Wednesday, April 28, 2010

The one where things change...

Hola!
Boyd, Rufus-Doofus, and I got back from Cuba last night and I thought I'd post a quick little update today. This is Rufus' second international trip ... he's a pretty well-traveled fetus! Auntie Holly got us an adorable baby gift ... little socks that look like Chucks! Super cute. Thanks Holly!










I think he has his baptism "shoes" already... :)

I arrived home from Cuba to a voice mail this morning from the doctor's office. Apparently the hospital gave me the wrong ultrasound date (shocking). I was pretty - read: VERY - disappointed that we had to get a new date because we were both super psyched to see the baby tomorrow. Also, Boyd has the day off tomorrow and I was really aggravated at the thought that he might not be able to make the ultrasound appointment now. Had we known earlier, he could have asked for whatever day it was off but now his May schedule is already out. I called and they told me the new appointment is now for May 27th. I had Boyd's schedule printed out in front of me and was fully prepared to yell if needed, but it turns out that he WILL be able to make it that day. He's off on the 27th and doesn't have to leave for work on the 28th until 8pm. Phew! I enjoy how everything just always seems to work out ... we're just like Jerry. We always break even.

Anyhow, that's the big news for now! I hit 16 weeks on Monday while I was swimming in the beautiful aqua waters of Varadero beach ... so here's the baby update for this week!

Rufus-Doofus is the size of an avocado!















Some websites say that he can hear us now, and some say that he won't be able to hear us for a few more weeks. Regardless, I'll be turning the Green Day up a touch louder in the car from now on. He's playing with the umbilical cord now; grabbing it, pulling it, and letting it go. His circulatory system and urinary tract are in full working order. And, if we did have the ultrasound now, we might be able to find out if he is, in fact, a he! Fun!

Monday, April 19, 2010

The one where Lisa hits 15 weeks...

Yep, today marks 15 weeks pregnant. I've been feeling really good lately. I've been sleeping better (not getting up to pee constantly), I feel more energetic, I can't remember the last time I threw up (well, I remember it, but I don't remember what day it was), and I just have a general feeling of pleasantness*.

*Well, not today. Today was an all-around crummy day and I was certainly displaying the horrendous moodiness of pregnancy. I blame the universe, though. Absolutely nothing went right today in all aspects of life.

I feel like I'm starting to show. Not much, but it's noticeable to me. I've always had a bit of a tummy, but when I suck it in now, the tummy is still there (and when I don't suck it in, the tummy is DEFINITELY there). My pants are getting tighter (I usually wear my pants mid-rise, but now I've been wearing them lower below my belly) and things just aren't quite fitting me right. It's also getting really hot here - it was 23 degrees today - and I'm getting very uncomfortable having to wear sweaters all the time. I have a few shirts from last summer that fit me, but other than that ... I'm running low on clothes. It's pretty frustrating. Maternity stuff is A) still too big for me and B) crazy expensive, and regular stores seem to only have flowy tank-tops in stock and it's still not quite hot enough for tank-tops. I wish I could just go to work in my pyjamas or sundresses every day. I'd be a much happier camper (especially since the extra heat I'm feeling lately gives me super wicked headaches).

Anyhow, here are a couple of "belly pics" since I know people want to see that sort of thing.
Sorry for the terrible quality/darkness. Boyd took way better pictures this afternoon but I was making stupid faces in all of them. That's totally my fault. I always make stupid faces...

First one: suckin' it in.
Second one:
totally NOT suckin' it in.









































I received
a letter from the hospital stating that my ultrasound is scheduled for Thursday, April 29. That's next week, people! At first, I was a little concerned/curious as to why my ultrasound is so early. From what I've heard/read, ultrasounds usually aren't scheduled until about 18-20 weeks. I'll only be 16 weeks. But then I thought about it and, really, does it matter? If there's something concerning that shows up, I'm sure they'll schedule another ultrasound. And it's only in recent years that women even receive this ultrasound. Years ago, women went without having ultrasounds unless something was really wrong and they all turned out (mostly) okay. So, I'm fine with having it "early". Besides, Boyd somehow miraculously was able to get the 29th off (seriously, divine intervention or something) so I don't really want to call them and ask why it's so early lest they reschedule and then he can't make it. Sure, the baby will look all creepy and alien-like, but hey - that's cool. We'll both be there to see it and that's important to us.

Sadly, the hospital that I'll be going to is one in the city that will not tell you the sex of the baby. I'm hoping (s)he won't be modest and I'll be able to tell myself. I've looked at enough ultrasound photos online that I think I'm pretty well-prepared to differentiate between 16-week-fetus boy parts and girl parts. However, we do plan on getting a 3D ultrasound very soon to find out the sex for sure (or as sure as we can). Once we get Boyd's schedule for next month, I'll call and see if we can arrange an appointment on one of his days off.

And, with that, we'll leave you with a baby update!













Rufus-Doofus is the size of an orange! Neat. He's busy in there, mastering his hiccuping and squirming/wiggling around. In a few weeks, I should be able to feel him (although I do find it weird that I can't feel something the size of a navel orange moving around in my belly). His legs are now longer than his arms (yay for being proportionate!) and all his joints are functional. Cool beans.

Monday, April 12, 2010

The one where they hear the heartbeat...

We finally had our first prenatal appointment today! It feels like it took forever to get here (especially since I made the appointment back in February) but the day finally arrived.

The biggest and most fun part of the appointment was, of course, hearing the heartbeat! It sounded like a washing machine in my belly. Maybe I'm just having some laundry? We were both pretty mesmerized hearing that awesome sound. The doctor only left the doppler on for a few seconds - we wish we could have listened to it all day! Woosh, woosh, woosh, woosh! And of course, hearing the heartbeat meant that we could finally spill the beans to the whole world...

WE'RE HAVING A BABY!

The doctor estimated the due date is October 11 (Thanksgiving baby, yum!) and put me at 14 weeks. Our next appointment is May 17th and I'm not sure if that's the ultrasound appointment or not. Everyone was talking really fast and I felt like I wasn't quite able to absorb what I needed to. I'll call to confirm once the appointment gets closer...

And now, as far as baby updates go ... since the doctor put me at 14 weeks, we get a new food product to compare to and some new information. Woohoo!
Baby Rufus-Doofus is the size of a lemon!














The liver and spleen continue to develop. Baby is wiggling around, making faces, putting his thumb in his mouth, practicing swallowing, and peeing inside me (awesome). He's also growing his fur coat (the "lanugo" - very fine hair that covers the whole body) and his eyebrows and hair are starting to grow.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

The one where the blog is created...

Welcome!

I have been contemplating creating a pregnancy/baby/family related blog since we found out that there's a little person growing inside me. Auntie Stan (shoutout!!) encouraged me to do so, so here it is! The first post! How very exciting!

So here I am. Pregnant. It's fabulous. This baby was very planned and we are just thrilled. Let's bring the world up to date on what's happening so far, shall we?

1. As of today, I am approximately 13 weeks (and a few days) along. We got our positive pregnancy test on January 30. I tested 6 days early and I was absolutely floored that I got a positive so quickly. I laughed and cried and stomped my feet with glee. I jumped and danced around the apartment. I took multiple pictures of a stick with my pee on it. Maggie looked at me like I was crazy.


The line is there, I promise! See it? See it?!

2. Because I'm in the awkward week 13, I'm not entirely sure if the first trimester is over or not. Some websites say yes, some say no. I like to say that yes, I am. And what a ride it has been! Aside from having gigantic sore boobs, I feel like I've had all the first trimester pregnancy symptoms. The constant all-day nause
a has, thankfully, subsided as has the ridiculous exhaustion. I'm still tired and I'm still sick, but nothing nearly as bad as weeks 6-10. And as a once vomit-phobic person, I can (happily?) say that I pretty much take the barfing in stride now.

Speaking of - pregnancy does some weird things to you. I certainly hope this is the only time in my life that I will barf my guts up, clear my throat, wipe my mouth, and think "man, I really want a bowl of Raisin Bran!" Let me tell you - that bowl of Raisin Bran was delicious.

3. The first doctor's appointment is on Monday the 12th and I feel like it's taking an eternity to get here! I had blood work done at the walk-in clinic when I was around 5 and a half/6 weeks just to confirm that I'm indeed pregnant. Our immediate family and a few close friends were told beforehand, but we decided to wait until after the first doctor's appointment to let the world know. I'm paranoid and really should not be reading things online, but the words "missed miscarriage" ma
y haunt me forever until I hear and/or see that heartbeat. We both absolutely cannot wait to tell everyone. We're just busting! Hurry up, Monday!!

As far as baby updates go...
Baby Rufus-Doofus Chapman is about the size of a peach.














The vital organs are all fully formed and functional. Vocal cords are developing. He can swallow. Fingerprints are in place! Fingerprints! Reflexes have been acquired and if I poke my belly and the baby feels it, he'll start rooting (acting as if he's searching for a nipple). I try not to bug him too much though. He'll get lots of that once he's born. Enjoy the peace in there, Rufus-Doofus!

*Note: while, obviously, we don't know the sex of the baby we instinctively call him a "him". We're not sure why. We do want to find out the sex when we can and we will be thrilled with either a boy or a girl.
If you end up being a girl, we're sorry in advance for the first few months of referring to you as a boy. We love you!