Just a litte side Note!!

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Another hurdle down...

Those all too familiar blood work tests are becoming more and more fun and from what I understand the Glucose one is the really fun one!
I got my latest test results back today for the AFP quad-screening and my nurse gave me a little scare when she called to give me the results. I missed her call and so she just left me a message. Well you have to understand this is what I'm used to hearing: "No news it good news!!" and when I got her message that she had my test results... my heart fell into my stomach ... and of course I didn't get her message until after 5 so I couldn't call her back yesterday. Golly that's probably why I didn't sleep well that night! And on top of that they aren't open every Friday... so I didn't know if I was gonna have to wait until Monday to get he result or not.
Well I called at 8:30 Friday morning, low and behold they were there and the nurse, Shannon answered the phone.
"Shannon it's Jennifer ... everything okay??? "
"Girl everything's fine ... the results all came back negative"

Okay big huge boulder was now lifting off my chest...everything's NEGATIVE. Whew!!
Okay so I know this is just a screening so its not 100% but it's at least a good sign for now. I always try to stay positive but there is always that little noise at the back of mind telling me "Well what if ..." or "Could still be ..."


ON ANOTHER NOTE:
I was thinking (I do a lot of that these days!)... my due date falls awfully close to my miscarriage last summer. Wouldn't that be something if the baby was born on that or around that day. One of my girlfriends, Amanda, said "Yep you never know that may be GOD's way of giving you a happy memory for that painful memory." Well I guess we'll just have to wait and see what GOD's plan is as we come closer to the time.



COUNT TO THE ULTRASOUND:
10 DAYS

Latest Doctor Checkup

So I went to the doctor Wednesday and they we're so thrilled my blood pressure was WAY down (108/68) ..... WOOHOO!!! That's great news. Now to just keep it down without raising my medication doses would be great. Currently I'm taking a baby dose of Aldomet, so she's hoping to keep me on that. They also think I'll need to be monitored after the baby to make sure it goes down. Fun Fun!!
Well on to more exciting news.....
I was laying on the table so we could do the Dopplar thing and hear the heartbeat. She had the wand right over top of the baby and we were hearing it's heartbeat really good. When all of sudden I nearly jumped off the table ... that little booger kicked/pushed at the wand!!! It was an interesting feeling but painful at the same time. She said yeh they can feel something on the belly so they'll kick/push at them. After that it had flipped over to the left side and she was able to get a good heartbeat reading of 154 bpm. That was actually very exciting to feel it do that. I still laugh about...

I also have to go have the AFP blood work done to check for Downs Syndrome. That's always a little nerve racking...so just pray for the best!!

Not too much else... that was the excitement for the appointment!!!

Oh yeah on a finally note: I'll be going back February 5th for the ultrasound to hopefully determine the gender!!! BOY or GIRL?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
YAY THREE WEEKS -- We can't wait!!!

Ultrasound Pictures

I finally got the ultrasounds scanned in.

This is from my first ultrasound. You'll see two gestational sacs present. This was a huge surprise to us!! Twins....What??? Well the ultrasound tech warned us that the 2nd one on the left looked a little off. The following weekend I ended up in the hospital for bleeding. Apparently this is called a vanishing twin, the body rids itself of the unhealthy sac. Needless to say, this was a very scary moment for me. I was so afraid I was miscarrying again. Finally, the ultrasound tech was able to show me the healthy heartbeat of the one baby. Whew!! What a relief.....




These are from my 11 week checkup. It was so neat for Troy and I to see the baby moving and kicking around. This first one was a top of the head and arm shot. The others are pictures of the babies head and hand.






Now as soon as I get the ones next month I'll be sure to post... hopefully we'll know if its GIRL or BOY at those!!!

2nd Trimester is Here!

So I'm so EXCITED I've made it to the 2nd Trimester. I know, I know, I still have a long way to go but it feels like such an accomplishment. I've waited so long for this time in my life and it just feels so good to make it to every milestone. They say this is supposed to be the 'honeymoon' phase... Ha! I'm more tired now because I can't sleep, or shall I say I can't get comfortable. Definitely something I'm trying to work on... pregnancy pillow, please work!!

I'm still trying to figure out how to get my ultrasound pictures scanned in, so I can get them posted.
I'm growing more and more. I look like I should be about 5-6 months when I'm only 3 1/2 months!!! I'm really scared to see how big I do get. Hahaha!!

Well everything else seems to be going well for now. I was put on blood pressure medicine just before Christmas for Pregnancy Induced High Blood Pressure, my blood pressure was 140/88. Yekes!! I've since bought a blood pressure monitor and keeping track of it. Lately it's been doing much better.
I go back for another checkup a week from today. So I'll be sure to come check-in with my update.

Troy and I are still working through baby names. Boy names seem to be difficult for us, so I'm trying to get some ideas flowing. I bought the 100,000 Baby Names book and we've gone through it a few times letter by letter but it's almost overwhelming at times. I may take a poll later..... hahaha!!
Troy really wants to wait until we find out what it is... hopefully February 19th!!!!
But you know me I'm anxious to get on the ball... be ready for whatever! :)

Well that's my update for now...