Big difference in 3 months

Rowan at 8 weeks

 So, this post does have a lot of pictures, but none of me.  =)  This one is all pictures of Rowan.  I remember being so excited when we went in for our first appointment and seeing the little guy (though I didn't know it was a guy at the time).  That first appointment was very nerve wracking for me (and I'm sure Ian too).  We didn't know what this pregnancy was going to hold.  It took a while for me to come to terms with that (I think I talked about that in my first blog post of this pregnancy?).  Anyway, it was the best feeling when we went for that first appointment and saw a little heart beat in that ultra sound.  It was just a little flutter on the screen...but it was there.  Victory!

Profile of a bunched up baby Rowan

 Eleven weeks later, we got to see Rowan again.  This time my mom got to be there, which was just wonderful.  It was great to see him on the screen moving around.  He was pretty active...even danced a little jig.  I felt a little bad for the ultra sound tech because she had a hard time getting all the shots he needed.  He started up curled up in a tight little ball.  Feet behind the head and everything.  Then he started moving more and more.   I guess this explains why I've been feeling little kicks more frequently...and a few punches (see picture below)  =)

She was eventually able to get all the measurements she needed (and a few great shots of him).  He had a great strong heartbeat (155 bpm).  He was measuring a little bit ahead of schedule.  Our ultra sound was right at 19 weeks, and all his measurements (head, abdomen, and femur) were measure at 20+ weeks.  Only reason that makes me nervous is because Ian was a big baby...10 lbs 11 oz.  Here's hoping Rowan is a bit more normal sized.  Even though he was measuring a bit big, our doctor didn't feel like it was enough to move the due date.  September 6th it stands.

Now that we're halfway through this pregnancy, I'm realizing how much we have to do still.  Since we've been out of town so much lately we haven't done much looking at all for furniture, car seat, stroller...pretty much anything.  Guess we'll have a few things to add to our weekend to do lists =)  But, now the fun stuff begins.  All Rowan has to do is keep growing and getting bigger...just not too big.

Alien face!  =)

Paying homage to ORG in the 2011 South Central Region Playoffs

Five perfect fingers

Crossed baby feet

Little foot

Pics...as promised!

Eek!  15 weeks.  Beginnings of a bump.

 Well, as I've promised here are a couple of pictures of my 'bump'.  (Apparently it's impossible for me to make a 'normal' face with baby bump pictures.  I looked through the ones Ian took...I look goofy in all of them) 

There's definitely something there, and Baby V is reminding me of that more and more with their movements.  Nothing is all that regular yet, but every now and then I'm caught off guard with a little flutter in my tummy.  I'm super excited for Ian to be able to feel it too in a few weeks. 

That's it right there! Baby bump! 17 weeks.

We go in to the doctor again on Thursday.  I'm really excited about this appointment because my mom's going to be able to come with us.  We'll be 19 weeks when we go in, so we'll have our ultrasound.  If baby cooperates, we'll be able to find out the gender.  I'm just so glad that mom will be able to be there and see her grand baby with us.  I'm also looking forward to seeing this munchkin again.  Last time we saw it, it was just a little peanut at 8 weeks.  I'm guessing it looks a little different now =)

17 down, 23 to go

Wow...typing that title I realized that we're almost at the halfway point in this pregnancy.  That's just crazy!  September seems so far away, but it's really not that far off. 

I've still been feeling good.  I got sick for the first time right at 15 weeks and then got sick earlier this week.  Good news is that as long as I don't get too tired and too hungry all at once, I don't get sick.  My only other complaint is the cramps I've been feeling in my calves.  I've had two in the last week or so.  Hoping this isn't an indication of more to come.  If it is, can't do too much about it.  Drink water...eat a balanced diet...get exercise...and keep counting down the weeks until this temporary discomfort is over and Ian and I get to meet our little one. 

I had a very exciting moment today though when I felt the baby move for the first time during the day.  This last weekend, when I was in Dallas for the Clover Cup with the Omaha Roller Girls, I was laying in bed about to fall asleep when I felt a little 'pop' inside of me.  I felt it again a few minutes later and wondered if it was our baby.  A friend of mine who's an OB said it's possible for me to be feeling small movements.  I've felt the baby one more time before today but it was the same story...laying still right before bed.  Today, I was at work and felt that same 'pop' feeling.  Then I felt it again.  That's my kid kicking me!  It was a bit crazy to realize that's just the start of a lot more (and a lot stronger) kicks to come. 

Sadly Ian and I haven't been able to take too many pictures since I've been traveling so much lately.  Hopefully we'll get on track now and I'll have pictures to post.  I am starting to show and I have outgrown some of my clothes.  I'm not quite ready to graduate into maternity clothes, so using a belly band and pants that were too big thanks to running and derby to hold me off for another month or so.  Thanks to my mama...I mean baby's Nana...though, I have a few cute options for maternity clothes when I'm ready. 

Just a few more weeks until Ian and I get to see our little one.  Can't wait for that ultra sound!

Meaning of a milestone

02/24/2012

Wow...I can't believe I get to write this post knowing people are going to be able to see it and read it.  Ian and I are officially 12 weeks along in our preganancy.  Things have continued to go well.  We went in at 11 weeks for our second appointment to hear the heartbeat and the doctor found it right away.  She said it was good and strong...was such a great thing to hear.  It was so much fun getting to tell friends and family that we are expecting and that things are going well.  I even got to tease a cousin of mine about it a little bit.  Amanda, you made my night last week!  =)

So, how have things been going these last 12 weeks?  Amazingly well.  I can't really complain about the symptoms I've been feeling.  I was EXHAUSTED for a couple of weeks...right around weeks 9 and 10.  We're talking 8:30 or 9:00 bed times type exhausted.  Naps on the weekends have quickly become my best friends.  I also continue to feel a bit quesy if I don't eat regularly enough.  I haven't gotten sick, but earlier today and last night I was pretty darn close.  Thankfully a few crackers seems to settle my stomache quickly.  Red meat is still less than appealing, though I managed to successfully eat a taco the other night...progress!  I am starting to feel some clothes fit a little tighter, though I'm not sure how much of that is due to baby and how much is due to my decreased activity level. 

Excercise has been the most difficult thing for me to adjust to.  My doctor has advised me to make sure my heart rate does not get above 150 beats per minute.  I was using a heart rate when I was running and skating.  Yes...those verbs are supposed to be in the past tense.  I am done skating as of last week and haven't gone running for a few weeks.  I think those would have been much harder to give up if I had more energy over the last few weeks.  I decided to stop runnign just because of the the heart rate thing.  I found that if I was running a steady 12 minute mile, I was getting my heart rate above 150 beats after about 1/2 or 3/4 or a mile.  That just became too frustrating for me.  Skating was the same thing...in a normal practice I would be able to skate fast...watching my heart rate meant slowing my pace WAAAAAAAY down.  So I've gone from working out hard 9-12 hours a week to taking nice leisurely walks 5-6 times a week (that's my goal at least).  I think the change in my excercise routine is reason enough why I've gained about 3 pounds so far and have felt some clothes fit differently.  Ahhhh the changes to experience.  I'm really not worried about weight gain though, as long as I am still healthy and my doctor isn't concerned about my blood work.  I know it's all for a good cause, and training for a half marathon next year will help me to get back to where I was weight/size/health wise before Baby V.

Will keep you all posted (with pictures I promise!) here in the coming weeks.  28 weeks to go...it's going to fly but I am so excited to see/feel/experience all these changes in our lives.  =)

And then there were three.

01/26/2012

Well, I guess we're back in the proverbial saddle.  Ian and I found out in January that we're pregnant again.  =) =) =)

I've had a mix of emotions with this pregnancy.  I am of course VERY excited that we are pregnant.  I am however, very nervous about the fact that we are pregnant.  These first 8 weeks have been difficult, but I think everything is going to turn out OK.

The most difficult thing for me this time around is just how similar this pregnancy started when compared to our first pregnancy.  I had a few symptoms, but nothing too severe.  I haven't gotten sick yet, but there are times when I definitely don't feel well...and they are far worse when I am hungry.  Red meat is also less than appealing right now.  But...at about 7ish weeks these symptoms started to subside just a little bit.  They didn't go away, they just calmed down.  This is what really scared me.  When we had our miscarriage, the doctor said it looked like the baby stopped developing at about 7 or 8 weeks.  Not only that, but most of the symptoms I experienced last time had calmed down by about week 7 or 8.  Needless to say, I was a bit freaked out when I didn't feel the strength of my pregnancy symptoms anymore.

But...thanks to some friends, I was reminded that I need to ask people to pray for me.  I can't just pretend that everything's OK and that I can do everything.  God has given me people in my life so that they can be there to support me and help me...and pray for me!  After talking to a few friends (who didn't know we were pregnant), I felt so much better.  It was good to tell them that we were expecting and what exactly I was feeling.  It was also good for them to tell me they understood why I was so nervous...but that I should probably try and calm down a bit if I could.  Thanks friends...you helped to bring me back down to earth.  <3

So here comes week 8 and the day of our doctor's appointment.  I was very much looking forward to seeing our doctor and hopefully getting to see our baby.  I wasn't sure if she was going to give us an ultrasound or not...I just knew I needed to have some kind of test to show me that we were on the right track.  Thankfully, she did give us an ultrasound without me having to ask.  And the best part about it...SHE SAW A HEARTBEAT!  It didn't take her very long to find a heartbeat and she seemed so excited to see one.  Instantly calmed my nerves.  She also said the baby was developing right on track.  When we went in, I was at exactly 8 weeks.  The baby measured 7 weeks and 6 days.  Perfect.  Absolutely. Perfect. 
I know I'll continue to be nervous until the 11th or 12th week.  Ah heck...who am I kidding.  I'll be nervous until the little munchkin decides to make their debut into the world.  I do think though once we hear the heart beat...I start to show...and I start to feel the little one move, it will really hit me that we're going to have a baby.  I won't have these doubts creeping up into my head at random points throughout the day.  In a matter of months, we'll be welcoming our own little miracle into the world.  I want that day to come...but I'm looking forward to being forced to wait patiently and enjoy this season.  I don't know what will come of it, but I do know that it will be something new and exciting everyday.

Right now, even though I'm still nervous and cautiously excited about having a baby...I'm so incredibly thankful that we've been able to get pregnant again and reach this one milestone.  I'm so thankful for the support and love we've received already from the few people that know about Baby V.  (S)he's been such a blessing in our life already...and I am so thankful for that.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I LOVE Christmas time!  Every year when it comes around, I am soooooo excited for the snow to fall, the baking to be done, the family to see, and the gifts to give.  It's such a wonderful time of year...and I love to soak up every minute of it.  This year is no exception, and the Christmas season is of to a fantastic start.  Today was such a wonderful day I think I could burst with happiness.  I got to do some fun crafting for the Black and Blue Ball with the ORG Hospitality Committee...I got to eat my favorite lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup...I got to bake Christmas cookies with my dear friend Micki...it snowed like 5 inches (the first real snow of the season)...I got my AMAZING shoes for the Black and Blue Ball in the mail...and I got to spend time with my incredible husband.  Life couldn't be better than it is right at this moment.

Of all the things I am thankful for in my life, I think the thing that I am most thankful for is this contentment and peace I have.  I am so happy with where I'm at.  Some days I am not always happy with everything...I wish I didn't have the stress of bills and budgeting... I wish I got more sleep...I wish I didn't have to go through sorrow and loss.  My life isn't perfect, there's no question about that.  But even in the moments of imperfection, I am OK with whatever happens.  I am so grateful that I have been blessed with more than I need...that I have people in my life to take care of me when I can't...that I have at least one thing that brings a smile to my face each and every day.  I don't deserve all of this, but I am so incredibly thankful I am blessed with all that is in my life. 

Merry Christmas to you all!  I hope you enjoy these next three weeks in anticipation of Christmas day as much as I do...it's going to be WONDERFUL!

Derby-versary: lessons learned in a year

Second game-Red v. Black scrimmage

Well...one year ago I started roller derby boot camp.  Yup-exactly one year ago.

I think about that first day of boot camp...my equipment was all still new.  I remember Bruiseberry Muffin had to adjust my toe stops because they were ALL the way out...like I knew that wasn't natural?  Derby lesson #1-toe stops
need to be in a bit so they don't drag on the floor and mess up your skating.  Thanks to Bruise for making the adjustment and not judging me for my ignorance. 

I was missing some of my gear, so I had to borrow elbow pads and wrist guards.  For some reason, my 'rookie package' didn't get all the parts and pieces.  I went to the gear box and borrowed some equipment.  Ima Firestarter handed me wrist guards and said that I get to wear "Ima's stinky gear" as though it was a badge of honor.  I was too star stuck to realize that her old gear really was stinky.  Derby lesson #2-gear stink NEVER goes away.  How did I combat this?  Not washing my gear for a solid 10 months...only to wash it once and then decide to buy new pads (well...wrists and knees at least...I'm still sporting the original pad funk in the elbow region)

We started boot camp with SOOOOO many new people.  I think there were over 60 of us.  I don't remember half of their names, mostly because a lot of them ended up dropping out for one reason or another.  Injuries plagued some...family commitments got others...and still some fell victim to the immense commitment of derby.  Either way, a large percentage of our boot camp class dropped off.  Derby lesson #3-Derby has a HIGH turnover.  It makes me sad, but I totally understand how now everyone can be a skater.  Derby takes a toll on your body and eats up all your free time.  Thankfully, the league needs more than just skaters and has room for everyone.

The first round of testing went AWESOME!  I was super stoked at how that went...I went home and posted my results on the refrigerator.  I was mostly surprised I managed to test well given the fact that AnnA Maniac was my evaluator.  If I thought I was star struck when Ima lent me her old pads...I was BEYOND star struck when THE ONE AND ONLY AnnA Maniac was evaluating MY skating abilities after 6 weeks of boot camp.  I almost peed my pants...not going to lie.  Derby lesson #4-one CAN learn minimum skating skills in a manner of 6 weeks. Just keep skating...just keep skating...just keep skating skating.

The second round of testing was less than stellar.  I did not pass...barely...but no pass nonetheless.  I really wanted to cry when I read those results.  I didn't understand what I did wrong.  I thought I had it down...I thought I did it right...I thought I knew what I was doing.  That's not how I tested though.  Derby lesson #5-derby leads to heartbreak.  Derby has been a HUMBLING experience for me.  I did not like this first humbling...but I keep fighting and working and developing to become better each and every practice.  I may not always succeed, but that doesn't mean I stop.

Once I passed the second round of testing (on the second try) I was admitted into the league.  I didn't really know what that meant at the time...and I don't really think I can say what it means now...but I do know I'm a part of something.  I'm a part of a group of strong and amazing women that are working together to better themselves, the sport of roller derby, and the Omaha community.  I found out this summer I am more a part of this group than I realized.  When Selah died in May, I had league members I had barely talked to (again...STAR STRUCK) reach out to me and offer their sympathies.  When I had my miscarriage in June, even more league members I had barely talked to reached out to me and offered sympathies.  Derby lesson #6-league members are supportive of other league members even if they are wallflowers (like meeeeeeeee!).

First Game! 

As the season progressed, I got more and more involved in the league.  It was great to begin building relationships and seeing the 'sisterhood' described in our league bylaws.  I didn't have sisters growing up...and I'm willing to bet the league 'sisterhood' is not the same as biological 'sisterhood'.  However, I am willing to bet that biological sisters experience some of the same drama that is experienced in the 'sisterhood' of roller derby.  Feelings get hurt and conflict happens-especially since not all personalities mix well.  Derby lesson #7-a league comprised mostly of and run by women is bound to experience some form of drama sooner or later.  The good news is derby lesson #8 is that the Omaha Roller Girls are willing to talk about differences and ways to better the league AS A LEAGUE instead of getting angry or frustrated and self-imploding.  That's one of the reasons why I am proud to say I am an Omaha Roller Girl. 

 

As I prepare to embark on year #2, I know there will be more lessons.  I'm not sure what is in the coming year, but I'm excited to see what lies ahead. 

So thank you Omaha Roller Girls for welcoming me into your club. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FORBID N. FRUIT!!!