Brance, Lauren & Haddie

Fall is my favorite time of year.  I love the cool crisp air, the beautiful colors, and the smell of fallen leaves.  I have only within the past week or so really been able to enjoy the outdoors.  My morning sickness has lifted some and allowed me to look at the world around me, rather than stare blankly at my bedroom ceiling .  There a several big beautiful maples here at our apartment complex that have turned vibrant orange, yellow, and red.  Now that I’m feeling better, I have been trying to incorporate exercise into my daily routine.  I look forward to walking outside today and enjoying the lovely array of fall colors!

I’m 14 weeks today and it is still difficult for me to believe that Brance and I are expecting our first little one.  We were blessed to find out we were pregnant during Brance’s dad’s August visit (he lives in MO) and were able to tell both he and my parents in person.  They were overjoyed! 

I’m thankful to have made it through the 1st trimester safely and look forward to the new experiences of the 2nd trimester.  From what I have read, this is when moms feel their babies move for the 1st time and their bloated bellies morph into something that looks more like a pregnant belly and less like the remains of a big lunch.  Also, this is the time for most ladies when morning sickness begins to lift.

My 1st trimester went well.  I would be lying if I didn’t say that it was a little challenging.  But, our baby seems fine so far and that is what is important.  One of the most challenging aspects of this trimester for me was the morning sickness.   Brance and I decided that morning sickness was a totally inadequate term and laughingly refer to it as pregnancy nausea and all day sickness.  I guess for some lucky pregnant women, nausea is something they only experience in the morning … for the rest of us it is something we struggle with 24/7.  But, God has faithfully walked with me through this challenge and Brance has been an absolute angel (I don’t know what I would have done without him). 

We’ve had 2 doctors visits since we found out we are pregnant, one at 8 weeks and the other at 12 weeks.  The 8 week appointment was a lengthy appointment filled with lots of paper work, blood work, tests, and an ultrasound.  This ultrasound was an early one where they merely check to make sure that there is a baby present and measure it for an accurate due date (during the 1st 12 weeks every baby grows at the same rate and by measuring the baby from crown to rump they are able to tell the baby’s age to the day… it’s amazing).  It was very exciting to be able to see our little bean and it’s heartbeat for the 1st time.  Our 12 week appointment was much quicker.  At this appointment they took a urine sample, checked my blood pressure, and found the baby’s heartbeat with a doppler.  I think we were with the doctor for all of 10 minutes, but it was very reassuring to hear our baby’s heartbeat.

Our due date is April 24th.  It is still difficult for me to believe that Lord willing our little one will come with the coming spring.