gDiapers

So we accidentally discovered gDiapers - and are so, so happy we did!

Some of us are actually leery of using disposable diapers. I mean, think about all the chemicals that are used in order to make them so absorbent - and they are right next to baby's bum ALL day and night. And then consider how many years each diaper is stuck in a landfill, going nowhere - about 500 years. And do we know how many diapers go into landfills each year? 18-23 billion disposables go into landfills each year. Each child alone will contribute about 8,000. Crazy, isn't it? Terrible for our babies and for our environment for many reasons.

Then there are cloth diapers, which is another option. (Some of you say, NO WAY!, but some of us would actually attempt that.) But then again, you have environmental issues to consider. Yes, it's better than disposables, but there is still the huge use of water for washing. (We have an energy efficient washer and dryer, but still...) And some use diaper cleaning services which add to environmental issues once you consider the amount of washing they do and the driving to pick up diapers, etc. Some say this option isn't much better than disposable when you're considering the environment, though I still say it is better in some ways. Plus, babies are potty trained sooner with cloth.

But now there are gDiapers. These things are amazing and what we plan on using. They are like a combination of cloth and disposable and are now being called the greenest option for diapering. There are pants that go on the outside, into which a liner is snapped. In that liner you place the flushable. The flushable is so great because you can dispose of it in a number of ways - you can flush it down the toilet, throw it away, or even compost it! It takes only a couple months to decompose into the earth (compared to the 500 years it takes a disposable!!!). Washing the "little g" pants is limited, too, because the liner keeps them dry. And price-wise, gDiapers are comparable to disposables. They can be slightly more expensive if you buy from the website (we're talking pennies here, though, guys!), but some stores (e.g. Whole Foods and diapers.com) sell them cheaper. Oh, and you can also use cloth diapers instead of the flushables if you want - or go back and forth with both.

So, for those of you having babies, considering having babies, having grandchildren, etc.... Please consider gDiapers. They are such a better option for your baby and for the earth. They have definitely won us over. Heck, even Julia Roberts brags about them! Here is the website to learn more about them - gdiapers.com. Plus, they are so adorable! :)

Another note - if you're considering getting us diapers when the baby comes, please either get these or buy some Nature Babycare diapers (what we'll use the first couple weeks until baby fits into the little g's and available at diapers.com and other places). We're trying to avoid disposables as much as possible. If there are better options, why not use them?! :)

Our Baby is Growing!

We went for an ultrasound yesterday. It was actually the first trimester screening, where they look for Downs Syndrome. But we mostly did it for the extra ultrasound, to be honest. It would be nice to be prepared for a child with DS, but we've already discussed what would happen in the case of having a child with any type of disability. We will absolutely love and parent to the best of our abilities ANY child that God decides to give us.

So we got the ultrasound. Wow! It never ceases to amaze, does it? We could see the baby so clearly. And it was moving around, turning some, moving it's little arms. We even got to see it swallowing. :) It is just absolutely incredible. The nurse doing the ultrasound kept commenting on how "good" and "cooperative" the baby was being - being still when she needed to take the pictures for the screening, and staying on it's side most of the time, so we saw the profile. Ryan and I couldn't help but say to each other later that it would be fine if the baby continues to be "good" and "cooperative" after it's born. Haha! :)

Something that is so incredible is how much this little one moves around and I can't even feel it!! Sometimes at night in bed, I think I can feel it a little bit, but then again, I could be feeling other things or just want to feel it so much that I'm imagining things (you other moms know what I mean!). I know it will happen soon enough, though. But it's so crazy to see it move so much and not be able to feel that!

Here are a couple pictures of our little one. There are more posted on our Picasa Albums (link to the side of the blog), along with more belly pictures, too. :)

The first is a profile of the head and belly, second is a little foot!, and the third is a 3D image of the head and a little arm next to the face (the nurse said, "it's being dramatic!"). More pictures on the albums online - we got plenty this time around!

Life Will Never Be The Same

We've all heard it said so many times - a baby changes your life forever. Well.......yeah. Of course it does. Nothing will ever be the same.

But what gets me is that so many things we do and decisions we make in life have that effect. When I went to college, I changed my life forever. I got married, changing my life completely! Then I got accepted into UNC and had a huge decision to make, along with my family. As we decided to move hours away from our families of origin as we began our new life together on our own in a different state, we obviously did something that changed our lives in incredible ways.

And now we're having a baby. Yes, this will change our lives even more. Even now our lives are already completely different. Our lives revolve around what I can eat, how much the baby is growing, what furniture we will put in the nursery, trying to make sure that Camden doesn't feel too overshadowed by the new baby (yes, already this is something to consider), etc, etc, etc. Our lives are definitely different - forever.

Now I'm not trying to make some point that it is completely ridiculous that people say these things about having a baby. I just think it ironic that they don't say it about the other half a million things that are constantly changing our lives forever. So many of our decisions have this impact, almost on a daily basis, if you think about it. Where we live, where we go to school, whom we marry, where we work, with whom we are or are not friends, the list goes on, doesn't it? We are constantly changing, and adding a baby is just one more thing to add to the list. And once that baby comes, we will continue to change. Our lives might just revolve more around the kids than it does around our own desires. I, for one, welcome these changes, as I welcome the other many, many changes that continue to come our way. Who knows what the next one will be.

A Lot of Changes (from Ryan)

Well, there has definitely been a lot going on lately. We are all getting back into our routines with work, school, basketball, etc. That little baby has been growing a lot and Daisy is starting to show a little now. We've also been doing a lot of shopping/researching/registering, well Daisy has. She has found us some great deals and also done a lot of research on the big things like the crib, stroller, car seat, stuff like that. She is really great about that. It can frustrate me a little because I just want to get something and be done with it but in the end I'm really happy she takes the time to really research things. So far, we have been really happy with everything we have found.

We go back to the doctor next week (the 29th and the 30th). Just for a routine checkup on the 29th and then for a First Trimester screening on the 30th. The First Trimester Screening is where they check for some genetic issues such as Downs Syndrome. We'll let you know how everything goes.

Starting to SHOW!

Wow - this baby has apparently grown a lot over the past couple weeks - or at least I have! I actually haven't gained much weight. I dropped back to my prepregnancy weight (due to the morning sickness ordeal we've been going through), and I think over the last week, I might have gained one or two pounds. But my belly is growing nonetheless! :)

We have also begun to baby shop! We have snagged some great deals on clothes for baby for this time next year. We got some especially adorable things from baby Gap - for very, very cheap, too! Of course, we're limited on what we can buy, not yet knowing the sex of little Baby Adkins, but we got what cute gender neutral items we could find. It's been a lot of fun!

Belly Shots! :)

11 weeks - Sunday, Jan 20th, 2008

Look at that little bump!

I am really loving having this belly and watching it grow!

Wedding Album - FINALLY!

Our wedding photo album is FINALLY complete! It has taken long enough....... But it is done. We don't actually have our album yet, but it is available for viewing online. Check it out if you are interested:

https://www.kcphoto.com/Sample%20Albums/DesignerPreview/ShroutDesignerPreview/AlbumlFrame.htm

Thankful

Went back to church today. Man, I have missed that place! I haven't been since early December before the morning sickness kicked in - either due to the m.s. or from being out of town so much for the holidays. It was so good to be back. And as usual - great music, great message. I love our church! I am so thrilled to be bringing up Camden in this place - and now to be introducing our new baby to what an awesome church can do for one's life. I am so thankful.

Other good news... I have been feeling better over this week. I think this medicine combination is working now that we've given it some time. The only problem now is actually wanting to eat. I typically have no problem with that! I just have no appetite, I'm not really getting hungry, and nothing sounds good (or tastes that great for the most part). Most foods just really turn me off. I have discovered that about the only thing I want to eat is...pancakes. Yeah, that's good for me... (rolling my eyes) So, I've been making some homemade waffles and pancakes. Camden's thrilled because it means once again I am also making one of his favorites - sausage casserole. I have been so turned off by meat lately, but this was actually yummy. And then I have discovered that I cannot get enough of strawberries! I am so happy to be enjoying something that is actually good for me! Of course, I don't know how long I can live off of waffles, sausage casserole, and berries, but we might just have to see. At least some of it is good for me, and it's homemade stuff, too, so I can knock out some of the yucky stuff and make it somewhat wholesome. Either way, this is better than it was a week ago! And that is another reason I am so thankful.

Baby Pics! Yay!

Last night I discovered that if I suck in my belly as much as I can - my belly still has a little bump sticking out! Not much, but enough for us to notice. :) I was really happy about that!

We went back to the doctor's office today for a little check up. They wanted me to come in to check my fluid levels, etc. I got to meet one of the doctors this time, and she is really great. I loved how she spoke to us, she seemed to have a great personality. I feel really good seeing her already. :)

So, everything checked out ok so far. The doctor seemed satisfied. She came in and said it was good and I was still gaining weight... I corrected her there. They apparently wrote in my prepregnancy weight (130 - yeah, I will say my weight) last week instead of what I weighed in at that time (137 - gained a little weight while eating lots of holiday goodies while on the good meds...). But this week, I was down 133.6, which means I really lost quite a bit of weight in the last week.

The doctor asked if we wanted to hear the heartbeat before we left, which of course we did! She tried to find it with her little wand on my belly but was having difficulty, and when she knew we wouldn't be back for two weeks, she said, "Well, I know you'll worry, so let's go....." I knew what she meant, and I wasn't going to stop her! It was ultrasound time! :) Below are some pics of our little bean! Heartbeat was pumping (we could see it - so fast!) at 170 beats/minute. I could tell what everything was on the screen, too. The picture was so clear. We could see the head, the heart pumping, the legs, an arm sticking up. It's truly amazing.


The first picture shows the baby's heart (in the little square).

This second one - if you know what to look for - shows the head, an arm, the legs, a foot, and the umbilical cord. Now, which of you can actually find all of that?

To see the pictures better (a little clearer and not so messed up from resizing...) - go to our online photo albums: picasaweb.google.com/daisyryan.adkins

Update from Ryan

Well, things could definitely be better with Daisy's morning sickness, but other than that things are going really well and we are all enjoying having a new baby coming in August. So far everything has gone pretty great with getting the doctor we wanted, finally, and finding some clothes for Daisy and some furniture and other items for the baby. Hopefully things will continue to go smoothly and Daisy will start feeling better soon.

Now we are thinking about how we want to move things around in our apartment. So, that will take up a couple of weekends but it should be fun once we get everything moved around. We are actually moving Camden into a bigger bedroom, so he should be happy about that.

Well, I guess I don't have too much more to add to what Daisy has already mentioned. Definitely keep her in your thoughts and prayers for the morning sickness though. It is really making it tough on her.

I am planning on calling the doctor today and seeing if there is anything else they can give her. We'll let you know how it goes.

Cheated today...

I got to eat today! Yay!!! Well, I actually cheated... I had some phenergan left over and took that instead of the zofran. We had brunch at the Cheesecake Factory (yum-yum!). Ryan got coffee, and the smell was just amazing to me! Oh how I wanted some! I knew it would irritate my stomach, but I did have a couple sips of his. Mmm-mm-mm. I wanted to bottle up the smell so I could take it with me. (Though it would probably make me feel worse if I wasn't on this medication, to be honest!).

Then we did some maternity clothes shopping. We certainly did some damage, but I got everything except for two items on sale, I do believe! ;) I felt so much better today after taking the other medicine. Wow - it makes such a difference!!! I feel like a completely different person altogether. We are definitely calling the doctor about some new meds on Monday, I'll tell you that.

We also made a quick stop at Babies R Us and started our registry there. Oh, who am I kidding... I started that thing online months ago! But we put some more on there and found the furniture we want for the nursery. It was fun. A little overwhelming because they have so many different types of cribs and changing stations (we want one that can continue to be used after the diapers are gone) and rocking chairs and mattresses... I just wanted a simple selection, but there is no such thing! We did find what we liked fairly quickly, though, and put a few more things on the registry. It was fun doing it together. Even Camden got to help out - he did all the scanning! :)

We told our Life Group (small group of folks from church that meet once a week in our homes) about the pregnancy tonight. :) That was fun! We actually had a cool way to tell them all planned out, but a different opportunity came up, and we couldn't resist. Jeff, the leader, was going over some dates coming up, to make sure we would all be at those meetings. We were agreeing that we would be there, and then Ryan said, "Well, we won't be there for a Sunday in August - the 10th - because that's Daisy's due date." It was really cute and a lot of fun. I think we have told everyone by now - except I have to tell my supervisor at my practicum, which starts back this week. I'll have to tell her right away since I'm still dealing with the HG and trying to find meds that work, but I'm looking forward to telling her. It's just such an exciting time, even if I do feel like poop.

NOT just morning sickness

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. HG is a debilitating and potentially life-threatening pregnancy disease. It is generally described as unrelenting, excessive pregnancy-related nausea and/or vomiting that prevents adequate intake of food and fluids. If severe and/or inadequately treated, it is typically associated with:

• loss of greater than 5% of pre-pregnancy body weight (usually over 10%)
• dehydration and production of ketones
• nutritional deficiencies
• metabolic imbalances
• difficulty with daily activities

HG usually extends beyond the first trimester and may resolve by 21 weeks; however, it can last the entire pregnancy in less than half of these women. Complications of vomiting (e.g. gastric ulcers, esophageal bleeding, malnutrition, etc.) may also contribute to and worsen ongoing nausea.

There are numerous theories regarding the etiology of hyperemesis gravidarum. Unfortunately, HG is not fully understood and conclusive research on its potential cause is rare. New theories and findings emerge every year, substantiating that it is a complex physiological disease likely caused by multiple factors.

For more info: www.helpher.org

Good news is, I've read some research and they say to eat whatever you can, regardless of nutritional value. Basically that's because women with this can typically eat so little, so you want to take in whatever you can. So I have this freedom. Too bad I can't do much with it...

Bad news is, they think it gets worse with each pregnancy, and it's also damaging to the liver, which will only get worse the more you have it (obviously).

The new medicine I am taking - Zofran - is NOT working as well as we had hoped. I've spent the last two days that I have been on it camped out on the couch, able to eat very, very little. True, it's not as bad as no medicine, but I am definitely not up to doing anything or eating anything, and I feel like crap. We might have to speak with that again doctor before school starts...

Other good news is I have the most amazing husband ever. He takes such good care of me, not complaining at all (and even reassuring me when I start to feel guilty). He offers to go and get me anything I think I could eat or drink. He cooks and takes care of Camden, and is just the most awesome person on this earth. I don't know what I would do with out him, and I am so thankful I don't have to find out. He is my hero every day through all of this.

Official EDD

We went to the OB today for our first visit. Lots of blood work and all that good stuff... Our official estimated due date is exactly what I thought it was - Sunday, August 10th. That makes us (well, me) 8 weeks and 4 days pregnant. :)

On the way to the dr office, I spoke with my mom, getting some last minute family history details... Apparently my lovely hubby is not the only one with mitral valve prolapse (a heart condition...). I have two, maybe three, family members that also have this condition. Not exactly music to my ears, but good to be aware of, I suppose. Definitely something I am glad I know to bring up to my doctor... I worry enough about Ryan having this; I can't imagine having a child with that issue, too. I know that may not happen, but knowing there is such a history in both families isn't too assuring. But I'll try not to worry about that for now. Another family history aspect that is very important - the big babies run in MY side of the family. (For those of you that don't know - Camden was 10 lbs, 15.2 oz - that's less than an ounce from being 11 lbs.... No wonder he was a c-section baby, huh?!) So....we'll see!

While there, I did get a different prescription for morning sickness meds... The nurse explained that I had better get something else if I would need to be driving because I should NOT be driving while taking the Phenergan, even if I take only half a dose (which does not make me drowsy at all). So a different prescription was written up (Zofran). When I went to the pharmacist, he explained that this medicine is actually more powerful. He also gave me the quick dissolve tablets that work faster. Then I see that it does not cause drowsiness, and I do not have to take it with food. I suddenly begin to question why they didn't prescribe THIS medication to begin with! I mean, I was starving and miserable because I couldn't keep anything down, and they gave me something that I had to take with food (and trust me, you did have to take it with food!!!). Hmmmmm.... Doesn't make sense, but I'll know what to ask for next time around, I suppose. Anyway, I have it now, right? Gotta keep it in perspective...

So overall, it was a good visit. Everyone was really nice. No bad experiences. Even the nurse doing the blood work was really nice and gentle with the needle. And now we have the due date and are preparing to let EVERYONE know about the pregnancy! THAT is the best part! :)

Quite a Christmas!

So....long time no blog. We just got back home from a wonderful trip to our other homes in KY and WV. It was so great to be around all of our family, and we got to see so many people that we have missed! Plus, we got to share our wonderful news! :)

But first...about the "morning" sickness.... The day before we left for KY I did manage to get myself over to the pharmacy to pick up some medication the dr called in. It took me a while, and a couple trips to the bathroom, but I got there. I had a ton of questions for the pharmacist, and he was so great about answering all of my questions (very patient even when he kept thinking I was done and would start to walk away. haha!). I was walking out with meds in hand and Camden beside me when I started laughing. On the side of the bottle: "Take with food." Is this a joke!? I am taking this because of my inability to eat, and I am expected to EAT to take this... Hmmmmmm. Doesn't really make sense to me. Somebody's idea of a sick joke in my opinion. Anyway, I managed to get down some crackers and took the medicine, and it knocked me OUT! Good thing was - I was able to eat something once I woke up enough to do so. I was first not so sure about this medicine thing, but now I have bought into it.

So we told the parents with gifts we had wrapped for each one, as I mentioned before. Well, when we get to my mom's house - at midnight - Gene (I should have seen this coming...) asks right away, "So, are you pregnant yet?" What am I supposed to say?! I can't say yes because we have planned how to tell them, and it is more special than this, so I lie. And I don't lie well. I don't like to lie and just feel too guilty when doing it. I'm sure they could tell, especially Gene, but they acted like they bought it. We let them open their gift the next night while the family was all together. Mom even guessed it might be something about being pregnant, but the looks on their faces were still priceless.

Mom & Gene

The good thing about letting them find out this way is that we got pictures of each set of parents discovering we were pregnant. That was so wonderful! Everybody was excited, some were very surprised. All in all, it was a perfect Christmas!

Dad, Lauren, and Lisa

Surprise Sharon!!!

Sharon and David

Susan and Gary

Gary is still reading and realizing what the note says (and he was very excited once he got it!)

Camden was the one that announced the pregnancy to extended family...with his "big brother" t-shirt. At the first gathering, an aunt saw the shirt, as we walk into the crowded room. "Why does his shirt say... What? You're not... Are you....." It was great! The other gathering was a little more difficult. All the Boyers (my father's family) met to eat at Hometown (the BEST pizza place ever), so Camden was sitting, making it harder to see his shirt. He kept trying to make it so people could see, and finally got to speak with one of my aunts. He turn to face her and kept wiggling, hoping to get her to notice. He finally pulls at his shirt, making it fairly obvious. It was hilarious. Everyone starts talking and yelling with excitement. Such a fun moment, really. I will not forget this Christmas, that is certain! I'm already trying to decide how we will ever match this when we have another...

"Morning" Sickness

Well, I have easily gone from being ecstatic about being pregnant to being just mis-er-able. The morning sickness - ha! They need a new name for that! This is all day and all night. I am lucky that some evenings I can get down a little bit at dinner time, but other than that, I am pretty much starving. I throw up at least a couple times a day (sorry, but I do) and can't even think of eating anything with any flavor. In fact, the only things I can handle eating are things that are terrible for me and I hardly ever touch to begin with: plain donuts (no extra sugar or glaze), white bread, and french fries (that aren't too greasy). Plus I can tolerate a baked potatoe and applesauce sometimes. My healthy eating habits have gone completely down the drain!!! I start to feel guilty because I know I need to be eating better than ever right now. I am aware of what body parts are forming with the little bean right now. But I tell myself I can't feel guilty over something like this when I have no control over it. Same thing happened with Camden, and he was very healthy. In fact, they do say that people with morning sickness are much less likely to have miscarriages and they have healthier pregnancies. A nice reminder, but still doesn't help you feel much better when you're sitting on the bathroom floor....

Today I got to the point where I called Ryan crying saying that we have got to call the doctor for some help. I can't keep even the blandest foods down during the day, and I'm doing everything that all the books and websites suggest. I need to eat something. I am exhausted and can hardly carry on a conversation because I have so little energy. He has been amazing and has done everything he can to help me over the past week. (I am reminded every day that I married an awesome man!) He called the doctor, and they're actually calling me in a prescription. I hate to take medications while I'm pregnant, but let's face it - the way things are going right now are definitely not helping things! And I am desperate at this point. Let's hope this does some help. We've been warned I need to take it during a time when I can sleep if it knocks me out. Hey - I welcome sleep right now! Maybe I won't be sick if I'm sleeping...

Actually, night time has not been that much better. I wake up throughout the night and have the hardest time getting to sleep because I'm so nauseous. But I still try to sleep as long as I can in the mornings. Then I get up and spend the day on the couch, being the laziest I have ever been. I hate it, but I just can't do anything else!

I have to say, there is one silver lining in all of this........... This is happening over my Christmas break. That's the silver lining, you ask? I get to go through this while traveling and visiting family? Well, I know this will continue when spring semester begins in January, but hopefully by then I will have found ways to tolerate it and will know of things I can eat during the day to help. Hopefully (hopefully) the worst will happen while I'm out of school. This would be impossible if it started after school was in session. Right now I can actually afford to sit on the couch and lie around all day. I need this time to figure out how to deal with this. So, I am very, very thankful for that.

And so it begins...

Over the past two days, I have felt a little different. The best way I can describe it is that my body seems kind of nervous. I felt like I couldn't really relax my belly. I took it to mean, the morning sickness is on its way......

Today I wake up, feeling like that and a little more so. I even ask Ryan to bring me some crackers just in case. I end up not needing them, but when breakfast time comes, I have to force myself to eat half of half a bagel. I'm emailing Ryan telling him how I feel and that I'm worried it might be starting today, when halfway through the email (and the bagel), I have to make a run for the bathroom..... And it's here.

It has NOT been a fun day. I was able to get down a couple crackers, a ginger snap cookie (we read ginger is supposed to help with nausea), and then a pb sandwich later on. But I am basically forcing myself to eat something because I know it will just get worse if my belly is completely empty. I feel terrible, though. So exhausted and just so uneasy.

And I keep thinking to myself, this is just day one.............................................

I endured five months of this with Camden. I wonder how much I'll have to suffer through this time... Some say it's better with the next pregnancies, some say it's the same (the first is a predictor of the other pregnancies), and my mom had it even worse with me, her second. Hmmmmm.... Looks like I'm in for a fun time either way.

My First Post!

(Written by Ryan)
Well, it looks like we are going to have another little guy (or girl) running around here and we are so excited! Everything has worked out perfectly so far, we're just keeping our fingers crossed that everything else goes the way we hope it does. We still have a lot of work ahead with getting the apartment ready for a baby, but it will be fun.

We found out at the end of November but decided to wait until Christmas to tell everyone and man it has been tough. We even waited a little while to tell Camden, also very tough to do, especially because he has been wanting a little brother or sister for a while now.

I will have more to say later, I am just so tired right now I can't really think. My brain is worn down from studying for the CPA exam. I am halfway done though! I am really going to have a deadline now though, with the baby coming. I don't want to be spending my time studying when I can be spending it with the baby!

What a Miracle!

I woke up this morning (it was actually sometime in the middle of the night...) thinking the morning sickness had begun. I wasn't sure if it was that or if I was just feeling nauseous because I woke up in the middle of the night (and therefore had an empty belly). I tried to wish it away and fall back to sleep, and thankfully it worked. My fears were relieved by the time I woke up at the time I was supposed to (in the morning). I keep hoping that it holds off until at least after tomorrow. Why tomorrow? Because I have a final exam and did not plan on telling anyone I was pregnant yet. I don't want to have to worry about having to rush out of the classroom a million times and have to somehow explain it to the professor or other classmates, since this is not typical behavior... So hopefully I will wake up tomorrow morning with yet another day free of nausea.

Aside from constantly wondering when that will kick in and being appreciative of the days I have had without it so far....I am just constantly amazed at the miracle that is occuring. It truly is just so awesome when you think about what is happening in my body right now, especially during these first few weeks. I mean, the spinal cord is developing and so are all of this important organs. It really makes me stop and think about what I am eating every time I put something into my mouth these days! I have taken a bunch of classes and know so much about the development of the fetus, but it still is just so, so amazing to think about how it really occurs and grows. And to stop and realize that this is growing in my own body... Wow. It just blows me away. I am so very thankful and just want to do everything in my power to give this baby the best home possible.

And that is why I want to eat well, rest well, and let my wonderful husband pamper me as much as he is willing! ;) As soon as we found out we were pregnant, he said, that's it - we can't have you stressed at ALL! And he really has been great at trying to keep that from happening (well, most of the time). I feel so fortunate in so many ways right now.

I cannot wait to share this news, too. It's so hard to keep it from some people, such as Camden and my mom! She called the other day and said she hadn't heard from me in a while and wanted to hear my voice. One reason I hadn't spoken or emailed WAS because I'm so busy with finals coming up and all that, but the other is that it is just so hard not to tell her this news!!! I can't wait to share it with her!

We have this great plan for how to tell the parents. I can't wait to do it! We have these presents wrapped for each set of parents. Inside is a scroll of paper tied up with a note in it: Your present will arrive in nine months. I'm sure they'll figure it out right away, especially mom who knows how much I've been wanting to have another baby, but we'll be able to see their faces (and hopefully get pictures of it). It will be such a wonderful Christmas! Camden is getting a special present, too. We've ordered this cool shirt that says "big brother" on it. As soon as it arrives, I'm wrapping it, and he gets to open it that night! He is going to be SOOOO excited! He's been asking for a baby sister (or brother!) since before Ryan and I got married. He was a tad disappointed when he found out that after we got married, we could choose when we wanted to get pregnant. He hoped it would happen right away! But he's been asking if we'll have a baby the year he turns nine, at least. And that's what he's getting! He is going to be thrilled! I can't wait to see him as a big brother. He is so great around little kids. He is very big brotherly like, and I know he's going to be awesome with his new role.

Ok, now I have a final tomorrow, and I really should be studying right now....

Check out what is happening in my little tummy this week: http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-4-weeks_1080.bc?scid=mbtw_preg05:20071203:0:0:0

YES we are!

So, to kill the suspense, yes, we are PREGNANT! Well, I am pregnant and WE are having a baby! :) Many of you are just finding this out right before (or as) you read this, but I'm writing this a week after we found out for SURE that we were pregnant and two weeks after we suspected...

Last week, Tuesday the 27th, I woke up and immediately knew I was pregnant. It was too early to take a test, but I didn't need it. I had a tell-tale sign; something was different, and it was a clear sign to me. BUT we had to wait until Friday to actually take a test. That week was a long, long week, let me tell you! That is a hard waiting game to play! But Friday morning FINALLY came....the results were light but obvious to us. :) Of course, like I said, I already knew it was true. I did not need a test to tell me this, but it is always nice to have that confirmation.

We were both just thrilled - but that soon turned to frustration. Ryan spent all afternoon trying to track down a doctor.... We had already decided we were delivering at Duke, after visiting Duke, Durham Regional, and Wake Med (yes, we did this very early on - planning ahead!). So, it now appeared we had a small pool of doctors to choose from. And the place recommended by my doctor (who just had her own baby!) is no longer accepting new patients. Great............. And the Duke Clinic, which is really for high risk pregnancies but also for others with private insurance, apparently gets very, very busy, and we're told there can be up to a two hour wait sometimes. Another Great......... We finally decide to try out the clinic - at least to get the first test done. (Do we actually have a choice right now?) We decide to keep trying Duke Women's Health, though. Maybe if we bug them enough, they'll get so annoyed that they'll take us, huh? ;)

***

So....today was the day for the test at the clinic. There were all kinds of emotions going through me today - and all kinds of things coming out of my mouth!!! (Poor Ryan... I told him that eventually the pregnancy could cause "irritability" - not sure when that will kick in, though...hmmmm)

First, the parking is not great, but I could live with it, I suppose. We have to walk forever once in the building to find the clinic, wait in line forever to register, and then the lady gives us directions for what to do next: go down this hall, take a left, find the bathroom and the cups and (you know this part), then come back this way, take your sample to the lab which is down this other hall and to the left, then come back, go back down the hall you went to first, keep going, though, and make a right, then another right into the waiting room..... Are any of YOU lost by now? Because I was lost with the first sentence that came out of her mouth! I can't remember that many lefts and rights, no way! And I have to carry my sample out into this hallway full of people? Oooookkkkkk....

I've already complained to Ryan how ridiculous most of this is. I mean, first of all, when I had Camden, the choices were between two OB's - both were right next to the hospital in town. That choice was easy. And I got to park right in their small lot and walk right into the waiting room. All very simple. And the bathroom had a tiny door where I passed the sample into. THIS was all starting to annoy me. It doesn't help that we wait for over 30 minutes, in which time three different nurses come to ask if someone has taken my sheet yet (the first one did). I complain majorly to Ryan about the organization of this place! Then comes the best part.....and yes, I am being sarcastic. What was supposed to be THE BEST PART...

A nurse indicates to us with her finger to come over to her at the doorway of the waiting room where she - get this - holds up a business card that has a note written on it.

"Your pregnancy result is: _____ Pregnant _____ Not Pregnant"

There is an X beside "Pregnant"

WOW - that is IT??? You tell me by showing me a card in the HALLWAY? Fine for our situation, but I kept asking Ryan, what about those women who are very upset that they are, in fact, pregnant or the women who have been trying and trying and think maybe this time - to find out with an X that they are NOT pregnant??? This could be a major, major event for someone, and you're going to do it in a hallway? I could not get over this. Is this just my hormones or am I right to think this is wrong? Do we not deserve to find out in a private room where strangers are not around to watch our reaction, whether it is joy or sadness? Maybe it is just my hormones, maybe it's the social worker in me, but I thought it was terrible.

And does it get better from there? Not really. We are told there are three places that deliver at Duke (the clinic being one). BOTH are not accepting new patients!!! One is the one we called last week. Ryan makes an attempt to get them to feel sorry for us and take us on.... But they're getting ready to go to lunch and ask us to call the OB nurse in an hour. What a day this has been so far! This is supposed to be a wonderful, wonderful afternoon, and I am about in tears! I do NOT want to have to go to the clinic for my OB appts! I've been told yet again about the two hour waits that are possible and how busy they are, even with 15 doctors! No, no, no... I want a doctor's office! This is supposed to be the best hospital around, we have great insurance through Duke, and this is not supposed to be so difficult.

OK - long story short - like it's been short up till now, right? (Thanks for following this so far, by the way!) Ryan is my HERO by the end of the day. He convinces this lady to make an exception for us. :) She remembered us from last week, and perhaps it helps that Ryan works for Duke - who knows, but whatever it was, it worked. And this place is supposed to be great, and they have an office in Chapel Hill and one near my other doctor in Durham (close to home - and to Southpoint Mall).

So now, all is right and we are joyful, joyful, joyful. Not that we weren't happy about other things, but we needed a doctor! We don't have to worry about that now. We have a doctor and can deliver at Duke - one of our requirements. :) It may have limited us, but there are some things we were not willing to settle for, even if it meant going to that stinking clinic...

It was a crazy day, but we have even more confirmation (we have the card to prove it!), and we seem more settled with being able to handle this. So far, everything is actually working out EXACTLY like we wanted. We were very, very fortunate that we got pregnant exactly when we wanted to, we have the doctors we wanted from the beginning, we will be at the hospital we wanted, and we are having a BABY!!!

Now, I just have to wait for that morning sickness to kick in. I know it will start any day! I wonder every morning if this will be the day. After five months of all-day-sickness with Camden, I am treasuring every day I have had without it, and I am prepared for it when it comes (we'll see if I say that when it does happen, but for now...). I am thoroughly enjoying everything I get to eat and drink and enjoy. ;)

A Time for Thanksgiving

Well, we have finally given in and are creating a blog. I've actually been planning on doing this for a while, but many things get pushed back while you're in grad school and spend the majority of your time studying. I have so many other things that already distract me, so I didn't really need another one! BUT here I am anyway.... :) Here WE are, I guess I should say. The point is for either me or Ryan to use this - maybe Camden from time to time - so we can keep everyone up-to-date on things we're doing here in NC. Welcome and check back from time to time.

Some of you already know how much we have been wanting to have a baby..... (Yes, I'm going to get straight to talking about that!) Many of you may know that I have been dying to have a baby! Haha! Everyone else seems to be doing it, right? Let's see...all of my bridesmaids that are out of high school have gotten pregnant in the last year, and most of our other friends are having babies, too! The only thing keeping us from doing this earlier was time, I guess you could say. With me being in school and Ryan studying for his exam, we hardly have time for our own lives right now without throwing a new all-our-time-demanding baby! But grad school is almost over and Ryan is halfway through his exams................... So what does that mean? Well, we'll see! We did spend Thanksgiving in a way that is making us very thankful - let's just say that for now. ;) More on what we are thankful for later. I've got to get to class...