Big Brother Jacks

Jacks is going to be a big brother! I think he is going to be a great one!


Jacks' typical day consists of lots of sleeping, cuddling under blankets, looking out the window from the back of the couch, and treat eating. Nice life, huh?


Some say Jacks is, well, spoiled. (*insert shocked face here*) Jacks? Spoiled? No way! He is my baby, and has been since the day I brought him home at a whopping 1.5 lbs. He stole my heart as he peered up at me from sitting in the palm of my hand. It was love at first sight.


Jacks has been around some babies in his 8 1/2 years of life. He seems to get really concerned when they cry, and he likes to give them kisses.

I have done a little bit of research on bringing a baby home to a house with a dog. Part of me does worry a little bit about it because Jacks has had all of the attention for so long. I fully intend on having lots of Jacks-only cuddle time every day, so I hope that he won't get too jealous or upset.


I think Jacks is going to love a baby as much as we do! I can't wait to see Jacks, my first baby, and the new baby together!

5 weeks!

How far along are you?: 5 weeks

How big is baby?: the size of an appleseed

Maternity clothes?: no

Sleep?: I haven't been sleeping well at all- lots of tossing and turning, waking up and not being able to get back to sleep

Best moment this week?: first appointment at the OB's office. The last time I was there, I got a little sad about seeing all the cute pregnant girls and excited husbands. Not this time! Even though other's can't tell, I am one of "them" now!

Food cravings/aversions?: no cravings and no aversions yet

Gender?: Rick corrects me when I refer to baby as "her" even though clearly I don't know what gender the baby is yet.

Movement?: way too early

Belly button?: no change

Symptoms?: I am just exhausted and really thirsty.

What do I miss?: energy

What I'm looking forward to this week?: Reading more baby/pregnancy books. I ordered a few from Amazon. They arrived yesterday!

Milestones?: made it to 5 weeks without any spotting or issues




How your baby's growing:
Deep in your uterus your embryo is growing at a furious pace. At this point, he's about the size of a sesame seed, and he looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm — which will later form all of his organs and tissues.

The neural tube — from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — is starting to develop in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel.

His heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.) The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue.

The third layer, or endoderm, will house his lungs, intestines, and rudimentary urinary system, as well as his thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.

Uneventful visit

I had my first appointment at the OB's office yesterday with the nurse educator. Basically, they asked a lot about my family history and Rick's family history. She told me about what I can and cannot eat. I also found out that we will be delivering at the new hospital (which is unfortunately a little further away than the "old" hospital, which is about 45-60 mins away...yikes!)

I had to do some more blood work. They stuck me 4 different times, which I didn't appreciate, because they had some problems finding a "good vein."

The nurse told me that my first ultrasound would not be until 11-12 weeks, so we have a while to wait. I think I am going to try to change my appointment from March 7 to March 21, in hopes that maybe they will do the ultrasound a little earlier since we are already there. I feel like I am kind of cheating by switching the appointment, but I really hope it works! Rick needs to check his work schedule before I change it, but hopefully I will know tomorrow.

I drove down to Raleigh today for work. I had dinner with Canton, my youngest brother. It was so hard not to tell him anything, but I know he isn't a huge fan of babies, so I am a little nervous about revealing the news. It was great to spend a little time with him. I miss him and I have a secret (well, not so secret) hope that he will decide to move to Charlottesville or go to grad school at UVA so he is closer.

I think the hormones are definitely kicking in. Over the past couple days I have noticed that I have gotten very upset, frustrated, annoyed, sad (take your pick) suddenly and without warning. I am pretty sure Rick has noticed it too :( So much for me not being a crazy pregnant girl!

Hypothyroidism

For years I have been pretty convinced that I had a thyroid problem. I have all the symptoms. After seeing a few different doctors and being told it was "normal," I finally gave up about 4 yrs ago.

I received a call from my OB yesterday to tell me that she is referring me to an endocrinologist for hypothyroidism. yay! I am praying that the doctor will be understanding and really help me with all these symptoms.

I made the mistake of consulting Dr. Google about hypothyroidism and the risks for pregnant women. Now I am terrified.

The OB made my appointment for March 30, when I will be 10 weeks. I called the endocrinologist myself and explained my concerns regarding my pregnancy. She said to have the OB fax over my records and they would try to get me in as soon as they could.

So I am waiting. I wish I could go today. I don't want anything to jeopardize this baby.

On a happy note, my first appointment with the nurse educator is this afternoon. I am still in disbelief, so maybe going to the doctor today will make it all a little more real for me. Rick isn't going to be coming with me today since the appointment basically will be just the "Do's and Don'ts of being pregnant."

The innocence of a child...

is so precious.

Today after church I stopped by Sam's to meet Brook and her three girls. It was quite an adventure, but more on that later. When we entered the store, there was a table of really cute baby girl clothes. Anne Charlotte and Sarah Beth were looking through all the outfits. They are such little shoppers. When Brook said that the clothes were too little for them, AC and SB said they would like to buy some for when Aunt Skye has a baby one day.

I asked the girls if they would still play with my baby if it was a boy. Anne Charlotte quickly said "No" and shook her head. Sarah Beth said she would still play with a boy. We joked around about dressing up a boy in little girl clothes.

Then Sarah Beth said something that made me tear up... "Aunt Skye, you just have to put a baby girl in your prayers, and then you will have a baby girl in your belly!" It was so precious.

I am so excited about telling them in a few weeks that I am pregnant. I know they will be thrilled!

After having such a sweet conversation with the girls, the fun really began. Lila Kate quickly finished her ice cream, half of which ended up on her face and her little dress. And then it was all over. Lila Kate demanded to get out of the cart and run ahead of everyone. She threw both her arms up in the air and started screaming gleefully as she ran through the aisles. Anne Charlotte and Sarah Beth followed her, giggling and calling her name.

After an hour and a half, I was exhausted. It was such a fun afternoon, but I was definitely ready for a nap.

I have been really tired the past couple days. A little bit of nausea is hitting me in waves, but nothing too significant yet. Now I am all rested up and waiting for Rick to come home from work.

4 weeks

Every week I will post an update on how things are going, and eventually add in some baby bump pictures (when I have one to show off)! So here is my first official check in, at 4 weeks!


How far along are you?: 4 weeks

How big is baby?: the size of a poppyseed


Maternity clothes?: no

Sleep?: I am no more tired than I normally am

Best moment this week?: Getting my positive test!

Food cravings?: none

Gender?: way too early.

Movement?: nothing

Belly button?: no change

Symptoms?: none. I know I should be thankful that morning sickness hasn’t hit me, but I am kind of hoping for some kind of symptom so I know things are going ok.

What do I miss?: caffeine (diet pepsi, diet dr pepper and my skinny caramel lattes)

What I'm looking forward to this week?: My first official baby visit with the nurse educator on Tuesday Feb 22

Milestones?: getting pregnant!




How your baby's growing:
This week marks the beginning of the embryonic period. From now until 10 weeks, all of your baby's organs will begin to develop and some will even begin to function. As a result, this is the time when she'll be most vulnerable to anything that might interfere with her development.

Right now your baby is an embryo the size of a poppy seed, consisting of two layers: the epiblast and the hypoblast, from which all of her organs and body parts will develop.

The primitive placenta is also made up of two layers at this point. Its cells are tunneling into the lining of your uterus, creating spaces for your blood to flow so that the developed placenta will be able to provide nutrients and oxygen to your growing baby when it starts to function at the end of this week.

Also present now are the amniotic sac, which will house your baby; the amniotic fluid, which will cushion her as she grows; and the yolk sac, which produces your baby's red blood cells and helps deliver nutrients to her until the placenta has developed and is ready to take over this duty.

Uh oh!

What have we done??? ha ha






Even though we have been planning and trying for a while, the initial shock of actually being pregnant is kind of freaking me out. I think Rick may be a little freaked out also.


Last night we went out to dinner to celebrate and talk a little bit. We decided to wait to tell Alli until we go to the doctor and make sure everything is ok.


Rick is already wanting to talk about baby names. This morning he said "good morning" to the baby. :) It is really cute. I am glad that he is so excited.


I called my doctor this morning. I have an appointment with the nurse educator on February 22 and an appointment with my doctor on March 7.


I am so excited! I feel so thankful and blessed right now.

Here are my charts.

I am PREGNANT!!!

Today at lunch, I stopped at the store and got some digital test, because I thought seeing the word "pregnant" would be much better than just seeing a faint second line.


I came home from work. Today was Rick's day off of work, so he was home waiting for me. I ran to the bathroom and took an "internet cheapie" test. I saw a very very faint second line. Since there were three digital tests in the pack, I decided to go ahead and use one, just in case.


After about 30 seconds, this is what I saw!

I immediately ran out of the bathroom and grabbed Jacks, who was patiently waiting for me on the bed. I put his sign on and told him to "go get daddy." Down the hall he ran.

Jacks jumped up on the couch with Rick... and I waited for what seemed like forever. Finally Rick said, "What does that mean, Jacks?" I came running in with the test waving it yelling "I am PREGNANT! I am PREGNANT!" We shed some very happy tears, and had some hugs and kisses. :)


I think Rick was in shock because he kept saying, "but it is too early?" I thought so too... but apparently not!


I forced Rick to take a couple pictures after I told him. Then I showed him this blog and let him read through it. He likes the idea and is excited for it.

I can't believe this is actually happening. Ahhhhhhhhh I am SO excited! I have no idea how I am going to keep this a secret for several more weeks.

Relaxing Valentine's Day

We had a great Sunday afternoon with Brook, Sarah Beth, and Anne Charlotte. After church, Rick, Alli and I went to meet them at a children's ballet about princesses. Afterwards, we headed down to the Downtown Mall for lunch. Brook brought her camera, as always, and took some amazing pictures. Here are just a few:

Wow! They are so amazing! Brook is a wonderful photographer.


Rick and I decided that we weren't going to do any gifts this year. I am not a huge fan of Vday, so it is fine with me. I did get Rick a card from me and one from Jacks (his "little buddy") and we got a few things for Alli.


It was a pretty low key day at our house. Rick made us frozen pizza and we watched a movie. I think we might be one of "those" boring old married couples. Oh well. We enjoy our time together, even if we aren't doing anything.


As far as TTC goes, I thought we might be out for this cycle as of Sunday. But now I am not so sure. Maybe, just maybe, this is our cycle!! I am trying not to get my hopes up, but it is too late. They are up. WAY UP!

Long week

There has been a lot going on in our house since Tuesday.  I won't go into details, but I am just very thankful that my stepdaughter Alli is healthy and ok, in more ways than one. 

It has been a very challenging week emotionally for all of us, but we are getting through it.  I am very proud of Rick for how he has handled the whole situation. Going through things like this makes me love Rick even more, for the dad and husband he is, and for his strength and compassion.  He is such an amazing man.  I am so blessed to call him my husband.

Monday, Monday

We had a great time watching the SuperBowl at Travis and Nancy's house last night. Great food, fun people!

But today I am exhausted. The past couple days I have been really tired for some reason. I am trying to get up the energy to go check out a gym today after work.

I feel like this:

I am official in the 2WW again. I am 3 DPO today, so the waiting game has begun! I had an appointment with my doctor today. She was impressed with all of my charts and said we are doing everything we should be doing. I will follow up with her in August if I am not pregnant before then.

Wait, What day is it?

All day yesterday I thought it was Friday. I didn't realize it was just Thursday until I was on my way home from work. It was not a pleasant realization.

And if that wasn't bad enough... when I was making dinner last night, I asked Alli what she wanted to do tomorrow. She quickly reminded me (again) that tomorrow was Friday not Saturday. What is wrong with me?

I often wonder why I never think it is earlier in the week than it really is, resulting in a pleasant surprise that the weekend is closer than I thought. Hmmm I need to work on that.

As of right now, we don't have much planned for this weekend except a Super Bowl party. I am embarrassed to admit that I am not even sure who is playing in the game. I am *that* interested in professional football.

I am excited to have a low key weekend! Happy Friday!

"Conceiving takes time...

because it has to be the perfect sperm, the perfect egg, and the perfect timing - and when you see your child's face, you'll know why"

I saw this quote this morning and it made me smile, so I thought I would share it.

TTC has not been as easy as I had hoped. Most days are fine, but I have sad days too (especially around CD1). I tell myself that it will happen in God's time and that we haven't been trying "that" long compared to some others. But in all honesty, it is still hard for me.

One day the tears, emotions, and heartbreak will be all in the past and totally worth it. I just hope that day is sooner than later.

I have been charting for 5 cycles now. Rick has expressed his concerns that charting is stressing me out, but I feel like it is just a tiny piece of control over something I really have no control over. I did not chart temps for cycle 4 and it drove me crazy not knowing, so I definitely feel like charting is for me. Once you start charting, there is no turning back.

Rick asked how my chart was looking this morning. I try not to discuss my chart or any "symptoms" with him unless he asks. So when he does ask, it makes me happy and feel like he is interested and excited about this cycle.

I know towards the beginning of this journey, Rick used to chart stalk me. I sent him a link to my chart early on, and apparently he held on to it and kept checking it on his own to see my daily updates. I didn't realize it until a couple months later when he spilled that he looks at my chart all the time. Ha ha

A couple weeks ago I changed the link to my chart. I am just waiting for Rick to say something about the link that he has been holding on to for months is not working anymore. I think he is still going to want to stalk my chart especially when we get into the 2WW (two weeks between ovulation and testing time). We will see how long it takes for him to ask about it.