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So, I may be the worst blogger in history. I also blame it on my profession. Sales in 4th quarter AND end of
year is chaotic. Still – I don’t want to
make excuses. For those that have been
following, we have really just been caught up in the holiday season, working
too hard and enjoying my growing belly (and all the kicks and punches).
I guess I should rewind back to our Fetal Echo in
November. We went in on Friday, November
7th to meet Dr. Milazzo and his team and to get a more detailed look
at Boden’s little heart.
The detail in the scans was absolutely incredible. The sonographer was explaining to us the
different areas she was looking at and what they meant. You could actually see the inflow and outflow
of blood through each chamber because they lit up different colors depending on
whether they were moving towards or away from the camera…so cool!
At the end, we waited for Dr. M to come in and give us the
results. Let me preface by saying he is
a very professional, emotionless man.
Direct and to the point, not much humor and not a whole lot of chit
chat. My guess is because he too often
has to deliver crushing news to parents, hopeful parents just like us.
I was so nervous I thought I was going to throw up. I was on
the brink of tears and expecting something not to be right. He came in, handed us a print out, and said,
“The results are normal. There are no
major abnormalities with the baby’s heart”.
I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. I thought maybe he was going to pinch me to
wake me up, or there was a “gotcha” at the end of it. But there were no gotchas. Just more tears. I jumped up and grasped that man around his
neck tightly and could only say “thank you” over and over again.
He was definitely caught a little off-guard at my
spontaneous gratitude and chuckled replying, “Well, I wasn’t expecting that.”
This man got to deliver some of the best news to these parents on that day and
it made everyone in the room smile a little brighter.
We left and I still could not control the crying. I also could not process thoughts, string
together words or sentences or explain how I was feeling. I guess I didn’t realize how heavy a burden I
was carrying around on my chest (I thought maybe it was just my boobs growing
out of control)! The weight that was
lifted is indescribable - it literally felt like someone lifted a 50 lb.
barbell off my chest and I took the deepest, longest breath I’d taken in
months. I was so overcome with emotion I
really don’t even know how to describe it.
My mind was swarming and my thoughts scattered, but it was the most
intense joy I’ve felt in a long time.
Chris and I had lunch at our good news spot in Cameron
Village. We went back to the same place
we were at when we got the call from our CC nurses that our IVF round had
worked. It’s the same place we sat and
called all our families to tell them we were finally pregnant. This restaurant, just a local bar, has come
to hold such a special place in our hearts and here we were celebrating another
big milestone!
Since the fetal, we’ve had some follow up doc appointments
with our OB. I had my glucose test which also came back normal. I would not recommend doing the glucose test
a few hours before you have to catch a flight – my stomach was off all day!
We are also officially in our 3rd trimester! We had our 28 week scan with Duke on the 22nd
right before we went home for the holidays.
We had some of the sweetest 3D pics to show our families which made this
Christmas a little sweeter.
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| I can barely contain my excitement |
The baby is
growing steadily and is in the 68th percentile for growth and
weight. I am a little underweight but
not to the point that they are concerned since the bambino is doing so well. I
still have Placenta Previa despite all our hopes that it would correct
itself. But, given all the good news
about the growth of our little one I can’t complain. I also had our 28 week check-up with my OB
the same day and if the PP doesn’t correct itself by our next scan at the end of January they will
likely be scheduling a C-section between 36-37 weeks which would put us
mid-late February for Boden’s arrival. I
definitely freaked a little at this news because February is going to be here before
we know it and we are not at all prepared.
I will come to terms with it at some point I’m sure!
We also took a Saturday and finally registered at Buy Buy
Baby. Registering is no joke. It’s also not very fun like I was imagining
it would be. It is overwhelming. There are too many strollers, jumpers, play
mats and diapers to choose from. How do
I know if I will need sensitive wipes or not?
Why are there so many diaper rash creams? Does the kid need a jumper, mat, swing, AND
rock and play. My head was spinning and
again I ended up in tears. That may just
be the hormones, but I would be OK not going back into one of those baby gear
factories for a while.
We had such an amazing Christmas, our last Christmas as just
the four of us. I think Vegas and Harley
can sense that life is about to drastically change. Harley is my little shadow – following me
around and laying with me anytime I’m sitting.
He has to be touching me at all times.
We had such a fun Raleigh Oden Christmas with Rob and Kristin. It’s our annual tradition to get together and
exchange gifts the weekend before Christmas.
Chris and I were foregoing an extravagant Christmas this year but he
managed to surprise me with my baby bag that I’ve been swooning over. I know some of yall think I’m probably nuts,
but I’ve had this bad boy picked out since we started trying to get pregnant.
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| Forgive the cheese - I was completely surprised! My new Rebecca Minkoff "Knocked Up" Baby Bag! |
This
year, we also added putting on our finest Christmas sweaters/shirts and brewery
hopping around Raleigh. Next year, I will actually be participating in the
drinking portion of that event!
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| Stop #1 - Crank Arm Brewery. This little gem of a sweater was a stocking stuffer from my sweet baby-daddy! |
I also got to see my best friend of 23+ years and meet her sweetest new addition, Riley. Check out those lips! I am obsessed and can't wait for Boden and Riley to be best friends! No matter where life has taken us or what cities we've ended up in we've always managed to remain besties. I love these two ladies with every bit of my being!
We have so much coming up that we are looking forward to (in
addition to our little one’s arrival).
Finishing the nursery is the top of that list – really I’d just be happy
to get it in working order. Our maternity session is next weekend. Chris is heading out to AZ for a long weekend
to visit his parents. I’m staying back
and doing a spa day here (thanks to an extremely thoughtful gift from one of the best friends). We have 2 showers coming up –
one in Raleigh and one in Charlotte.
January and February are usually long, slow, cold months but this year
we have so much to keep us busy and so much excitement.
Until then, we will be celebrating 29 weeks on NYE. I am looking forward to saying farewell to
2014 and welcoming a very exciting 2015!
We will be celebrating in a more low key fashion this year that includes
a bonfire with neighbors and friends, sweatpants and hot chocolate for this
Momma!
On another very magical note...today my parents celebrate 36 years of marriage!
These 2 people are the reason I am who I am
and I couldn't be more thankful for all their unconditional love, guidance and
support over the years. I can’t wait for
them to be grandparents in a few short months.
My mom might also be the most beautiful woman on the planet. Dad was rocking the teen wolf look long
before it actually became a “thing”.
Love you guys and Happy Anniversary! I hope the next 36 are as fun and adventurous as the first 36 were!
Hoping everyone had a wonderful, magical Christmas and
wishing you all happiness and health in 2015!
And, as always, we are sending up extra prayers and thoughts to any of
our friends and followers battling fertility, making tough decisions and in the
long 2 week waiting periods! You are always in our hearts!
Here's some recaps of our Christmas with our families!
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| #sisterselfie with my beautiful SILs |
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| Christmas Eve with my love and life partner |
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| Comparing bellies post Christmas Eve Feast with Funcle Rob and Uncle Bert |
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| Christmas with my crazy parents, sisters and D! |
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| Christmas bones for the furbabes |
