Sophia Marie

Sophia Marie Bokovoy

Born at St. Mark's Hospital in

Salt Lake City, Utah

on

Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 6:45 pm

3 pounds 14 ounces

16.5 inches

I'll post the whole story later, but I just wanted to get some pictures online.

Right after Sophia was born:

(yes, we decided to spell her name Sophia instead of Sofia)

Our first family photo!

(In the operating room)

I was able to see Sophia for just a few seconds

before they whisked her and Danny away to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Sophia's first night...

Lots of wires and an IV in her head:

Here's a video ( 3 seconds) ... there's no sound.

Another video:

(couldn't get it to upload; check back later)

First night in her isolette in the NICU at St. Mark's Hospital:
Thursday
(Day #1)

Her hand is bruised from where they tried to give her an IV.

They couldn't get it in her hand, so they had to use a vein in her head.

Friday

(Day #2)

My first time holding Sophia

(I had to wait until Friday evening because I was on some powerful anti-seizure medication) 

It was miserable to have to wait until the next day to hold my little girl ...

But she was definitely worth the wait. 

Precious little baby!

We were quite the pair - I had an IV in my hand, and she had one in her head.

She also had a feeding tube up her nose;

she didn't need an oxygen mask or respirator though.

Saturday

(Day #3)

She doesn't like her feeding tube...

 Sunday

(Day #4)

 Monday
(Day #5)

No more feeding tube!

(She pulled it out herself)

Sophia in her isolette:

Snug as a bug!!

Daddy feeding Sophia 

It's hard to feed a baby behind an inch of plexi-glass.

 Tuesday

(Day #6)

Wearing clothes ... and in an open crib - you go girl!!

I took this next picture at a weird angle, but I love the face Sophia is making in it.

She's our sweet little angel baby

The wires that are coming out of little square stickers on her body

are the monitors that keep track of

her heart rate, oxygen saturation levels, and breathing rate.

Quick Update

I'm trying to keep my activities (even blogging) to a minimum in an effort to keep my blood pressure as low as possible.  In fact, if you've tried calling me and I haven't answered, yes, I'm avoiding phone calls too.  (Call Danny or email me if you want to get a hold of me.)

So, I'm going to make this short:

We called the lab that did the urine/protein test.  They wouldn't give us the exact results, but they did say there didn't seem to be any cause for concern.

So, it looks like we're good for another week at least. 

Next Tuesday (Sep. 28th) is my 36-week mark, and I have another ultrasound to check Sofia's growth.  And I guess we'll just have to take it a day at a time from there.

Thank you to everyone for your emails, comments, positive thoughts, prayers, and fasting!

She's Not Growing!

We had another non-stress test today.  Sofia's heart rate is looking good and normal.

We also had an ultrasound today. 

Our last biophysical ultrasound was about three weeks ago. 

At that ultrasound,

they estimated that Sofia weighed

about 3 lbs. 7 oz,

or about the 28th percentile.

Today, they estimated that she weighs

only 3 lbs. 14 oz.,

or about the 7th percentile. 

For some reason, Sofia's growth has dramatically slowed.

When she should have been gaining about 8 oz. per week,

she gained 7 oz. in three weeks! 

Fortunately,

her movement is still good,

her heart rate is good,

the blood flow through the umbilical cord is good.

What does this all mean??

Well, I still need to complete another 24-hour urine collection test for protein in my urine. 

If there is protein in my urine, that means that my blood pressure is affecting my kidneys. 

And if that is the case, then they will induce me. 

Soon. 

Like, in the next couple of days.

If there isn't protein in my urine,

then I'll start having non-stress tests twice a week ...

and will probably be induced by or before October 1st. 

Yikes.

Poor Sofia.

I wish she would just grow!

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!!

-B

Week 34: A very good place

Today is day one of week 34 of my pregnancy. 

Belly shot:

This was today as we were leaving for my doctor's appointment.
Yes, those are shoes I am wearing.
No, I don't wear those very often anymore.

It is also day 22 of my bedrest.

And I've run out minutes on my cell phone until September 21st.

Every Tuesday now, I have a doctor's appointment. 

Today was no different. 

***

My blood pressure was 138/90. 

"High, but not bad.  Right around where it's been," my doctor said. 

Still no protein in my urine.

Very good.

And despite the fact that in the past month or so I've only gained around a pound,

Sofia still seems to be growing because my belly is measuring 34 cm -

- right on target.

***

But in a way, today was different ...

Dr. Sloan told us something today that, the more I think about it, the more it amazes me (and freaks me out).

She said she didn't expect me to make it to 34 weeks. 

(I'll come back to that in a minute.)

***

She also said with a big smile that bedrest is doing great things for me and that she'll see me in her office every week up to and including week 37, and then depending on my cervix, she'll decide whether to induce me to deliver closer to week 37 or closer to week 38. 

Apparently, there is some research that indicates that for mothers with preeclampsia, delivering closer to week 37 is better than delivering closer to week 39 because high blood pressure can cause the placenta to age prematurely.  When the placenta is aging prematurely, it can't handle the stress of the contractions of labor as well as a normal placenta, which can cause the oxygen and nutrient flow to the baby to slow down.  That can cause the baby's heart rate to decline.  If the baby's rate is too low, then the doctor would make the call to take the baby out by C-section.

Dr. Sloan said that that would be the most likely cause for me to have a C-section.  Eesh!  I hope my placenta is up to the challenge of labor.

Additionally, when I asked her about whether she might let me go to week 39, she said probably not (giving the above information as the reason why not), and she also said that around week 38 we hit the law of diminishing returns.  Besides the aging of the placenta, the baby derives less and less benefit from remaining in me, and there are more bad things that can happen to me (seizures, stroke) the longer we wait. 

Week 38 begins on October 12th (Danny's birthday and a Tuesday).  Sofia will likely be born right around then.  Dr. Sloan schedules inductions for Wednesdays and Fridays; that means she'll be born on the 6th, 8th, 13th or 15th.  Although I'm still holding on to the hope that she'll naturally come on the 10th for the 10/10/10 birthday. 

***

So, back to the whole, "I didn't think you were going to make it to 34 weeks."

What?!?

How scary is that?

I had no idea that things were that serious.  Of course, had I realized that, I would have been flipping out which would have raised my blood pressure.

It's been really eye-opening to realize that Sofia could have come anytime in the past three weeks if I had not followed my doctor's instructions so diligently. 

My choices over the past 22 days have altered when Sofia might have been born, and maybe even saved her life, (although with the medical care we have these days, even if she had been born at 31 weeks, she almost undoubtedly would have survived).

It makes me pause to think about the influence that my decisions have on Sofia. 

Throughout my pregnancy, and even while we were trying to get pregnant, I understood that my actions would have an impact on our child.  I took prenatal vitamins daily from the time we started trying to conceive.  I also eliminated caffeine and cut back on sodas in general.  I tried to eat well.  I encouraged Danny to talk or to read to Sofia through my belly when her hearing started to develop.  I play calming music through my laptop whenever possible and have talked to her and read to her to jumpstart her language abilities. 

But I never thought that making the choice to stay in bed, day after day, would have such an impact.

It makes me wonder what other "little" decisions I will make, as a parent, that will influence Sofia's life.  I am sure there will be many, but the influence will probably not be as evident.

***

Okay, enough of my self-indulgent ramblings.

I just wanted to mention that every Friday I have non-stress tests and fluid checks at the hospital.  This Friday is a little different because I'll also be getting a full ultrasound of Sofia so they can check her growth as well as the fluid. 

So, check back on Friday or Saturday for the recap of those appointments!

***

A little blurb I found online about fetal development at 34 weeks:

Your baby can - and does - respond just as a newborn would by opening her eyes while awake and closing them while sleeping.

Your baby can also grasp firmly and her little fingernails may need to be trimmed shortly after birth.

This month also offers more time for your baby to build antibodies and for her skin to continue to thicken.

Your baby is approximately 18 inches long and weighs about 4.5 pounds.

It's wonderful to know that if your baby was born now,

it has a 95 percent chance of full and normal survival with medical intervention.

Another Friday, Another NST

Last Friday I had another non-stress test and amniotic fluid index.

Here's what happened:

I drove to St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake (not reclining, of course).

I checked in at the desk, used the restroom, after which they brought me immediately to the bed for the AFI.  The technician began the procedure of using an ultrasound to measure the four quadrants of fluid.  When she finished she said, "I'm going to get someone else to check this."  "What was it?" I asked.  "Six point three," she said.  [Normal is 8 to 24; my last two AFIs were 10 and 10.4.]

So, I promptly freaked out in my head.

Oh, no.  What are they going to do?  They might decide to do a C-section and get Sofia out of there!  But I what about Danny being here?  I have our only car.  He would have to get a ride with someone.  Maybe my mom could bring him.  Well, so much for sending him to Costco today.  That'll have to wait.  What about a car seat?  We won't be able to bring Sofia home without a car seat!  What are we going to do?  How could I be at 6.3??!  Danny's in court, but should I text him to warn him that he might need to leave early because our baby might be on her way today?

Fortunately, at about that time, another sonographer came in and took measurements in the four quadrants again.  This time, the number was 9.3.  But she said, "I think it's probably closer to 11.  I don't think the computer is adding these numbers right."

Phew!

So, everything was fine after all.

But seconds later they took my blood pressure.

It was 141/92. 

But that's not bad considering what I'd just been through.  Eventually, it went down to around 124/89 and 133/88.

And during the NST, the nurse showed me some of Sofia's movements on the ultrasound screen. 

At one point, Sofia was doing something that looked like crunches, like she was working out her abs.  The nurse explained to me that she was practicing her breathing, and that it was a good sign that she's maturing.

About 15 minutes later, Sofia got the hiccups and her heart rate jumped up around 170-188 bpm.  Poor thing; she hates getting the hiccups.

So, Sofia is still doing well.  And my blood pressure stays down as long as I do.

***

Quick comment on my pre-natal massage:

It can only be described as ... heavenly!

A BIG thank you to my friend Jess for giving me the gift certificate to "Salt Lake Prenatal Massage."  I totally recommend it!! 

Baby Shower Recap

My baby shower was AWESOME!!  Thank you to everyone who helped out with the preparations (a big thank you to Danette for throwing the shower for me!), to everyone who came and/or sent gifts.  I was so blown away with everyone's generosity and thoughtful gifts! 

And now that I've done a bit of online shopping, we are READY (well, as ready as we can be...) for Sofia. 

The logistics of the shower were good too, because all I had to do was walk upstairs and sit in my dad's recliner.  Then people brought me presents and food!

Here are some pictures from the shower.  Now I'm wishing that we would have taken fewer pictures of the presents and more pictures of the people who came ...

The baby blanket my mom made.

The hats and blankets my Grandma Duersch made
+ my mom's hand pointing.

Why am I licking my lips here?



Here I am, unsure of when Danny was going to take the picture:
"Uh, are you taking it now?"

These were some really cute receiving blankets and matching burp cloths,

hand-made by our former next-door neighbor, Lori Edwards.

This is me making my "excited to open another present face."

I really was that excited. 

I love presents!

And the contents of the above bag:

Thanks to Rachel for all those super items, including a nursing stool and extra boppy cover!

(But what happened to my eyes and forehead?)

This item was given to me from my sister-in-law Carolyn and her family:

It's an infant car seat cover that will keep Sofia nice and toasty warm during the cold winther months.

And that, my friends, is the end of the pictures from my baby shower. 

I think Danny left to watch the BYU game with my dad or something.

But here's another item I received that I'm SUPER excited about. 

I only have a picture because it's from my online registry:

SO CUTE!!

My mother-in-law Teddi was so generous to buy us this travel system.

My little sis Jessica even put the stroller together for us!

(And it seems to be working just fine...)

I know the pink is frivolous, and I probably should have gone with a neutral color, but ...

Sofia is our little princess ....

... and a princess deserves to have pretty pink things ...

... even if she's going to mess them up with spit-up and poop and all manner of messy things that babies do.

A few other things from my online registry that I'm really excited about:

The boppy nursing pillow:

Thanks to Terra for sending that to me!!

And this cute diaper bag:

from Stephanie, Valynn, and Kristi.

(It was a total surprise to see Steph and Valynn there - I had no idea they were coming!)

To everyone else who sent or gave gifts, I'm sorry I didn't get pictures of everything. 

I promise to take lots of pictures of Sofia using, wearing, or enjoying the items you gave us,

and those pictures will be more interesting anyway.

Thank you again to everyone!!

A few other notes about the shower:

I found out that my Aunt Darlene is a lactation consultant, and has been for the past 20 years!  How did I not know this?  I do not know.  But I was so glad that she came because she answered so many questions I had about nursing.

Our friends from our former ward in Murray Mitzi Huff and her daughter Rosie came to the shower.  Speaking of which, I knew I forgot a picture.  Here is the blanket that they made for Sofia:

Anyway, in the course of conversation, it turns out that Mitzi knows and went to school with the judge that Danny is clerking for.  Small world!

Other people that I loved seeing:  Aunt Diane (came from Draper), Brina (came from Eagle Mountain AND is due to have her baby in just over two weeks), Linda (came from Salt Lake), the Allreds (came from Tremonton), Kiersten (came from down the street) :-), and Kristin and Matt (came from Murray).

Again, thanks to everyone who came -- it was so fun to see all of you there!

The Good, the Bad, and the Bedrest

My bedrest rules (no kidding, I have these in writing):

1.  I may only get out of bed for the following reasons:

• to use the bathroom
• to get a meal that has already been prepared for me
• to take one brief shower per day

So, I guess there's just the one rule, with its three components.  Pretty simple, really.  Actually, I have a few other things that the doctor has said is okay for me: 

• Folding laundry if I'm in a reclined position.
• Lifting small handweights if I'm in a reclined position.
• Stretching my legs if I'm in a reclined position.
• Doing translation work from home if I'm in a reclined position.

As you can see, I'm pretty much always in a reclined position.

Dr. Sloan also initially told us that going to church would be okay, but when I told her that the last time I went to church I saw some spots and got a bit shaky, she took that off the okay list. 

One thing that is still okay is getting a pre-natal massage.  My friend from work, Jess, was so nice to get me a gift certificate to a pre-natal massage place.  I am SO looking forward to my appointment this week!!

  

The GOOD things about bedrest:

• I can take as many naps as I feel like.
• I can wear sweatpants all day ... so I don't need to buy maternity clothes (I have one pair of maternity capris and a few t-shirts with long bodices; I was going to go buy some more pants and fall-weather shirts that would be appropriate for work, but I don't need to anymore!).
• I have time to post on my blog everyday now.
• Netflix with unlimited online streaming - and the first month is free!
• I now have a doctor's permission to be lazy ... and not work out.
• I have more time for reading (I've started two books, finished one).
• I have more time for scripture study and journal writing.
• I have (nearly) mastered the art of applying my makeup while reclining in bed. [Word to the wise:  beware loose powder.]
• People come to visit me. 
• The people who come to visit me ignore my bed-head hair.
• I have to admit, it is really nice to have one's meals prepared in advance everyday ... is it so wrong that I enjoy being spoiled like a princess?
• I appreciate Danny more than ever because I spend all day missing his company.

The BAD things about bedrest:

• Danny has to do EVERYTHING for us ... by himself ... including the things we used to do together like shopping, dishes, making dinner ... in addition to putting in a full 40 hours/week.  I hate feeling like a burden for him.
• Laying in bed all day really wears on my back and hips.
• Being in a basement apartment limits the amount of sunlight I have access to.
• I miss Danny all day ... I'm not used to being home without him.

Baby Shower Details

Just a few more details on the baby shower:

When:  This Saturday, September 11th from noon to 3 pm (open-house style)

Where:  164 S 70 W, Lindon, UT

We'll be having some sandwiches, fruit, and vegetables.

Come for as long or as little time as you'd like!

I'm so excited to see you all there!!

Week 33, Day 1

Today I drove (for the first time since August 24th) to a doctor's appointment. 

My blood pressure was: 134/88.  Not great, but not bad.  And considering how I hate driving, it was actually better than I expected it to be.

Dr. Sloan measured my abdomen.  She said it should be as many centimeters as I am weeks along.  Today's measurement was 33 cm - right on target.  This is a good indication that Sofia is still growing like she should be.

We're still taking things one week at a time.  Today is the first day of my third week of bedrest.  Just 28 to 35 more days to go!

Pre-Eclampsia and the Book of Job

Whenever I studied the book of Job in the past, I think I tended to focus on the same thing each time: 
Job was patient in his sufferings, and he never denied his testimony of the Lord.

I don't think I ever clearly understood why or how he remained faithful ... but in my recent studying of this book, I believe I caught a glimpse into his rationale.

Job's wife asks him in chapter 2, verse 9, "Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die."  To which Job responds in verse 10, "... What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?"

I'm sure I have read these verses before, but I don't think I understood their significance, especially in Job's response to his wife, "shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?"  I didn't understand it until I had thought about it from my current perspective and situation:

***

From the beginning of my pregnancy, I have been awestruck at how perfectly my pregnancy was going.  I was pretty miserable with the morning sickness in my first trimester, but even that was a sign of our baby's good health.  And when we found out that we were having a girl - just like we were hoping for - I couldn't believe my good fortune.  My whole pregnancy, up to these last two weeks, had really been a textbook pregnancy with really nothing going wrong. 

In addition to everything going right with my pregnancy, we have also been blessed to be able to live in a basement apartment at my parents' house in order to save money (and help my parents finish their basement).  Danny got health insurance through his work, so we would be double-covered for Sofia's birth.  And wiith both of us working, we were able to save even more than we had initially budgeted.

Then my doctor put me on bedrest.  And we are suddenly concerned about both my health and the health of our baby Sofia.  (Pre-eclampsia is one of the few pregnancy conditions that still causes both mother and infant fatalities, even in the United States.)  I have, of course, had to quit working, which has caused us to suddenly lose over half our income two months earlier than planned ... and we will also lose my health insurance benefits as of October 1st, so we most likely won't be double-covered for the birth.

***

Not that I'm comparing myself to Job, but going suddenly from "everything's perfect" to "what the?!" helped me to understand Job's position better than I had before.

He maintained his faith because he recognized God's hand in the blessings he had previously enjoyed.

This trying period in my life is like a lens that brings into sharp focus all of the blessings I have had lately.  And seeing these blessings, I realize it would be hypocritical of me to not accept this trial (the evil) as readily as I accepted those blessings (the good).

So, here's my tribute to Job. 

Thank you, Job, for teaching me how gratitude can bolster fortitude in the face of trials.

And thank you to YOU, for taking the time to read my blog, and for being a part of my life.  Having the support of family and friends has meant a lot.

Good to Know

Here's some information that I want to share:

1)  I am having a baby shower this Saturday, September 11th, around noon, here (164 S 70 W, Lindon, UT).  If you are reading this blog but haven't gotten an invitation in the mail, consider this your invitation!  I didn't have mailing addresses for all of you...

2)  I am going to be having Sofia at St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City.  Shortly after she is born, the hospital will put her picture on this website:  St. Mark's Virtual Nursery  From there, you can search for all babies born in a particular month.  It's a virtual nursery, so you can check it out now ... they have pictures of several babies -- so cute!  I think it's a great website, and I'm excited that St. Mark's participates in that service.

3)  Even though Sofia is not due until October 26th, she will likely come sometime between October 3rd and October 18th via induction or C-section.  Maybe sooner ... but hopefully not.  I am personally hoping for October 10th ... because then her birthday will be 10/10/10.  What a great birthday to have!

4)  We are registered at Babies-R-Us (Registry # 45819361).  http://www.toysrus.com/registry/index.jsp .  I'm not trying to hint at anything ... I'm just trying to make it easier on those who would like to send something for baby Sofia.  (You can select items from the registry online and Babies-R-Us will ship it directly to us.)

Belly Shots

This picture was taken when I was about 13 weeks along.

It was around the time that I first thought I was showing.

This next picture was taken on June 4th, the day we found out we're having a girl:

I was 19.5 weeks along.

This one was taken in Oregon, when we were at the coast on vacation, on July 10th.

 I was about 24.5 weeks along at that point.

This isn't really a belly shot, but my friend Brina (of Vance Photography) did some maternity pictures for us, and so I thought I'd include one:

I was about 28.5 weeks along in this picture.

 

And this was taken today. 
(Yes, I'm supposed to be on bedrest, but I had Danny take the picture
when I was on my way back to bed from the bathroom.)

I am 32.5 weeks along.

Week 31: Bedrest

For those of our friends and family that have not heard, I've been sentenced to bedrest. 

After two doctor's appointments with my blood pressure around 150/100, my doctor diagnosed me with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) which is often a precursor to pre-eclampsia.  Pre-eclampsia involves high-blood pressure that causes kidney failure (indicated by protein in the urine) for the mother and often growth restriction in the baby.

Fortunately, I don't have protein in my urine (yet).  My doctor is hopeful that bedrest will control my blood pressure.  If it does, I can plan on being induced around week 37 or 38 (between October 3rd and October 16th).  If things take a turn for the worse, baby Sofia might need to come earlier, by way of C-section, since labor elevates blood pressure and growth restricted babies often can't handle the stress of labor.  But for now, things are looking good and we're taking things one week at a time.

I have had two non-stress tests (NST) in the past two weeks.  A non-stress test measures baby's heart rate when she's active and contrasts it with her resting heart rate.  When there is a significant difference in the two heart rates, that means the baby is reactive and healthy.  In order to pass an NST, the baby has to move twice in 30 minutes, and in those active periods, the heart rate needs to accelerate.

Sofia passed both NSTs ... she is an active baby.  During our most recent NST, Sofia had her two active movements within two minutes.  She also got the hiccups.  The nurse administering the NST said that only healthy babies can have hiccups.  Sadly, Sofia got agitated by her hiccups and her heart rate accelerated (a normal response).  Poor thing.  She gets hiccups about three times a day!

I also have had ultrasounds to measure my amniotic fluid level, called Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI).  The first time, my level was 10 cc's (normal is 8 to 24).  The last AFI was 10.4.  Apparently, if my high blood pressure restricts blood flow to the placenta, then my fluid level will decrease.  For now, things are still looking good.

Anyway, now that I'm on bedrest, I have a chance to catch up on my blogging. :)  Be on the look out for more posts!

Week 24: Shopping for Sofia

We went shopping for Sofia for the first time today.

We bought her two outfits and a swimming suit for next summer! 

She is going to be the cutest thing ever!!

Week 19.5: It's a Girl!

We found out that we're having a girl!

We are so excited to welcome our Sofia Marie Bokovoy!!!

She was so cute in her ultrasound pictures.  The ultrasound technician said everything looked healthy and normal.  She said one of Sofia's legs was tucked up by her head and both of her hands were in front of her face for awhile.

I can't believe we're having a girl!!!!

Here's a low-tech picture of the print-out of the profile ultrasound of Sofia:

Week 17: Past, Present, and Future

Most of our friends and family found out about our pregnancy via this blog.  Some of our immediate family were informed in-person.

We announced the news of our pregnancy to Danny's parents when the four of us were at a restaurant in San Diego by giving them a print-out of this:

Danny's mom started crying.  And I started crying.

It was a sweet moment and I wanted to make sure I remembered it.

***

I am now 17 weeks and 1 day along in my pregnancy -- nearly half-way there!

My baby bump is finally beginning to show itself and I'm actually looking pregnant.  I'll post a belly picture soon.

***

A few more weeks and we find out if we're having a boy or girl!!

These are the names we've picked out:

Sofia Marie Bokovoy

~OR~

Dylan Thomas Bokovoy

(although we're not completely settled on the boy's name.)

Week 15 - Loving Life and Proof of Life

While I was in the throes of the woes of morning (all-day) sickness, it was hard to imagine ever feeling well again.  Fortunately, now that I'm well into my second trimester, I am feeling well again.

The nausea has gradually subsided ... from throwing up multiple times a day, to once a day, to once every couple of days, to once a week, to gagging only, finally to nearly no nausea.


I had my 16-week appointment (a little early), and we finally got to hear Boko-baby's heartbeat.  It was very strong and very fast (130 bpm), and perfectly healthy and normal.  I am so thankful for the technology that allows us to know how our baby is doing!


We will find out on June 11th if we're having a boy or girl.  I've started feeling more and more lately that we're having a girl.  I've even started referring to our baby as "she."  If this baby is actually a boy, I'm sure he'll be very offended that I thought he was a girl, so, here's my apology in advance:  sorry!

A few nights ago, Danny dreamed that we had an ugly boy with huge Dumbo-ears that glowed red when the light was behind his head.  I think it really freaked him out.  I told my friend about the dream and she said that in her culture (she grew up in Iraq) when you dream something specific like that, it means the opposite will happen.  So, maybe we'll end up having a cute baby girl with normal-size ears.  One can hope.

***

The First Movement

So, on Sunday, I think I felt the baby move for the first time.  I'm not sure if it was the baby or not, but while I was eating some spaghetti for dinner, I felt three quick taps on the inside of my abdomen and then right after that, I felt two more small, quick taps.

In the days leading up to Sunday, I had been reading books about newborns and pre-borns and their experiences.  I thought a lot about what Boko-baby is like, what it is experiencing, and how the actual labor and delivery might go for us. 

When I felt the baby move, I felt like a connection between the baby and me had been formed and that he/she somehow knew I was thinking about him/her.  It was like the baby was saying, "I'm excited to meet you too."


I love being pregnant now.  The hormones, instead of making me moody, are giving me a sense of euphoria and calm.  I am thrilled to become a mommy, and I love thinking about what our Boko-baby is going to be like.  What a blessing!  I feel so lucky!!

12 Weeks and Counting!

On Tuesday I had my "12-week" appointment with my doctor.  We were supposed to have been able to hear Boko-baby's heartbeat, but it didn't work out.  As Dr. Sloan pressed the microphone apparatus into my abdomen, trying to find the baby, she said, "Your baby is not being cooperative today!"

So, she pulled out the ultrasound machine again and we got another peek at Boko-baby.  (When I get around to scanning it, I'll post the picture we got.)  Boko-baby was swimming ALL OVER the place, from one side of the ultrasound screen to the other!  No wonder Dr. Sloan couldn't get a heartbeat ... Boko-baby was moving around too much!!

I have a theory as to why B-baby was moving around so much: 

As Dr. Sloan was moving the microphone around my abdomen, she did so with firm pressure.  And it didn't feel good.  In fact, it was a bit uncomfortable.  So, I imagine that our poor little 3-inch tall Boko-baby didn't like being pressed down with the microphone either.  Smart baby.  Swim baby! Swim away from danger!!

***

Last night, Danny and I made dinner for my mom's birthday.  All my brothers came too, with their respective significant others (where applicable), and Dan brought along his two boys Parker (almost 6) and Hunter (almost 3).

I held Hunter on my lap at some point during the evening and, as usual, he started using me as his personal Jungle Gym.  And he ended up jumping on/near my abdomen a few times.  So, I told him, "Don't jump on my uterus.  There's a baby in there."  He stopped jumping and looked a little confused.  I said, "Remember, I'm going to have a baby; there's a little baby in my belly right now.  Do you know how big it is?"  At this point, Parker was mildly interested in the conversation as well.  I held up my thumb and forefinger about 3 inches apart and said, "The baby's about this tall now."  Hunter laughed.

I asked Parker and Hunter if they hoped I had a boy or girl.  Parker said, "A boy." 

Hunter parroted, "A boy." 

"What about a girl?" I asked.

Hunter shook his head.

I skeptically asked, "Do you even know what a girl is?"

"Yeth," he lisped.

"Oh, yeah," I replied, "What's a girl?"

Hunter explained, "It has a big flower on its head."

I had to smile ... and agree. 

Last Sunday my cousin Michelle and her husband Drew brought their baby Jenna to Sunday dinner at my dad's house.  Hunter did not want to get close to baby Jenna, but he was very observant.  She was wearing this headband that had a large bow on it:

So cute!

And, I have to admit, the bow looks a little like a flower. 

Good job, Hunter.  You know what a girl is.

***

I'm excited for this Boko-baby to born and start saying clever and observant things like his/her cousin Hunter!

The First Doctor's Appointment

Okay, I actually had the appointment two weeks ago, but I haven't felt up to blogging lately.  (I haven't felt like doing much of anything but sleep, to be honest.)

The appointment went really well, and was really long.  I got all sorts of tests (blood, urine, etc.) and the doctor did an ultra-sound.  It was so thrilling to see our little baby.  Dr. Sloan pointed out a little flutter on the screen, and she said, "That's the heart beating." 

Wow.  What an amazing moment!  I started crying (of course).  There's a real baby growing inside of me!!  Incredible!!

So, for your viewing pleasure, I'm including a scanned copy of our ultrasound (the lightish blob in the center of the dark circle area is the baby):

(At the time the ultra-sound was taken, Boko-baby was about two centimeters long.  Now that I'm 10 weeks along, the baby is probably about 1 to 1.5 inches long.)

And here's a close-up of the little guy or gal:

The greatest thing is that Dr. Sloan said since we've seen the heart beating normally, we have only a 5% chance of miscarriage.  For some reason, I was convinced I would have a miscarriage ... and I guess I still might ... but hearing that we have a 95% chance of carrying this baby to term was SO relieving!!

***

I've been pretty sick lately, and I sometimes forget what a blessing it is to even be pregnant at all.  I throw up almost everyday, but lately, I only throw up once a day instead of several times a day.  Hopefully, that means I've gotten through the worst of it.  I've lost about 10 pounds since week six/seven, but from people I've talked to, it could be a lot worse. 

In about two weeks I'll have my second appointment, and hopefully by then I'll have outgrown the nausea portion of this pregnancy. 

One Small Victory.

It is 5:30 pm as I am writing this post, and to this point, I have only gagged twice.  And that was this morning while I was brushing my tongue (after brushing my teeth) in preparation for the dentist appointment I had.

I have been following the advice of friends and family to eat several small meals and to always be eating or drinking something.  My new motto is:  If something's going down my throat, then nothing can be coming back up.  The theory seems to be holding.

Over the weekend I was throwing up so much that I got a migraine.  Sleep was the only way for me to keep any food down. 

But then we bought some "Preggie Pops."  I don't know how or why they work, but when I'm feeling the most queasy, sucking on the preggie pops absolutely helps!

Fortunately, today has been a good day, with a steady stream of nibbling on food.


CRAVINGS I've had this week:
- MEAT (I just can't get enough protein for my little baby carnivore!)

Things I'm looking forward to: 
- the end of morning sickness
- my first doctor's appointment next week

That's what they mean when they say, "Morning Sickness" . . .

Over the past several days, I had been getting used to the near-constant companionship of my new friends Queasy and Nausea.

Yesterday, however, they introduced me to their well-known associate Morning Sickness.  We did not get along at all. 

In fact, I fought my first battle against Morning Sickness yesterday. 


I lost.


Today, saltines and ginger ale notwithstanding, I was forced to surrender, yet again.  And I'm certain it will not be the last time.


Does anyone know any other tricks or foods that combat Morning Sickness??

It's A . . . bout Time!

Danny and I are ecstatic to finally announce that we are pregnant for the very first time!!

We are still very early in the pregnancy (four weeks as of February 16th), so we are bracing ourselves for the mishaps that are more common in the first trimester, but we are obviously hoping for the best.

We did two home pregnancy tests on my birthday (Feb. 14), both of which appeared to be positive.  I couldn't believe the swell of emotions I felt when I saw the "second blue line" appearing.  In January, when we had first started trying to get pregnant, but then I had my period, I was a little depressed.  I wondered if we would have a hard time getting pregnant.  As day 26 of my cycle approached in February, I began to brace myself for another month of not getting pregnant.  So, when I saw those two blue lines, it felt like a miracle!  It seems amazing that somehow, two little cells can find each other, combine into one entity that implants itself inside me, and will change our lives forever.

The sweetest emotion I felt was when Danny and I were praying together a little later and he said, "Please bless our baby to be healthy."  Our baby!  I still can't believe it!!


So far, some symptoms I've experienced have been:
- Acne breakouts
- Extreme tenderness and swelling in the chest region
- PMS-like mood swings

I have not yet experienced morning sickness (knock on wood) but I read that that might not come until week six or so.

Things I have given up since trying to get pregnant:
- Caffeinated sodas
- Soda in general (for the most part)
- Ibuprofen
- Airborne (I swear by this stuff to help me get over a cold more quickly)
- Disneyland / California Adventure rides (even though I'll be in Southern California this week)
- Melatonin or Tylenol PM to help me fall asleep

But actually, speaking of falling asleep, I am almost constantly tired; I fall asleep almost as quickly as Danny does -- it's awesome! (Normally, he falls asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow, and I end up just laying there, thinking of my to-do list, the days' past events, future days' events, my Costco shopping list, etc.)

Also, I can't seem to drink enough water.  My body does not want the "CrystaLight On-the-Go Lemonade" version of water -- just ice-cold water in large quantities, please!