I am loved

First things first, let me just tell you how great of a husband I have. Most of you know that already, but wow. I think one of his spiritual gifts is Acts of Service (just like his parents) because he's has been WONDERFUL in taking care of crabby, nauseous ol' me the past couple of weeks. Now that's love. Tad has gone the extra mile to do most of the housework, make me food constantly, find "suitable for a pregnant woman" ant spray, grocery shop, work on organizing the attic, wash the dogs, go to pre-natal appointments, get the heater in my car fixed, rub on me, etc. etc. etc. I really could go on and on. And he is constantly asking me "What do you need?" or "What can I do?". I just thank God everyday for blessing me with such an incredible husband; one I don't deserve. I know he's going to be an amazing, involved father.

Secondly, I have the best friends in the world. No, really. The girls that I have told about baby busby have been so supportive! Between Jenny's daily email and answering all of my questions, Jess' goodies, Becky's search for cooked sushi, Alexis' midwife recommendation, and Tricia's thoughtfulness I feel completely overwhelmed with love. When I told small group the other night, Leah said, "I feel like this is OUR baby". Now how sweet is that?! Of course, I promptly told her she would be first in line for a dirty diaper change when on Tuesday nights when we meet. :) But in all seriousness, it makes things so much easier to have a solid support system and have people around who are thrilled about this (and who want to talk about it). I'm completely consumed (morning sickness just won't let me forget, haha) so it's nice to have women around to discuss my excitement, anxiety, etc.

And the crazy thing is, I've already received gifts! For those of you who have read the Love Languages book, I believe one of mine is receiving gifts. It can be homemade, cost a penny, but I love people who take time to get me something thoughtful. First, Tricia and JR (our former small group leaders) send me pre-natal organic lotions and oils. Yum! And then Jessica put together a package of all kinds of goodies that she found were most helpful to her throughout her pregnancy. I don't know how she found time to do that when she's still working and preparing for Brecken to arrive around the 6th. So as you can imagine, both were a very sweet surprise and made feel very loved!

Here are the goodies:

Yep, I'm pregnant

I was scheduled to have my first pre-natal appointment on Monday morning at 10:30. Tad and I got there and they were way behind schedule because one of the midwives was delivering and we didn't end up seeing anyone. Come to find out, Intown Midwifery subleases the office and they have to be out at noon on Mondays. I wanted to wait since we'd already been there an hour, but we had to re-schedule for Wednesday. I was a little bummed, but told myself patience is a virtue, it was out of my control and I should be thankful for a job that allows me to miss 4+ hours in the same work week!

We came back on Wednesday, and although they're were a lot of moms-to-be there, we were seen within an hour. They took a urine sample and confirmed what we knew already - I'm knocked up. ;) I was happy to be seen by Margaret Strickhouser for my first visit. After all, she's the best midwife in Atlanta! I loved her hippiness (because I'm one at heart) and that she encourages natural pregnancy and delivery. She told me that obstetrics is overshadowed by fear and anxiety but the realty is that our bodies are made to do this and she had no doubt in my ability to handle it all. Her humor was awesome (I quote, "You have two choices here: epidural or aquadural. About the time you say you can't take the pain anymore, we throw you in the birthing pool".) Haha. I loved this lady from the second I met her. She called out my symptoms (now Tad doesn't think I'm crazy for smelling weird things that he can't smell) and made me feel at ease with all this craziness going on inside of me. I can't wait to see her again. :) And, by the way, she delivered 5 babies in 20 hours on Monday. Insane!

Nothing exciting was really done at this appointment. She said she could check me to see if my uterus was enlarged, but she knew it was. I didn't bother. It was more about getting to know her and her outlook on obstetrics. The next appointment she will do the doppler and hopefully we will hear the heartbeat. My appointment is on Monday, February 14th after all. A perfect day to hear a new heart beating!

I probably won't get an ultrasound until 12 weeks. She doesn't recommend getting them often. We talked about the vaccination/autism craze and she said that vaccinations haven't changed much over the years but the amount of ultrasounds and epidurals given has. She didn't right out say that she thought it had anything to do with the increase in cases, but she recommends keeping them at a minimum. I'm trusting her judgement and would rather play it safe than give in to my selfishness of wanting to see this blueberry inside of me!

Here's a link to Intown Midwifery.

9, 10, 11

No, I'm not just counting for fun. That's my due date. Cool, huh? 9-10-11. Not that the baby will arrive that day (because I'm just not that lucky) but it's fun to talk about.

Tomorrow's the big appointment. 10:30. Can't wait! I'm hoping I can hear the heartbeat (chances are slim because I'm still a little early and I don't think they do the vaginal doppler, just the one on my belly). But what I'm really hoping for is that they will refer me to See Baby for an ultrasound. If they do, I'll probably do it Tuesday! I just NEED a pic of bb.

Now off to make myself eat left over manicotti between gulps of caffeine free diet mountain dew. When will this nausea ever end?!?!? ;)

Working through it

Working through it, you ask? Oh, yeah... it's tough work. Of course, I'm speaking of nausea. Some days I feel great and others... not so much. Thankfully, I have not been sick yet but there have been a couple of close calls. I wonder if it's the same as being hung over... when you get sick, you feel better?

Right now, I'm trying to eat every couple of hours, drink lots of water, and when the nausea hits, pop in a jolly ranger. Sometimes these things work, this morning, nothing has. I've also realized that if I'm busy working, in a meeting talking to other people, or doing something active/working out then I don't feel those symptoms as badly. But if I'm riding in the car or sitting at my desk then I pay closer attention to being green. Maybe I should just fill up my calendar?! Green is not a good look for me.

On another note, we told my sister and parents Saturday night about bb. My sister was hilarious. We met her, Cale, Lilli and Avery at the movies in McDonough to see Tangled. I pulled up the positive pregnancy test pic on my iphone and showed it to her. She said, "Oh cool, you got a new case". (Because I got an otterbox for my phone.) Doh. I told her to look at the pic and she was shocked (and got teary-eyed, which was really sweet). After all, Abby has been the one harassing us to have a baby (only because she wants 10 kids but Cale won't have it). :) Needless to say, she's super excited and her being excited, made me more excited and hopeful that all works out!

Telling mom and dad was a bit different. I debated on waiting until the 12 weeks. I love my dad soooo much, but he has the BIGGEST.MOUTH.EVER. He can't keep a secret. And bb is a BIG secret to keep. But, I knew I had to tell them. So, of course, I premise my announcement with... okay, so you can't tell anyone until I say it's okay. And Mom, said "you're pregnant". Bingo. I reminded them not to tell anyone and one time my dad said, "Not even brothers." Haha. No, dad... no one. We'll see how it goes. It's such a weird thing. I mean, I want to shout it to everyone, but I also want to minimize the amount of explaining I'd have to do if I have a miscarriage, which everyone knows happens often in women. Hopefully these next 5 weeks go by quickly -- for my sake (this nausea has GOT TO GO), for Tad's sake (because he's been taking on more than normal and helping me tons),for my dad's sake (so he doesn't accidentally slip) and of course for baby Busby.

And about telling people... there are some folks that I am planning to tell, that I haven't yet because I haven't seen them. Specifically, Jessica and Becky. I'll see Jess tomorrow for Lindsay Merriman Lewis' shower so I'm excited to share the news with her (especially, because she's due with Brecken next month). Plus, we've been planning to have babies together since uhhh 6th grade. ;) We'll have to take a pregnancy picture, haha. Becky has invited me to sushi (which I can't eat) so I may still go and tell her WHY I can't partake. I don't think anyone anticipated it happening this quickly (because I've told all of them that we were starting to try) so it's an even bigger surprise. Yay!

Now, Jenny, on the other hand -- I couldn't wait. She is the pregno queen/expert (after all, she's got the third bun in the oven right now) and I needed to tell her ASAP because she talks as much as I do (we both ask a million questions and want every detail) and I know she'd give it to me straight - risks, symptoms, pains, etc etc etc. I actually emailed her the picture of the pee stick and then called her while she opened it. Too bad I think Jason, her husband, saw it on his iphone first and sent her an email with the subject line "positive". Kind of makes me wish my unofficial due date wasn't his birthday. ;) Just kidding. Anyway, Jenny was all kinds of excited and I believe she even mentioned maternity clothes that I could borrow during that first phone calls. She's hilarious. It's been fun talking to her the past couple of weeks about everything.

Because I can't wait to tell small group, I moved my doctor's appointment up to Monday from Wednesday. That way, if all is well, I can share the news Tuesday night when we meet. Since we're going ice skating next Sunday (and I can't participate) I figured it would be nice to share the news at our next meeting instead of in the parking lot at Park Tavern. Plus, they'll quit clipping EPT pregnancy test coupons for me and talking about us making a baby. FYI, the BABY IS MADE! Haha. It sounds like we've told a lot of people, huh? I mean, really, Tad and I have no secrets and those close to us know that. ;)

Okay, I'm off to pee. (Another symptom it doesn't look like I'll be able to shake!)

Pregnancy symptoms

Isn't it funny that God made pregnancy symptoms so similar to PMS symptoms? I mean, the bloating, irritability, boobs hurting, hormones all crazy, nausea. I think God played a little joke on us women, especially those who are trying to get pregnant. You go several day before you start wondering if it's PMS or a bun in the oven.

Last week when I took the test I felt like I had been run over by a truck, I was so tired. This week I cut a little break with the snow and ice. I worked from home 3 days which means I didn't get up to 7:00-8:30 and stayed in my pajamas all day. Last night Tad and I had an early dinner at the EP Tavern (don't worry, we went early and sat in a far booth to avoid the smoke inhalation) and then I came home and was in the bed before 8:00. Talk about L-A-Z-I-N-E-S-S. Guess what? Same thing tonight. Tad is at the Thrashers' game with friends and I'm in the bed with the pups. Watching 24 on the laptop, of course. I bet I'll be asleep by 9:30. :)

The biggest news of the day is that I made my first doctor's appointment. January 26th at 3:00. Can't wait! I've known for a while that I wanted to use a midwife (more coaching and time with you, less drugs, less likeliness of c-section, less tearing) and I have heard great things about Intown Midwifery. The founder of the practice has delivered over 5000 babies! I was just keeping my fingers crossed they were in network. When you have a high deductible plan/HSA like Tad and I do, it makes a difference. Thankfully I looked up their back-up OB who they do their billing through and he's in. Awesome. I'm excited to hear the baby's heartbeat!

Baby Busby

I decided to start this blog to share news, updates, thoughts, worries, prayers, etc. for Baby Busby. I'd also like to write notes to the baby so that when he/she is older they can look back and see how much they were loved... even before they were born!

So just in case the first paragraph didn't sink in -- TAD AND I ARE EXPECTING. Wow. To type that makes it sink in a tiny bit more.

Now for some back story... Tad and I said when we first got married that we would start trying to start a family after our 5 year anniversary. Then the baby bug hit us... well let me correct that statement. I've always had the baby bug. I just love, love, love babies, especially since Lilli and Avery were born. And for whatever reason I'm like the baby expert with friends. Not sure why, maybe because of being around Abby, but it's pretty funny. With all the baby knowledge and warm and fuzzies that come with the little bundle of joy, it has always been a struggle between wanting to do life before children stuff (travel abroad, weekend trips with friends, SLEEP) and starting a family. Tad, on the other hand, has been somewhat ready for a while. Maybe it's the age thing, maybe it's because his parents are older. He never said, "We gotta do this." and I didn't feel any pressure, but I knew he was worried about being the old man on the baseball field with his kid. (Not that he even looks his age or anything.) So long story a tiny bit shorter, we decided a couple of months ago that we'd start trying in December and booked a beach trip. I couldn't really wrap my mind around it, but I figured it's a good a time as any and surely it will take a couple of months to make things happen. A big part of it was making sure I was at GP for a year because after that I get 100% maternity leave for 6 weeks, instead of 50% (if you're there less than a year). I got my IUD out the beginning of December so my body would have a chance to get back to normal and we were diligent with back up protection until our trip. Of course closer to vacation I pull up ovulation calculators and realize that Dec 19 - 25th (our trip dates) was the perfect time to make a baby. Wowsers. Still, I thought there's no way it would happen that quickly, especially after having the Mirena for 3+ years which has a small amount of hormones.

BABY DISCOVERY

Well, Cancun, Mexico was fantastic (I would love to take a trip like that the week before Christmas every year... hint, hint Tad) and I came back wondering what would happen. I was supposed to start January 1st and I was surprisingly relaxed about not taking an early detection pregnancy test. There started to be signs though... my breasts were really sore (which is a PMS symptom, but I'll talk about that in a later post...) and on NYE we were supposed to meet my co-worker, Kate, at the dog park and I woke up with serious number 2 issues, which is weird because I have a stomach of steel. I mean, I was in the bathroom like 7 or 8 times. That night, we celebrated bringing in the New Year at Paris on Ponce with our small group. At the end of the party, Matt was nice enough to take us home with the Gossmanns and Wendy in tow. Of course, we had told them the whole deal about trying. So when we got home, someone mentioned taking a pregnancy test. It sounded like a good idea at the time so I did it. And it was negative, even though it said it would detect up to 4 days before the first day of your period. Tad and I agreed that it would be a good story to get pregnant the first time we tried so we were both a tiny bit disappointed in the results but we both thought - there's always next month, and next month, and next month. ;) I knew there was a small chance it could be wrong though... I had already been on babycenter.com and knew that I could be testing too early and the hcg levels are highest in the morning. I decided to re-test after I missed my period.

A couple of days passed and next thing you know it's Wednesday, the 5th, and Tad calls me at work to let me know his grandmother (Nola Busby) passed away. I come home so we can go to Louisiana and while I'm packing I decide to take a test with me. I figured if I ended up being pregnant, we would tell his parents while we were there (since we agreed that's news you share in person). Thursday morning I got up and couldn't stand it any longer. I wanted to MAKE SURE it was accurate so I snuck a Solo cup from the kitchen and dipped that pee stick right in there while I timed it 20 seconds. :) I put the instructions over the stick and made myself brush my teeth before I looked at it again. Talk about suspense. I just knew I was pregnant though. My body had been so weird (with continuous digestion issues) and no sign of TOM. So I pulled the paper back and yep, a big ol' + sign. :) I remember saying outloud, "I knew it!". I called Tad and said, "I told you I was." He teared up and gave me a hug. It was a very sweet moment. I think the next thing out of his mouth was "when should we tell momma and daddy?" Haha. Tad is almost as bad as my dad on keeping secrets. We ended up telling them about an hour later. They were surprised and happy. We also told Tammie and David (Tad's sis and brother-in-law) while we were there. I think it was hard for all of us not to include Sarah and Jacob (our niece and nephew) in on the discussion (especially Sarah because she's a baby lover), but I want to keep it to a small number of people knowing because you never know what can happen in the first couple of months.

Today I'm 5 weeks and a couple of days pregnant by doctor's calculations. (The weird due date determination by the first day of your last period plus forty weeks just in case the math isn't adding up in your head.) That makes my due date Sept 12th. No morning sickness yet, but I've been peeing every 5 minutes (due to all of the hormones), have had moments of nausea and boy, sometimes I feel like I've been run over by a truck because I'm exhausted. All good signs my spawn is developing in there so I don't mind those symptoms much! I've been obsessed with reading articles online and everything you can find out about a 5 week old embryo. That's a good thing and a bad thing because you read about ALL the things that have to go right for things to be normal. I just can't help myself though. I called today to make an appointment at Intown Midwifery but with the snow and ice here in Atlanta at the moment I think they were closed. I'm looking forward to my first appointment, hearing the heartbeat and seeing the little tadpole (haha!). Thanks for reading and being a part of baby Busby's life already!