14 Week Update!!

How far along? 14 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain: No clue, BUT I'm down another 3lbs from last week... Ordinarily I would think this is a good thing, now I'm not so sure. 

Maternity clothes? Even though I just went shopping, I think I need a new bra already. The cup is fine, but the band is a pain in the ass. I'm convinced the Devil had a hand in the creation of bras. OAN, a nice lady from church gave me a few maternity items. So I have 2 new pairs of pants and a few tops. If I'm being honest, half of the shirts won't make the cut, but at least I have options right?!?

Stretch marks? No new stretch mark sittings to speak of, but I am positive that will change. I don't mind stretch marks as they are natural, pretty much expected and most woman wear them like a badge of honor... I just don't want my tummy to look like a pile of zebra skin when this whole thing is over. Lol. 

Sleep: I've read that it is best to sleep on my left side. It promotes blood circulations and all that other jazz. The thing is, my sciatic nerve is acting up REALLY bad on that side and it hurts worse when I lay on it. I did try sleeping with a pillow in between my knees one night and while that helped me sleep on my left side that night, the next morning I was in pain. It might be time to buy that preggy pillow. :-)

Best moment this week: Mister is agreeing with me that we should do a gender reveal. So we're working together on how we want to tell the family. We set aside the last Saturday in September so HOPEFULLY we know the gender 100% by then. 

Miss anything? My energy, the desire to eat, being able to eat more than 1/4 of my plate and after a day like today, a margarita. 

Movement: nothing yet

Food cravings: Definitely still ox tails, peas and rice and tacos. 😋😋

Anything making you queasy or sick?: Nope, but I don't like the smell of certain meals I cook or peanut butter right now. It kinda grosses me out for some reason. 

Gender: Still don't know and my intuition still hasn't really kicked in. I'm not sure if my mind has really processed that I'm even pregnant to begin with so it's not allowing room to speculate the gender just yet.

Labor signs: Nope. WAY too early!

Symptoms: Still light cramping due to baby moving, boobs don't hurt as much, but I can fill the fullness in my belly when I stretch. 

Belly button in or out? In! (Hopefully it stays that way.)

Wedding rings on or off? On. (I REALLY hope this also stays that way as well.)

Happy or moody most of the time: Definitely moody. I hate the world most of the time. No really. I do. -_- lol. 

Looking forward to: Still looking forward to feeling movement and now add gender to the list. We have a sono scheduled for next week and I'm hoping we can find out the gender then. If not, we'll probably know on the 17th. 

NT Scan Results...

So the Doctor called with the results of our NT test today and i am still processing the information. She said the Down syndrome results for a woman my age are usually 1 in 900 or so, ours came back as 1 in 338 (the results of a 34 year old woman. I'm 26.) She says that the national cut off is about 1 in 312 and while we are not that low, she is still slightly concerned. Part of the concern is because Nugget was being VERY difficult during the sonogram portion and not rolling to the right angle so they could not clearly see a nasal bone. So the absence of that aspect contributed to the low scoring.

The doctor did also mention that she is not AS worried because we are African American and that the nasal bone is not always as visible this early as it is in Caucasians. She recommended us considering the most extensive twsting such as Harmony or Materni21 test or even an amniocentesis, but Mister is not for it. He knows that we have another sonogram scheduled at the end of next week, and he feels that if we see the nasal bone then, then we're fine. I on the other hand REALLY want that 99.99% answer if my baby has downs or not. 

I'm okay with the additional testing because 3 of the 5 options are non-invasive and would only require a simple blood draw. I ALREADY have to go so a blood draw this week because oft Hypo-thyroid so what's another 3 valves of blood. The catch is insurance is not guaranteed to foot the bill. These additional test are not the norm and in the chance that they don't pay, we of course have to pay out of pocket. We DEFINITELY do not have an extra $2k lying around for this test. 

I'm still digesting this news. No we technically did not get a positive for Downs, but I really do feel like our score is a bit too close for comfort. I see it as equal to a "C-" on your mid term. Non you didn't fail, but you only JUST passed. And I think for me, that is a bit too close for comfort. 

Testing testing...1,2,3..

At 13 weeks and 3 days we have at our first official round of testing. It was the NT scan also known as "Nuchal translucency screening." It is a test that is given to a baby's risk of having Downs Syndrome and some other chromosomal abnormalities as well as major congenital heart problems.

They start with a simple sonogram. The baby needs to be laying in a certain way so that the doctor can take a measurement of the fluid at the back of the baby's neck. They also look for the appearance or absence of the nasal bone. It's a pretty straight forward and non invasive procedure, unless of course you are Baby nugget. This kid was totally and completely not trying to help. She would not move at all and was just too comfortable. lol. The doctor had me turn on my sides, cough, pee a little (I had a VERY full bladder after chugging a bunch of water,) and this kid was still not going for it. The doctor even started pressing on my belly to try to get her to move and she was still laying out like it was nothing. It got to the point that the doctor and nurse had to leave the room, give me some cookies and let me veg out while to sugar kicked in to my system to hopefully make this little nugget move.

After about 20 mins, a quick pep talk from baby to Daddy and another bathroom break, Nugget was willing to meet us halfway and cooperate a tiny bit. The doctor noted that the measurement at the base of the neck as a 2.0 and from my readings it should be less than 3.5 so we are all happy with that. She also did not get a clear picture of the nasal bone, but mentioned that because we are African American, she is not concerned. She said that usually the nasal bone is slow in developing in our race or just very translucent at this gestational age.

Any way, once the fun was over, they let the evil nurse in so she can do the blood test. I would rather avoid all the shots and needles and pin pricks, but I know it is a necessary evil. So like a helpless child I held out my hand so the nurse can STAB me, yes I said stab, and take my blood for the blood test. Okay, okay, it was more like a finger prick, but still. It hurt! Lol. Idk how I'm going to manage labor. It's really going to me something to see.

BUT let's get to the really reason you choose to read all that crap up above. Without further adieu, here is the latest picture of Baby Nugget!!

 

13 Week Update!

So now that I am officially caught up (as in skipped week 12) I have switched over to writing everything on this blog instead of on my phone. I guess it's good and bad, because now I can write more info down, but bad because I don't have the convenience of just using my iPhone. Oh well!

                     ~         ~         ~         ~         ~         ~         ~         

How far along? 13weeks 4 days

Total weight gain: No clue, BUT I did lose like 2lbs last week. I've been fluctuating within 4lbs of my pre-pregnancy weight.

Maternity clothes? I bought a great pair of maternity jeans and a new bra last week. I needed both anyway so I figured I might as well get something that I can use during this pregnancy. PLUS I used a left over Macy's gift card that we got for our wedding so it's like I got it for free. :o)

Stretch marks? I saw my first stretch mark last night!!!! (sobs silently in corner.) I forgot oil up after my shower the night before and I low and behold, I have my first stretch mark. I KNOW I will get a bunch more, but I just wasn't expecting them so soon. :o(

Sleep: Ehh.. I could be better. I can't really stay asleep with this pain in the butt summer cold that I have had all week. I am coughing none stop because my throat is itchy and it causes me to wake up throughout the night.

Best moment this week: We had our NT testing and got to see Nugget looking more like a llittle baby! Also, we scheduled or Anatomy scan!!

Miss anything? My energy...it's still not back yet! I am ALWAYS tired. 

Movement: No. But based on the sonograms he/she is moving like crazy.

Food cravings: Not really. Cravings come and go. One moment I just want fries and gravy, the next I am wanting Ox tails and peas and rice.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Fortunately... nothing. I do not/have not had any food aversions. 

Gender: Mister still has his mind set that he is only having boys so he ALWAYS refers to my tummy as "He." I still do not know. I do not have any intuition or feelings about it either way just yet. I would LOVE a little girl, but like most say, I just want a happy healthy baby. I waiver back and forth when referring to the baby. Some days it's "She" and others I say "He." Not sure how it will turn out yet.

Labor signs: No. Thank God!

Symptoms: Sore, ever-growing boobs (my new bras are already too small for me), fatigue, this cold that won't go away and slight headaches. Also, constant cramping. They say that it's just Nugget making space in Mommy's belly, but I rEALLY don't think Mommy's organs appreciate it. lol.

Belly button in or out? In! (Hopefully it stays that way.)

Wedding rings on or off? On. (I REALLY hope this also stays that way as well.)

Happy or moody most of the time: It really depends on whether I'm sleepy or not...lol. 

Looking forward to: Feeling movement. The books say around 15 weeks or so I may start to feel her so we'll see!

Weeks 9-11

Ok so I TRIED to transfer over the post I was jotting down in my phone for each week, but it has really become too tedious AND there are a bunch of other post that I want to write about. So we're just gonna combine all the remaining post in one and deal with formatting and editing whenever I get around to it. lol.

So here we go:


July 9. 2013 We saw our baby today!!! I cannot believe it. It's just a little bean and not much to look at, but there is a baby inside of me. I am carrying life. We had our follow up appt at Womankind because I was measuring small last week and Saundra wanted to see if it grew. Last week the sonogram said 5weeks. This week it was 6w3d!! I can't believe it! AND we saw that heartbeat! A strong 130beats. I'm so happy.

July 16-22, 2013

July 16-22, 2013 Week 8 Symptoms: The usual. Sore boobs, bad pain in left side lower back/top butt cheek. This Week I Feel: Fine. I have had random cramps and worry that something is wrong occasionally, but research says that he cramps are normal as long as there is no bleeding. They say its your uterus expanding and making room for the little one. Changes in our Love Bug: Baby Adams is starting to look more like a person and less like an alien or dinosaur. The body is straightening out and the arms and legs are moving more and also the tail is gone. Notable Moments This Week:

July 23-30, 2013

Note Id: 51f9af4c0731a3206f69db43

Space: Journey to our Love Bug🐞

By: MsDiddles

Date: 7/31/2013 8:43:55 PM

July 23-30, 2013 Week 8 Symptoms: Sore boobs at night. Like I seriously can't turn over at night without holding my boobs. I vomited for the first time the other day, but I actually think it was because I took my prenatals without eating first. This Week I Feel: The nerve pain in my back/side has been hurting me like crazy this past week. I really am nervous to see how this pain progresses as I get more and more pregnant. Changes in our Love Bug: We got to see the heartbeat again and this time I have video proof! We even could our chicken nugget wiggle a teeny bit. :-) Notable Moments This Week: Nothing crazy this week. I have been getting more and more nervous as the days pass because I'm just sooooo ready to be in the first trimester.

July 31-August 5, 2013

July 31-August 5, 2013 Symptoms: Nothing. I'm just super tired often and random pains in my back This Week I Feel: Good. Not really any symptoms, just want food. Lol. Changes in our Love Bug: Notable Moments This Week: We went to Babies R Us this week and it was fun. Drew was in to it and we even added a few things to our registry. We agreed on a nursery theme if we have a boy, but I'm not 100% on what I'd like to do if love bug is a girl. We also have agreed on girls names. Either Ayla Faith Adams or Riley Simone Adams. I have decided no to post the names just yet... 

Is it 6 weeks of 7 now?

Week 7 (July 9-15, 2013)

Symptoms: small bouts of nausea, tired and super cranky and super sore boobs at night

This Week I Feel: Good. I got put on meds for the hypo- thyroid and a couple of other things as well.

Changes in our Love Bug: Baby has kidneys and arms and legs and joints are now forming.

Notable Moments This Week: We had our 2nd sonogram this week on the 9th. I was officially 7 weeks based on LMP and baby was shown to be 6w3d which is fine with me. Because that meant you grew!!!! *Insert Happy Dance**💃💃 We also got to see the little flicker of the heartbeat which was at a steady 130bpm. You still looked like a little bean, but you were a cute little bean.... Or chicken nugget as I like to call you. Our next U/S won't be until the end of August and I can't wait to see you again. Hopefully you will look more like a little human then, and less like a little alien. (But a cute alien.)

Eek... Where's my baby?!?

July 3, 2013 

I'm nervous. We had our first ultrasound yesterday. They only saw the sac and I think they saw the placenta. But no fetus or fetal pole. I'm measuring a week behind. I should be six weeks yesterday and my baby is only measuring at five. I've been having low steady cramps in my abdomen. Nothing at all like pms cramps, but still something makes me nervous.


Dear Baby,
I'm begging God to let you grow. To keep you in my belly and for you to be a happy and healthy baby. I have another ultrasound scheduled for next week with Womankind and I can only pray that you grow a full week by then. Hold on. Be a little fighter like your Daddy and grow strong.

We love you already.

Mommy

6 Weeks Preggo

6 Weeks (July 2-8, 2013)

Symptoms: no symptoms. Some cramps here and there and sore boobs like no bodies business. 

This Week I Feel: nervous. We had our first sonogram and they say our love bug is measuring a week behind. I'm trying to be comfortable with this development, but its hard. It's in God's hands. Changes in our Love Bug: I'm not sure. I'm measuring at 5 weeks so I guess the notes from last week still ring true. 

Notable Moments This Week: We had our first prenatal appointment on July 2nd. It was cool because it started becoming real. Filling out the paperwork, ppl congratulating us and even the sonogram. Alyssa was out on vacay so we worked with Saundra. It was a bit nerve racking because the sonogram tech just really did not seem to care and nonchalantly told me I was measuring small. She was not really forth coming with information and I guess that kind of made me nervous. 

After Saundra received our ultrasound pics back she called us and said we needed to schedule a new sonogram appt for next week to see if the little one is growing. I also got a call on the 5th from Saundra. She said that I might have Hypothyroidism. Andrew and I looked it up and I pretty much have all of the symptoms so we're pretty sure that's what it is. Constant fatigue, lack of energy, constantly cold, joint pains, memory loss among other things. We go to get that checked on the 15th. So we'll see...

5 Weeks Prego

5 weeks (6/25-7/1) 

Symptoms: A lot of peeing. Slightly tender boobs, and pressure at the bottom of my tummy. I did once have pain on the top, high part of the belly. 

This Week I Feel: So far I feel fine. I've been having a few bad dreams of miscarriage this past week. I've dreamt of actually seeing the sac pass, of dealing with the aftermath of the loss and even the cramps. Aside from that, I haven't really been feeling pregnant this week. It's making me nervous. 

Changes in our Love bug: they say that the baby has limbs now. And the exciting thing is the heartbeat has started!!! It's so cool to know that my baby is actually a baby. :-) 

Notable moments from this week: Andrew has been awesome! The other night I was extremely hot in bed. Sweating off and on all night. Andrew stayed up and fanned me with the sheets, made sure I was completely comfortable. Every time I moved he woke up to check on me...even after going to the bathroom 3 times last night.

4 Weeks Prego

June 22, 2013

4 Weeks (6/20-6/26) 

Symptoms: This week I have not had too many symptoms. If I do not eat, I find that I get pretty light headed and some what nauseous. I've had the sniffles non-stop since the day I got my BFP and its so annoying. I have only felt cramping once or twice with 1 bout of spotting. So far my belly feels funny. At times I feel full or pressure and other times I feel what I can only describe as spasms or flutters. It reminds me of when your eye twitches. Mood swings also seem to be something that is affecting me. 

This week I feel: Good! We've told a bunch of ppl (immediate and close family only.) I have not had much symptoms and am taking it one day at a time. 

Changes in our love bug: According to the Internet, my little ball of cells should be turning into an alien soon. It is about the size of a poppy seed this week. The body is forming in the sac and its starting on a skeletal system. 

Notable moments this week: We told our families!! Their responses were all great! No one had a negative response and pretty much everyone was excited! Today we told our parents. My mom got the Grandma gift in the mail and I called Nicci and told her and she was so happy. The problem is, she posted on FB that she was to be a grandma and then mentioned Drew and I in the post!! Wtf!! Drew was like "....uh....Babe... I think we have a problem." Luckily he caught it within mins of her putting it up and I was able to do some damage control. Lol. Nicci and I only have 5 mutual friends all of whom know, but MAN! That was crazy! We were still a bit away from posting anything online. Lol. 

🎼"Fais dodo bebe mon petite 🎶 Fais dodo mon cherie petit" True Blood- Season 4 Episode 8

Social Media Event of the Season

I guess the cat is out of the bag! After telling our close family members and friends, Mister posted a picture on FB that let the world know. 

Yes the Adams family is growing! 

We've gotten so many calls, text, FB messages and IG comments that it really makes us so happy. Mister and I were the first of our generation on each side to get married and now we are the first on each side to have a baby. Can you imagine how spoiled our little one will be?!? lol. I know it's kinda early, but now I can get started on our fun weekly update post! Yay!

The results are in.... it's Positive

Positive. The test is positive. I'm pregnant... We're pregnant. We're going to have a baby. I'm not really sure on how to feel. Weird isn't it? When it was negative, I was uber disappointed. Now that it is positive, I'm confused. It seems so surreal to me. I do not feel pregnant. I just feel different. I know how to feel. I'm excited. Im scared. I'm nervous. And I'm anxious to tell Andrew. He's asleep right now and I REALLY do not want to just run and wake him up waving a pee stick in his face. I want it to be a little bit more fun. I guess I need to start working on my baby reveal techniques for tonight.

OMG... I'm pregnant.

BFP.... I tested this morning and got a BFP. It seems so surreal to me. I do not feel pregnant I just feel different. I don't know how I feel. I'm excited. I'm scared. I'm nervous. And I'm anxious to tell Andrew. I guess I need to start working on my baby reveal techniques for tonight. OMG I'm pregnant!

I have been feeling this... Kind of jumps in the bottom center of my tummy. Kind of like muscle spasms. It's so weird. It's like now that I "know" something is growing inside of me, I seem to feel/sense every jump/nudge/spasm that my body does. There is something very alien like about child birth. I mean like the whole concept of conceiving a child, incubating it in my tummy for 9 months and then pushing out a human being... it's freaky. Kind of like that



However, I am so grateful to even be able to feel these things. I pray that this is a good sign. I don't really remember the last time and to be honest, I don't think I felt all of these things. I just pray this is a sticky baby. Fingers crossed.

The End of the TWW

You know those times when you know something is off. Things just aren't quite right, but you don't know why. That's how I felt in the days leading up to P Day. (For those who need me to spell it out, I mean the start of my period.) Without going to deep in to it, (I'm not sure if I'm ready for all the TMI post just yet,) I usually have certain symptoms that happen like clockwork. This time around I got none of that. No cramping, no gas... nothing. I was so confused and did not really know what to make of it. So I took a pregnancy test. I figured what could it hurt. This is our first month of actually trying to have a baby and there is a good chance my body is just being crazy. Besides, I had been charting/temping and I knew my period wasn't late so there is a great chance this test was negative.

As expected, it was negative. What I did not expect was the disappointment that came with not seeing that little + sign. One moment I was trying to convince myself th

at the negative was no big deal. It was just a Dollar Store cheapie and was probably defective. I was preggers and just had to buy more test. The next moment I was dealing with this sense of loss. Loss for something that I probably had not even conceived yet. Very strange time to be in my head. lol.

In any rate, my curiosity won out and I purchased a FRER (First Response Early Response) pee test. The ladies on the boards all say that's the way to go when testing. Did you know those little suckers are $20 for 2 sticks?!? Ugh. Fine. I bought it. It took EVERYTHING in me to not run home, chug some water and pee on every stick there. But I waited. I impatiently waited until the next morning (woke up an hour early by default), did my business and then waited some more. Did you ever notice pregnancy is all about waiting. Waiting for ovulation, waiting the TWW (two week wait) for Aunt Flo, waiting for the 3 mins are up to see if and how your life will change... 30 seconds in to my final moments before my fate is reveled I decided not to wait. I got on my knees and prayed.

You see, God and I talk frequently. Whether it's just a brief moment or a real deep convo, we talk and I needed him now. I told him my fears and he heard my heart. I asked that he help me through whatever this next phase was to be. If the test was negative again, I asked that he helped me through my disappointment and prepare me for the next month or if by chance it was positive, I asked that he give me all the courage and patience needed to get through this with the husband that he so graciously gave me.

I said my piece, stood up and then went to meet my fate. This little little jewel was waiting for me on the bathroom counter.

New Chapters

Andrew and I have met on March 5th 2008. We did not become "boyfriend and girlfriend" until almost September of that same year, but because our connection was just so strong as friends first, I count the day we met as our "dating anniversary." A few years in to our relationship we were talking possible marriage and children. Being the typical girl I am, I was definitely hoping that it would be sooner rather than later that those things would become my reality.

When you've been with someone for more than 2 years, EVERYONE you know has the same question for you, "When are you two getting married?" I would always respond "Whenever my Mister is ready." So I sat and waited and 3 and 1/2 years in, he proposed. Once I had the ring on my finger, the questions became "When is the wedding?" "Who are you inviting?" or "Where will it be?" Questions galore! At times it was overwhelming, but I reminded myself that I wanted these questions to be asked of me. So deal with it and smile. So I did.

We got married on beautiful warm, sunny day. Friday, October 5th was the only day it did not rain and it was cold all week. But not on our day. God opened up the heavens and smiled on us. BUT I am not exaggerating when I say that the moment the wedding was over and I was still in my happy "Just married" haze, hell I was still in my wedding dress and one of our guest came to me and said "Babies now?"

Babies? Kids? That's a lot of work. Kids change EVERYTHING. Was I ready to give up on just being he and I already? I knew that answer long before anyone ever asked me. That baby bug/itch is something serious Man! But I knew my other half wanted to relish in being husband and wife for a bit longer. So i did what I do best (with him anyway,) I waited. And then in May of this year, hubby and I decided that we were ready to start our own little family. Besides the fur babies that is. lol. We were ready to take on the next challenge that God had for us and see what the would would be like with little baby Drews running around. I just honestly had no idea that it would happen so quickly...

Catching up with Kim

So because I am just feeling completely lazy and sluggish these days, I have decided to skip all the small details and combine November (when we moved in to our house) through May in to one post and this is it. Sung to the tune of Yankee Doodle Dandy, No I'm just kidding. I tried to make these words fight the tune and it just wasn't working. :o( So I think we'll try bullet point instead.

• We moved in to our house
• Hosted our first family gathering in our new house as husband and wife
• Had our first holidays as Husband and Wife: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Andrew's Birthday, V-Day, Howden Annual Memorial Day Cookout
• Andrew's older brother, Aubrey, moved down form New York in to our house
• Aubrey got engaged to my friend Shauntae

Now the next post the the one that I have been so anxious to get to. It's the whole reason I decided to pick this blogging thing back up again.....

Moving on Up!!

The Adams Family has moved!!

The day before our wedding (an hour before our wedding rehearsal was set to begin,) the Mister and I received a call from the Leasing Office of our apartment building. We were told that one of our dogs "attacked" another resident and that we given a 30 days notice to vacate our apartment. *Cue my confusion.

These dogs?!?

Now I am fully aware and understand that I own 2 &1/2 Pitt Bulls, but when I tell you they are push overs I mean it. They all are very well trained, love people and would only attack if they were trying to protect us. Also, with all the running around we were doing for our wedding, when would these buggers even have time to "attack" someone without our knowledge? They NEVER leave the house unaccompanied and off leash. And the day in question, Mister AND his brother were in charge of them. 

When it comes down to it, short story is this. Super pregnant neighbor (two doors down) was walking in to the building with her two (2) rat looking dogs, hubby and FBIL were walking out of the building with our triple threat trouble makers when they met. Neighbors dogs barked when they saw our fur babies and our clan returned the favor. After all, we ait no punks! (In my best OG voice. lol) Neighbor got scared and called leasing office, Mister and FBIL continued about their business per usual. No attack, only dogs being dogs. Neighbor got to go home and be upset that her rats started trouble with my gang and we get a 30 days notice to vacate the day before our wedding. Cue my bridal meltdown. -_-

But all in all, things worked out for the better and in our favor. After 2 years of looking for a house, the Mister and I seemed to work well under pressure because we found great one! 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 4 levels of living, 2,200 sqft and almost 1/3 of an acre of space for the kiddies to run around. We found a great deal and are so blessed. It looks smaller on the outside than it really is. 

Recap Time!!!

Howdy Neighbor!!!

I guess I started using this blog a little over a year ago and as we got down to T minus 60 days from the wedding, I kind of let it fall off the map... I started to apologize for keeping you all in suspense, but since I do not get many readers (let alone regular readers) I'd pretty much be apologizing to my self and to my Mom. Sorry Mom. *hangs head in shame lol.

So I guess we'll pick up where we left off and do a quick recap of our wedding!!