet, cut up one of mine to make it fit the baby instead. ;)
Thanks to Linda though, we are all set! Yeah!! I got lots of diapers and baby wipes which were on my "stress about" list, a list that is getting shorter every day. Now I really need to concentrate on putting together my hospital bag, just in case.
I feel worse and worse each passing day but I am hoping that's a good sign. I am hoping the doctor has great progress to report tomorrow when I go in for my 37 week appt. I must say, I will very likely be quite disappointed if I go in and she says little to no progress has been made since last week despite the cramps and sharp pains and ligament issues etc. I have had.
Will update soon.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Big, big baby!
Hi,
First of all, my dear friend Jenn hosted our 2nd baby shower for us last weekend and we had a great time! I finally got diapers and a diaper bag which I was really worried about for some reason. We also got to make our own onesies with a plain white onesie, paint and stencils...they are all so cute!!
Now, onto today's doctor's visit. 36 wks as of this week and 27 days to go. They did a sonogram which allowed me to see the baby for the first time in about 12 weeks or so. The baby is so tightly squeezed in there it was difficult to see things clearly but I did see the baby moving his/her mouth as if chewing on something. I also kinda saw the face though not very clearly.
The big news of the day is they determined the weight of the baby..........BIG!
With about 4 weeks left the baby is weighing in at 6lbs 10ozs. When the doctor entered the room, she said "wow, that's a big baby!" Good heavens, that is a big baby. She started talking to me about the fact that babies usually gain an ounce a day or half a pound a week which means, if that holds true that the baby will be about 81/2lbs at birth or more. Yikes! She asked me if I would be interested in being induced perhaps the week prior. Because I am so tired and it hurts even when I turn over in bed, I smiled and started to agree. I remembered though that I had heard being induced makes for much more difficult labor so I stopped in my tracks and asked if there was any truth to that. She said they would not even consider inducing me if my cervix was not ready for it and that its situations where your water breaks but you've not started effacing or dilating that make the induction more painful and difficult. She wasn't going to check my cervix today but I insisted, if for nothing else, out of curiosity. She was very surprised to find that my cervix is "very soft", 70% effaced and 11/2 centimeters dilated. She said that is was unlikely we would need to have the conversation about induction based on those stats. She doesn't think I will make it that long. I have another appt this coming Wed and I really hope progress continues. I would really prefer to not be induced and let nature take its course. Crossing my fingers that will be the case.
Getting anxious and excited! I have another baby shower this Sunday at Aunt Shirley's house. Can't wait to get everything in final order for the arrival of the baby! :)
First of all, my dear friend Jenn hosted our 2nd baby shower for us last weekend and we had a great time! I finally got diapers and a diaper bag which I was really worried about for some reason. We also got to make our own onesies with a plain white onesie, paint and stencils...they are all so cute!!
Now, onto today's doctor's visit. 36 wks as of this week and 27 days to go. They did a sonogram which allowed me to see the baby for the first time in about 12 weeks or so. The baby is so tightly squeezed in there it was difficult to see things clearly but I did see the baby moving his/her mouth as if chewing on something. I also kinda saw the face though not very clearly.
The big news of the day is they determined the weight of the baby..........BIG!
With about 4 weeks left the baby is weighing in at 6lbs 10ozs. When the doctor entered the room, she said "wow, that's a big baby!" Good heavens, that is a big baby. She started talking to me about the fact that babies usually gain an ounce a day or half a pound a week which means, if that holds true that the baby will be about 81/2lbs at birth or more. Yikes! She asked me if I would be interested in being induced perhaps the week prior. Because I am so tired and it hurts even when I turn over in bed, I smiled and started to agree. I remembered though that I had heard being induced makes for much more difficult labor so I stopped in my tracks and asked if there was any truth to that. She said they would not even consider inducing me if my cervix was not ready for it and that its situations where your water breaks but you've not started effacing or dilating that make the induction more painful and difficult. She wasn't going to check my cervix today but I insisted, if for nothing else, out of curiosity. She was very surprised to find that my cervix is "very soft", 70% effaced and 11/2 centimeters dilated. She said that is was unlikely we would need to have the conversation about induction based on those stats. She doesn't think I will make it that long. I have another appt this coming Wed and I really hope progress continues. I would really prefer to not be induced and let nature take its course. Crossing my fingers that will be the case.
Getting anxious and excited! I have another baby shower this Sunday at Aunt Shirley's house. Can't wait to get everything in final order for the arrival of the baby! :)
Friday, July 25, 2008
40 days and counting!
If the baby decides to keep with the doctors plan and come on Sept. 3rd, we have exactly 40 days left until we meet the baby.
The baby needs a few more weeks and we still have several things left to do in preparation for his/her arrival but I am physically ready. Just over a week ago I started having this pretty bad pain in the joints that connect my legs to my hips. Every time I stand up and try to walk I am reminded that my body still has some preparation of its own to go through before the baby arrives. My hips are widening and the pain is somewhat significant and makes me feel like I am about 80 years old. I also cannot recall what good sleep is like. I haven't slept well for about a month and a half now. I wake up just about every hour (sometimes less) to use the restroom and the times that I am not awakened by the urge to use the restroom, I am awakened by the stinging running through my arm from sleeping on one side too long! I sit and shake out my hand and arm and make the long and difficult turn from one side to the other until the next time I have to use the restroom again or the stinging returns. I believe that the baby is head down, feet in the ribs and has started to engage. Also about a week ago I noticed I could breath again and that I felt like walking was more difficult...the true waddle has arrived not that wanna be waddle I previously had. ;) Despite all this, every time I feel and/or see my belly move or a foot pressing my ribs, all I can do is smile. It is so hard to imagine that this little baby will be with us very soon! I can't wait until then!
The baby needs a few more weeks and we still have several things left to do in preparation for his/her arrival but I am physically ready. Just over a week ago I started having this pretty bad pain in the joints that connect my legs to my hips. Every time I stand up and try to walk I am reminded that my body still has some preparation of its own to go through before the baby arrives. My hips are widening and the pain is somewhat significant and makes me feel like I am about 80 years old. I also cannot recall what good sleep is like. I haven't slept well for about a month and a half now. I wake up just about every hour (sometimes less) to use the restroom and the times that I am not awakened by the urge to use the restroom, I am awakened by the stinging running through my arm from sleeping on one side too long! I sit and shake out my hand and arm and make the long and difficult turn from one side to the other until the next time I have to use the restroom again or the stinging returns. I believe that the baby is head down, feet in the ribs and has started to engage. Also about a week ago I noticed I could breath again and that I felt like walking was more difficult...the true waddle has arrived not that wanna be waddle I previously had. ;) Despite all this, every time I feel and/or see my belly move or a foot pressing my ribs, all I can do is smile. It is so hard to imagine that this little baby will be with us very soon! I can't wait until then!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
First baby shower was a huge sucess!
Well, I am back and in one piece. :)
The shower was wonderful! It really goes without saying that the food was simply delicious and of course there was waaaay too much of it but it was so nice. Tina worked so hard to make this a special occasion and it was just that, very special. I received so many nice things from the shower that I couldn't even begin to make note of all of them. Some of my favorites were the crocheted set from Tina, the littlest Cincy Red's outfit, a teddy bear that sounds like the womb to sooth the baby and the Fisherprice rainforest sights and sounds you put in the crib. I have already washed and folded all the clothes, towels, blankets and bibs and we put together the changing table so everything can be put away and made ready for the babies arrival. The room is starting to look like all its missing is the baby. I sat in the room last evening with the lights turned out and the rainforest lullaby playing with the lights moving and just looked around the room wondering what the sweet little baby will think of everything. It is so hard for me to imagine but in a matter of weeks, there will be a little tiny baby sleeping in the crib that now holds items for which I can't find the space to store right now. I am getting really excited and anxious. We don't have a single diaper in the house yet and for some reason that makes me nervous and makes me feel like there are still so many things left to do to prepare for babies arrival home. Luckily, with everyone's generosity from the shower, we will be able to buy plenty of diapers with all the gift cards we received! I will try to post some pics of the babies room and the first Baby Eckert shower soon. What a wonderful celebration we had thanks to Tina and Tessa!
The shower was wonderful! It really goes without saying that the food was simply delicious and of course there was waaaay too much of it but it was so nice. Tina worked so hard to make this a special occasion and it was just that, very special. I received so many nice things from the shower that I couldn't even begin to make note of all of them. Some of my favorites were the crocheted set from Tina, the littlest Cincy Red's outfit, a teddy bear that sounds like the womb to sooth the baby and the Fisherprice rainforest sights and sounds you put in the crib. I have already washed and folded all the clothes, towels, blankets and bibs and we put together the changing table so everything can be put away and made ready for the babies arrival. The room is starting to look like all its missing is the baby. I sat in the room last evening with the lights turned out and the rainforest lullaby playing with the lights moving and just looked around the room wondering what the sweet little baby will think of everything. It is so hard for me to imagine but in a matter of weeks, there will be a little tiny baby sleeping in the crib that now holds items for which I can't find the space to store right now. I am getting really excited and anxious. We don't have a single diaper in the house yet and for some reason that makes me nervous and makes me feel like there are still so many things left to do to prepare for babies arrival home. Luckily, with everyone's generosity from the shower, we will be able to buy plenty of diapers with all the gift cards we received! I will try to post some pics of the babies room and the first Baby Eckert shower soon. What a wonderful celebration we had thanks to Tina and Tessa!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
First baby shower coming up
Today officially marks 33 weeks. I leave tomorrow for Cincy for my first baby shower hosted by Tina and Tessa. I am not looking forward to the plane ride which is about 3.5 hrs from Austin to Detroit and then about an hour from Detroit to Cincy but I am excited to see everyone.
I go to the doctor here in about an hour for them to give the final clearance to board a plane so if you hear back from me tomorrow, that means the flight is a no go. Otherwise, I will check in with an update on stories from the trip when I get back.
I go to the doctor here in about an hour for them to give the final clearance to board a plane so if you hear back from me tomorrow, that means the flight is a no go. Otherwise, I will check in with an update on stories from the trip when I get back.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
9 Weeks left!
Well, just under 9 weeks and it will be time to meet the baby. I am going to the doctor every other week now but no sonograms! I am just dying to see what the baby looks like now after all those many weeks of having the chance to see the baby all the time. I have dreams just about every night about the baby. There not always dreams with the baby in them but dreams talking about the baby or any number of other things. Sleep doesn't last too long these days but when I do, my dreams are all about the baby. I am getting very excited!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
10 weeks and counting
Well, time flies is what they say. We have under 10 weeks to go before we get to see our sweet little baby. When other people ask how much time we have left, it always seems they look surprised. Some of them think 10 weeks is quite a while and others just look at me as if I am far too large to still have 10 weeks left! Either way, 10 weeks seems like it will come in the blink of an eye. I am anxious, nervous, impatient...the list can go on and on. I am anxious because I really am very curious to see what our little baby is going to look like. Will he or she have dark hair, what color eyes, you get the drift? On the other hand though, I am getting very nervous. I am nervous about the labor and delivery. I love it when I tell people I am nervous they just seem to sweep it under the run as if its silly to be nervous that a human that weighs in at about 7 lbs is going to come out of my body through such a small place (if all goes well and I don't need a csection). Drugs seem to be the best answer or advice from everyone. The problem is that I am deathly afraid of needles and can't imagine getting an epidural in my spine! Nightmares, that's what the whole thing causes me when I think of the epidural. Who knows, I may walk in begging for it but until then, I am quite nervous. I am also nervous that we will be bringing home a tiny little baby that will be completely dependent on us and on top of that, one that can't talk! I have had plenty of time over the last 7 and a half months to consider what I want to teach the baby and ways that I will spend my time with the baby but at the end of the day, I wonder how much of what I think will happen will really happen. Too many stories, I suppose, from everyone that already has a child or children. Everyone has a story to add and it is never without that famous line..."just wait and see". Anyhow, I know we will do the best we can but I am still nervous, it's in my nature. Hopefully, the baby will be more like his/her father and won't inherit my inability to not worry!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Vacation '08
Vacation '08 has come and gone already! Our vacation this year was up to Portland and Seattle where the weather was wonderful. Austin temperatures this year have been horrible....reaching 100 degrees in May and no sign of relief in sight. The trip was very nice and I needed the time away from work for sure. I would say this years trip was slightly more difficult for me though. I am not sure if it was the increase in physical activity or the elevation but my feet and legs were swollen almost the entire vacation. They were quite unsightly to say the least. I seemed to be less patient as well which has been the case for some time now. This was the first flight I took while pregnant as well and that was not exactly comfortable either. I will be taking another trip up to Cincinatti for my first baby shower during week 33 which is just right around the corner. I am excited about that trip for sure though I am not looking forward to the flights back and forth.
Kinda sad that its back to the real world now that vacation is over! Until next year.
Kinda sad that its back to the real world now that vacation is over! Until next year.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
A couple of weeks testing my nerves.
Ok, I am now 26 weeks pregnant! I just came from a doctor's appt where she informed me that everything looks great with me and the baby, what great news. We are getting ready to go on our family vacation in a couple of weeks and I will have to go back to see my doctor the day before we leave to do a glucose test and have the doctor check my cervix to ensure I haven't started dialating.
A couple of weeks ago, on a Sunday afternoon, I started feeling pretty bad. I had a horrible pain in my right, lower side. The pain started out a little concerning then progressively got worse throughout the day. Derek was planning to take one of his finals that day so I tried really hard to stay calm and wait it out to see if I would start feeling better. Around 5pm I tried to get out of the bed to use the restroom only to find I couldn't even sit up on my own the pain had gotten so bad. I thought I had appendicidous or a ruptured ovararian cyst of some sort. I had to call him in to help me and he told me that we should probably go somewhere to get it looked at if I was in that much pain. Long story short, we went to the emergency room and I was admitted to the hospital since I am more than 20 wks pregnant...common procudure for pregnant folk. After about 3 hours of monitoring the baby and making me wait for a doctor to show up, the told me that it was something called round ligament pain. I told Derek that there was no way in the world it could be pain from a stretching ligament due to a growing uterus! The pain was so bad I couldn't believe the diagnosis. I had packed my bags to stay for a few days at the hospital because I thought I was going to need surgery on something. Thank goodness the diagnosis was something so simple and non threatening to me or the baby. Several of the nurses commented on how cooprative our little sweet baby is. They said they had never seen such a good baby at nearly 25 weeks. The baby was easy to monitor which I guess they typically aren't at that gestational age. Hope the baby stays cooperative! :)
On a side note, shortly after recovering from the soreness of my expanding ligaments, Derek and I were alseep one night and out of nowhere....a knee, right in my stomach! Derek must have had a dream about something and kicked me right in the stomach pretty hard. It startled both of us and I wasn't able to go back to sleep for about an hour.
This is going to be one tough baby!!
A couple of weeks ago, on a Sunday afternoon, I started feeling pretty bad. I had a horrible pain in my right, lower side. The pain started out a little concerning then progressively got worse throughout the day. Derek was planning to take one of his finals that day so I tried really hard to stay calm and wait it out to see if I would start feeling better. Around 5pm I tried to get out of the bed to use the restroom only to find I couldn't even sit up on my own the pain had gotten so bad. I thought I had appendicidous or a ruptured ovararian cyst of some sort. I had to call him in to help me and he told me that we should probably go somewhere to get it looked at if I was in that much pain. Long story short, we went to the emergency room and I was admitted to the hospital since I am more than 20 wks pregnant...common procudure for pregnant folk. After about 3 hours of monitoring the baby and making me wait for a doctor to show up, the told me that it was something called round ligament pain. I told Derek that there was no way in the world it could be pain from a stretching ligament due to a growing uterus! The pain was so bad I couldn't believe the diagnosis. I had packed my bags to stay for a few days at the hospital because I thought I was going to need surgery on something. Thank goodness the diagnosis was something so simple and non threatening to me or the baby. Several of the nurses commented on how cooprative our little sweet baby is. They said they had never seen such a good baby at nearly 25 weeks. The baby was easy to monitor which I guess they typically aren't at that gestational age. Hope the baby stays cooperative! :)
On a side note, shortly after recovering from the soreness of my expanding ligaments, Derek and I were alseep one night and out of nowhere....a knee, right in my stomach! Derek must have had a dream about something and kicked me right in the stomach pretty hard. It startled both of us and I wasn't able to go back to sleep for about an hour.
This is going to be one tough baby!!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Week 24
Well, this week marks the start of month 6. I have been able to consistently feel the baby move now for the last 4 weeks. This, of course, keeps me sane while I am in between doctors appts. It has been 3 full weeks now since I have seen my baby and thank heavens I can feel him otherwise, I am certain I would be driving myself and Derek crazy. In addition to being able to feel the baby move better I can also now observe her many kicks by looking at my stomach. It is incredibly interesting to me and I could sit for hours and just feel and watch the baby move. I wonder what the baby looks like and what he's doing in there. I just love it!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Week 21
Hi All, I just got back from week 21 sonogram...very exciting! Doctor says my placenta has moved up another 3 mm and my cervix looks good. One more appt. and she is going to feel confident that the 2 issues should be just fine. I must admit, I will really miss seeing the baby every week. I will have to go 4 whole weeks without seeing the baby. Kinda makes me sad but if that means that all is well, that's the important thing.
So, now on to the fun stuff. Last week I had the male sonographer and he had no interest in seeing anything but the cervix and placenta, boring! This week, I saw Linda again...thank heavens! She always checks the heartbeat and explores to make sure all looks well with the baby. She did a 3D scan today which is somewhat odd. She said it looks funny because the baby is still pretty skinny at this point in time. It was really neat though. The baby now has a sense of touch and books I have read say they begin investigating things on their bodies at this time. This must be true because during the entire 3D scan, he (or she) was touching his face and rubbing his eyes. I got to see him swallowing again which is really neat too. Cutest thing though was when he decides to investigate his foot. He raised his entire leg up and put his toes on his nose right while we were watching! I loved it!!! I have a great picture of it as well.
Everything looks great with the baby and things appear to be looking better for me as well. I am going to have a smile on my face all day and likely all weekend after seeing how cute our baby is.
What a miracle!
So, now on to the fun stuff. Last week I had the male sonographer and he had no interest in seeing anything but the cervix and placenta, boring! This week, I saw Linda again...thank heavens! She always checks the heartbeat and explores to make sure all looks well with the baby. She did a 3D scan today which is somewhat odd. She said it looks funny because the baby is still pretty skinny at this point in time. It was really neat though. The baby now has a sense of touch and books I have read say they begin investigating things on their bodies at this time. This must be true because during the entire 3D scan, he (or she) was touching his face and rubbing his eyes. I got to see him swallowing again which is really neat too. Cutest thing though was when he decides to investigate his foot. He raised his entire leg up and put his toes on his nose right while we were watching! I loved it!!! I have a great picture of it as well.
Everything looks great with the baby and things appear to be looking better for me as well. I am going to have a smile on my face all day and likely all weekend after seeing how cute our baby is.
What a miracle!
Friday, April 18, 2008
A sweet poem I found
I am not alone
Running errands and talking on the phone,
I am pleasantly reminded that I am not alone.
Little tiny hands, a precious rounded knee,
pushing and twisting that no one can see.
Oh sweet child kicking up your heels,
it is our little secret that only I can feel.
I look forward to your birth,
when I can kiss your skin,
but for now I will just smile,
as I feel you play within.
Running errands and talking on the phone,
I am pleasantly reminded that I am not alone.
Little tiny hands, a precious rounded knee,
pushing and twisting that no one can see.
Oh sweet child kicking up your heels,
it is our little secret that only I can feel.
I look forward to your birth,
when I can kiss your skin,
but for now I will just smile,
as I feel you play within.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Surprise or no surprise? That is the question.
I should start by saying I am not a surprise kinda girl. Derek is not only a surprise kinda guy but a very adamant one that doesn't appear to be anywhere near changing his mind. He doesn't want to know the sex of the baby (though we both have our opinions). First and foremost, both of us are just so happy that we are going to have a baby and know that this is such a blessing it won't matter if the baby is a boy or a girl. I have thought about both scenarios as I am sure he has and I just can't say one way or the other which I would prefer. Little girls vs. little boys, how could there be an argument over which you prefer when both are so cute in there very different little ways.
Derek has opted not to participate in the many sonograms I have had (at least from week 16 forward since this is the time of genital development) so he wouldn't accidentally see anything that might reveal the sex of the baby. I, on the other hand, have informed the sonographer to not tell me anything but not to avoid the area on my behalf. This is my attempt at trying to sneak a look to see if I might "accidentally" find out if the little sweet baby inside of me is a girl or boy. I have had no luck! This baby seems determined to not show his or her mother anything! Those cute little legs are either folded up tightly or crossed nice and neat so Mommy can't see anything. The guessing game will have to continue for now.
Derek has opted not to participate in the many sonograms I have had (at least from week 16 forward since this is the time of genital development) so he wouldn't accidentally see anything that might reveal the sex of the baby. I, on the other hand, have informed the sonographer to not tell me anything but not to avoid the area on my behalf. This is my attempt at trying to sneak a look to see if I might "accidentally" find out if the little sweet baby inside of me is a girl or boy. I have had no luck! This baby seems determined to not show his or her mother anything! Those cute little legs are either folded up tightly or crossed nice and neat so Mommy can't see anything. The guessing game will have to continue for now.
My many sonograms
To date, I have had 11 sonograms and I am in week 20. Sonograms at this frequency are discouraged unless there is reason to keep a close eye on the development of the baby or in my case, the mother. I am really glad that I have a doctor that caught a couple of potential issues and is willing to spend the time monitoring things to ensure we are aware of and prepared for potential problems.
In the meantime, while my doctor is monitoring things, I get that absolute pleasure of seeing my baby develop over time. Just a couple of weeks ago, the sonographer, Linda, began her assessment of my cervix and there, plain as day, are these 2 perfect little feet sticking straight out as if to say, someone pay attention to me! The following week as she was scanning for brain development, she suddenly stopped and got excited (which is nice to know other people that see this stuff all day long still get excited) and told me to look quickly. The baby was taking large gulps of fluid into his mouth! I was so amazed. His mouth and face were so distinct and easy to decipher. Linda said he must be hungry and I agreed since I had not had anything for lunch and I was starving. Honestly, that has to be the best thing I have seen to date on any sonogram. That does bring to mind my 12 week sonogram though. Derek and I went in for our 12 week video and the baby was in the wrong position to see a profile and was upside down, things just didn't seem to be going very well for the video and then suddenly, the baby starts jumping like a little bean, up and down, firmly pushing off with his feet and bouncing around. I loved that almost as much as the gulping. Last week, I saw the babies little nose and lips just as plain as day. I can't wait to see what this sweet baby is going to look like!
In the meantime, while my doctor is monitoring things, I get that absolute pleasure of seeing my baby develop over time. Just a couple of weeks ago, the sonographer, Linda, began her assessment of my cervix and there, plain as day, are these 2 perfect little feet sticking straight out as if to say, someone pay attention to me! The following week as she was scanning for brain development, she suddenly stopped and got excited (which is nice to know other people that see this stuff all day long still get excited) and told me to look quickly. The baby was taking large gulps of fluid into his mouth! I was so amazed. His mouth and face were so distinct and easy to decipher. Linda said he must be hungry and I agreed since I had not had anything for lunch and I was starving. Honestly, that has to be the best thing I have seen to date on any sonogram. That does bring to mind my 12 week sonogram though. Derek and I went in for our 12 week video and the baby was in the wrong position to see a profile and was upside down, things just didn't seem to be going very well for the video and then suddenly, the baby starts jumping like a little bean, up and down, firmly pushing off with his feet and bouncing around. I loved that almost as much as the gulping. Last week, I saw the babies little nose and lips just as plain as day. I can't wait to see what this sweet baby is going to look like!
The last several weeks
Shortly after week 12, I met with my OBGyn here in Austin for her initial check into the pregnancy. When I scheduled the appointment with her, I asked if I would be having anther sonogram and much to my sadness, she said no. A quick urine test and chat with the doctor (I am back at Austin Regional Clinic if that doesn't say enough) and I was out the door. I had read so many articles about your first meeting with your OBGyn and the lists of questions I should have asked her regarding the million and one things I should know about the pregnancy and delivery. Needless to say, it was in and out and all those questions I had read went out the door as quickly as she did. I left having heard the babies heartbeat which always makes me feel so relieved and excited and quite honestly, I couldn't recall all those questions I was supposed to ask. Derek would have told me to write them down but I didn't.
I received a call from the doctor's office two days later and anyone that has an OBGyn knows they don't call you unless you need to be informed of something. In other words, if all is well, you won't hear from them at all. The nurse let me know that the doctor had reviewed my entire file and noticed that 10 years prior, she performed a procedure on me to remove pre cancerous cells from my cervix (this is called a LEAP procedure) and that they wanted to monitor me for several weeks to ensure I had a healthy and strong cervix. Studies have shown that LEAP might be associated with pre-term labor and/or miscarriages late in pregnancy. I panicked like I usually do and immediately began researching the topic. I found lots of info to keep my mind occupied and unsettled. I went in the following week, week 15, for a sonogram to check my cervix and all looked fine. The sonographer was nice enough to let me look at the baby while she was investigating everything else. How cute! I went home a little less troubled and with some very cute pictures of the baby. Right now, I am 20 weeks and have been to the doctor at least once a week for the last 5 weeks and have 2 more appts scheduled before they give me a clean bill of health and consider my pregnancy to be normal as apposed to high risk. I have lots of pictures that have been added to my collection over the last few weeks as well as another potential issue to occupy my mind. They found a few weeks ago that my placenta is low lying and told me the risks involved followed of course, by the typical "really there's no need to worry just yet" comment they like to end their findings with. Finally this week, it had moved up about 2mm and they are excited and hopeful that it will be making its way back to where it belongs and all my worries can be put to rest for the remainder of the pregnancy.
I am sure everything will be just fine.
I received a call from the doctor's office two days later and anyone that has an OBGyn knows they don't call you unless you need to be informed of something. In other words, if all is well, you won't hear from them at all. The nurse let me know that the doctor had reviewed my entire file and noticed that 10 years prior, she performed a procedure on me to remove pre cancerous cells from my cervix (this is called a LEAP procedure) and that they wanted to monitor me for several weeks to ensure I had a healthy and strong cervix. Studies have shown that LEAP might be associated with pre-term labor and/or miscarriages late in pregnancy. I panicked like I usually do and immediately began researching the topic. I found lots of info to keep my mind occupied and unsettled. I went in the following week, week 15, for a sonogram to check my cervix and all looked fine. The sonographer was nice enough to let me look at the baby while she was investigating everything else. How cute! I went home a little less troubled and with some very cute pictures of the baby. Right now, I am 20 weeks and have been to the doctor at least once a week for the last 5 weeks and have 2 more appts scheduled before they give me a clean bill of health and consider my pregnancy to be normal as apposed to high risk. I have lots of pictures that have been added to my collection over the last few weeks as well as another potential issue to occupy my mind. They found a few weeks ago that my placenta is low lying and told me the risks involved followed of course, by the typical "really there's no need to worry just yet" comment they like to end their findings with. Finally this week, it had moved up about 2mm and they are excited and hopeful that it will be making its way back to where it belongs and all my worries can be put to rest for the remainder of the pregnancy.
I am sure everything will be just fine.
Friday, April 11, 2008
The first 12 wks
I consider myself very lucky as far as pregnancy is concerned. The first 9 weeks it was as if someone was slipping something into my drink everyday and causing me to live in a foggy and exhausting state. The couch became my favorite part of our house and my bed as well. I was nauseous every day for the same period of time but realized quickly that if I ate, I didn't feel bad. This meant that I was eating every 2 hours and while I gained a lot of weight in this time frame, I never threw up. :) Not exactly a nice trade. It was as if I woke up out of a daze around the 9 week mark and started regaining my energy and losing that need to eat so frequently.
Because I was considered "high risk" I went to the doctor every 2 weeks for a sono and lab work to make sure all was well with the baby. My first sono was shortly after we arrived back home from Christmas in Cincinatti. It was January 7th and I would go see the baby for the first time and without Derek, who had to travel for work. I will not forget it....there was this feeling inside of me that perhaps they would discover that it was a mistake, a false positive, and I would be told I wasn't really pregnant. Afterall, we had been trying for 727 days to concieve and been told repeatedly "not this month", "let's try again next month" etc. and honestly, I was scared.
The sonographer started the sonogram and low and behold, there was something there this time I had never seen, a large black area that had the tiniest little spec inside if it, the baby. She investigated all areas and found that the second embryo that was implanted had not developed and we only had one baby. I was so excited to see the one baby it didn't even seem sad that the other had not developed. She told me it was very unlikely that we would be able to hear the babies heartbeat but she would give it a try. I heard this very loud beating of a heart almost immediately and turned to her and asked, "is that my heart?", she laughed at me and said..."NO, that's the babies heartbeat!" It seemed absolutely amazing because at this point, the only thing I could see of the baby was this mass of something that was moving in a beating motion, the heart. The baby was only as big as the heart it seemed to me. How could this little thing have a heart that was able to beat already? Amazing.
I went back two weeks later, this time with Derek. I was so excited that he was going to see this little creation for the first time. This time, it seemed the baby had grown so much to me. What was only two weeks ago this tiny little thing that you could barely see was not much larger and now had these 4 little things protruding from the sides of its body, the beginning of arms and legs. What a sight!
While I was happy to be pregnant and excited about the baby, it wasn't until the week 10 sonogram that it all hit me. The development of the baby from week 8 to week 10 was unreal. I looked into the screen on week 10 and saw this tiny human being. The baby had a profile, full arms, legs, hands, feet, tummy, the list goes on. This was what looked like a complete yet very tiny little person. It changed the way I think about so many things in just that one moment. I had a different view on life.
Week 12 sonogram marked our final visit to the clinic in San Antonio. Derek and I were able to look at the baby together again and they even made a video for us. The baby was bigger and stronger it seemed as he was jumping around in the little space provided. So cute!! We were told we had "graduated" from the high risk group and could now proceed with a regular OBGyn in Austin. What a wonderful first 12 weeks!
Because I was considered "high risk" I went to the doctor every 2 weeks for a sono and lab work to make sure all was well with the baby. My first sono was shortly after we arrived back home from Christmas in Cincinatti. It was January 7th and I would go see the baby for the first time and without Derek, who had to travel for work. I will not forget it....there was this feeling inside of me that perhaps they would discover that it was a mistake, a false positive, and I would be told I wasn't really pregnant. Afterall, we had been trying for 727 days to concieve and been told repeatedly "not this month", "let's try again next month" etc. and honestly, I was scared.
The sonographer started the sonogram and low and behold, there was something there this time I had never seen, a large black area that had the tiniest little spec inside if it, the baby. She investigated all areas and found that the second embryo that was implanted had not developed and we only had one baby. I was so excited to see the one baby it didn't even seem sad that the other had not developed. She told me it was very unlikely that we would be able to hear the babies heartbeat but she would give it a try. I heard this very loud beating of a heart almost immediately and turned to her and asked, "is that my heart?", she laughed at me and said..."NO, that's the babies heartbeat!" It seemed absolutely amazing because at this point, the only thing I could see of the baby was this mass of something that was moving in a beating motion, the heart. The baby was only as big as the heart it seemed to me. How could this little thing have a heart that was able to beat already? Amazing.
I went back two weeks later, this time with Derek. I was so excited that he was going to see this little creation for the first time. This time, it seemed the baby had grown so much to me. What was only two weeks ago this tiny little thing that you could barely see was not much larger and now had these 4 little things protruding from the sides of its body, the beginning of arms and legs. What a sight!
While I was happy to be pregnant and excited about the baby, it wasn't until the week 10 sonogram that it all hit me. The development of the baby from week 8 to week 10 was unreal. I looked into the screen on week 10 and saw this tiny human being. The baby had a profile, full arms, legs, hands, feet, tummy, the list goes on. This was what looked like a complete yet very tiny little person. It changed the way I think about so many things in just that one moment. I had a different view on life.
Week 12 sonogram marked our final visit to the clinic in San Antonio. Derek and I were able to look at the baby together again and they even made a video for us. The baby was bigger and stronger it seemed as he was jumping around in the little space provided. So cute!! We were told we had "graduated" from the high risk group and could now proceed with a regular OBGyn in Austin. What a wonderful first 12 weeks!
Welcome!
Welcome to the Baby Eckert blog! I probably should have had this up and running months ago but like they say, "better late than never."
So, a quick catch up for everyone.
It was December 28th, 2007. We had just enjoyed a wonderful evening at The Nutcracker which was followed by drinks (yes, wine) at a nearby bar in Cincinnati with Manfred, Tina, Kilian, Tessa and Derek. I had been patiently (or not so) waiting on a call back from my doctor's office to inform us of the results from my pregnancy test. It was just about 11:00pm EST and I had folks in Texas that were anxiously awaiting a phone call with good news. Folks, I might add, that normally don't stay up after 9:30pm. The phone rang and quite honestly I was a little nervous to answer for fear of what could be news I didn't want to hear. Nonetheless, I had to answer and I could immediately tell, based on the tone of the women's voice, that there was the most wonderful news for our family. She said, "all your blood work looks great...."and that was followed by "congratulations, your pregnant." She continued to talk to me about next steps but I don't recall what she said. I was too elated to hear anything past "your pregnant". So, that leads us to the here and now. I am 19wks and 3 days today and couldn't be more amazed from day to day that I am pregnant with a little, tiny miracle made from Derek and me. I just can't wait to see what the baby is going to look like and fell like and sound like. It is such a wonderful feeling to know that we have created life and soon enough, we will be able to hold in our arms that creation.
So, a quick catch up for everyone.
It was December 28th, 2007. We had just enjoyed a wonderful evening at The Nutcracker which was followed by drinks (yes, wine) at a nearby bar in Cincinnati with Manfred, Tina, Kilian, Tessa and Derek. I had been patiently (or not so) waiting on a call back from my doctor's office to inform us of the results from my pregnancy test. It was just about 11:00pm EST and I had folks in Texas that were anxiously awaiting a phone call with good news. Folks, I might add, that normally don't stay up after 9:30pm. The phone rang and quite honestly I was a little nervous to answer for fear of what could be news I didn't want to hear. Nonetheless, I had to answer and I could immediately tell, based on the tone of the women's voice, that there was the most wonderful news for our family. She said, "all your blood work looks great...."and that was followed by "congratulations, your pregnant." She continued to talk to me about next steps but I don't recall what she said. I was too elated to hear anything past "your pregnant". So, that leads us to the here and now. I am 19wks and 3 days today and couldn't be more amazed from day to day that I am pregnant with a little, tiny miracle made from Derek and me. I just can't wait to see what the baby is going to look like and fell like and sound like. It is such a wonderful feeling to know that we have created life and soon enough, we will be able to hold in our arms that creation.
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