Great day at the consignment shop

[caption id="attachment_383" align="alignnone" width="225"] Our sling for baby carrying[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_374" align="alignnone" width="300"] Whale tub![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_372" align="alignnone" width="225"] Highchair...we're working ahead[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_382" align="alignnone" width="225"] Doug's manly baby carrier[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_381" align="alignnone" width="300"] Our current book collection[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_379" align="alignnone" width="225"] Needlepoint by Doug's cousin Melia (from when he turned 1[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_378" align="alignnone" width="300"] Booties from Great Grandma Allegar, 1 week's worth of diapers, baby's first classical CD[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_377" align="alignnone" width="225"] Figurine from Great Grandma Nehls[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_376" align="alignnone" width="300"] Wall hanging by Doug's cousin Carol (hand stitched, by the way and on the door says "Douglas Firs") made for baby Doug[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_375" align="alignnone" width="225"] Handmade rug for baby Doug by Uncle Jim, not allowed on the floor per Doug's request, so re-purposed for the rocker back[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="580"] Wally loves all of "his" new interesting things[/caption]

The first boy warning from my boss...

Doug and I went out to my work holiday dinner out this last week. My boss has 2 boys and a girl, 7 and younger and has been really excited for us. In the middle of dinner he warned us about boys and fire...not from his own kids, but from the things he did. He told us stories about the time he poured gas on the side of the house and stood with the garden hose running to see what would happen. He told us about the time he and his friends started a fire in the woods and ran home to have his mom call the fire department when it got out of control! Then another co-worker piped up about getting kicked out of summer camp for playing with fire...every guy had done something horrifying with their friends. I looked at Doug...I won't rat him out on the worst story, but playing after school with a group of boys he had a one especially pyro buddy and they did small experiments together. But then one day when he didn't hang out with them they told him about what he missed: filling a super soaker water gun with gas and lighting the stream trying to make a flame shooter, which of course was a melted plastic fire bomb. Oh God I can hardly wait.

16 pounds of baby bump vs. 18 pounds of Christmas turkey

Next week we will be half way through our 9 months! Merry Christmas.

It's a Boy!

Baby's newest photo shoot.

4 month appointment

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="165"] Our Doctor[/caption]

Wednesday the 12th was our 4 month appointment. It was pretty standard; peed in a cup, got weighed, up 4 pounds since last month (15 total pounds!) checked blood pressure ( up a bit, no red flags though since my normal pressure is super low) and listened to baby's heart 150 beats per minute. We asked several questions that have been piling up. I've been looking into prep classes, and talking to friends who said the birthing class is still valuable for a c-section couple because some parts of the class are about nursing and infant care, etc. However, our hospital divides it up separately. $25 for the breastfeeding prep, $25 for newborn care, and $225 for birth prep. Doug has already gotten a bit stressed at the thought of me going into early labor before our scheduled day (now that I've informed him of our long line of early birthers 2-5 weeks). Personally, I'd really like to go into labor a bit first and let those hormonal signals do there thing for our little guy so she's got a little heads up about moving out. Dr. Zino insists that we call her at the very first signals. Doug's been trying to coach me out of my gloom about not getting to give birth, which I think I would probably kick-ass at...under other circumstances! Again, I have to trust my Dr. on this, since she lectures on c-section prevention and she did my surgery and doesn't want me take the risk. She advised us to save our $225 on the birth class. I can't believe how much they cost, I checked at other area hospitals, all in the same ballpark.  I always like my appointments with her, she's fun and funny, has a great Irish accent, and at this appointment while asking me the regular questions she went over to cover Doug's ears when asking some intimate questions "husbands don't need to hear." She's a gem. Her Dad was a pianist and when she was a kid he would force her to practice the accordian.  She's always wishing she had more time to start piano lessons. The only bad news we got was about 3rd trimester travel, Doug's Mid West tour and my potential baby shower falls at 32 weeks, and Dr. Says no plane travel at 32 weeks, unless I want to risk breaking my water in the pressure of take off, or blood clots. She said I could do it, but it would definitely be against medical advice. Having no idea hoe secure my "baby seal" will be, I've decided to forget it. We looked into Amtrak but it's a 30+ hour trip one way, and already I'm feeling weird on my night train home from work. Doesn't seem like a safe bet. I figure since Doug and I are taking care of everything we really need, we'll do a little gathering post baby in July to or from the Oregon reunion so the WI crew can get their fill and if our friends and family demand to gift sans shower, the theme will be building our baby/ kid library: books! and 1st year clothing....Doug and I aren't good clothes shoppers for ourselves let alone having to fill our baby drawers on our own :)

Hello, my name is......

We will find out the sex of our little guy on Monday December 17, so we have 3 days before we have to get down to serious naming business. We've got a scratch pad with our on-going brainstorm and most recently tried to lengthen our boy list a bit. We're more on the same page with the girl column...maybe because Doug contributes names such as: John Jacob Jingleheimer Detrick and Alexander Graham Detrick...... Anyway, before we get down to serious business we're taking the risk of sharing our first round brain storm...we are not done going through the book ( or at least I, Jenny, am not done. Doug hasn't cracked open, he prefers the random strokes of naming genius that come to him organically) nor have we started to dabble with first and middle combos, or begun trouble shooting problematic initials. Well, I guess I knocked off Vera and Vivian fearing the initials V.D..but otherwise here is our start:June, Elenor, Beatrice, Grace, Audrey, Joy, Charlotte, Cory-----Gabe, Henry, Evan, Franklin, Graham, Jude, Elliot, Scott, Joel, Matthew

Shake Your Baby Maker

Jenny has been asking me very nicely to take her to this place called the Pyramid Club where its 80's Night every night. She went once a few months or so ago on our friend Mary's bachelorette party and had a blast. On Saturday night I had a gig subbing in for one of the trumpet players in a very fun band led by a Mexican singer/songwriter named Rana Santacruz. The band plays Rana's original songs that are all in Spanish and are mostly inspired by different strains of traditional Mexican music, but then he also loves rock, punk, bluegrass and jazz, so a lot of those sounds are mixed into the songs as well. He's a great musician and writes nice trumpet parts, so I'm always happy to sit in with his band when he calls. After the gig was over and we enjoyed some good Mexican food and drink.

Then Jenny tells me that the Pyramid Club is just a short walk from the Mexican Restaurant, and I, being the obliging husband, agreed to go with her. I don't generally like dancing, but I had promised I would take her, so this was a great opportunity. The dance floor was fairly small, or perhaps normal by Manhattan standards, lit by the standard colored lights moving on a random pattern. The other dancers were in groups mostly with some solo guys (some looking very lonely, some looking....well, REALLY into dancing.) and some solo girls. I didn't know most of the music, I'd have to say that my forte when it comes to dance music is more from the 1940's through 60's. Give me Count Basie over the Pet Shop Boys any day, but Jenny filled me in on the most important names. I had a good time shaking my "baby maker" despite myself.

Our trip home was interesting. We caught the last train of the night out of Grand Central, the 1:53. These late trains are always interesting because they are filled to the gills with drunk college kids in big groups. This train was no exception, and to make it all even better, the train lost power one stop short of New Rochelle. After 10 minutes went by lots of these girls were complaining to their boyfriends, and after 20 minutes they were complaining LOUDLY. Finally, after about 30 minutes we were on our way again, but when we got off there were no taxis waiting at the station like usual. So, we walked home at 3:00 in the morning, and Jenny's blisters got worse than they already were. It was a late, wild night for us!

Study Hall

Five months until the final and we've barely dented the assigned reading! Delivery, baby care, vaccines, nursing 10,000 baby names....it's a lot to study. Of course some topics are really working ahead, but I'm up for extra credit. Once the baby is here we'll just have to wing it like everyone else before us, but we'll try to be good students while we have the time. We're anxiously awaiting our 4 month appointment this week. We should be getting scheduled for the ultrasound that will reveal the sex by the end of the month or so according to my timeline. My previous dreams say girl, my friend "who has a sense" says boy, my boss says girl for no apparent reason. We started talking names a while ago, but were very stumped with boy names, if we wait to pick up the topic again after we know boy or girl, at least we have half the work:) I've been feeling fine, aside from feeling a bit off on train rides home at night, not sure why. As soon as I'm outside in the cold I feel better. I'm still sneezing daily with no explanation other than some women sneeze a lot during pregnancy. We're awaiting the first flutters of movement we're told to expect soon. We'll keep you posted!

Doug's first nursery purchase

Here it is, our nice thrift store find...one thing off the list, finally! There is a sizable list of to-dos, but I've been consulting with my experienced mamas to whittle away at the daunting list. There are many things that are pushed as must-haves, but really aren't. We haven't stepped into a baby store yet. We trying to not activate the overwhelmed sensations quite yet....I think we can hit it after the new year!

Cravings

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="487"] Should have taken the picture before we put them away in the fridge, but here is the chicken and brussels sprouts that Jenny made, and some rye soda bread, my contribution.[/caption]

Hey there family, it's Doug here, writing a quick post to update you all on the progress with our little rugrat from my perspective. Basically the difference between our perspectives is that I don't have a "little parasite" growing in my belly, so I'm spared all the cravings, unfamiliar physical sensations, etc. etc., except that I'm often the one that needs to provide whatever the food that my lovely wife is craving! But not always. Tonight Jenny cooked up some really incredible fried chicken legs. Wow. She made a buttermilk and flour coating, and then finished then in the oven and wow. (In case any of you are wondering, I've fallen pretty hard off the vegetarian wagon, but I hope to get back to some of the healthy veggie foods I used to cook. Maybe after Jenny stops needing extra calories!) But, when I suggested chicken tacos, that was just not acceptable. Apparently chicken legs with the skin on (and a tasty breading of course) are great, but chicken breasts are not. Wish me luck trying to keep all these things straight!

In our first excursion with the new (used) car, we did three things: 1) went grocery shopping, and then 3) got a christmas tree and fit it all in the car no problem. I skipped number two because it perfectly illustrates Jenny's current taste. 2) Jenny was craving fish and chips. So, we found a pub in New Rochelle, but the pub was closed. Then we found a supper club type place, (all you WI folks know what I'm talking about.) and it was closed too! When I suggested a pizza place I had heard about, Jenny exercised her Pregnant Woman's Veto, and said we had to find fish and chips. So, we ended up a pub in Larchmont, the next town over, and had already ordered drinks (ginger ale and beer for hubby) when we found they didn't serve fish and chips! Jenny was a good sport though, this could have been a praying mantis moment, but I survived. Jenny got a French Dip sandwich, by the way.

Week 15

Here we are, a tiny bit ahead of the curve in the belly dept. I was weighed at this month's appointment...twice to double check that I really gained that much since 4 weeks ago! But really what happened was that I have to keep the tank at a 1/4 tank or less in case of a major sneeze, but I'm under pressure to leave a sample at every appointment. I drank a whole water bottle before my last appointment and it seemed to up me about 2 extra pounds.

Even a week later I'm not quite up to my number according to my home scale. Nonetheless, I am a tiny bit above average in my baby weight. For 6 months prior, Dr. Zino insisted that I gain weight before we tried. I tried everything, eating a bit more, taking ensure at work, even talked to someone about nutrition and finding the healthiest high calorie foods. And of course in the Nehls family, there was the period of time welcoming me and my imaginary tape worm home for holidays. I tried ride the bus more, cutting out some burned calories, but I've always had a metabolism in overdrive.

Fast forward to now, and the switch is flipped! I'm eating healthily, but certainly "not for two." My body is hoarding everything in case of famine in New Rochelle, I guess. My internet baby guide told me yesterday that at 15 weeks I've probably gained 5 pounds by now. I knocked that of of the park a while ago.... Of course the Dr. says not to worry, I'm making up for lost time since I was "underweight" at the start. Still, the scale has given me some shock and awe.

I'm feeling fine, falling alseep earlier than I'd like, but I'm pretty restless at night, so I give myself a head start. I'm sneezing a lot but I can't find any explanation other than I've read some women sneeze a lot during pregnancy with no theories as to why. It's at home, at work, anywhere really. I'm about to start my first baby project, I found a second hand mobile, spins, plays music, but has super cheeseball pastel teddybears. I'm cutting them all off and making little farm animals instead. Doug has agreed to my farm theme :)

Hermetically sealed cat

Wally is enjoying the recent changes around the house starting with relaxing in the bag in which our fluffy new mattress pad came in. He also approves of the fluffy new bedding, with a record breaking napping streak this last weekend. If I could turn the bed into a cloud I'd be happy as a clam, I just have not been sleeping well since developing my wombmate...I know, just wait... I keep adding layers of cushion and Doug wants to know if he should place a pea in the bottom. I'm within a week or so of not being able to sleep on my stomach, and that's going to be a sad day. My 10 pounds is creating a focal point out front. That's one reason I insisted on doing our room swap sooner rather than later. If I'm going to be doing more work at home this summer I needed to set up some space (which we don't have much of) so we decided to share a work room which requires more space than the bedroom. We'll be using the smaller room as the first year family bedroom. ( In case you haven't heard, Dr. Spock is out and so is letting the baby gain independence by crying it out in the other room...crib attached to mom's side of the bed is the current advice and baby in your bed is considered even more preferable. Did too many "cry it out babies" wind up in therapy attributed to dark nights alone in the crib? ) So, we'll just have us, the crib and changing table. The big room is everything else. I'm happy tho be out of that room, the little one is much warmer and painted pink!

Family Station Wagon

The deed is done! 2 years and 3months of our car hiatus is over. We hemmed and hawed, paged through Consumer Reports, and obsessed over what we should get...they are all so much more expensive than the last time I looked in 2001! It needed to fit some band members and a cello, fit a drum set (just in case), move a baby and a cat with room for 2 weeks worth of packing, among various other hauling expectations for the next 10 years at least. We settled on a 2009 Subaru Outback wagon. My friend Laura's parents swore by them and drove them into the ground, Doug was the first to start batting around that avenue. Also in the possible running were the Honda CR-V and Toyota Rav-4. We had a hard time finding available used ones that hadn't been in accidents on the Carfax report. There are a lot of accidents out here! Everyone is in such a hurry, so impatient. The other issue is that used cars are in high demand since the hurricane. They are going out as soon as they come in. The dealer said they've been super busy with people all they way up from Jersey searching for cars on our dry land up here. Time to start looking over the craigslist baby department, I've seen some great deals on really nice things.

From Doug: Baby's First Playlist

We've discovered that our baby will be able to hear sounds while he's in the womb and that this starts around the 16th week of pregnancy. That puts this milestone in our little munchkin's development at right around the end of this month! When the little guy starts moving around and kicking his mama's belly, that will be great of course, but for me this one is even more special. I've heard that there is some evidence that supports that certain songs that become familiar to the baby while still in utero can be especially soothing in the early months after birth, and so I'll want to choose baby's first play list with some care because I may end up needing to play some music for him a lot in the next year!

I hope you are excited to see some pictures of Jenny with some earphones around her belly, because I certainly am. But since its a bit early in the game for that, this video will have to do. I'll have to work on this lick some, its a bit more funky than I can manage right now.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to7uIG8KYhg&w=560&h=315]

After some thought, here are a few first songs and other pieces of music that I'll play for the little guy:

1. "Blue In Green" from Miles Davis' Kind of Blue. This is a slow, beautiful piece that was one of my first favorites and made me want to play the trumpet.


2. Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6. This is a bit of a long piece, so I don't know if Jenny would be willing to sit there long enough with the headphones on her belly to really make this one happen, but this is another personal favorite of mine. Tchaikovsky wrote lots of music that has become famous, including his most famous work, The Nutcracker. This whole symphony is just so sad that it makes me almost cry every time I hear it, and I'm not a big crier. (On that subject, Jenny has been getting a bit more hormonal recently--she cried at the end of a movie that I would have to say was about a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10 in terms of sad movie endings. Yeah, it was sad, but it wasn't that sad.) This was the first piece of classical music I heard that really made me start writing and playing classical music. On top of that, I first heard this piece played by a youth orchestra, and the impression it made was even deeper because it was kids my age or just a bit older that were playing this incredible music.


3. One last pick. I want this little guy to hear some of the roots music that I love as well. Leadbelly's "Goodnight Irene" is a favorite of mine. Leadbelly is famous for his haunting renditions of many American folks songs, but he was also a great singer of children's songs. I think its an appropriate children's song, after all, it only mentions suicide in one verse. : )


So, there's my list. Jenny says she'll take care of the "real music that real people really listen to" part of baby's education, which is just fine with me.

How to wiggle a baby into place for his first photos

So, Wednesday we were on day 3 with no power, the trains weren't running and taxis were just coming back on the road. In fact, since there were no trains I was calling the taxi company the night before to arrange and secure a pick up to take us all the way to the hospital for this "can't be missed appointment" and I got a recording that they were closed! We went to bed with fingers crossed because, the window for these screening pictures is tight. It's so tight that the day my doctor gave me the number to call and schedule this, I barely got back to work when I saw that I had a voice mail from the hospital with my 2 hour appointment scheduled by the hospital. The appointment has to happen between 11 and 13 weeks or so, and I guess Connecticut is highly fertile keeping them fully booked.

Anyway, the appointment itself was for 2 things, an extensive verbal family history of ethnicity and diseases/ disorders including verifying that Doug and I had not married Kentucky style, being lost lost cousins or something. Part 2 was the specific ultrasound looking for physical manifestations that could point to down syndrome, other chromosome issues and spinal problems if it isn't fused right. We got there with plenty of time in our 18 mile taxi trip to spare and joined the other power outage couples in the waiting area, charging phones and using the internet.

Part 1 was a breeze, we learned that it seems nice Jewish boys who marry nice Jewish girls have the most to fret over with all those recessive genes storming ahead when combined.

Part 2 was exhausting. I thought I just got to lay there and the technician takes her pictures..why do they give you and hour slot? Because it apparently often includes an unplanned dance party for momma for half the appointment. We started out fine, she held the roller still and we could see baby moving arms and legs (everything is there). She took the first few pictures, she has a very specific list of shots she has to get and take measurements from, then she started digging in a bit to try and get baby to "roll over" a bit. No use. She used the roller to jiggle my whole tummy to get him to move (him/her; no sex yet) nothing.  she had me bend my knee, feet on the bed, then had me lift my hips off the bed and told me to shake around..assuring me that this happens a lot, but she has to get this exact profile of the neck to see the fluid and measure the width of it...or else we'll have to come back. No trains, no power, another taxi all the way there. We really didn't want that.

She stops, gives me some juice, tells me to get up and get moving to stir him into a different position and she'll be back in 10 minutes. I jump, and dance while Doug coaches. We get back into place, she looks and starts digging in to get just a tiny bit better angle, still it's not enough. We repeat it all, the hip wiggle in bed; nothing, the 10 minute dance party and I'm exhausted and mad about going through all of this bother today for nothing. We try one more time and she just barely got it, but she got it! And, it looked normal. The last part was a blood test checking for a couple levels of things that would be raised if there were a chromosome issue and we hear on that in 1 week. The county buses started up that day, we learned in the waiting room internet session, so to be frugal on the way home we took the taxi to the New York line and waited for the bus..which was about 25 minutes late..and got us home the 18 miles in about 1 hour 15 min. Lots of traffic lights were out and with no trains there was so much traffic. The car search is on.

Anti-cravings?

Baby says chicken is off the menu! I could live on sardines and anchovies right now, luckily it's on my recommended list and I loaded up at the grocery store..mmmmm! But I always love that stuff, it's just amplified. Still not overly interested in chocolate, but the occasional desire for coke, which I never have, has surfaced. I found my seasonal soy eggnog which is pretty tasty and the preferred alternative to the artery buster version which I'm a total junky for.  I'm upset about having the recipe for grandpop Detrick's homemade eggnog in my hands this year and it being on my un-pasteurized no no list. maybe just a taste:) Mom went 9 months on fresh cow milk and I'm mostly fine, what's a teeny tiny bit of risk!

We're getting a bull-snake!

We're getting a bull-snake!

Chinese zodiac snake

click the links to read up on Taurus and the year of the snake.

Taurus (April 21-May 20) is the sign of musicians! We've read that a few places now, so I better get back on the wagon practicing for the family band. If we actually get what's on the Taurus label, I'll be thrilled, sounds like a good family match for Doug and me...if not, c'est la vie.

All the familiy knows!

What the un-crumbled cookies looked like (untouched by the U.S. Postal Service).

Week 11

[caption id="attachment_68" align="alignright" width="300"] The weekend of October 20th at the Cavagnero wedding in New Jersey.[/caption]

We're just 2 weeks shy of clearing the first trimester! Since the last post I've been through the battery of blood tests clearing me of all illicit diseases and parasitic infection from Wally (Doug keeps up on litter box detail with military routine.) Not that expected different results but after 7 vials taken and seeing the check list for syphilis, hepatitis, HIV.... all of a sudden you feel a little paranoid. My Iron level is at an above average starting point but my vitamin D is the one I have to catch up with...I drink a lot of milk, I blame my basement job. Anyway, I've adapted my morning pill pile to fix my deficiencies. All is well. Although I have had to buy some Clearasil for the first time in years...pregnancy has caused and unusual breakout pattern along my hairline and neck, no shiners on the face so I'm thankful for that! No more sour stomach, but I'm still tired, though when I start returning home in the dark I'm pretty sure this is an annual tired phase and not special for pregnancy. Well, except for the insomnia that has been blooming in the last 2 months; I blame the bed. Do not get a bed from IKEA. It creaks and groans with the slightest head turn, and the mattress... 2 nights in the hotel for the New Jersey wedding this last weekend was the best I've slept in weeks! I'm proposing a replacement for our anniversary/Christmas gifts to each other.

Our next appointment, October 31st, is the special detailed ultrasound and genetic screening, the standard testing for all of your worst fears. It's 2 hours long at Stamford Hospital and I heard a rumor it's so clear they can inspect all organs and spinal cord for any issues. I saw a 3-d photo of this from my friend's daughter, it was pretty wild to see. Hoping for the best, I keep expanding so I assume things are moving along and growing. I've gained about 6 pounds so far and am ready to start adding some bigger waistbands into the mix.

I got my first flu shot this year. I've never been an enthusiast for them, but Dr. Zino is using a scared straight story to convince all her patients without having to threaten them. They apparently did have an expectant mother die of H1N1 flu last year and did a c-section to save the baby! So, Doug and I went out Monday night to CVS for our shots. The pharmacist wouldn't give it to me because the kind they have had a preservative in it, and God knows you feel like you just have to breathe wrong to wind up with a kid with autism these days. Anyhow, 2 phone calls later and I found a Walgreens with the right version. Inoculation complete. Now I just heard how they want pregnant women to get whooping cough vaccines because it's coming back and will kill your newborn.  It's so cheery contemplating all the "what ifs" every step.

The first ultrasound

Here is the image from our first ultrasound. We've labeled the "important bits" for your convenience. : )

From Doug

Here I am with my Playskool Guide for Expectant Fathers because, as you've heard, I'm now an expectant father. This has been an exciting time. Its been hard to imagine myself as a father--the vision of my 18-year old self in my mind's eye just gives me a confused look and says "huh?" As we've gotten more encouraging signs from the doctor that this pregnancy is going to take hold, the prospect of fatherhood has become very real. I've been both excited and terrified, and I can give you some examples of each.

I'll start with the excited part. The most powerful moment so far was during our last ultrasound when we could clearly see what is already the baby's heartbeat. I've also been so happy to see Jenny have some good news in this department after a doctor in Eugene told her that her prospects for pregnancy weren't good due to her fibroids. The idea of a little munchkin running around here is so exciting to us both, and I've been really amazed to see the changes it has brought about in us as we prepare for this little guy or girl.
Now we can deal with the worries. Just like with Jenny's descriptions of the several "hitches" that we've already run into as we've been dealing with doctor appointments and so on, I've had a few hitches of my own. As most of you have heard by now, the internship I took this summer, the one that was promised to turn into a job in the fall, didn't materialize. So, I'm now back to figuring out how I'll support this child, but I'm confident that whatever path I choose will work out. The job search has been difficult here. There are many opportunities, but there is also steep competition, and my resume looks great for music-related work, but we all know how much of that there is these days. I'm staying positive doing everything I can do make this work, and I'm confident that it will. I know that Jenny will make a wonderful mother, and that as long as we're together we'll work everything out.
So, those are most of my thoughts at this time. There will be more I'm sure, but for now we are just happy to see what happens, to get ready for the future, and to enjoy each other in the mean time. Until later!

We're having a baby, for real: the 8 week recap.

I'll spare you the romantic details, but we smiled while telling my doctor (Dr. Zino- best Dr. ever) that my "womb overhaul" last winter was well worth it and apparently restored my fertility to the teen mom level. We were lucky on the first try! Of course this was utilizing all advice from mom friends, mom cousins, and mom books, optimizing our chances to get this show on the road.  Doug sacrificed a rehearsal on an important day, so here we are at week 8 with our first absolute confirmation of a baby and a heartbeat....after 2 frustrating appointments unclear if this was a go or not. Back August... I had a suspicion from the very beginning. I woke up one morning with the strangest sensation. It reminded me of this incredible Dayquil buzz I had in sophomore year geometry, feeling like I was floating in my desk with every cell in me vibrating. It was incredibly pleasant and slightly outer body feeling. Well that was my waking state and I just felt a bit off all morning. Fast forward to a "test 5 days earlier" pregnancy test..negative. Fast forward 6 days to September 5th...positive!

Now, everything you read says schedule an appointment right away. Doug and I know now as long as you're not living under a rock and are able to google a few key lists of things not the eat or drink while pregnant and are taking some form of prenatal vitamins from your 25 choices, call in a little bit and enjoy your time in blissful ignorance.

Hitch #1: made my appointment, they gave me one the following week. The day of, the office manager called and said it was a new girl who took my appointment and there would be nothing to see for another week. It turns out, unlike in my mom's 1976 edition of "A Doctor Discusses Pregnancy," a pee test is not enough to congratulate you and give you the "You're Officially Expecting Manual." You get ultrasounds from the absolute beginning to make sure you qualify. So, when we had our actual appointment at 6 weeks and 2 days we didn't get to leave with the manual. We didn't cut the mustard and had 10 days to dwell on it until the next look to see if our gestational sac and yolk had transformed into what she was looking for. It turns out that, by "the book", at 6 weeks 2 day she was supposed to see an "embryonic pole" which she did not...though she emphasized she's seen plenty of things not by "the book." She sent me for blood work to see if my hormone levels were consistent with a viable pregnancy for the next appointment and told us not to let it ruin our weekend and not to google it all weekend and worry ourselves. I don't believe the 1976 manual mentioned a thing about the microscopic embryonic pole and which week it should be visible via the invasive version of ultrasound.

Hitch #2: 10 days later, October 1st we waited 30 minutes to be told the ultrasound was blown out by a power failure (I work in the same building and I lost lights about 3 times the previous day, too). Unbelievable, rescheduled for October 3rd but meanwhile said my blood work came back with great levels. Of course, then I asked is this a good sign that we have a baby? Because honestly I didn't realize it was an option to have a positive pregnancy and by the initial pictures have it be noted as just a yolk. I'm bloated and queasy while incubating an omelet, doesn't seem fair. she answered neutrally that I could have all the right hormones and it still may not turn into an embryo. Meanwhile, almost in protest to that first nothing ultrasound, I became queasy about 8 hours a day for a week and the most unexpected feeling of hiking in the Utah high altitude for about 6 miserable days. Then WHAM! last Wednesday= Baby, 4.5 cm head to rump and a heartbeat 160 beats per minute. I don't know about Doug, but Dr. Zino and I teared up a bit considering she knows what we went through to deal with the fibroids and until now I've always been the one with giant lumps on the monitor while listening to other heartbeats in the room next door. This was a good day. Oh, the big day is May 15th, but unless I want to kiss my uterus good-bye, I have to have an elective C-section which she says is done at 39 weeks (the week before). At 8 weeks, 2 days we're not in the worry-free zone yet, but we're hoping to stay on our lucky streak!