10w3d - What a Journey

Hi all!

Well, still pg and very happy about it! But, I have been more emotional and m/s lately. I still haven't vomited, but it's been close. The past few weeks I seem to have 2-3 days of heavy nausea, then it's better...just hoping I make it through my long internship days without puking! This is my schedule:

Mon - 7a-7p - 12 hours!
Tues - 7a-11a - 4 hours
Wed - 7a-7p - 12 hours!
Thurs - off
Fri - 7a-7p - 12 hours!

On one hand, it's nice I have 2 days during the week where I can schedule appts, but I think Mon-Wed might be tough. I know I can do it though and I'm so excited to get the opportunity to start working as a Physical Therapist. I can't believe I've graduated! Oh, which brings me to the next topic, graduation!


Love this picture - it's of my closest friends during our 3-year masters program. We studied so much together and I feel lucky to have found them as friends. Graduation was wonderful, but the day went so quickly. Plus, I had only had about 5 hours of sleep the night before and had to be up at 5am so we could get to graduation by 7am. Our professors sat with us during the ceremony and it was wonderful. Then we had our department celebration - here's a group picture with most of us:


Then we had a small family celebration with my 4 girls. We all made a dish and planned it together. It was such a great time to get to meet our families.

We had this cake made that said, "Congratulations R.A.L.Y, MPTs" - the RALY is the 1st initial of each of our first names and the degree is Master of Physical Therapy. We talked about maybe opening up a private practice together one day after we've all had some time to get experience. So exciting.

Well, changing the subject, one thing that has been on my mind lately and I even had a vivid dream about it last night, was how much I miss my Mom. She passed away in 1993. I'm not someone who clings to "dates" (I don't need to think about her on Mother's Day or her birthday or the day she died) but I let myself feel her when it comes to me. I don't remember much of my dream, but I know it was about missing her. I think that's one of the reason I need my friends so much now that I'm pg - so I can ask questions I would have asked her. I do think she is with God and I hope she is ecstatic that I'm pregnant. She was a beautiful woman and loving mother. I miss her so much. I'm not one to linger on sadness though, but rather I try to celebrate the life she had and the legacy she left behind.

DH is amazing as always and has really helped me when I've been emotional or felt nauseous. We got lots of stuff done this weekend and had some fun too. Oh, and we've decided that we'll get the CVS testing done (chorionic villus sampling). We'll get the u/s that measures the nuchal fold with the blood test to see what our risk is first. If the risk is super low, we'll probably opt out of the CVS or amnio. We'll see what happens though. Because I'll be 40 when the baby is born, I'm at a higher risk to find chromosomal problems.

Okay, that's it for now. Sending my love to everyone for a happy and healthy Memorial Day weekend.

xoxo Yo!

9w3d - Always Catching Up!

Hi Everyone!

Well, I had no idea how much being pregnant would take out of me! I love it! But, that means that my posts are a little fewer and farther in between. Plus, I've been dealing with final exams and tying up loose ends for graduation, so that's taken what energy I have left. Oh yeah, and DH, that I love so much, need some QT with him too! (I would take QT with DH ANYTIME I could get it!)

Well, as far as being pregnant - still pregnant. I know that might be getting old for some of you, but I take each and every day as a blessing and a miracle. I take as good care of myself as I possibly can. I still feel pg. I have morning sickness at night (not as much in the morning). Eating is still a chore, but one I consider important to keep the morning sickness at bay. I've gotten into a little routine of eating: breakfast is a bowl of cereal as soon as I get up, then early lunch around 11, then snack at 2-3p, then dinner around 5:30p. I am so picky with what I eat now and if I get off schedule, I feel it. I cannot eat a big meal without feeling so bloated I feel like I'll pop! I also need a lot of sleep and rest. My energy is low, but I try to counter it by getting enough sleep at night and walking as much as possible to stay in shape. The pg symptoms ebb and flow, some days they are almost non-existent and some days I am miserable in that "I'm so happy I'm pregnant" way. DH and I celebrate a bit when I do feel symptoms because it's an outward sign that something is happening. I thank God every day and pray for Him to bless this little life inside of me. I know He listens.

I've gained about 1.5 lbs and my bra doesn't fit. I feel "fat" and had to buy a bunch of new shirts so I can hide my gassy protruding belly. I am not going to tell my internship clinical instructor about my pregnancy until July sometime, if then. Once I feel like they trust me as a physical therapist and know my work ethic I might tell them. I don't want them to question my values at all. So I buy non-maternity shirts in a larger size to "hide" the changes to my body. I know they can't discriminate against me, but I'd rather they see my work stand for itself before I tell them. My hours will be tough - M, W, F 7a-7p and T 7a-11a. That will give me half of Tuesday and all of Thursday to rest and recuperate and get my errands done. Oh, yeah, and to study for my board exams I hope to take in October! At least with this test, I can take it as many times as I need.

My graduation is on Thursday and I will graduate "with distinction" which means I finished with an overall GPA of over 3.885. (Actually, my graduate GPA will be around 3.9, so I'm very pleased.) I'll post pictures of the festivities. My Dad is coming into town for a short 48 hours to see me walk and I'm so happy. It means so much to me.

It's funny, DH and I joke about the size of my little one occasionally...it started as a poppy seed, then a sesame seed, then a lentil bean, then a kidney bean...I tell him I'm cooking a stew! ;-) Now we're moving into the fruit - I guess I'm growing a precious little grape this week and next week, Mary tells me I'll be working on a kumquat! Keep on growing little one - you have a lot of people praying for you to grow strong.

This is an amazing journey. One I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. Thanks for reading the blog. Love to everyone.

xoxo Yo!

Comp Exams

I PASSED!!!

I can't believe it, but I'm almost due to graduate. It's been a LONG journey (started in June 2001), but my dream is almost complete. I know I'm going to LOVE my job and I look forward to the many adventures ahead.

Love to everyone - thanks for all of your prayers!

xoxo Yo!

Most Beautiful Heartbeat Ever

Hi all,

Well, relief - the dr visit went great and we saw a wonderful heartbeat. The dr said everything is right on track and official due date is 12/19. (I measured slightly bigger than that, but she's going to keep the date FF predicts based on my O date.) I just started crying and am still crying. Here's the pic:

I feel so blessed right now. Thanks to all my girls praying for me. God listened and we have crossed a major hurdle. I just can't believe I have a little life with heartbeat growing strong inside of me. It's truly a miracle. Love to you all!

xoxo Yo!

7w5d - DR APPT TODAY!

Hi all!

Well, my first dr appt is today and I'm quite nervous. I will get an u/s and will post it if everything is okay. I am def feeling more pg, just hope that means good news. Thanks to everyone for all of their thoughts and prayers. Appt is at 1pm, so it will be a few hours after when I post the results. Tons of love to everyone!

xoxo Yo!

7w2d - Catching Up...

Hi everyone!

Sorry I haven't posted, but I've been so consumed with my comprehensive exams that I haven't really had time for much else. Don't ask me how I did on them...I am very hard on myself and NEVER think I do well on a test. I am praying I passed...they were REALLY hard. The good thing is...if I get all A's and 1 A- this semester, I'll graduate with honors. Interesting that I'm not sure how I did yet it is a strong possibility that I'll graduate with honors...ironic.

Okay, so here's the "drama" that happened last week. Okay, read this article...actually, you only need to read page 2 the first and second paragraph:

http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2008/04/23/chalked_up/index.html

Well, I am the "Yolande" she is referring to. I thought this person was my friend...although we don't talk that often, but I never knew she was going to trash me in her little "expose" novel. Okay, just so you can decide for yourself, here are two videos from 1986, the year she is talking about. One is of me and the other is of her. You decide if I have 10-15 lbs to lose:

Here is me winning the national floor championship in 1986:


Here is the video of Jennifer that she posts on her youtube site:


I'm told my DH and myself that I would wait until after comps to figure out if I wanted to respond to this insult. (DH has been so protective of me in all of this.) But, I don't think I'll do anything at this point. 1) I knew she was writing the book, 2) she never asked my permission to use my name in the book or refer to me, and 3) I feel sorry for her that, 25 years later she still has to put down other people to get resolution with her childhood. Her comments are unnecessary, and show exactly the kind of person she is, so I am not giving it a lot of credence.

I signed on to a popular gymnastics message board that I lurk, and all of the people there were basically trashing her and supporting me. I never post (and didn't for this), but people were very complimentary of me and my gymnastics, so I feel good. I think I'll just ignore it for now.

Okay, on to the pregnancy...I somehow made it through all my comp studying not feeling too bad. I was spending over 12 hours per day in the library for the last two weeks. I think I just told my brain to ignore everything. I tried my best to not get too stressed, but to study as much as possible. I went to bed around 9:30pm every night. I made it - can't even believe it. Weird, now that I don't have that same kind of focus, I definitely feel pregnant...and it is kicking my behind. I have trouble eating but force myself and am exhausted both after the exam on Friday as well as Sat and Sun. I did breakdown and POAS yesterday...my last FRER...yes, still VERY pg. I think I'm done POAS and temping now.

Exciting and scary part is now the first dr appt and u/s on Wednesday at 1pm. I'll post and let everyone know, but it is tough. DH and I have discussed it, and he keeps reassuring me that no matter what, we are super strong together and can get through anything. Hearing his reassurance helps me so much - I am grateful for his support.

Okay, well I think that's enough for today! I'll catch up more as I feel able to and not too fatigued. Thanks to everyone for the support and prayers. I don't think I could have made it this far without you all. All I can do is take one day at a time. Love to you all!

xoxo Yo!