Whew...

Hello everyone!

Well, we are 15 weeks & 1 day now! Yay! For some reason, I'm very excited to get to 16 weeks. We go to the doctor late Tuesday, 2/2, for a regular appointment. I'm definitely hoping this appointment goes much better than the last. Honestly, if we could go, see the baby, and hear the heartbeat, I'd be very happy. That's all I want. We then go to Omaha on Tuesday, 2/9, for the appointment with a perinatologist. I'm starting to get anxious all over again about that appointment, but am trying to remain calm for the baby.

I have been feeling quite a bit better...not as much nausea and a little more energy. I am still having back pain. In fact, this week, I had a rib out of place. Now, I'm not big on chiropractors. But, I was in so much pain that I had to go. It hit me Wednesday morning and again this morning. I think he has everything back in place, but will go tomorrow to check it out. This week, I have realized the importance of Arbonne. What a great feeling to know everything I am putting on my skin is all natural. I don't have to worry about the chemicals and acids in other products. And, they have really helped me control the back soreness. And, finally, I think I'm starting to show. I have this puffy stomach that came from nowhere! :) Yikes! I have a feeling I will be in maternity clothes within the next week or two.

And, the best news of the week is that I think we have a daycare provider!! I'm so excited. She is absolutely wonderful. We got a daily agenda and the structure is unbelievable!! She is a licensed teacher who really combines learning and fun throughout the day. I would feel more comfortable waiting until after these next 2 appointments to sign the contract, so I'm excited for the next 2 weeks to be over!! I feel so blessed to have her take care of our precious little one.

Please continue to say prayers for us!! Love you all!
Kari

The Painting Has Begun! & Comments

Wow, I have a great husband! He has been absolutely awesome since I've been pregnant. He does the dishes (so I don't gag), cleans, and has been organizing the whole house. I get so frustrated because I seriously don't have the energy to help as much as I want to, especially if it's after work. But, he says he doesn't mind. Thank You! Well, today, he has painted the "new" spare bedroom. It used to be the "exercise" room, but since the "old" spare bedroom is going to be the nursery, we are rearranging everything. I love the color - a dark beige called "Mexican Sand." I think it will all work out great! I just hope we have room for everything. We have the color picked out for the nursery, but not sure when we'll tackle that project. It's also a beige - just a little lighter than the spare bedroom. It's all so surreal! But, I do think my pants are getting tighter. :) Right now, I'm really hoping my energy will come back soon and maybe the nausea will get better. I'm still having lots of back pain, but it hasn't been too bad today since I have been resting a LOT. I'm excited for Thursday -- 14 weeks!

COMMENTS - I have had several of you say you're having issues with leaving comments. First of all, Thank You for reading and wanting to leave comments. That's so nice and makes us feel good! Second of all, I have also tried leaving a comment has a test and can't get it to work. So, I have changed a few settings that really shouldn't matter, but hopefully will work. Thanks Again!

Love ya,
Kari

Let go & let God

Wow, how things can change overnight. I was obviously worked-up after yesterday's doctor appointment. But, I woke up around 3:00 this morning (as I do most mornings since my bladder can't make it more than 2 hours these days). And, all I could think about was my Aunt Kathy's favorite saying (or at least one of them): "Let go and let God!" You see, she and I have a lot in common - we worry! Sometimes we worry about the big things, but sometimes we worry about really little things! I hope she doesn't mind that I'm saying this! But, she knows what I mean when I say it is very hard for me to control! It's not that I'm not working on it, but it's a long, slow process!! So, anyway, some time ago, she put the phrase "Let go and let God" as her favorite quote in one of those e-mail surveys. I thought that was such a neat phrase, but hadn't thought too much more about it since then. But, that is all I could think about at 3:00 am! So, I decided right then that I am going to enjoy this pregnancy and let God handle the rest!! He is in control anyway!! I'm sure I will still have my little freak-out moments, but I hope this will help me stop some of the worrying!! Oh, the power of prayer!!

Love you all!
Kari

12 weeks & 5 days

Today, we had another appointment. It really wasn't supposed to be until Thursday, but I was having bad back pain and lots of cramping. I called Monday to see if I should be concerned and they said to come in today. So, we did. Overall, it was a good appointment with a little bit of surprise. Baby "Peanut" doesn't really look like a peanut anymore! We got to see the arms and legs and even a quick view of the fingers. We could also see the profile of the face -- it has a cute nose! :) Peanut was moving around quite a bit, but we did get to hear the heartbeat. They said it was strong and healthy at 152. Earlier, the nurse had found it with the Doppler machine in the 160s. The back pain and cramping is caused from the baby growing. The nurse suggested that Brad massage my back. Without thinking, I started laughing out loud! That won't happen! I was very happy to hear I haven't gained a single pound!! :) The nurse, of course, quickly said, "OH! You will!" Thanks, I know, but I'm pretty happy about that so far! I still have partial placenta previa. The doctor could not tell if it was improving or not, which kind of frustrated me! And then...the doctor decided he's sending us to Omaha to see a perinatologist. If you know me at all, I freaked out! Considering our family histories, he wants us to talk to a genetic counselor to determine our risk of birth defects / genetic issues. I personally think this is something we would have done before getting pregnant, but he's sending us anyway. I was completely shocked to hear this. At our very first appointment, we asked questions concerning our family history and he acted like it was not a concern. Now, today, he acted like it was a concern (even though he had our family history all mixed up)! Needless to say, I'm slightly frustrated with our doctor. I just don't feel like he explained himself very well! Additionally, if I go into labor as early as my Mom did with me (6 weeks early), I cannot deliver in Carroll. They will probably transport me to Omaha. So, I think that's part of it, but then again, I don't. It's all so confusing to me!!! He also thinks this will help stop my worrying. I just wanted to say, "If you think I'm worrying now, you haven't seen nothin' yet!!" But, I didn't. I did, however, tell him I think he has my due date wrong. I don't think he appreciated that very much! Oops! Anyway, long story short, it was a bittersweet appointment. I just continue to pray that God will help everything be OK. So, we would definitely appreciate your prayers, too!!

Love ya!
Kari