A letter to our son

Dear Hunter,

I still remember the day that I told your daddy that we were pregnant with you.  It was a Monday, Daddy just got home from work and mommy had to get ready for school.  I was in my third semester of nursing school and I had mother/baby and pharm II that day.  Daddy told me the day before to take a pregnancy test because I told him Gizmo wouldn’t leave my side.  When daddy got home from work he woke me up and went outside to wash his truck before he took a shower.  I took a pregnancy test that morning and instantly had a positive result.  Tears filled my eyes as I went to get daddy.  “Trey, come here I need to talk to you about something” was all that I said.  Daddy looked at me before walking inside while quietly mumbling “I know what this is about”.  I walked into our bathroom and pointed at the counter.  Daddy looked at the test, looked at me and wrapped me up in a hug.  I went on to school that day barely able to bottle my excitement.   I took another test that afternoon just to make sure.  Once again we got a positive result almost instantly.  We were pregnant with you.

On October 3, 2012 we confirmed the pregnancy with Dr. Bannout’s office in order to get a referral for Dr. Crenshaw.  Mommy was 7 weeks pregnant with you.  You also attended your first concert that day.  It was Luke Bryan in Claxton, Georgia.  Mommy and Daddy celebrated their five year wedding anniversary on October 22, 2012.  Mommy’s first appointment was October 30, 2012 with Dr. Crenshaw’s office.  They once again confirmed the pregnancy and gave mommy her estimated due date.  You were scheduled to arrive May 29, 2013.  A week later on November 6, 2012 mommy and daddy were able to see you for the very first time, we were 12 weeks pregnant.  You were full of energy that day, waving your arms and legs around.  Your heart rate was amazing.  Mommy and daddy told the rest of the world that we were pregnant that day, close family and friends already knew.  A month later mommy and daddy met her doctor for the very first time on December 5, 2012.  Once again we were able to hear your heartbeat.  Every time we heard that sound we had a smile on our face.

Christmas was right around the corner.  Mommy’s best friend Crystal, bought mommy and daddy their first ornament for you.  It was a glass ball with your ultrasound on it.  Mrs. Joanne also bought mommy an ornament that says “Baby Johnson” on it because we didn’t know if you were a boy or a girl yet!  I bought daddy a “first time dad survival guide” and daddy bought mommy an at home Doppler so that we could listen to you anytime we wanted.  At first it was like a game, trying to find you in mommy’s belly but as you got bigger we would laugh when you kicked the probe.  You really didn’t like hearing your own heartbeat.  Your grandparents  got a kick out of being able to experience hearing your heartbeat as well.  We even filmed it for those that couldn’t be here.

Low and behold January finally rolled around.  On the 8^th we went in for our anatomy scan.  The radiology tech knew that mommy and daddy were in the medical field so she took more time explaining where your organs were and what we were looking at.  This time we were actually able to see your heart beating while we listened to it.  Daddy and I waited patiently for the tech to tell us if you were a boy or a girl, but you had other plans.  You sat with your legs crossed for nearly 15 minutes.  The tech did everything she could think of to get you to move.  She had mommy cough and she jiggled the wand on mommy’s tummy.  The funny thing is, you made us wait until you were ready to show us.  After nearly thinking we weren’t going to find out you uncrossed your legs and she said those three little words “it’s a boy”.  She went on to tell us she was pretty sure, but she wanted to be certain before she told us.  Mommy had another doctor’s appointment after the scan.  Daddy called Aunt Sheri and let her know before Mommy called another friend, Argentina.  We didn’t want to tell your grandparents yet, we had special plans for them.   Daddy wouldn’t let mommy buy anything for you until we found out your gender, so we quickly headed over to babies r us and a few other stores to buy your first set of clothes.  Once we got home mommy baked two blue cakes, one for each set of grandparents.  Each cake was covered in yellow icing and we were off to share the news with the family.  Everyone was so excited!

                The next few months were relatively uneventful.  Mommy was in her last semester of nursing school and doing clinicals in the area of nursing that she wanted to work in.  I think you enjoyed the nursing thing; you would kick and wiggle like crazy all day until mommy got home.  It took weeks for daddy to finally feel you move.  Mommy could feel you kick for weeks and finally one day daddy laid his face on mommy’s tummy while talking to you and you kicked him right on his cheek.  Daddy would spend quite a few more weeks talking to you through mommy’s tummy with his cheek pressed against it before he would feel you kick and move with his hand.  In March we had a small party for daddy where the guests brought us all the diapers you’ve been wearing since birth.   Aunt Crystal threw mommy a baby shower.  We received so many nice things for you that day.  It was heartwarming to see all the people that were excited to meet you.  Mommy was quickly wrapping up her final semester in nursing school and slowly getting ready for you to make your arrival.  Monthly doctor appointments turned into appointments every two weeks.  The two week appointments quickly turned into weekly appointments and we had one more ultrasound on April 29^th to see just how big you were supposed to be.  Dr. Crenshaw told mommy that she estimated that you would weigh around 8.5 pounds when you were born. 

On May 2^nd and 4^th, we celebrated mommy’s graduation from nursing school.  With school out of the way our focus quickly moved to the most important day of our lives, your birthday.  For three weeks the nurse practitioner, Brandy, told mommy that she could go into labor at any time.  For those three weeks we did everything we could think of to try and hurry you along with increasing signs that labor was near, but once again, you were doing this your own way.  Dr. Crenshaw didn’t want mommy going over 41 weeks pregnant with you because our risk for c-section increased.  Mommy was scared of an induction but at 39 weeks pregnant we broke down and made the appointment.  If you didn’t come out on your own we would be induced on the 30^th, one day after your estimated due date.  Daddy took three weeks off from work to spend time with you and mommy once you were born.  His leave officially started May 27^th, Memorial Day.

The last few days slowly passed by with mommy looking for any indication that she was in labor and daddy working around the house with mommy’s parents to get things ready for you.  On the evening of the 29^th mommy got a phone call from the hospital explaining that it was possible that our induction could get bumped due to floor rules about the number of inductions going on at one time.  Mommy was upset because she was really ready to meet you.  The next morning we called the hospital and they told us to come on in!  The 30^th was the big day.  We arrived at the hospital at 5am just like we had been instructed.  They took mommy to her room and started the paperwork and procedures in order to start the induction.  Around 7am they would start the medication to jump start mommy’s contractions.  Around 8:15 Dr. Crenshaw came in and told mommy that she was 2-3 cm, they broke my water, and placed an internal monitor for my contractions because the other monitor wasn’t picking them up.  Mommy lasted for an hour and a half before she said she was ready for the epidural for pain.  About 30 minutes later Dr. Patel came in and inserted mommy’s epidural, daddy didn’t like that part.  About 1.5 hours later we would get a scare because your heart rate dropped.  The nurses helping mommy would check me and said that we were now 4-5 cm dilated.  Dr. Crenshaw would come in about an hour later and we were the same.  She told mommy that she expected it to take until dinner time for mommy to fully dilate and that we would more than likely have you that day.

 Mommy's friend Amy came by and saw us before you made your appearance.  Aunt Crystal and Ryleigh came by the hospital to see mommy while she was in labor.  During that time your heart rate completely dropped off the monitor scaring all of us.  Mommy’s nurse came in and checked her again and we were fully dilated around 3pm.  The reason you dropped off the monitor is because you had dropped down further into the birth canal.  They wanted you to drop some more so we waited before mommy started pushing.  Around 4pm Dr Crenshaw came back into the room and checked mommy one more time.  She said that you were still a little high so we were going to wait some more.  15 minutes later mommy’s nurse came back into the room to check me.  You, of course were still high so they decided to sit mommy up to help you move down further into the birth canal.  Mommy would sit this way for what seemed like forever.  Mommy’s nurse finally came back into to check and noticed that you had passed meconium while we were laboring down.  It was time for mommy to start pushing!  Your daddy was such a good coach throughout the entire process.  You were facing mommy’s left leg so they rolled her over onto her side to get you to turn in the direction you were supposed to be in.  Mommy pushed and pushed with every contraction.  Right before you entered the world Dr Crenshaw and a resident made their appearance, they quickly got ready for your birth.  After an hour of pushing you entered this world at 5:49pm.  Daddy cut your umbilical cord and they picked on him for wearing gloves.  

Since you passed meconium they quickly rushed you over to the warmer to make sure your lungs were clear.  Everything looked great and they cleaned you off, weighed and measured you, and finally placed you on your mommy’s chest.  You weighed in at 8lbs 8 oz and 21 inches long.  Dr. Crenshaw correctly estimated your weight!  A nurse would help mommy try to breastfeed you but you weren’t exactly interested in food just yet.  Your daddy would get to hold you for the very first time, surprisingly he didn’t cry like he swore he would.  Your grandparents and great grandparents on mommy’s side came back to meet you for the very first time.  You would take many of your first pictures that day.  This, my sweet baby, is your journey into the world and your birth story.  One month ago today you made your entrance into the world.  You’ve changed our lives in so many ways.  We love you, Hunter Daniel, with all our hearts.  

Slacker

I fell off the face of the planet apparently.  The past few weeks have been a whirlwind as I finished up my last rotations for clinical.  In two weeks I will have my BSN!  During that time we had my awesome baby shower, a couple of two week appointments (two), and our maternity photos done!  

My best friend Crystal threw us an amazing baby shower.  We really couldn't ask for better friends and family.  Hunter received plenty of clothes as well as other things that we needed.  A few people have asked us what we still need, and we honestly can't think of anything.  Not to mention Daddy bought Hunter and I a new car!

sorting through all the clothes that night.

I've had two two week appointments with my doctor.  My glucose tolerance test came back fine.  We're also impressed with how well my platelets are holding up the past few months.  We're measuring right on time and things are looking great!  We have our last two week appointment coming up on Tuesday.  We'll be doing cultures, more lab work most likely, and scheduling an appointment for our last ultrasound to find out how big little man really is at 36 weeks.  It's hard to believe that we're just under 6 weeks away from meeting our son!

Our friend Jill did our maternity photos for us a few weeks ago.  I love the way that they came out!

Graduation pictures and a video

As many of you already know I'll be graduating with my BSN on May 4th.  I was able to pick up my class photos yesterday from our class president, and for the most part I'm very impressed.  We had a small issue with the group photos, but the photographer is working on the issue now and redistributing the CDs to those of us that paid.  It seems like this semester is flying past and graduation will be here before we know it.  I slapped my photo on my graduation invitation and ordered those today.  Did you know that Shutterfly offers 50 free 4x6 prints when you register a new account?  I was able to order 50 graduation invitations and just pay the S/H and taxes (4.28).  You can't beat a deal like that, especially when the school graduation announcements cost way more than that (10.50 for a pack of 5).  Here are a few of the pictures:

 

my headshot for the composite that will be placed in the nursing department 

(lab coat) as well as the picture I used on my graduation invitations.

resume photo.

Trey recorded a video of Hunter kicking the doppler a few nights ago.  Our son is not very fond of hearing his own heartbeat apparently.  You can't see my stomach moving quite like we could, but if you notice the very high pitched scratchy noises throughout the video and swishes, that would be our little tummy monster kicking and moving up a storm.  

My last monthly appointment is tomorrow.  I have to do the dreaded 1 hour glucose tolerance test.  Hopefully everything goes well and I can avoid doing the three hour test.  More of an update tomorrow! 

Front flips, man shower, and baby shower invites

I'm convinced the past two nights that our tummy monster has been doing front flips.  I will feel *kick, kick, kick, FLUTTER* and I swear he's in there doing flips or preparing for karate lessons.  It's an amazing feeling.  Trey is finally able to see him moving around and feel his kicks.  Due to my anterior placenta he wasn't able to feel tummy monster kick in the earlier weeks.  Now you can see him kick from across the room if he's putting enough power behind it.  He also likes to kick the doppler when we're listening to his heartbeat.  Apparently he doesn't like that we're peeking in on him!  I can't believe tomorrow marks 27 weeks.  It really does seem like this pregnancy is flying by.  13 more weeks until we meet our little man.

We have Trey's Beer and Diaper party this Saturday.  I'm excited to see everyone and celebrate Trey becoming a daddy.  We have an amazing group of friends and I love spending time with them.  We're doing a low key party with burgers, hot dogs, and other finger foods.  We did Trey's party via facebook events because it was easier that way!  Hopefully I get some great pictures so that tummy monster can see all the great people that are so excited to meet him.

I also designed the invitation for my baby shower.  My best friend Crystal is hosting the shower.  She is such an amazing friend and I love her little girl to pieces.  We're having the shower here at our home.  Crystal says I'm stubborn because I wanted to make the invitations but I love doing that sort of thing.  I went with something simple instead of making a ton of paper cuts.  I designed the invitation in photoshop and had them printed via Shutterfly.  They had a great deal going on where you received 50 free 4x6 prints if you signed up for a new account so I was able to get them printed for next to nothing!  You have to love a great deal!

Our next appointment is my last 4 week appointment.  We will start to see her every 2 weeks after that.  I can't believe we're THISCLOSE to the third trimester.  I also have my 1 hour glucose tolerance test at our next appointment.  They sent me home with my lovely drink.  I had a choice between fruit punch and orange.  I've heard that orange tastes like a sugary gatorade so I went with the orange.  Hopefully everything turns out well and I don't have to go do the three hour test.  

Hospital Tour and 24 week appointment

On February 10th Trey and I were able to take a tour of the hospital that I will deliver at.  The staff were nice and we were able to walk through labor and delivery, post partum and peak through the window into the nursery.  We were one of maybe 8-9 couples.  We were given valuable information such as pre-registering one month before your due date so that you can avoid registering while in labor.  In each area the nurse giving the tour told us what exactly happens in each area, how many visitors we're allowed at one time, and how many support people we're allowed to have in the room during delivery.  We were also allowed to ask questions if we had any.  Granted Trey and I knew a bit about what happens in each area due to our backgrounds, but it was nice for those that didn't know!  

In labor and delivery I will labor, deliver, and recover in the same room.  Once I am recovered they will move us most likely via wheelchair to post partum where I will stay until we are discharged.  We found out that the average stay at memorial for a normal vaginal delivery where mom and baby have no complications is 24 hours, which is nice to know.  The only time either one of us had a question was when we got to the nursery.  Trey wanted to know how often tummy monster would have to go to the nursery if I had a vaginal delivery and neither one of us had any issues.  Aside from being assessed by the pediatrician tummy monster will be staying in the room with us unless for some reason we decide to send him to the nursery, which we were glad to hear.  We're both firm believers that this is our baby, we want him in the room with us.  The tour lasted about 20-30 minutes max and the only complaint that we heard was about the loud fan in the waiting room of labor and delivery.  We've actually told my family about the larger lobby/waiting room downstairs where they have access to a coffee shop and more room.

We also had our 24 week appointment on the 12th.  I went through the normal formalities (pee in this cup and let us take your blood pressure) while Trey was taken to my exam room.  I was given my drink and instructions for the glucose test that has to be done the next time I'm at the doctor's office and some freebies.  Once I was back in the room we were able to listen to baby and then once the doctor came in we talked and she measured my belly.  We go back for our last monthly appointment in March and then I start going in every two weeks.  We're getting so excited to welcome our tummy monster into this world!

Baby Registries

You've found out that you're pregnant, if you're having a boy or a girl, and someone has offered to throw you a baby shower.  You think to yourself  "How sweet of them!  Oh this will be fun, I'll create a registry" and you head to the store.  Once you get there or log onto their website you look around and then it hits you... "what the heck do I need?!".  I feel your pain, because I'm in the same boat.  My husband and I have decided to use Amazon.com 's Universal Registry which allows us to register for things through multiple businesses and they're listed all in one place for our family and friends.  We have all the big things that every first time parent thinks about:  a crib, changing table, pack n play, car seat and stroller, bedding etc etc.  But what else do you register for?!  I feel like clothing, receiving blankets, and bibs are obvious gift choices for our guests.   

...and we are Team...

Tuesday, January 8th was a very exciting day for Trey and I!  We had our second appointment with my OB/GYN and found out the gender of little tummy monster.  We arrived sort of early that morning after a pretty delicious breakfast at Sunny Side Up (for all you Savannah folks out there, they're amazing!).  After checking in at the upstairs office we waited "patiently"  (my patience went out the window 2 weeks ago) to be called back for our level two ultrasound.  15 minutes later we were walking back with the amazing woman who does our ultrasounds (she really is amazing) and getting settled in the room.  She was still trying to get things set up that morning so Trey tried to talk me into letting him sit on the table so that she would see him first when she walked back in.  I wouldn't do it, though.  We told her about it when she walked in and she told him "I'll do one on ya..we probably won't find a baby, but I'm sure we'll find something!". 

She got started on the ultrasound and explained everything we were looking at in quite a bit of detail because she could tell we were interested and she knows that we both have a healthcare background.  She told us that we would be surprised how many people come in and sit down in the corner or lay on the table and they're on their phone the entire time.    We spent just about an hour with her.  Trey of course was getting antsy because we both wanted to know the gender of TM.  Of course, when it came time for that we had to spend another 10 minutes trying to get TM to uncross his/her legs.  She had me cough quite a few times and she wiggled my belly around until finally we could determine the gender.  It's safe to say that TM is stubborn just like us!  

I was almost convinced that TM was a girl, 

BUT we are happy to announce that TM is a boy!  

After we finished up with our ultrasound we went down and saw my OB.  We talked about my hip pain while laying flat on my back and she told me it's pretty normal with pregnancy.  We also told her we scheduled an appointment to tour the hospital on February 10th.  After talking over a few more things (like the mini heart attacks her staff like to give me right before they check my blood pressure) we were on our way downstairs to get some blood drawn.  We opt to do the quad screening which tests for AFP (alpha-fetoprotein), hcg, estriol, and inhibin-A in my blood.  This screening tests for Down Syndrome, neural tube defects (such as spina bifida), Trisomy 18, or other chromosomal abnormalities.  We're also happy to announce that my doctor's office called today and all of the screenings came back negative!  Baby looks happy and healthy.  Our ultrasound specialist told us that he was 10oz exactly and the length of a coke can.

We went shopping after we left the doctor's office for some outfits since we finally knew the gender of TM.  First stop was Babies r us but I couldn't find anything that I liked so we went into TJ Maxx and bought two things.  We then rushed home because I wanted to bake gender reveal cakes for my parents, Trey's dad, and Mary Ellen.  Once the cakes were cooled and iced we were off to spread the news!  Here are some pictures from that day!

my parents were excited to find out that their FIRST

grandbaby is a boy!

Trey's daddy was telling us TM was a boy all along

he's handsome like daddy and loves his mommy

we're team blue this time!

The Progression of The Bump

Happy 18 weeks!  We find out what tummy monster is in 13 days!

me..pre-pregnancy over the summer

just shy of 15 weeks..looking a little pudgier than usual

15 weeks 3 days.

17 weeks 1 day

just shy of 18 weeks..where did that come from?! and my new mixer <3 font="font">

Fetal Heart Rate - 17 weeks

I decided to try and find tummy monster's heartbeat on my own December 19th because my husband is the one that usually finds it.  Not only did I find it on my own but I think that it was the best I have ever heard it.  Of course my husband wasn't here so I recorded a video to share with him and now the rest of the world.

I'm absolutely enjoying our Sonoline B Fetal Heart Doppler that my husband bought for Christmas.  It's very compact and easy to use.  We've also discovered that you can change out the probes if you buy others because it uses the mini usb technology.  The doppler comes with one small tube of gel that seems like it could last a while.  This doppler features 3 different heart rate settings and offers a headphone jack that you could easily plug an AUX cord into so that you could record your tummy monster's heart beat and share with friends and family.  My parents are absolutely amazed by the doppler as well, since they're able to hear their first grandchild's heartbeat.  It's definitely a buy that we won't regret.

Meeting the OB and Dopplers

Last week we had an appointment to meet our OB and have a checkup.  Like I've said before I really do love our doctor's office.  We arrived for our appointment about 30 minutes early and was still taken back before my appointment time.  When we first went back one of the ladies escorted Trey to the room while they did the U/A and checked my blood pressure etc.  Of course my blood pressure was through the roof because we got our pre-certification paperwork from the insurance company merely minutes before we went back.  After I finished up with all of that we went on to my room where the tech attempted to find the heartbeat by doppler.  This was only the second time we've been able to hear the baby's heartbeat and once again I'm surprised that I did not cry.  She quickly explained that I was still a little early on in the pregnancy and that she didn't want me to get upset if she couldn't find the heartbeat.  She also explained that if she could not find it they would have my doctor attempt to find it.  I'm thankful that she told me that because I've been reading the "what to expect" forum and there are SO many women that post about going to the doctor expecting everything to be fine and they cannot find the heartbeat.  After maneuvering around for a little while she found tummy monster's heart beat going strong at 156 beats.  Trey later compared the sound to "pacman".  

After she finished up with the doppler she congratulated us, wished us a Merry Christmas, and was on her way.  She did poke her head back in to make sure that I had my flu shot, which I have due to school.  Not long after that we met our OB for the first time.  She is such a sweetheart and I am so happy that we went with the office that we did.  She spoke with us briefly about what I can and cannot eat, made sure I was taking prenatal vitamins and then we discussed doing the quad screening on my next visit.  At first I didn't think it was necessary but we decided since it was just a blood test to go through with it.  They test for the chromosomal disorders etc.  She also asked me if I had thought about the use of pain medication or not during delivery since my platelets are an issue.  Anesthesiology will only do an epidural if your platelet count is over 100,000.  Thankfully it is at the moment and it will hopefully stay that way.  Not much happened after that, she congratulated us again and we scheduled my next appointment with her directly after our anatomy scan on January 8th.

Trey gave me an early Christmas present this morning.  He said it was more for both of us.  He purchased the Sonoline B Fetal Doppler from http://www.fetaldoppler.net.  We listened to tummy monster's heartbeat this morning and  I was so excited!  The doppler gives you a Fetal heart rate and comes with a little tube of the electrode gel.  

Welcome

I can't tell you how many times I have started and restarted this blog.  I decided now that my husband and I have come out and told everyone in our lives that we're pregnant it would be a really good idea to actually document this journey.  My name is Holly for those of you that do not know me.  I am a married nursing student from a little town in southeast Georgia.  I recently turned 25 years old and I am currently 14 weeks 3 days pregnant with our first little one.  We are due 3 weeks after I graduate with my Bachelors of Science in Nursing.  We are scheduled to find out the gender of our tummy monster January 8, 2013..4 months before daddy turns 27!  We have a four legged child named Gizmo.  He begrudgingly stars in tons of my pictures.

A lot of firsts have come about in 2012.  My husband and I purchased our first home this year.  We began the process in April of 2012 and finally closed on the place in August of 2012.  We're still relatively close to family.  We also decided in July of 2012 that we would begin trying for our first child.  I was about to start my next to last semester in nursing school and we figured it would be easier for me to graduate, have baby, take the NCLEX and then go to work instead of starting work and then having to take maternity leave.  After for trying just shy of two months we decided to test when our 18 pound pinny poo would not leave me alone.  He was attached to my hip, he would lay on my tummy, and he wanted nothing to do with my husband.  After he acted like that for a few days I decided the following morning to take a pregnancy test when my husband got home from work.  After taking a few tests in August I was like "ohh this is going to just be another negative.  There's no way we got pregnant THAT fast".   Boy was I wrong!  Not even a minute after doing my thing I looked at that test and our world changed.  That was the brightest pink line I have ever seen in my life.  My husband the weirdo was outside spraying off his truck at 6:45 in the morning so I went out and asked him to come inside.  I heard him quietly mumble "I bet I know what this is about".  He later told me he knew I was either pregnant or I accidently "killed" the dog.  We were ecstatic, but our joy would have to wait a little while longer.  I had to go to school!  I took another test that evening when I got home and the same thing happened.  It was "unofficially" official.  We were pregnant!

Our pregnancy was confirmed a few weeks later at my primary care physician's office.  I decided to go with a doctor in Savannah due to my platelet issue [read about idiopathic thrombocytopenia here].  Oddly enough my low platelet count (lowest being 38,000 in March/April of this year) has turned itself around with my pregnancy.  That should have been clue number 1 that I was pregnant.  I was actually already pregnant when I asked my hematologist's office if I would need a high risk ob vs a regular ob.  If I would have issues during pregnancy etc.  The office that we went with is affiliated with Memorial Medical Center, this hospital takes care of the more "high risk" pregnancies.  I've only seen the nurse practitioner and the ultrasound tech so far but we have fallen in love with their staff.  You don't have to wait long for your appointment and they're all so nice.  We have our first appointment with my OB December 5, 2012.  We absolutely cannot wait to meet her.

Please feel free to ask me any questions.  You can find me on pinterest, facebook, and instagram (ilovemyemt)