The details.

Since posting about my pregnancy here on my blog and on FB, I just have to say that I am 100 times more excited than I was before the announcement!  I hadn't really let myself think ahead...hadn't gotten excited...hadn't really thought about much of anything except making it to the next week.  Kinda sad.  So, I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I am currently dreaming about blue or pink, browsing the internet for boy "things" {just in case} and pondering what this little one's name will be.

It really feels so. good. :)

Seriously, I'm crying as I type this because I didn't think this day would come.  I thought for sure I'd be a nervous, anxious wreck until the day this little baby is placed in my arms.  I'm overjoyed that I am able to release all most of my fear and anxiety and start to enjoy the process of growing this little human.  'Cause in my mind, each one of these little people are true miracles..and this one is certainly no exception.♥

So, back in October I peed on a stick and found out I was pregnant!

Actually, I peed on a stick and it was negative, but I knew it was wrong...so I waited a few days and sure enough...2 pink lines.  Ha.  I knew it!
Before I get too much into the details, let's back up a bit.

I'd been toying with the idea of seeing a fertility and high-risk pregnancy specialist that my OB had referred me to several months ago, but the thought of having to go through my whole lengthy history with someone brand new just didn't sound appealing to me.  Plus, I loved my doctor and didn't want to leave her. 

So, the day after I knew I was pregnant I was at the doctor getting my blood drawn.  When I left there feeling like it was just another routine visit, just another routine pregnancy...I decided it was probably in my best interest to go somewhere where I would be more of a priority.  Now, about 16 weeks into my pregnancy, I know I made the right decision.  In the first 2 weeks that I was a patient in his office, Dr. M discovered the genetic disorder MTHFR and ran a number of other tests to rule other things out.  In doing so, he made a few other important discoveries.  Turns out I have a protein S deficiency, which means I'm at a high risk for blood clots {protein S acts as an anti-coagulant}.  My progesterone levels were also low right from the beginning, so I've been on progesterone injections since week 6 {intramuscular, in the booty}.  Because of the risk of clotting, I'm also on a low dose Heparin/Aspirin regimen, which means 2 injections of Heparin every day {under the skin, in the belly}, as well.  Add in high doses of Folic Acid, B6 and B12 for the MTHFR, prescription pre-natals, low-dose aspirin, and Zofran for nausea and I'm pretty much a $500/month walking medicine cabinet!  The cost alone is enough to make my head spin.  And I feel like I should be earning some kind of frequent flyer points at the pharmacy.  And don't even ask me what my poor belly looks like from two shots a day, from a blood thinner no less.  The bruises are pretty nasty...and well, let's just say that my fabulous and wonderfully talented friend over at Tiffany Jeanne Photography is going to have to do some serious photo editing to make this belly look presentable! :)
But, I'm not complaining...because it's working...and really, that's all that matters!

Along with all the tests and meds I've also had ultrasounds at pretty much every visit...which means I've had a lot of ultrasounds.  I always find myself holding my breath the moments right before the screen shows a picture...praying and hoping to see that little beating heart...
{exhale}
Thank you, God.♥ 

Telling Taylor was probably my favorite part of this whole experience so far.  She's been asking daily for a very long time when she's going to have a baby brother or sister, and every night before she went to sleep, she prayed a little something like this...

"God, I would like to ask you to please help my mommy to have a baby in her tummy so I can be a big sister and the baby can be in our family and not in heaven."

Talk about tugging at your heart strings!

So as we knew there was a little babe growing in there, it got harder and harder to keep it from her...and there were a few times where she flat out asked me if there was a baby in my tummy.  In an attempt to divert her thoughts to something else, I'd ask her "Why do you say that?!"  She'd usually say, "because your tummy's getting bigger!"  I'd follow that up with "What?!  Do you think I ate too many Christmas cookies?!"  She'd say "Yes!" and laugh and go about her business and I'd wish so badly that I could tell her.

So, when the time finally came, it was so very sweet.

We gave her the "Big Sis" shirt, along with the ultrasound pic and it couldn't have gone any better.  She was so excited!!!
And she's been telling everyone she sees that her mommy's got a baby in her tummy and that she's going to be a big sister.♥
{Sadly, we also had to have the 'sometimes things don't work out how we hope they will and rememer mommy's had babies in her tummy before that went to live with Jesus in heaven...' talk with her.  But we also said that we aren't going to worry about that, we're just going to be really happy and excited for our little baby and keep praying that God takes care of us all.}
Now her prayers every night are more like this...
"God, please help the baby in mommy's tummy to grow and be healthy so I could have a baby brother."
She thinks it's a boy. :)

Some other interesting tid-bits...

I'm still sick if I don't take my anti-nausea meds...thank God for those!
I have slight placenta previa {which means the placenta is low and slightly covering my cervix}, which isn't really much cause for concern at this point, aside from the risk of bleeding since I'm on a blood thinner, but it's something to keep an eye on.
I've gained about 1-3 pounds, depending on the day and what I had for dinner the night before...and if I kept it down. :/
I hate coffee right now.  And I really miss it.
Everything gives me indigestion.  Awesome.
I'm falling asleep on the couch by 9pm every night.  Just call me the life of the party!
I bought a pair of really cute maternity jeans yesterday {$30, JCPenney} and wore them today for the first time.  Gotta love the elastic waistband...perfect for my sore, bruised tummy.
We're hoping to find out next week if baby is a boy or a girl!  Yay!!
I think it's another girl, which means it's probably a boy because I'm always wrong.

I have a serious craving for all things pastry right now.  I can barely pass a coffee shop or bakery without stopping and getting a scone, muffin, coffee cake, etc...and I feel like I'm constantly baking {and eating!} something.  My Fischer Fair Scone mix is currently calling my name.  Mmm...

Well, that's all I've got for now.  This post has already taken me 2 days to finish, so I think it's about time to wrap it up!  Thanks so much for all of your love and support, and especially your prayers...keep them coming!!  I'm excited to continue this journey while actually being able to talk about it and I promise to try to keep you updated on all the important details.
Which, if we're lucky, next time might just be whether we'll be decorating with PINK or BLUE! :)
Stay tuned...
♥