Another doctor appointment

We had our second doctor appointment this last Wednesday. Now that I know what to expect at these appointments I'm not near as nervous. I actually look forward to them knowing that we'll get to see the baby again. That's one aspect of having a baby in Germany that I'm realizing I really like. We'll have a whole slew of ultrasound pictures by the time the baby's born. When we saw the baby this time we could definitely see it had about doubled in size. It's about 3 inches in length now. I'm still amazed at how developed a little human can be at that size. At my next appointment we're going to take the camcorder to try and capture the baby moving. Both times now it has really been squirming around. We could see the little legs and arms moving about. Very cool.

Ultrasound of the baby at 11 weeks 4 days.

3D of the baby on the right.

The doctor went over the blood test results with us. She said everything looks good except one of my kidneys may not be working as good as it should be. She wants me to see a kidney specialist next week. I'm not too concerned about it, but of course I'll feel better once we've heard what that doctor has to say.

We like our doctor, but I do wonder about not having my blood pressure or weight checked yet. This was my second appointment and still nothing. Seems a bit strange to me.

Just today it hit me again that we're having a baby. Not another pet, a new toy or a child to babysit for awhile, but a little baby of our own to raise. I wasn't feeling very good, so I laid on the couch while Sam showered. With hearing the water running and the house being so quiet I thought about what it'll be like to have a baby around. I almost had a moment of panic thinking "what are we doing...our lives will never be this quiet again". I do feel scared sometimes thinking how differently our lives are going to be. Everyone says it's a good change, but it just seems so final. I'm sure it's normal to have such thoughts. Even though we know I'm pregnant it's still hard for us to grasp the reality of having a child of our own. What a huge responsibility!

On another note - I think we need to find a new home for Papa Kitty. I've been avoiding it because he's such a nice cat and I'm not one to get rid of pets. Having a pet is a lifetime commitment to me, but the cats just aren't getting along. Gabby grumbles at him constantly and he's so sweet and patient. If they just argued I would not have a problem with keeping him, but it goes beyond that. Bless his heart, he has the patience of a saint, but every so often he's had enough and fights back. When he does, Gabby howls like he's killing her and ends up peeing all over the floor. It's so obnoxious. Thankfully, until now it's only been on the tile and while inconvenient, it was easy to clean up. Well, last night after we went to bed we heard them go at it again. Gabby was really making a scene and I knew I better go check to see if she had made a mess. Sure enough, this time she was on the living room rug. I just cannot deal with this for the next 10-15 years (however long they live). I feel so guilty getting rid of Papa, but I really have no choice. On top of it being a mess I'm always cleaning up, we're having a baby that will be crawling around the floors and I don't want to have to worry about what they might crawl through. I probably should not have had Mom bring him over, but I did. I don't know what I was thinking. Gabby is not a social cat at all. If we only had Papa he would be the perfect little pet. He's so sweet and courteous. I have no idea who we can give him to. I'm picky about who I'd want to have him. Anyhow, it's just something that weighs on me, but I don't really know how to resolve it. Most people would probably not understand why I would get rid of him and keep Gabby, but she's my baby that I raised from a bottle and it's not even an option with me. She's my first priority.

Sam has really been busy in the backyard. I'll try to post pictures before long. He's replacing the fence we had with a taller, more private one. Mainly because of the neighbors being so close in the back. We have tried our best to be good neighbors, but they seem to be the type that will pick at anything, so we want to have as much privacy as possible. Also, Sam removed a couple rows of the patio to make more yard space. He loves working in the yard, but never realizes how big of a project something is until he's in the middle of it and there's no turning back. It looks really good. I'm so proud of my husband. He's constantly working to make the house look better and he does a good job of it.

Well, I think that's about it for now. I'm not doing too good at posting blogs in a timely manner these days. Actually, I can't really blame it on how I've felt lately. I didn't do too good prior to being pregnant either. I still want to do a post about Sam's parents being here, but just haven't had the time to upload all the pictures that requires. Until next time...

First doctor's appointment

I didn't go to work on Tuesday.  I was feeling even more sick than usual and just couldn't get myself together.  I would bet it had something to do with the sauerkraut juice the doctor recommended I take.  More on that later.  I'm having a  hard time giving 100% at work right now.  I don't like to feel like I'm not doing my best, but it's just the way it is right now.  My hope is that I start feeling better in the next couple of weeks.

So, we had our first doctor's appointment on Monday.  The doctor I was scheduled to see is still out sick.  From what I understand, he's close to 70 and became sick while on vacation.  They're not sure if he's returning to practice or not.  I ended up seeing the other doctor in the office.  I liked her and will probably end up staying with her since she was comfortable for me. 

Obviously, since this is my first pregnancy, I've never been to a doctor in the states for that particular reason, but I have been for other "female" issues and I was surprised at how little was done at this appointment.  Basically, I had an ultra sound and they drew some blood.  No weight or blood pressure check.  I did get a pile of books and brochures - all in German.  I guess that won't help me much, but it was a nice gesture.  I'm scheduled to go back in two weeks though so perhaps more will be done at that point.  I was pleasantly surprised with the appointment.  It wasn't near as intimidating as I thought it would be. The doctor was very understanding about my modesty issues so that set me at ease. 

Sam came in and we were able to see our baby for the first time on the screen.  Even at this tiny stage I'm amazed that it has the shape of a baby.  I thought the picture the doctor printed out was really good - as ultra sound pictures go.  I am in the 10th week.  We were able to hear the heartbeat too.  What an awesome experience to see and hear our baby for the first time!  It makes it even clearer to me that there is a little life inside of me.  I don't understand how, after seeing an ultra sound of this baby even at just 10 weeks old, anyone could claim that it is not a viable life.   That it's just a blob and not deserving of  the basic right to life.

Anyhow, so we talked with the doctor for quite awhile and she answered some of my questions.   I mentioned that I've had quite a bit of heartburn lately.  That's when she suggested I drink some sauerkraut juice in the morning before eating.  She said it's really great for the digestion.  Did I mention that the German's are really into natural medicine?? I didn't think it sounded great, but since I do eat sauerkraut sometimes I thought it would be bearable.  Was I ever wrong!! 

Tuesday morning I got up and before taking my shower decided to dutifully drink my sauerkraut juice.  I got about 3 swallows down and decided that was all I could handle.  By the time I got out of the shower and was trying to eat a little cereal for breakfast I realized I might just lose it.  I think I was sitting with the trash can close by when Sam came home from taking his Dad to the airport.  He convinced me to call in sick and get back in bed.  Needless to say, the rest of the juice went down the drain.  It just may have ruined sauerkraut for me for the rest of my life. 

I have been so tired and can't seem to get enough sleep.  Almost everyday when I get off work I come home and lay down for a couple of hours.  Even with the extra sleep I can barely drag myself out of bed.  I really look forward to the weekends so I can sleep in.  I've felt like a terrible hostess with Sam's parents here.  I haven't been cooking or visiting much because I usually walk in and go upstairs to bed.  I think they understand, but it makes me feel bad that I'm not better company. 

Here is one of the ultrasound pictures from Monday.  It's  a picture I took of the ultrasound print, so the quality is not the best, but it should enlarge if you click on it.  I realize we may see more in it because it's our baby, but I thought it was a pretty good picture.  The baby is facing the front and the head is on the left.  You can kind of make out the little arms, belly and legs.  It was pretty cool to see it moving around so much.  I'm amazed at the detail already on a little being that is only about an inch long.  I'm really happy that they do ultrasounds at just about every appointment.  We should have no problem knowing if it's a boy or girl in another couple of months.

Well, that's about it for now.  It's Saturday and I'm just taking it easy, but will have to get busy in a little bit. My poor house has been neglected lately with me not feeling so well.  Sam's working in the backyard.  Tomorrow we're driving to Bad Kreuznach after church to meet up with Sam's Mom and his uncles.  He hasn't seen his two uncles in many years and I haven't met them, so it should be nice. 

We're expecting.....

Ok, so this is going to be a different kind of post.  I'm starting this on September 11.  We wanted to wait until we told most of our families before telling the world, but I want to keep track of what's going on so this post will include several dates.  

We have some exciting news to share.  We found out a couple of days ago that we're having a  BABY!!!!!   Even writing that feels so odd to me.  I still haven't quite wrapped my brain around the fact that I'm pregnant.  ME! PREGNANT!!!!!  Even though we always planned to have children I guess I just never thought about what it would be like to be pregnant.  It's amazing and terrifying all at the same time.  I've been thinking of nothing else since that little test strip flashed  "pregnant".   I kind of "knew" for about a week, but I still wasn't totally prepared to have it confirmed.  My best calculation puts the birth sometime around next May.

As unsacred as it sounds, I think one of my first thoughts was "Crap!  Why didn't I get serious about losing some weight before this?".  I wonder how many women think that??  Then as dumb as it sounds I didn't know what to eat.  No soft cheese, uncooked eggs, undercooked meat, sushi (not a problem for me).....and the list goes on.  It immediately changed the way I thought about what I ate.  I was acutely aware that I was not just putting food in my body, but that I was responsible for the nutrition that this little life needed. 

I have so many questions about pregnancy in general, but also about having a baby in Germany, so I've been reading just about everything I can online.  I really wish I was near Mom and Kristy so I could share the experience and be with someone who's been through it before.  It's hard to be so far away at this point in my life.

For awhile now I've needed to get to the doctor, but have been ignoring it because I wasn't looking forward to that experience here in Germany.  Now, I have no choice and need to schedule an appointment.  That's a whole other consideration.  Being in a foreign country makes me a little nervous because they do things so differently here.  Without going into too many details I'll just say that (from what I've heard) the German's don't have an issue with modestly....or lack of modesty.  I'm nervous to go to the doctor, but I've heard that having a baby in Germany is a great experience.  I tend to think they don't rush the process and schedule births like doctors in the States do.  I've heard it's normal to stay in the hospital for 1-2 weeks after having the baby.  I guess I'll find out.

 

9/12/08                                                                                                                       Sam picked me up at lunchtime and we went to an OB/GYN in our town to see about getting an appointment.  Now, more than ever, I just wish I was home in the states and didn't have to deal with having a baby in a foreign country.  None of the receptionists spoke English, so Sam set up the appointment.  The earliest appointment they have is on the 25th.  I expected to be told to start pre-natal vitamins or to get in quickly for a checkup, but they didn't seem in any rush.  I left there in tears.  It all feels a little overwhelming right now.  It's so different here.  I've never had a baby in the states either, but at least there I would know more what to expect, would be able to understand what people are saying, be able to ask questions, etc.  It all just scares me at this point.  I've been trying to read up about it online too and it seems the more I read the more I realize how different things are here.  I'd like to talk to someone who's had a baby here.  I wish we could use the Health Clinic on post, but they refer everyone out, so that's not even an option. At this point I feel like my hands are tied behind my back and I don't have a real say in my health.  It's difficult not being able to communicate when it MY health that's being discussed. I'm just hoping I feel differently once I've been to the doctor.

 

9/14/08

I really haven't had much morning sickness yet, but I have a general feeling of nausea.  I've found that I try to snack on something every couple of hours to keep something in my stomach.  This morning we were on our way to church and I wasn't feeling too good.  I realized it had been about 3 hours since breakfast, so we stopped at the Shoppette for some crackers.  I'll have to learn to keep something with me.  I'm hoping not to get to the point of throwing up.  I must say that a positive side effect of my pregnant self is that I have no sweet tooth.  For me that's very unusual, but I'm enjoying it.  Just the thought of candy or sweets kind of turns my stomach.  I hope it stays that way for a long time to come.

  Sam's parents fly in on Wednesday so we've spent this weekend doing some deeper cleaning.  Bless Sam's heart - he cleaned ALL of the windows yesterday.  Inside and out.  It took him about 6 hours in all.  They look great though and I so appreciated him doing that.  Today I'm just going to finish vacuuming and mopping the floors.  I know once the week starts I won't have much time for that.

 

9/21/08

As of yesterday I am 8 weeks along.  I can't say I've experienced "morning sickness" yet, but seem to instead have "all-day sickness".  I have absolutely no appetite and any kind of food turns my stomach.  Yesterday Sam and I drove up to Ramstein to go to the bazaar there.  I was not feeling well and was so tired so I slept all the way there and back.  It was a really nice bazaar. I love being on a large American base.  It felt like a little America.  

This morning has been the worst day yet as far as feeling poorly.  This morning we were up getting ready for church.  I passed out in the shower.  I didn't feel well and was trying to get done so I could lay back down and the next thing I knew Sam was helping me up off the floor.  I was so sick so Sam helped me, dripping wet, climb back into bed.  Needless to say we didn't make it to church.  I've felt terrible today and all I've wanted to do is sleep.  I'm not sure how I'm going to get through this week at work.  It's a difficult time to take sick leave because this is my last week at CPAC then next week is my first back at NAF.  It's not really the most opportune time to be out sick. 

 

9/28/08

Feeling sick CONSTANTLY is starting to wear on me.  Thankfully I haven't  been throwing up, but the last couple of mornings I was very close to it.  I hope that's not next.  As of yesterday I was 9 weeks along.  Another month and I'll be past the 1st trimester - I'm hoping the nausea lessens at that time. 

I'm not used to feeling so fragile.   I'm usually a pretty healthy person, but being pregnant is a different story.  I feel weak and sick most of the time.  Just this morning Mom told me "That's what makes this your baby".  I guess she's right.  At this point though I still don't really grasp the reality that we're having a baby.  Sam and I just shake our heads because neither one of us is sure what to think.  Of course we're happy, but probably a bit petrified too - to be honest. 

Sam and his parents went to Garmisch over the weekend. I would have loved to go, but they won't be back until tomorrow evening and I have to start with NAF in the morning.  I sure have missed my husband though.  It's amazing how we get so used to having each other around and even take each other for granted, but when he's not here I feel a part of me is gone.  I'll be glad when they come back tomorrow. 

Oh, also I scheduled an appointment with a different doctor.  I've been talking to a lady that works with Sam.  She had a baby here last year and is expecting again.  She's been a great source of information.  I decided to go with the doctor she sees.  We have an appointment set for Oct. 6th.  I think it'll be good to have the appointment and get some of my questions answered.  Well, I need to get to bed.  I'm starting back with NAF in the morning and I seem to need more sleep these days....for whatever reason :)