Baby M 15wks and first belly pic!

Well, here it is finally! 15wks Belly Pic. I know I look big as a boat already, but, I am carrying high, and it makes me look bigger than I am. My mom can't hush about the pink fever. Everyone has been making their guesses on what the sex will be of Baby M, but, to us, as long as they are healthy, that is all that matters. I am kind of hoping in the back of my mind that this is a girl, only because we have the name picked out for a girl, and are not anywhere near agreeing on a name for a boy. Since I know not that many people read this, I will go ahead and blab out the girl's name we have picked out. So, I hope no one out there that is preggers now, steals this name. Drum roll please..... Hayleigh Antonetta McCann for a girl. Allen and I have always liked the name Hayleigh, and Antonetta is my middle name, and my Grandma Weidner's middle name. I am the only one out of my mom's huge catholic family that has my grandma's middle name. All I can tell you is that if it is a boy, it will have Allen's middle name, which is Allen... his first name is really Jack, but he is the third, and goes by Allen. We are definately not going to have Jack Allen McCann the fourth.

I am feeling great, sometimes it seems like I swell up like a balloon, and others, I am not soo big. I have been trying to pay attention more to myself lately.. just anxiously waiting to feel Baby M move for the first time. I know it is coming soon, I just want to realize that is what it actually is when it happens. My nose is the only thing other than growing pains giving me fits. My nose is either stuffy or dry, it cannot make up it's mind. I still get sick if I gag good enough, and make my stomach do a flip. I really miss my strong tummy! It doesn't take much for my nose to make me gag, and then it is on! Apples are still my most favorite craved food right now. I could spend a whole meal on a fruit buffet I swear! My next visit to the doctor is next Friday, Feb. 5th. I am probably going by myself for that one. They will do the usual, check my weight.. sigh... blood pressure, and fetal heartbeat with the fetal doppler. I will also be going to the lab for this visit for my second trimester blood testing. I am not looking forward to that at all really... the blood with the needle part. I have really been watching what I eat, so, hopefully I am not putting on the pounds.

This is all still surreal to me. I get in the bath tub, it keeps getting smaller and smaller.. I just look at my tummy - the only part that has grown on me besides my boobs and hips spreading out, and I just sometimes think, "ohh, I am just getting fat".. kind of forgeting about the whole baby that is growing in me that is now the size of an apple. I really think this will keep on until I finally feel Baby M move.

Anyway, here is the clip once again from Baby Center on what Baby M is up to now..



Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

14 wks and first Baby Gear!

So, Monday was 14wks for Baby M. I finally started to get the joy of experiencing "growing pains". It is sooo funny how "by the book" this pregnancy has been soo far. I started hurting in my pelvis and hips on last Friday.. opened up my "What to Expect when you are Expecting" book, and flipped to the 4th month to where I am now at.. what did I find? Expect growing pains, congested nasal, greater appetite, etc... needless to say, BINGO! DING DING DING! It is soo weird to actually be reading about what my body is really doing, and it cooperate, and do it! I have never had a period every month, and just everything that I was supposed to do, to try to get pregnant, it seemed like my body just said "NOPE"! Kind of refreshing for the time being anyway, that is.

We finally purchased the first of our baby gear! I picked out a diaper bag that BOTH Allen and I could pack without one of us... Allen, being embarrassed about being "seen" with it in public. It is an Eddie Bauer Shoreline Duffel diaper bag. It comes with a changing pad and a dirty duds pouch, along with plenty of pockets and pouches built in to accommodate all of the loot. I am really wanting to purchase two more, a small diaper bag, and a larger diaper bag- for overnights. I am really hoping that this bag ends up being a very durable bag - I read and read all of the reviews that I could find on it, and I am pretty satisfied with what I have read on it.




The other purchase I have made, was a maternity sleep pillow. Since I have started in with the growing pains, it has made it a lot harder to sleep on my side without hurting. I cannot sleep on my back, and breath, thanks to the congestion brought on by pregnancy, and on my stomach is definitely out, so, something had to be done. I found this pillow online on Ebay. The pillow is something I can use throughout the whole pregnancy, and probably there on after. It is actually nice having something snuggling around me for once, when Allen is not home and is working through the week. I told Allen after trying it out this morning, that he will probably want his own pillow after he snuggles with mine after I leave for work in the middle of the night when he is here at home. I think I laid there in aww for an hour this morning over how much I actually loved this pillow! Anyway, if you are pregnant or not, I really do think that this is a must have! I really wish I would have bought one a long time ago!



In plans for this weekend, since I am feeling a bit more perky, we are planning on taking our first "baby bump" photo! I can't believe that I have waited this long, but, to tell the truth, I have not been too excited about taking the picture. I haven't felt the greatest until recently, and I am sure that I did not look the greatest either. I just now started wearing eye makeup again, since my eyes had been soo dry and watery until now. So, hopefully, I will be able to post the pic with my 15wks post on Monday.

I have been feeling great for the last week, minus the growing pains. I have gotten my energy back, but, it only lasts for soo long - kind of like a cheap rechargeable battery. But, I feel a whole lot better. I have such an appetite now, that it is just insane about how much I dream and think about food - junky food, that I cannot even stand to eat anyway. I only really crave fruits and fresh veggies now. When the hidden valley ranch commercial comes on, I tend to drool and stare at the food. I have been really watching my sodium and sugar intake. I am really trying my best to eat right, and keep myself in the clear from developing gestational diabetes - since I am higher risk for developing it thanks to my PCOS.

In other news.. Baby M's developing quite fast now! Here is the clip from the Baby Center for 14wks. I cannot believe how fast this is really going now! July will be here before I know it!

How your baby's growing:
This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

Superwoman

Over doing it... me? Never! Well... okay, yesterday, I might have over done it just a tad. With Allen on his way home yesterday, I decided that I would take care of some of the house chores that he has been doing for the few weeks that I had been sick, since now, I am feeling a whole lot better. Well, superwoman here, thought she had all of her get up and go from before pregnancy, with the cold being gone, and energy back... NOPE! I worked for an hour and a half, decided to eat a snack- an apple, my favorite food now. I sat down, ate my apple and watched tv for about a half hour, when I decided to get back up and back to work... well, I tried to get up. I felt like a 90 year old woman! Now, I know that the older I get the less I can do just like I used to be able to, but, come on! Last summer, I would push mow our whole yard - 1 acre, use the weedeater, and blow off all of the drive way and deck, then water my flowers for a whole hour - at least. I love to push mow - just ask our neighbors! I am the yard nazi! Anyway, I am a work horse... usually. That hour and a half was such a teaser, but, I hurt the whole rest of the day! I guess I aggravated my sciatic nerve once again! I just have sooo much I am wanting to get done, sometimes, I wish I had a clone of me pre-pregancy. My mom volunteered to come and help me, but, I do not want to have to ask anyone to come and help me clean my house. It is my job, and it is staying clean for the most part, just not my level I prefer!

Allen says he worries about me working too hard around the house, and has promised me that the neighbors will be watching me this spring, when I get the fever to start mowing and working on the yard. I am soo ready for spring, buying flowers, and enjoying the smells and sights of spring. I guess, the neighbors will be calling in a complaint this spring to Allen about a big fat pregnant lady working in her yard once again.. I just promise I will take my time, and take lots of breaks I guess.

As you can tell, I have been pretty bored, and just cooped up in this house for way too long. I just wish that it was nice enough out to do something besides clean and watch tv. I guess when Spring finally decides to get here, I will be ready!

Infertility and Abortion

I know I have posted this video before, but it is one of my most favorite videos, since I have finally went from being the person trying to beat infertility, to actually doing it. I feel for those still fighting to have a family of their own, it seems like the longer time passes, the more people I actually have known, have been fighting along with me as well, and I just did not know it. Infertility is such a hush, hush, subject to talk about that is just made shameful, and should be something embraced. There is usually not much of anyone close to talk to about infertility, which in turn, makes the person experiencing it, feel like they are alone. I know I did, until I finally got aquainted with Jamie. It is hard going through treatments, and telling your closest friends and family about the experience, and them not having a clue about what is being done, or let alone remember what exactly was done, having to explain everything over and over until you are blue in the face. Through the treatments, I would have four folicles that could develop into eggs, and I really did not care if all of them made it, just so that we could have our own baby. Some people looked at me like I was crazy, but, when you feel like I had felt, I didn't care what I had to do, or how many babies I had to carry, just as long as we would become parents. I know I still have a hard time with hearing about people getting pregnant just like they went to the grocery store or something. This is not because I am mad at them, it is because I still cannot understand why some people have it soo easy, while others, like me, have to endure all that we do, just to even try have a chance at a family. I know life is not fair, and for everything there is a time and a season. But, what if that time or season never does come to the people who would make great parents, but, keeps coming to the ones who deny it, and choose abortion. Shouldn't there be something out there that once you throw away a child, you lose your chance at ever having a child again? Once a baby is born, and someone kills it, they go to prison, and it is called murder, so why should an unborn baby be any different? I know that is really blunt, but, why should those that choose abortion, be able to have a child again, especially after killing their baby? I know of a few people in my area that have chosen abortion, and out of the 3, I know 2 of them have babies of their own now. To me that is not fair to those out there like me, who would die just to be able to carry a baby. I know back when I was younger, I was not completely against abortion, a woman's body is her body, and her right. Now that I am older, I don't know what the hell I was thinking. This is a life we are talking about, not just a condition. To me, the people that are wanting an abortion, should have to carry the baby to term, and then, give it up for adoption, not kill it. There are many people who would be tickled to death just to have that baby, even when the person carrying the baby, did not want the burdon. Bellow, also is a clip I found on abortion. I makes me soo sick to know that soo many abortions are carried out each year, and the doctors performing the abortions, mainly do it for the money. At $300 for an abortion, and at 1.55 million abortions a year, most of the money goes to the doctors pocket.

There are several different methods used in performing abortions, depending upon how far along the pregnancy is. Some methods involve physically extracting the baby and others involve the use of chemicals injected into the womb or taken by the mother. The following descriptions provide the details of each method.


This is Dr. Russell Saco's widely distributed photo of the feet of a 10-week old aborted baby. At 10 weeks the human body is completely formed. Although the baby is small enough to stand on his/her parents' little fingernail, he/she is so perfectly formed that fingerprints are already in place.

Suction aspiration - first 12 weeks of pregnancy
Dilation and curettage (D&C) - first 12 weeks of pregnancy
RU486 and methotrexate - 5 to 7 weeks of pregnancy
Dilation and evacuation (D&E) - first 18 weeks of pregnancy
Salt poisoning (saline amniocentesis) - after four months of pregnancy
Prostaglandin abortion - four to six months of pregnancy
Hysterotomy - four to nine months of pregnancy
Partial birth (brain suction) abortion - four to nine months of pregnancy

13 weeks and counting!

I know to some, this is pretty boring, reading about my week by week milestones. But, this is all coming from a person who has waited for this for a long time, and now that it is finally here, it does not take much to get me excited about the baby coming now! So, with that said, here is my 13 wk Baby Center Your Pregnancy at 13 wks bit:

How your baby's growing:
Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

It just amazes both Allen and I on how fast the baby is growing! We both love to read this every Monday, since I will not be able to feel the baby move just yet. I finally got my book I ordered on 100,000 baby names in the mail on Saturday, along with the Pregnancy magazine I had ordered the morning we found out we were pregnant... boy they don't get in any sort of a hurry! I would have hated for them to wait a few more months!

I know at the last doctor's appointment, Allen was a little disappointed that we didn't get to see anything. He is mainly used to the visits to Dr. Gentry, where they would whip out that stupid ultrasound wand for every visit. It was nice to get to "see" the baby though, instead of just hearing the heartbeat.

Head, shoulders, Knees, and Toes

Well, today was my 12 wk check up, even though I am closer to 13wks now. Anyway, Allen actually got to go to this appointment with me for once. The whole morning was sooo out of whack, that I just about couldn't stand it! To start, we were almost late getting to the appointment, thanks to Allen and his Call of Duty game that he was playing online while I took a quick nap. Then, after getting called back to the room after being weighed - we won't even discuss that one, the nurse told me to go to the restroom. Since being trained from the clinic at Evansville that this meant an ultrasound and to empty my bladder, I looked out in the hall, and all around, no nurse, so I went back to the restroom and emptied my bladder. I then got back to the room, and they wanted a sample! I know, I know, but, to my defense this was the 2nd regular OB appointment I had been to, and the last appointment's sample was taken up at the lab, so, I didn't know that was what was going on. And then the heart clincher! Okay, I have had a dream this week about the baby's heartbeat not being found, and finding out the baby was dead - absolutely horrible dream to have! Anyway, Sandy got the fetal heartbeat Doppler out to listen to the baby's heartbeat, I felt awkward to begin with, then, she searched and searched across, up, and down my stomach, no heartbeat yet... then, after 2 minutes.. BINGO! All the way over on my right side! I was about to cry as soon as I finally heard it! I was about to have a heart attach waiting through the silence! The heartbeat was great, 159 beats/min. I was supposed to get measured too, to check my uterus size, but I guess after the heartbeat dilemma, that part was forgotten. I asked for some ear drops to help with my earache in each ear be less painful, and got that squared away. Earlier this week, I finally realized I had a sinus infection, so I went to see the family doctor, and found out that not only did I have a sinus infection, but, an earache in each ear to boot! I was prescribed Amoxicillin to help out, and was assured that it was completely safe, especially since now that I am out of the first trimester. I couldn't believe after posting on facebook that I was going to the Dr to get help with all of this, that there was a lot of people telling me that there was nothing that they could do, and to just "suck it up". I felt soo much better after both the family doctor, and my OB both agreed that I did the best thing, and that letting it go would have lead to worse things. Needless to say, I have felt like a complete pile of poo since then, up until today after I got to take my ear drops. My throat is still sore, mainly from the snoring, and the house being dry- even though we run the humidifier non stop. I am hoping I will feel great by next week! I had been reading my books, and thought that the next appointment we would be finding out what we were having, but, since I guess it is still a little early, I am just getting 2nd trimester screening done at the next appointment, and in the beginning of March, we will then find out what we are having. We were a little disappointed, but, March will be here before we know it anyway!

12wks Milestone and Colds...

Baby M at 12wks - Expert from Babycenter.com

How your baby's growing:
The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

Well, as you can see, yesterday marked the 12wk mark. After trying to avoid everyone with a cold, wash my hands millions of times a day - packing around germx, and eating right, I managed to get a cold with a sinus infection. I finally figured out that I actually had a sinus infection this morning, when I finally got some relief from my cold after getting some junk out. I haven't had indigestion for a few days now, which is a relief to say the least. Yesterday, I only got a few hours sleep. It was hard going back to work at 1:30am to 6:30am, then going with Allen to Ferdinand,IN, and back. I got home, and then I couldn't sleep because of sinus pressure and from my nose wanting to run all day. I am sooo grateful that I have such a great husband, who helps me out with the house, takes care of me when I'm not feeling good, and tells me that I look great - even though I know I really look like crap. Without Allen, I don't know how I would make it day to day.

I have been reading as much as possible lately. Every weekend, Allen and I check the progress that the baby is making on a site I am subscribed to. The site keeps track of how far along I am, and gives a week by week description of what the baby is doing, and what I should expect. Looking at this week to week really does amaze us both at how fast the baby is really growing and developing.

I just cannot really put into words exactly how happy we both are. It just really amazes me that I am still pregnant, and everything is going well. I am finally passing the first trimester, which is a huge relief to us as well. My mom keeps on shopping for baby clothes at Kohls, and has been exclaiming now that she hopes that the baby is a girl, because of all of the cute dresses she has been buying now. We should be finding out what the sex of the baby is next month, and I know that it really does not matter what we are having, just as long as they are healthy. I have my 12wk doctor's visit this Friday, and hopefully everything goes well, and Allen will be able to come to this appointment.

Happy New Year!

Well, 2009 was such a great year, despite our setbacks. I know that I thought my world was going to come crashing down a time or two last year, but, I am still here and thriving, as you can see. I think that this year will be even better than 2009 was, with our lives changing in a whole different direction. I have learned to let some things go a little easier than others.. mainly understanding that everything cannot be as perfect as I want it to. I am not as anal on the house work anymore, but the house does manage to stay clean. Allen is helping me out more and more- let me just say that is sooo great! I think for the most part Allen and I have been trying to enjoy our time together - what little 6 months we have left that is.

I cannot believe some days that we have gotten to where we are: house, jobs, married, and a baby on the way now. Sometimes it really scares me how fast life is really going by now. I am trying to savor this pregnancy, since we have waited for 5 years to be here. Some days I really do enjoy being pregnant, others... well, it is a challenge I'll just say. The days I get sick from indigestion make the day much harder on me, while the other days are a breeze.


The JOYS of Pregnancy


I will be 3 months already on Monday! I can't believe how fast this is all going! I am already wearing maternity clothes- not because I have to.. okay my pants were getting really tight, but, they are really really comfy! I don't know why some people wait as long as possible to get into them, but, I would rather be comfy as possible while I have time to relax. Allen and I made our first trip to the maternity clothing store last weekend, and I think that Allen enjoyed it more than I did. I managed to walk out with enough clothes to get me to spring/summer stuff. I had to get a new bra too - I really am wanting to weigh these puppies now after finding out I have went up 2 sizes already! Allen found the joy of nursing bras, probably tmi, but, I had never seen one up close until I was in the changing room, and exclaimed, "look at this!" All he said was "WOW".... I laughed, and he thought it was the best magic trick he had ever seen in his life. Allen and the sales ladies handed me clothes right and left, and after trying on at least 5 different styles of pants, and 10 different bras, we finally left the store happy with my new clothes. I love my new clothes sooo much! I can finally breath now without being afraid of my pants giving out on me! Breathing, well, that is another topic indeed. I cannot believe how out of breath I am all the time now. I sound like a little pug dog chugging up and down our stairs, so I usually just stay upstairs if all possible now. I snore sooo much when I sleep now. Allen has been calling me buzz light year now. Back pain... that is my only other problem for now. I have really bad pains right above my hips and where my pelvis meets my backbone now. I know it is probably just stretching of ligaments, but, I never thought it would hurt like this. The massage cushion Allen's grandma gave me is such a life savor!

Other than those few pains, I am really enjoying all that I can of finally being pregnant! I found out recently that it seems like everyone is jumping on this bandwagon, or has been drinking the same water as me now. I have two cousins on my mom's side of the family expecting too now. One is due a couple of weeks before me, and the other is due the same month as me. I guess I just wanted to be the only one pregnant now, after watching everyone else get their chance. I am still happy for these people, but, after going through what we went through just to get here, I kind of feel cheated, like I played candy land, and we got to the top, just to get sent back to the beginning over and over again. I guess I am just sore about not having it as easy as a fertile myrtle does. Why just me in both sides of my family to go through this? I know life is not fair, but, give me a break at least!

I know 2010 will be a great year, even if happiness is shared. I would rather share happiness to say the least, instead of despair.