Pregnancy Update: Weeks 17-20

Yesterday was my 20 week U/S and the good news is the baby looks great and is developing wonderfully. All the very important pieces and parts are where they need to be (we didn't find out the gender but even if we wanted to we wouldn't have been able to; legs were crossed even though the baby was moving and grooving all over the place for the tech) and baby is thriving en utero. Would it be a doc appointment/pregnancy that goes without bumps in the road for me? Of course not. 

Bad news is that they found a large exposed vessel blocking my uterus where the baby would exit vaginally that could rupture at anytime. This condition is called vasa previa is VERY rare (1 and 2,000 pregnancies will have this); lucky me!! First off, there are WAY worse things that could happen & the best news is that baby is healthy. The scary news is if I begin to bleed at any time from here until 35 weeks I will need to be on hospital bedrest (I am already on pelvic rest: no gym, no sex, no orgasms, #killmenow). IF the vessel ruptures it is fatal to the baby within minutes so that's why I may have to be admitted to the hospital if at any point bleeding, labor signs, shortening of cervix, etc occurs. There is a possibility that as my uterus grows upwards towards my breastplate the further this pregnancy progresses that will also tug the placenta upwards a bit and that vessel can move away from the opening of my vagina. Please pray that this happens!! I will be monitored every two weeks at this time with more dildocams trans-vaginal ultrasounds so luckily they caught this early and we will be able to stay ahead of the curve. The ideal case here is for the baby to get to 35 weeks then schedule a C-section to avoid the exposed vessel bursting during labor and delivery. Should the baby not make it that far along before I begin to show labor signs, we'll do a C section at that time and be spending some time in the NICU. What I'm most dreading is the hospital bed rest. The doctor said at earliest I will be admitted at 28 weeks, but what they typically see is 32 wees admittance. So, looks like we'll be meeting this sweetie as early as end of March/beginning of April vs. mid May. Hoping and praying for not a second sooner. Trying to stay calm, positive and keep it together when all I really want to do is scream at the top of my lungs "REALLY?!! I CLIMB MT. EVEREST TO GET HERE & NOW I HAVE ANOTHER UPHILL CLIMB?!! REALLY!!!!???"-- then I immediately begin to beg God again to protect myself and my baby. I know he didn't get us this far to abandon us, so I'm just trusting in that for now.

Maternity Clothes/Clothes: yep! and some of these cozies will have to be ripped out of my cold dead fingers PP! Leggings, long tanks, loving being pregnant in the winter.

Weight Gain:  14 pounds.... Its not easy to see the number on the scale, but now that I know I'm MORE than halfway through my pregnancy (if I deliver beginning of April) I'm not as worried about the weight. Especially b/c I'm more worried about a life or death evil vessel monster in the way of my dream vaginal path and no drug induced birth plan. Still trying to wrap my head around the C-section part, clearly.

Stretch Marks: None yet! I've been using true coconut oil- "the black girl kind" thanks to my African American homies that made sure I was hooked up with the good stuff. 

Movement: Lots of movement!! Thank God! I love it...such a fun little experience only shared by the two of us (next to Blair feeling it kick and my Mom too the other day). Turn some jams on and this baby starts poppin' it and droppin' it. Yep, it's my kid.

What I'm loving:  Ugh, Oreos. Someone take them off the market so I'll stop. Dipped in a cold glass of milk? I die. I've limited myself to 5 each serving, and I only splurge about twice a week on them-- But I still feel guilty. Cereal constantly, cant get enough (also bad)...hmmmm what else? Fruit until I'm about to make myself sick & Chic Filet Chicken Sandwiches-- it's the only way I'll eat chicken.

Sleep:  Already starting to get uncomfy now that my belly is actually popped out (wtf, I have no abs to roll over?!) and of course I've had this sinus stuff going around so I cant breathe. BUT, the body pillow is absolutely magical. Best invention yet.

Things I miss: red wine of course, and getting in hard workouts. I also miss feeling rested, already. I'm always tired, it's a part of me now. 

Energy: see above. Tired often but god bless naps! Luckily I'm not back to work until 1/5 and lord knows what the rest of my itinerary will look like with this vasa previa travel wise so just playing it by ear and taking it one day at a time.

Workouts:  Workouts were great and happening about 3x weekly until yesterday. You may be reading about me in the papers since I now have ZERO outlet for relieving stress. Pelvic rest is a cruel cruel joke-- but hey--i'm not messing around here and will follow doctors orders for the health of this little nugget. It just may require me to be an angry, fat slob for awhile.

Symptoms:  The stretching & splitting of my ab muscles is the most noticeable and painful for me, but next to that some days I forget that I'm even pregnant.

Ultrasound, 12/29: Trying to focus on the sweet smiling baby in these U/S pics and not this colorful vessel that's running down my uterus-- prayers that in 4-6 weeks I'm in a totally different seat than I am now and that it doesn't reside in a hospital!

Sweet Baby A smiling en utero!

apparently this is hard to catch on the US so props to my tech for catching it early.... this is Vasa Previa

In other news, my friend Brittany helped me to get started on the wainscoting wall over Christmas break that I've been wanting to do myself, so that was VERY helpful. With my math/measuring skills we could have been in trouble. I'll post the "how to" in a few days for those who may have interest in doing it to a room in your house. It cost $100 and only took a few hours. It was a really easy project with a dramatic look! We put the crib back together and sat it in the room, but we still need to stencil the top of the wall above the wanescoting and get the rest of the decor in place. All of that is currently being sped up a bit (I'm glad I got a head start on this wall now) since we don't know for sure when the baby will arrive now. Here are some before/during/after pics! Stay tuned for the final nursery reveal but here it is at this time. 

boring grey wall before

putting up the MDF boards we cut during

LOTS of nails here people, lots of them!

after painting!

this morning as the sun was coming through :) Isn't that crib just magical? le sigh.....

Xoxox,

Andi 

Loving Lately

My Husband.

I never wondered if Blair would be an incredible Dad. I know he will be one of the best, just like my Dad & his Dad is. He's a teacher and a coach for young men. He spends everyday motivating, instructing, educating and Fathering young men and women already. He chose his career path specifically to help change others lives. He's stern but has a teddy bear heart to those who truly know him. I love that he's the oldest of 5 and already has a world of experience in "parenting" and caring for his younger siblings. As a baby of 2, I never had the same exposure. It makes me feel safe, and like I will really be able to lean on him when I'm overwhelmed. We yin and yang; where I lose my mind and have no patience, he does. And the areas that make him maddened, don't even phase me. I'm so anxious to see him care for our own child after seeing him care for others for so long. I know he will be amazing at being a Father. 

A few months back he left me a card before my flight to Ireland. He has always blown me away with his words (written), and it's one of the many reasons I fell in love with him, really. We always left/leave notes, cards, poetry for each other to read. Some are silly pick me ups ('Yubb You' in deodorant on the bathroom mirror), some are little "drive safe, i'll miss yous", some are lengthy handwritten letters that blow me away, and this specific card, among the many, struck a cord in me. I felt compelled to document it just in case this card ever grows legs and walks away. It means so much to me.

 Last night was the first time Blair felt our bambino at 17.5 weeks. So amazing. After a spicy pasta dinner this rugrat was doing full out gymnastics routines in my belly and I thought, I bet if I can feel it this strong he can. So we gave it a go and seconds later, fist bumps for Dad! Incredible. I feel so blessed. What an amazing experience that I pray every woman wanting to have children gets to experience. It was worth every stick, prick, probe, and frustration to get here. 

Andi,

I am SO PROUD of you. Actually though, that statement doesn't quite do justice to how I feel. A better way to state it would be to say that I am in AWE of you! I vow to make sure that this child knows what a strong, courageous, fierce mother he/she has. To say that this baby is lucky to have you as a Mom would be quite an understatement. It has been a difficult journey to get here but I know now I wouldn't change a thing. I used to say/think that I was looking for a woman to marry that would be a great Mother to my children. I didn't know that I would need a great woman to get through the adversity it would take to even have children. Now, as I eagerly await a lifting of new joys which I have never before, know that I will owe them all to you and your resilient spirit. My greatest joy personally is the fulfillment that I get to share through you. I love you the most.

Blair

{SWOON}

XOX,

Andi 

Holiday Photos

We haven't taken family pics since our engagement pics so it was about time we got some. Luckily my friend Lynn with LL Photography was able to squeak us in for a mini session when we were in Columbus Thanksgiving weekend; we love the pics!! They turned out great. Holiday cards are supposed to come in the mail today and once they are out I'll post the final holiday card. Holiday cards (receiving and sending) are my favorite part of the season. It's so fun to see everyone's pictures and updates and trips they've taken throughout the year. They are starting to roll in and I am like a 5th grader skipping to the mailbox daily to see which adorable family I get to post on the fridge next. Can't believe next year Baby A will be adorning the cover of ours.... I can hardly wait!

Enjoy some of the sweet pics Lynn took of our family <3 Thanks Lynn!

XOXO,

Andi

Thanksgiving Recap + Pregnancy Weeks 14-16

December 1st?!! Slowwww down time. Actually, don't! I'm ready for Spring already ;) 

Thanksgiving this year was really nice. We did B's side of the family this year on the actual holiday and my parents this past weekend. It's safe to say we are stuffed to the gills and don't care to see turkey for a longggg time. Luckily B was off school the entire week, so next to basketball in the mornings, we had time to knock out alot on our to do list. We broke down the crib that has been sitting in our eat in kitchen for a month, fixed our electric outlets that haven't worked for even longer (in the kitchen) and were able to get all of our Christmas decorations/live tree in place for this month. Amazing what can be accomplished when you actually have a husband, eh?! :) 

it was pretty cute to see him actually WANT to do this. Usually I'm the "handyman" around our house. This baby is going to have him wrapped around it's finger.

the dogs aren't impressed!

after catching it after a few falls due to a faulty base, THE TREE IS UP!

love Dec....evenings with the Christmas lights on and the fireplace ablaze.

We had our family pics taken for our holiday cards which I'm SO EXCITED to see & finally get ordered. I should have done this sooner so to not miss out on all of the holiday specials, but oh well... things are moving a bit slower around here these days.

Speaking of pics, here are some updated pics as I finally have a mini bump!! Week 15 things weren't looking very big and a few days ago, I popped. I've only gained 6 lbs in 16 weeks, eating basically whatever I feel like, so that's a plus. I hear that second trimester is when you pack the most on, and with Thanksgiving and Christmas on the calendar, I'm sure that's exactly what I'll do. I've been walking 4-5 miles a day and doing light lifting so that's helped. I figure as long as I am able to, I'll keep burning the cals and staying as healthy as I can for this babe. I'm finally back to eating normal and feeling pretty fantastic (next to peeing all the time and sciatica that's already in full force). But, no complaints here. Pregnancy overall has been pretty enjoyable!

post egg retrieval bloat vs. 15 weeks

16 week bump time baby!

is it odd to show more in the front than the side? ...either way, this nugget is finally making it's appearance!

Looking forward to wrapping this year up with a big ol' bow and moving forward to 2015!  I just know it will be our best year yet! We couldn't feel more thankful, grateful and blessed. Happy Holiday Season friends!

xoxo,
Andi

Cats outta the bag!

Expecting our new best friend!! 'Baby A' is coming in May! <3

so cute, right?! ..... ahh well, the fur babes will eventually come around!!! HA! :) 

XOX,

Andi

13 weeks!! We made it!!

Hellloooooo second trimester! I'm still pinching myself. This is so surreal. I'm rolling into the "safe zone"! Weeeeeee!! I'm sure you never really feel "safe" ever again once you're a parent, but I'll take where I'm at today with a big ol' Thank G we made it! {does happy dance}

 I wouldn't trade where I am today for a second and lord knows I went through hell to get here, but there is always a little bit of survivors guilt in where I stand too. I have friends who I've become so close with during the journey of infertility and I still try my best to support and encourage them as they continue to fight the good fight. I've been in their seat before though and although you're incredibly happy for the other person when they cross that finish line, there's always that voice inside you that pleads with God and asks, "when will it be my turn"?! My heart still goes out to them and they are in my daily prayers. But there comes a place and time where you have to make peace with your past, embrace what's ahead and move forward. After standing in those shoes for way too long, day in and day out, I've come to peace with it all and can truly finally put it all behind me. I refuse to be on edge and hyper sensitive to this entire pregnancy because I finally have the chance that I've been praying for for so long to carry a child. I'm embracing every second as much as I possibly can. 

I had my first trimester screen last week & this little nugget was rockin and a rollin! Seriously, so active. It was great to see it's legs moving, one foot crossed over the other, arms behind it's head, it even turned its head to the side to give the camera a big smile for Mom! It's so funny b/c prior to being pregnant I'd look at peoples U/S pic and think to myself "how does she think that's CUTE??! It looks like Bejamin Buttons, or an alien baby"!! Now, I see it and am smitten kitten. My husband can't even make a face out of the pic. Lol! I guess what they say is true, "it has a face only a Mother can love" :) 

.... That face <3

... Gymnast thunder thighs in the making! 

We are getting pretty close to make our big public reveal and I'm so excited to surprise everyone who doesn't know. I still can't believe some days that this is my life right now, I feel like I'm living a dream. I'm so thankful! There's no better time than November to reveal our {little} blessing from God. 

Xoxo,

 Andi 

Ireland Trip!

My gf Allie and I are both big Van Morrison fans. She overheard me saying awhile back that although hearing him in NYC was amazing, that hearing Van in his hometown would be an absolute dream of mine. When she saw a deal on Living Social for an intimate show in Belfast, she shot it over to me with the email header "Get your head out of the toilet, Lets book it"! At the time I was newly pregnant and not feeling anywhere close to having the ability to board a plane for a 7 hour flight overseas, let alone stay there for 7 days and enjoy myself. It was hard enough to load the dishwasher without gagging, and my trip to the Bahamas with the family was less than desirable due to how crappy I felt. To make a long story short, Allie was on the debate team in high school and is now in sales. Enough said. She was booking this trip for us come hell or high water, and I'm glad she did. Van is 70 after all and Lord knows how many more opportunities I'll even have to hear him. He never disappoints. The show was intimate, with only 200 of us total & his voice was smooth as butter. Belfast, Ireland, is where he's from and where many of his songs are written about. It was so cool to drive down Cypress Avenue and see the churches and pubs he sings about and to be immersed in the culture of his music. It was WELL WORTH IT!

Van day! Tea in Belfast in the city center

Mystic From the East Tour

My Man, Van Morrison! <3 

Ireland is absolutely beautiful. The Irish are some of the nicest people I've encountered in all of my travels. Everyone was so friendly, helpful and kind. Ireland is clean, and not congested, although Dublin (think NYC) is much larger than Belfast. The food was fantastic; seriously we didn't have a bad meal in 7 days and the scenery was so lush, green and peaceful. My ancestors are from Ireland, so our day trip to The Cliffs of Moher and surrounding small towns was so interesting. I discovered the McCarthys (pronounced McCarty in US, as Irish don't pronounce 'th' rather their 'th' sounds like 't') mainly came from Clare County where we started our journey that day. They began migrating (and dying off) during the famine period where there was obviously little food to survive off of in this part of the country. Currently, the winters in Clare Co are still very difficult to survive and many move into the mainland for the very same reasons it was hard to survive hundreds of years ago. It was incredible to imagine that someone way down my lineage viewed the same coastal sights as I was seeing many a decades ago. I would love to learn more about my Irish and American Indian heritage, but this was a good start. Also while in Belfast we toured the Titanic Museum, as Belfast is the location where it was built & set sail from. It was incredible to see what a beast that boat was, how dangerous it was to build back then (no harnesses) & of course read about those who survived and didn't survive. I always hated the movie though, as Leo is my LEAST favorite actor. I mean, come on, there was PLENTY of room for he and Rose on that raft. Ugh, annoying.

The Cliffs of Moher-Clare Co

In Dublin we toured the cathedral districts, The Guiness Factory & Jameson Distillery. Would have been nice to indulge a bit, but Baby A probably wouldn't have preferred that very much! :) Speaking of, my little buddy was good to me on the trip & I felt pretty good overall, surprisingly. I'm almost 13 weeks, so I think it's true what they say about rolling into the "honeymoon phase". The end of the first tri is near {insert heavenly angels singing}. Here are some pics of Dublin!

Next to a flight mishap in the beginning of the trip (It was cancelled due to weather and I had to leave a day later) it was a really enjoyable time. Everyone, GO TO IRELAND. You won't regret it!! I'm so glad that I did.



XOXO,
Andi