1st sonogram

Well, I was still having some mild shoulder pain today as well as some very low pelvic pain (which I thought might be a UTI), so I decided to just call the OB and see if they thought there was anything to be concerned about. Surprisingly, they asked me to come in and just have my ultrasound today, instead of waiting until next week. I was shocked by this, but I guess it's only a week difference and they wanted to just make sure that everything was where it was supposed to be.

I was shocked and elated, and so we went in at 3:45 and saw Baby Lusky for the first time. It was a surreal experience - and I laughed/cried as I first saw that little tiny peanut with a fluttering heart. The baby is still very tiny so we really couldn't see a whole lot but the form of the baby and how it was positioned in the uterus, when she moved around we could see the fluttering heartbeat, 164 bpm, and the head and brain and tiny bumps where arms and legs are forming. It was thrilling, and I am just so freaking psyched. We are so blessed ... and so grateful.

discomfort & confusion

So much is going on right now - my grandpa is still at Hamot for a fever that just won't quit. The doctors are afraid there may be a blood or heart infection happening and ran some tests. It turns out he has a collapsed lung. WHAT? This is all so crazy.

I started having some mild shoulder pain earlier, which if I wasn't pregnant I wouldn't worry about at all, but I've read from multiple sources that shoulder pain can be a sign of ectopic pregnancy. Now I've got myself in a tizzy about it, and I think if I wake up tomorrow and still have it, I may call my OB - why risk anything? I know I can be hypocondriac about all this - but this is a crucial time and if something is wrong like this, it could be so dangerous.

I'm praying and trusting that everything is totally fine, and I am stressing about nothing. God give me faith and peace, and please help the shoulder pain to disperse and my abdomen to feel more comfortable.

things you don't like to hear while getting blood taken

"ugh, i don't like this arm."

"i just can't find the vein."

"did they tell you your veins are deep?"

"nope i'm not getting anything."

"sorry honey, i'm going to have to go to the other arm"

which, consequently, must have just burst forth with blood cuz she had no problems and it didn't hurt at all.

i might start declining all future blood work ;-)

8 weeks

Well I believe I am 8 weeks today. Babycenter.com says that webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby's hands and feet, his eyelids practically cover his eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of his developing lungs, and his "tail" is just about gone. In his brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. The baby is the size of a kidney bean, and is constantly moving and shifting, though you still can't feel it.

Yesterday was very emotional for me at church. I was having waves of nausea and fear, and guilt and joy - all at once. I almost had to leave a few times... a friend sitting next to me kept saying "are you ok??" wondering about the mood changes on my face. It was wild. Good though always to have a friend near you telling you you are semi-normal!

The emotions involved in this while feeling pretty much 'sick' all the time, are just bizarre! Hopefully I am on track to really start feeling better in a month!

I'm just hanging on for that first sonogram Aug 5. I can't wait.

first appt

Had my first appointment at Erie Women's Health Partners. It was good, although simple, I just met with a nurse Stephanie and went over my health history, meds, possible due date, etc., but she was so sweet and understanding - she let me cry and talk and I think we talked for between 45-60 minutes! Thats a good start.

MY first appt and sonogram is scheduled for August 5th at 1:20 - I AM SO EXCITED!!

Nausea was a bit rough today at points, I'm going to try to mentally rise above it tomorrow, as I am shooting an important wedding!! Come ooonnnn energy!

new practice

After talking and asking around, I decided on making an appointment with the Erie Women's Health Partners. I've heard great things about the midwives there, and one of the female OB's is my aunt's doc, so that is great to know. I'm excited about it - they were so sweet on the phone and got me in within 3 days of calling. First appointment is now this Thursday, July 23 at 8:30am to meet nurses and staff and go over blood work. I'm very excited to get the process rolling!

Today I woke up feeling fresh as a daisy, like my old self. It actually freaked me out so much that I worried cuz I DIDN'T have symptoms, to which my mom and my husband said - Rachel, you have GOT TO STOP this. It's not good for you!

But never fear, my nausea came back later on in the day! My mom came over and helped me clean the house today as we were having company over. It was great to have her help! I love my mother, I am so so so blessed to have her as my helper and advisor during this time (in addition to my husband, of course) :)

every blessing

Approximately 7 weeks today, the baby is the size of a blueberry (aw) and hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs!!!!

The line "Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise" is really COOL if you think about it.... isn't it? I sang it yesterday at church and was just really struck by it... and what that actually means!

The wedding went really well on Saturday, for me physically at least, and my sis was a champion assistant. She was awesome there during the most critical parts! The ceremony itself was a bit of a nightmare because the sun was going in and out every 30 seconds which is very sucky, you have to keep changing your settings!! But I found that if I get myself up, keep moving and try to live as normally as possible, it's much easier to keep your head above the sickness and feel better. I am thankful for this and knowing I can fight it, and live semi-normally and be joyful and excited without being distracted by nausea! At least sometimes. I was able to eat normally at the wedding and that was fantastic!

At church, I was talking to a few different people, getting some opinions on midwives vs. OB/GYN practices, and I'm feeling like I might want to go a different route than how I'm currently scheduled. I'm going to call my PCP tomorrow to try to talk through my options a bit more, because this is all so new to me! There's a lot to think about!