*Start where you are* A little word of wisdom I learned from Laura.
I haven't been here for awhile that's for sure. It's not for a lack of life events or encounters worthy of a blog post. But maybe more that there is so much going on that I don't really know what to say or where to start. I want to keep a record of this special time in my life but every time I think about writing it seems daunting. Where do I start?
Today I will start where I am. I am on the couch in my living room. I am 20 week 4 days pregnant with our beautiful little girl. Yes it's a GIRL! Like I've been saying all along :). And I've been told by my doctor to rest. No work. Very little walking/standing. Rest as much as possible. It all started Monday morning. Well maybe a bit before that...let me back up. I have had some spotting/bleeding a few times this pregnancy. The first time was very early, around 5-6 weeks, I don't remember the exact date. I already had my first OB appointment scheduled at the time but due to the bleeding I went a week or so early to make sure all was well. Our amazing doctor, Dr. J, saw a strong heartbeat, assured me all was well and sent me on my way until our regularly scheduled meeting the following week. I spotted again around the end of my 17th week. This time was a bit heavier but still not a lot. I called Dr. J and he asked me to come in the following morning at 7:15am to check things out. He is a calm man and is never one to worry or jump to any conclusions. Traits that are very appreciated by a first time mommy. Upon further investigation he deemed everything alright and basically said "these things happen sometimes. It may happen again and if it does please call but all is well." So this brings me to Monday morning, when I was 20 weeks 1 day. {**TMI ALERT**} While I was getting ready for work I went to the restroom and there was blood. A lot of blood. Not just spotting, but 'oh wow it's like the time of the month' blood. I tried not to panic. I went and laid down in bed and called the doctor's office. They said they'd talk to Dr. J and call me back. I was still not exactly sure what was going on and I wasn't thinking all that clearly. I asked when to expect a call back and I said "well hopefully it's sooner because I need to know if I should drive all the way to work in Burbank or just head to you." My office is about 30-40 mins from our house in the morning and the doctor's office is about 45 mins the opposite way. So these are very normal LA questions to ask. Traffic. Rush hour. etc. You know how it goes. I digress...I laid in bed and waited for them to call me back and I got up to use the restroom again. This time there was blood again. A lot. I called again and the sweet nurse said she was talking to the doctor and they'd call me back in 5 mins. By this point it was almost 9 and J had to go to work to do a few things that could not wait so I sent him off and told him to do what he needed and come back as soon as he was done. The nurse called back and said to come in at 1pm but if the bleeding got heavier or there was cramping head straight to L&D. I've officially passed the marked of going to the ER and now can head to L&D which is comforting but I pray I will not need that for 20ish more weeks! I laid on the couch and tried to rest until J got home and we could leave. I got up at about 10:45 to use the restroom again and this time there were clots. I decided we should head in as soon as J got back. He picked me up and we got to the office around noon. I knew we were early but I wanted to see Dr. J and not some random doctor in L&D so we waited. This time he was a little more cautious and concerned. He started the ultrasound and my cervix length looked ok. The bleeding is coming from the outside of the cervix. Baby girl is doing great. He was not concerned about her at all. I am scheduled to go back on Monday for our full anatomy scan but I'm on "home rest" until then. I am so thankful she's ok. That's all that matters at this point. It's a little hard to be feeling ok but to not be able to work or be active. It's a lesson in patience. But I know it's best. And I thank God the bleeding has stopped. I've been having some slight cramping but Dr. J said that's to be expected. So that's were I am. And a bit of where I've been.
In addition to the little bit of crazy the last 8 weeks (OMG! it's been 8 weeks since I last posted...) have been filled with many great things.
We announced our new crew member on FB:
After 8 years of J wanting a dog, we got baby girl a big brother:
Frank Sinatra Nicholas "Frankie"
And then we took him on the boat. He did so well!
Things on the work front have been great. Our company is working on the launch of Tia and Tamara's new product, Milky!, so I went to the launch party at A Pea In The Pod in Beverly Hills. I've never seen so many pregnant women in one place! Including the 3 women from our office, sadly we didn't get a picture together.
And last but not least, our team won a Golden Trailer Award for our
Wreck-It Ralph trailer! I feel so blessed to work with such awesome, talented and creative people, including our amazing Disney clients.
And onto more baby stuff.
How Far Along: 20 weeks 4 days
Size of baby: A banana!
Sleep: It's been pretty good since J got me
this. Yes... it's the ultimate body pillow!
Total Weight Gain: 10ish lbs
. As I said before it's a little hard to say because I got pregnant around Christmas/New Years. Can we say Christmas cookies?
Symptoms: Aside from the aforementioned bleeding, not much! I've been feeling really great. I now understand why everyone loves the 2nd trimester. I've still been a little tired, but nothing compared to the 1st tri. My energy is back, I'm not sick (unless in the car with J.)
:). Overall things are good!
Movement: Yes! I was at the dentist the first time I was sure it was her moving, not just stomach movements. I find this funny because I despise the dentist. Don't get me wrong my dentist is great I just have a general disdain for going to the dentist.
Maternity Clothes: Yes. 99% of the time. I got a bunch of cute new stuff a few weekends ago so it's been fun to wear all of it. I have a few dresses and leggings that are non-maternity that are in still in the rotation. It's funny how maternity clothes make you look more pregnant!
Go-to eats: Breakfast smoothies in the morning (recipe blog post someday), sandwiches, eggs all ways, cranberry juice mixed with water, fruit, cereal, cheese, PB & J. Cravings: Milkshakes, french fries, Pink Berry, all the "bad" things.
Best moment of the week: It's always fun to feel her move. And finding out she's ok despite the bit of craziness on Monday. Oh and getting the cutest baby girl outfits from our friends. Non-baby related: winning the Golden Trailer!
Gender: IT'S A GIRL! (I told you so!).
What I wish people knew: We aren't going to tell people her name! We have to keep something scared and a surprise. So don't ask. :)
What I’m looking forward to: Decorating her room. All the cute girl clothes. Going back to the doc on Monday for the full anatomy scan.
Milestones: She's moving. She can hear us. She has taste buds. She weighs 14 ounces! She's pretty awesome.
Here's my most recent belly pic. It's from 19 weeks. I think I
"popped." All of a sudden I was pregnant. Frankie was happy to join in
the picture fun.
In between all the "home resting," fun, work, insanity and life of the last 8 weeks
we had a potluck with our amazing friends who are like family, I went
maternity clothes shopping with my dad (love him), and James and I have
taken many o' walks with our sweet new pup. Overall, life is beautiful.
And I'm promising myself I'll write more. I want our sweet girl to have
these memories of her time in my belly.
xoox.
