Finally...

Well, here we are friends. I have prayed for this moment for what seems like an eternity. Although, it has really only been a couple of years. We are... wait for it... it's good, ya'll...

we

....

are

.....

PREGNANT!!!!!!!! 

Woooo!!!

YES! I've wanted to post and shout it from the rooftops sooner than now, but I have been so mixed with my emotions, that I wanted to make sure I was excited when I announced, rather than doubtful and faithless. Which is how I feel like I have spent the last 17 weeks.  I have been keeping track of things and my emotions and feelings, but privately since I wasn't "public" yet with our news. So, I am going to just start by telling the story, then posting a couple other extra posts.

Derick and I had been talking about, and praying about adopting. Of course, it is our calling, as Christian people to reach out to orphans. I still don't feel like God has closed the door completely in that area. However, we were so close to starting the process that I had phone numbers ready to call when we got back from our trip in September. On the third day of my cycle (sorry if that's TMI) I felt like I should just ask Derick what he thought about trying one more time. I prayed about how to ask him, and I really felt God pushing me to ask NOW. I was a bit hesitant, but did anyway. (I'm glad I did) We hadn't tried at all in many, many months. We had been preventing up until that point. To my surprise, Derick was very on board and agreed that we should at least try once more before proceeding with an adoption. This was cycle day 5, when I brought it up to D. I was to start the clomid process ON that day. So, thankfully, Doctor Optimistic's office was quick to call in the script, and I was right on track with my Clomid pills. As we all know well, I am very pessimistic. I went into this basically knowing it wasn't going to work, so I was pretty much just ignoring the fact that we were trying and I was taking meds, etc. Besides... we were leaving for our vacation in a few days after that! So my mind was kept quite busy. I ovulated sometime on the cruise, and apparently it worked. I found out at 3w5d (crazy, I know) the same cycle day I found out with Jake's pregnancy. I immediately phoned Dr. Optimistic to let him know, and we started my pregnancy regimen. At that time, I was taking a pill that has extra folic acid and b vitamins, and a baby aspirin a day. The day I found out, I added Lovenox shots, and progesterone to the mix. I spent a lot of time praying and trying to forget that I was pregnant. I had quants drawn, and MUCH to my surprise, they always went up perfectly. I still tried to forget that I was pregnant. In the past, I had begun the bonding process most women go through as soon as they find out. I had lost so many, in a row, that I just couldn't let my mind go there. I had my first appt at 5w4d. Everything looked perfect. But I was still skeptical. I lost track of my appointments because unfortunately, I had a LOT of freak out moments causing me to have to be seen in the office to calm my insane fears from my past history. The Dr.'s office has been exceptionally wonderful with me. If I could give a shout out on a blog I totally would give one to Tulsa Women's Health Care... they have been incredible from the get go. Not just this pregnancy... all of the past. Anyway, at one point, Dr. Optimistic looked me square in the face, after one of my freak out visits, and told me that I have got to just trust God, calm down and let Him handle it. He also said he didn't want to offend me by saying that because he really cares about this pregnancy and my wellbeing. HA! I already know I'm crazy!! But it was really nice to hear all that, if nothing else. I told him he's going to be soooo thankful when this pregnancy is over! Every visit from about 9 or 10 weeks on, he's asked me if I am feeling better about things yet. Which I always say no to, because I don't think I'll ever feel 100% safe until I've got a baby in my arms. And he always says he feels great about it, I'm past my bad point. Ha! Of course Dr. Optimistic feels great about it! Debbie Downer over here... not so much.

I'm going to include my first questionnaire in this post, I may or may not keep them up!

How far along? 9 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: No weight gain, I lost a couple pounds. :(

Maternity clothes? No. Just lots of yoga pants and stretchy jeans. My regulars are just too snug these days for my poor bruised up belly. I feel like I'd still have a few more weeks left if my belly wasn't all sore.

Stretch marks? No.

Sleep: Hard time with sleep at night. Wake up to potty 1-2 times a night, then stay awake for about an hour afterward. I take lots of naps to make up for it.

Best moment this week: Finally being slammed with the nausea I have been literally begging God for!

Have you told family and friends: Family, yes-I told Derick of course, and Tana of course lol, and my mom immediately, my dad and sister within that first week or so. Friends, only a very few. I realize that to get prayer, you have to tell people. So a select few we told, so they could be praying.

Movement: too early

Food cravings: This changes weekly, almost daily. It ranges from Charlie's Chicken, to KFC mashed potatoes.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Pizza

Have you started to show yet: yes, but I'm work hard at hiding it. I was very shocked to see my belly start to protrude this early. I guess the second one really does show quicker! Plus, I am about 5 pounds under what I started out at with Jake.

Gender prediction: I think it's a girl.

Belly Button in or out? in. It never popped out with Jake.

Wedding rings on or off? on. I never had swollen fingers before either.

Happy or Moody most of the time: very, VERY moody.

Weekly Wisdom: Take advantage of the non-nausea time and get things done then! 

Milestones: NAUSEA has made its presence known!!!!