jellybean

The first trimester of pregnancy is always super stressful for me! This time has been no exception. Starting with my HPTs...which didn't darken for FOUR DAYS...in fact some of my tests came back LIGHTER causing me to think I was having a chemical pregnancy

Nobody add up the cost of this home experiment, but over the course of one week, I took roughly 20 home pregnancy tests.

I also called the doctor for bloodwork.

My first results were not encouraging, my HCG level was a measly 18. But on the same day I got those results back, I also had a super dark HPT at home. My next blood draw showed my levels up to 108, which indicated a doubling time of 28 hours (levels are supposed to double every 48 hours - so this was great news!) The nurse assured me all was well, and said I was probably just off on my conception date. She said she'd see my for my first appointment in four (LONG) weeks.

Except then I started spotting. SOB! So an ultrasound was done at the hospital on February 26th. We were relieved and elated to see the flicker of the baby's heartbeat!

Except then I had MORE spotting the following week! ACK! This time it was determined that I have a cervical polyp (WHY ME!) and it's possible I'll experience spotting throughout the pregnancy as a result. Happily, it should not affect the pregnancy at all. I had another ultrasound on the 5th, and baby was measuring right on track with a nice strong heartbeat.

The picture above was taken during my "routine" exam on the 19th. The baby was measuring just about 10 weeks.

For the sake of my sanity, I always have a home doppler at hand! This time instead of renting, I purchased one on ebay, and I love hearing the heartbeat (found it at 8 weeks on the nose!) at home and reassuring myself that all is well with "jellybean"

After my last ultrasound we decided to tell the boys. Both were very excited. Harrison's response was classic

-I'm going to faint!
-We haven't had a baby in sooooo long!
-When are you going to get fat?
-I hope it's not a sister!

When you tell a 6 & 3 year old your news, you have to be prepared for them to announce it to the world...which they are. Of course, I think my belly is giving me away already anyway - sigh

And I don't think this recent discovery is helping matters

stolen from facebook

1) What is your salad dressing of choice?
I don't eat salad

2) What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
Macaroni Grill

3) What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it?
Shrimp

4) What are your pizza toppings of choice?
Just cheese, please! Unless it's this special Milanese pizza from Basile's - white pizza with chicken cutlet & ricotta...TDF!

5) What do you like to put on your toast?
Butter. Strawberry jelly. PB (smooth, never crunchy)

6) How many televisions are in your house
three

7)What color cell phone do you have?
pink

8) Are you right-handed or left-handed?
right

9) Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
The sewing needle that I sat on in 5th grade.

10) What is the last heavy item you lifted?
Sawyer (he was 39 pounds at his 3 year check-up!)

11) Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
No. I've never knocked anyone out, either ;)

12) If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
I don't even want to think about this question. Shudder.

13) If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
Darby or Maren

14) Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
Absolutely, pinch my nose and down the hatch. Plus, I'll bet it would be a great detox!

15) How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
I'm guessing at least 20. LOVE flip flops

16) What’s your goal for the year?
Have a baby

17) Last person you talked to?
Jonathan

18) Last person you hugged?
My boys

19) Favorite Season?
Fall

20) Favorite Holiday?
Christmas

21) Favorite day of the week?
Friday

22) Favorite Month?
October

23) First place you went this morning?
Post Office

24) What's the last movie you saw?
Beverly Hills Chihuaua

25) Do you smile often?
Yes

26) Do you always answer your phone?
No way!

27) It's four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
My cousin Gina, she is the only person who has ever texted me

28) If you could change your eye color what would it be?
Green

29) What flavor drink do you get at Sonic?
We don't have a Sonic - SOB!

30) Have you ever had a pet fish?
No

31) Favorite Christmas song?
Mary Did You Know

32) What's on your wish list for your birthday?
A healthy baby in my arms!

33) Can you do push ups?
Barely

34) Can you do a chin up?
Yes

35) Does the future make you more nervous or excited?how far into the future?
Excited (economy aside)

36) Do you have any saved texts?
No

37) Ever been in a car wreck?
Yes

38) Do you have an accent?
No. But when I talk to people who do, I annoyingly and inadvertently start to mimic them

39) What is the last song to make you cry?
I Can Only Imagine

40) Plans tonight?
Going to bed

41) Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
Yes.

42) Name 3 things you bought yesterday.
Tangy Taffy, Tootsie Rolls & Gum

44) Current hate right now?
Reading about that slimy Bachelor

45) Met someone who changed your life?
Quite a few!

46) How did you bring in the New Year?
Asleep!

47) What song represents you?
These are Days by 10,000 Maniacs

48) Name three people who might complete this?
I tag everyone with a blog!

49) What were you doing at 12 AM last night?
Up to use the bathroom

50) What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
SO excited for my Dr.'s appointment!

happy st. patrick's day!

Harrison's class celebrated today by making Irish Potatoes in the classroom. "Taste this, it's delicious!" he exclaimed.

20some Kindergartens had handled this dough.
Err..."you better save them for daddy, he loves them!" I said cheerfully. It was pure LUCK that saved me! But don't they look appetizing. I hope daddy is hungry!

5 star reviews

First, if you are a fan of lemony desserts, do yourself a favor and keep a couple of these in your freezer.

The Orla Keily collection at Target is too adorable to pass up!

And while you are at Target, you might want to check out the Emi Hairstyler

It's gotten some mixed reviews, but if it works for you, it's a quick way to get wavy hair! I used it for the first time this morning and in 20 minutes, these were my results.

Of course, if it doesn't work for you, just yank off the attachment and viola, you have a regular hairdryer with high wattage and a low price tag!