We had another thunderstorm last night. It was definitely needed again. Finally, the weather is becoming more tolerable. It's now only in the 90s. Yea, I know. Only in the 90s. Sheesh.
We were able to hear the baby's heartbeat last Thursday. That was amazing. The midwife didn't give us any warning though. She had asked me a question, so I was in the middle of talking. Then, all the sudden, she put the instrument on my stomach and we heard the heartbeat.
She did give me a scare though. After we'd listened for a couple minutes, she said, "Now if you listen closely, you'll hear two heartbeats." I got a little wide-eyed, and then she said, "The other one is your heartbeat." Wes and I both let out a sigh of relief.
This time, the baby's heart was beating at 148 beats per minute. That means he's continuing to get bigger! Right now, the baby is supposed to be about 5 inches. The midwife told me that I should start to feel movement soon. I can't wait for that!
Like I said, it was amazing to hear the heartbeat. And it really made the pregnancy more real to me. Right now, I'm still not showing very much. People are still telling me that they can't tell that I'm pregnant, and some are asking when I'm going to start showing. (Like I know.) I haven't had morning sickness, and I've continued to be pretty active. So hearing the heartbeat helped it sink in more that yea, there really is a baby growing inside my uterus.
And I have to admit something. I have been very happy about being pregnant, but there has been a nagging fear too. It took a while to get pregnant, so I was worried that something would go wrong. A friend of Wes's told me that at some point you just have to trust God. (Don't you just love when people make assumptions? But, eh, that's what I get for trying to be real about things.) I told him that it wasn't a matter of not trusting God in the situation - I did - but I just didn't know what He had planned for me. I knew that either way, there would be a purpose for whatever happened. But, I was still nervous that I might have a miscarriage. Now that I'm past that critical first trimester, I feel much better. Anything can still happen, but the first trimester is the time when you're at the highest risk for that sort of thing. So now I feel more free to be really happy, if that makes any sense.
Well, this week has been busy and is going to continue that way. So - sadly - I will be going to sleep soon!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
14 Weeks
Today was a good day, but very long. Mondays usually are though, and I always work longer and harder around certain times of the year - at the beginning, when grades are due, during fundraising, right before study trips, and the end of the year.
We didn't hear the baby's heartbeat last Thursday like we'd anticipated, because my appointment was rescheduled. I was not happy about that. Apparently, I am the only patient who wasn't called a few weeks ago to reschedule due to some training that the doctor had to attend. To make matters worse, I was not informed until the morning of my appointment, just two hours before I'd planned to leave work. I was pretty irritated by that, especially since this was not the first time something like this had happened. I ended up giving the office manager an earful about it, and the end result was that I could come whatever day and time I wanted the next week. Even still, I seriously contemplated finding a new doctor. This was actually the third time something like this happened, which caused me to wonder if I could depend on them if this ends up being a high-risk pregnancy, or if the doctor would be given the message on the day I go into labor. But, I really do like the doctor, so I decided to give it one more chance. And I suppose I could look on the bright side. At least I didn't drive a two hour round trip just to find out that my appointment needed to be rescheduled.
On a more positive note, I met with the person who's going to be my long-term sub on Friday evening. (Yes, Friday evening. My principal set up the meeting.) She seems like she's going to be a great fit. We have a great deal in common, and she's also a former gifted student. I'm really excited about finding her. God definitely had a hand in that. It just seems like too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence.
Wes is finished with his book now, and he's asked me to read it before he decides to publish it or not. So now I'm off to edit!
We didn't hear the baby's heartbeat last Thursday like we'd anticipated, because my appointment was rescheduled. I was not happy about that. Apparently, I am the only patient who wasn't called a few weeks ago to reschedule due to some training that the doctor had to attend. To make matters worse, I was not informed until the morning of my appointment, just two hours before I'd planned to leave work. I was pretty irritated by that, especially since this was not the first time something like this had happened. I ended up giving the office manager an earful about it, and the end result was that I could come whatever day and time I wanted the next week. Even still, I seriously contemplated finding a new doctor. This was actually the third time something like this happened, which caused me to wonder if I could depend on them if this ends up being a high-risk pregnancy, or if the doctor would be given the message on the day I go into labor. But, I really do like the doctor, so I decided to give it one more chance. And I suppose I could look on the bright side. At least I didn't drive a two hour round trip just to find out that my appointment needed to be rescheduled.
On a more positive note, I met with the person who's going to be my long-term sub on Friday evening. (Yes, Friday evening. My principal set up the meeting.) She seems like she's going to be a great fit. We have a great deal in common, and she's also a former gifted student. I'm really excited about finding her. God definitely had a hand in that. It just seems like too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence.
Wes is finished with his book now, and he's asked me to read it before he decides to publish it or not. So now I'm off to edit!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
13 Weeks
Yesterday there was a thunderstorm, so I decided not to get online for fear that lightning would strike my modem. I can't say I was too unhappy about that though. We definitely needed the rain. It has been so hot here lately. Last week, there was a heat advisory for most afternoons; the weather forecaster advised people to not go outside in the afternoon hours. Some days it reached temperatures as high as 115 degrees. When people found out my due date, many of them said, "That'll be a good thing, that you won't be pregnant through the summer." After this past week, I believe it. Saying it was "hot" is an understatement.
There isn't much exciting news to report for this week. Basically, I've just been maintaining. Maintaining my diet and exercise regimine, that is. One of my students asked me last week when I was going to start showing. Then today, a friend of mine told me that she wouldn't have known that I'm pregnant if I hadn't told her. She said, "Have you gained any weight?" I have, but it's all been going to two places. (Take a wild guess.) I'm glad for the compliments, but I will also be glad when I do start showing. Some people get upset about the weight gain, but I'll proudly show off the fact that I'm going to be a mommy!
I've been thoroughly enjoying my exercise class too. It is so relaxing, but it's also a good workout. The first time I went, I felt like I'd been at the spa after it was over. During the meditation time, the instructor talks you through relaxing all the muscles in your face and the rest of your body. It's funny, I didn't realize how tense I was until I took that class. I've been trying to do some of the stretches and meditation techniques at home too, and it's already making a big difference. I sleep better at night, and it doesn't take as long to fall asleep either.
Now just two more days, and we get to hear the baby's heartbeat. We can't wait!
There isn't much exciting news to report for this week. Basically, I've just been maintaining. Maintaining my diet and exercise regimine, that is. One of my students asked me last week when I was going to start showing. Then today, a friend of mine told me that she wouldn't have known that I'm pregnant if I hadn't told her. She said, "Have you gained any weight?" I have, but it's all been going to two places. (Take a wild guess.) I'm glad for the compliments, but I will also be glad when I do start showing. Some people get upset about the weight gain, but I'll proudly show off the fact that I'm going to be a mommy!
I've been thoroughly enjoying my exercise class too. It is so relaxing, but it's also a good workout. The first time I went, I felt like I'd been at the spa after it was over. During the meditation time, the instructor talks you through relaxing all the muscles in your face and the rest of your body. It's funny, I didn't realize how tense I was until I took that class. I've been trying to do some of the stretches and meditation techniques at home too, and it's already making a big difference. I sleep better at night, and it doesn't take as long to fall asleep either.
Now just two more days, and we get to hear the baby's heartbeat. We can't wait!
Monday, August 6, 2007
12 Weeks...Busy, Busy, Busy!
It's hard to believe that it's only been a week since I last posted. It feels like ages ago now. School started on Wednesday, so things have been much more busy lately. The school year has gotten off to a very smooth start though.
My students were very happy to hear my news, especially the eighth graders. Some were, however, a little upset. One said to me, "Wait. That means you have to go on maternity leave, right?" I nodded. "You can't do that, Mrs. Sherrod! This is your last year with us. Can't you come and teach just the eighth graders? You can bring the baby with you!" I smiled and laughed a little. Then I told her that I would actually be doing that on some days.
So the question of the week seems to be, "How are you feeling? Are you having any morning sickness?" The answer, thankfully, is no. I have not had a day of morning sickness. There have been a few brief moments of nausea, but they've quickly passed after I got something to eat. I consider that to be a huge blessing and, prayerfully, it will stay that way.
My biggest complaint right now is fatigue. Friends have told me that pregnant women tend to get their energy back during the second trimester though. It's getting close to that time for me, and my energy levels have already been picking up. And that's without coffee too. (I never thought I could live without my coffee in the morning!) All I'm drinking is milk and water now.
On the bright side, I started a new exercise class next week. It's called Body Flow, and it combines Tai Chi, Pilates, and Yoga. My friend Chris told me about it when I saw him at the gym a few weeks back, and I'm so glad I listened. I went twice last week, and it's made a world of difference. I feel more well-rested at the beginning of the day, and I don't feel as tense after the class.
My next prenatal appointment is on the 16th of this month. I'll get to hear the heartbeat then. I can't wait!
My students were very happy to hear my news, especially the eighth graders. Some were, however, a little upset. One said to me, "Wait. That means you have to go on maternity leave, right?" I nodded. "You can't do that, Mrs. Sherrod! This is your last year with us. Can't you come and teach just the eighth graders? You can bring the baby with you!" I smiled and laughed a little. Then I told her that I would actually be doing that on some days.
So the question of the week seems to be, "How are you feeling? Are you having any morning sickness?" The answer, thankfully, is no. I have not had a day of morning sickness. There have been a few brief moments of nausea, but they've quickly passed after I got something to eat. I consider that to be a huge blessing and, prayerfully, it will stay that way.
My biggest complaint right now is fatigue. Friends have told me that pregnant women tend to get their energy back during the second trimester though. It's getting close to that time for me, and my energy levels have already been picking up. And that's without coffee too. (I never thought I could live without my coffee in the morning!) All I'm drinking is milk and water now.
On the bright side, I started a new exercise class next week. It's called Body Flow, and it combines Tai Chi, Pilates, and Yoga. My friend Chris told me about it when I saw him at the gym a few weeks back, and I'm so glad I listened. I went twice last week, and it's made a world of difference. I feel more well-rested at the beginning of the day, and I don't feel as tense after the class.
My next prenatal appointment is on the 16th of this month. I'll get to hear the heartbeat then. I can't wait!
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