WEEK 8: Baby goes to Traverse City!

I have to admit I've been telling a white lie.  Will and I have visited with a couple of friends this week, and will be getting together with some friends next week, too.  Often drinks will be shared during these visits, especially during dinner. I've been telling my friends that I gave up drinking for lent.  It really works in my favor right now. I was pretty surprised that I was able to keep it in when I've been challenged with the question: "Are you pregnant?" from my best friend Tiffany. It's ok...she'll forgive me for telling a white lie. All of my friends will really.  I'm only trying to stretch the time right now so I can 1. announce the pregnancy with fun and 2. make sure our parents know first (as they deservingly should be the first to know).  

We spent the weekend in the Traverse City area this past weekend - it was a great get away. We attended a "Strong Bonds" event at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme, MI. The event was free through the Army and focused on your relationship with your spouse. We walked away with some bonding time, with a lot of information, and three books! An Army Chaplin taught the course. We explored the city a bit, saw a movie, and had dinner with some friends who recently moved to the area. We really enjoyed ourselves, but really missed our furry friends!

Ironically enough my sister texted me this week with a strange question: "If you were pregnant, would you tell me first before you shared it with facebook?"  It really caught me off guard...Turns out she was just thinking about becoming an aunt...which is so cool, but just so ironic (since I'm pregnant and keeping it a secret!)  She told me she'd move out here and go to WMU so she could be closer to her nephew or niece.  We'll see if that happens...good intentions, but a lot of factors go into that!  My mom too has been looking at houses out here, just not sure if she'll be able to get the family out here by October 2013.  I'd love to use her help for a babysitter...and I know she'd love it. 

I told my supervisor that I was pregnant last week. I really needed to, I'm going to be coming in to work late for doctor appointments and he'd eventually catch on. He's happy for us and respects that I'm waiting to tell others until I'm a little further along.  My first doctor appointment at Borgess Women's Health (where I'll be delivering) was last week Wednesday. It was my intake appointment, Will was able to make it with me too!  It was pretty exciting being our first appointment and all, but it really was just answering questions about our family history and about our lifestyles. The appointment was long...it took us an hour and a half to get through.  I'm excited for our second appointment on Tuesday , this time we get to meet the midwife we are assigned to.  Will and I decided to go with a midwife because it's important to us to build trust and a relationship with someone who will be delivering our baby.  Borgess offers what is called the "Centering Program" and it will be taught by our midwife.  Its a group of pregnant women that learn about their pregnancy from their assigned midwife.  They bring in guest speakers, give you a tour of labor and delivery, and they educate you about what to expect during your pregnancy and labor. I felt that this program was necessary for us especially during our first pregnancy. And, we'll get to meet other couples in the area who are as far along as we are, and get to share our experiences. This program starts in April for us, we meet 1 time per month until the end and then it's more frequent.

I've been feeling good...no "morning sickness," the nurse at my intake appointment said that I just might be one of the "lucky ones!"  I do feel queezy when I don't keep my tummy full...so the key to feeling good for me is eating. I've been eating a lot...6 times a day because I am hungry, and out of fear that I'll spew if I don't. I've been pretty conscious (lots of veggies and fruits) about what I'm eating, and have also become a little more relaxed about it too. At first I was eating strictly and stressing about eating certain things because they are linked to "cause a miscarriage" - truth is, eating things in moderation is the key.  There are certain foods that are advised against obviously (anything raw) and to choose to eat cooked/warmed anything over something cold to eliminate any bacteria.  I will enjoy chocolate because I learned that chocolate has such a small percentage of caffeine in it isn't an issue.  I will drink decaf teas and coffee occasionally...but not more than 2 cups per day - again, nothing that will flood my body with toxins and drown my baby with them.  Plus, I'm drinking enough water a day to fill my bath tub with (it seems that way anyway).  I've learned that I CAN eat fish...just not certain types and just not raw. Phew..I actually was getting a little tired of pasta, chicken, and red meat for a second.  And, lots of dietary fiber... apparently this prenatal vitamin causes constipation :'/  I'm not showing yet, but do have a bloated tummy look which makes me feel "fat." Sooner or later I'll pop and actually look like I'm pregnant and feel like I'm pregnant. I'm pretty excited to experience all of these changes, and pretty nervous too!

I learned about more apps for my iPhone!  What to Expect When Your Expecting has it's own app and website, Parenting has an app and there are other apps too that I have on my phone. They are similar, but each offers something different.  The Bump and some random Pregnancy app (that's only free until you reach the 2nd trimester) I'm learning as much as I can about the baby's development and what I should and shouldn't do at this point in my pregnancy.