18 Weeks and counting

I made it to 18 weeks.....yipee!!! However, tomorrow, I will be 19 weeks. Which means I get closer and closer to finding out the sex of the baby! I am feeling that this baby is a boy!! John feels the same way. Last time, I had a really strong feeling that Lily was a girl and I was right. So, maybe I have ESP or something??? I really don't care what I am having, just as long as the baby is healthy!! I really truly mean that too. I will be happy with whatever God chooses me to have. I am just getting antsy and very much ready to get the nursery put together. We have decided to buy new furniture for Lily and give the baby Lily's furniture since we bought the convertible crib. I already have the new furniture picked out, so I am just waiting to see the sex of this baby and make sure baby is healthy.

This week, I have noticed that I am way more emotional than ever....not really crying emotional more like get the "blank" away from me emotional. Very much not myself.....I am trying to keep a low profile right now becasue of it. I am still not really eating like I am supposed to. I started a new craving for Buffalo Wings and Rings in Jasper....yummy!!!! I still want Hacienda almost everyday, but haven't had it since April. Lily and I may go there next Tuesday since I have to pick up her pictures. Let's see, ice cream sounds good to me, but can't eat a lot or I get sick. I found out that Western dressing is not my friend....and I love it on my salads...weird!! I am very much still addicted to sweet tea.....it has been so hard on me to limited my intake. Especially, McDonald's sweet tea....my weakness!!! I am finally sleeping better!!! Thank goodness too!!! Oh! My heartburn has came back with a vengence this week!! My tums stay by my bed because it wants to start at bedtime.

Well, my next appointment is June 7th. That's when we will find out if it's a he or a she!! John and I still haven't decided if we are going to tell people or not. We still haven't decided if we are going to let Lily come to the ultrasound of not. She will tell our little secret if we decide not to tell. So, right now, things are up in the air, but I am still very excited!!

18 weeks

16 week check up

Monday, I had a doctor's appointment to check up on the baby. It was the longest appointment EVER!!! Let's just say, I am still ticked off about it.

My appointment was at 10:45am. I knew my appointment was going to consist of dopplering the baby's heart beat and such. Not really a long appointment. So, I decided to bring Lily along. I arrived at 10:30 to the doctor's office. There wasn't hardly anyone there....so I was thinking, this will be an in and out visit. They quickly called me back. I was weighed....I have lost 2 pounds. So, I was questioned on how well I am eating....not very well. I don't really have an appetite right now. Not really nauseated, just not hungry. My blood pressure was good 116/68.

Then Lily and I got sent to a second waiting room while a room was being cleaned. We weren't there for long. Then, the finally called me back to my room. Ok, the nurse said, "he will be to see you in a few minutes." Well, 2 hours later a Family Nurse Practitioner...student came in. I was already ticked off for waiting 2 hrs in a little room with nothing for a 3 year old to do, then they send in a student. Ok, I am not a person that cares if a student assesses me or anything like that, because I was there before. However, don't send a student in after I have waited for 2 hours. Now, this girl was very nice but extremely weird. She was totally in my face....and I was getting even more irrate. This girl asked what I did....I said, "I am a RN in the ICU." Well, she didn't really want to talk to me after that!!! So, she said that she was going to find the baby's heartbeat. She told me it was going to take her awhile, she wasn't joking either. It took her nearly 10 minutes. I wasn't even for sure if she actually heard it or not. I wasn't feeling very confident in her skills. Then my doctor came in. He didn't even assess me because she already did. NOT HAPPY AT ALL. So, at that point, I was done. I wanted to leave and I was ready to get out of there. I told him I had a sinus infection and needed some medications. So, he wrote me a prescription and I was out the door. I scheduled my next appointment for June 7th. That is my 20 week ultrasound. I will find out what we are having!! Still undecided if we will tell people or leave it for a surprise.

Anyway, hoping next appointment will be nothing like this one.

Lillian turns 3!!

I can't believe my little girl is 3! It just doesn't seem right. Next fall she will be going to pre-school. Geez, where is the time going. This is going to be such a big year for her. No more diapers, pre-school, and going to be a big sister. So much change!! My heart kind of aches to see her getting so big. I remember bringing her home from the hospital. So tiny and helpless. Now, she doesn't want mommy to help her :(

Anyway, before I get too emotional......Let's talk about her Hello Kitty birthday party!! Lily was so excited about this party. She started talking about it in March. We had her birthday party at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Haysville. We usually have it at our house, but I thought we should do it somewhere else so I didn't have to do so much work....(like cleaning, rearranging, etc). My family from Illinois came in and John's family came. Lily LOVED it!!! She had a blast!! When everyone started to leave, she started to cry.

Of course, this little girl got so many toys. I am still trying to find places from them....I don't know what I am going to do with 2 kiddos and all their toys!!!

Yesterday was Lillian's actual birthday. She was sort of confused because she thought she was already 3. The last two days, she has been in a foul mood. Which made me start thinking....the 2s were terrible...what are the 3s going to bring??? Anyway, Lily had her 3 year check up yesterday and while the doc was doing her assessment, he found that she was starting to get an ear infection. Made complete sense to me, her attitude and her nose had actually starting running that morning. He told me to give it a few days and then start her on her antibiotic if she needed it. Ok, that sounds like a plan. When we got home, Lily took a nap (not like her at all) and when she woke up, she screamed bloody murder. Her nose was just running, she grab her ear, and all she wanted was to be held.....not like her at all. So, I told John just go to fill the prescription. So, two doses down, Lily still doesn't feel that great, but hoping it will help in the next day or two.

So, at the doctor, Dr. Bies said that Lily was very smart for her age. She was doing 4-5 year skills. Her vocabulary is impressive (this little girl talks all the time). Plus, she is very outgoing. She will talk to almost anyone. Dr. Bies and Lily had a nice conversation at the beginning. It was cute.

At 3 years old, Lily weighs 29.4 pounds and 36 inches. She is a petite little girl!! Lily loves cereal, granola bars, apple juice, chocolate milk, fruit, ice cream, M&Ms, and cheese. She LOVES her dog dog!! She is into Disney movies, especially the princess ones. She loves Beauty and the Beast!! She will rarely take naps, she sleeps from 8pm-7am. She usually sleeps by herself. There are some nights she gets scared. She would rather be outside playing in the dirt or sand. She is into play doh, baby dolls, hot wheel cars, blocks, and her bikes.

Well, I could go on and on about my Lily, but I will spare you. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the pics from her party and her birthday!!

Second trimester!

Well, I made it!! I am in the second trimester of this pregnancy!! I am so behind excited. Right now, as I am writing this, I am actually 15 weeks and 6 days...so tomorrow I will be 16 weeks!!! Yeah!!

I am feeling a little better. I still get nauseated from time to time. I still have the exhaustion, but now it hits me much later in the day. I can honestly say, I am not eating for two. I barely eat for one. I try to eat small meals throughout the day. My cravings include: Mexican (especially Hacienda in Evansville), waffles, fruit, and ice tea (which I limit a great deal because I could drink gallons of it).

I am still not sleeping that great. I am a belly sleeper so trying to sleep on my sides is just not cutting it. I am to the point now that sleeping on my back is a no go. I can start to feel my blood pressure drop if I am on my back for too long.

I think I have felt the baby move this week. I am usually busy when I think I have felt the baby, so when I try to relax, the baby doesn't do it anymore. So, I start to second guess myself.

Lily is starting to become more interested in her baby dolls. She likes to put her babies in the car seat we just bought. She wanted me to put them in the car with her (car seat and all). She is getting her stroller out and rocking them to sleep. I think she will make a good big sister. I can't wait to refer to the baby with a name instead of just baby. I think that will help Lily too.

Lily's baby taking a nap

Well, a couple of weeks ago, I got a huge surprise. My oldest sister Carrie, is pregnant as well. We are 5 weeks apart. I am due October 25 and she is due December 3. Should be interesting.....

My next appointment is Monday, May 14th, and then after that will be my 20 week ultrasound to see the gender!!! I can not wait!!!

13 weeks

15 weeks

My sister and I...15 weeks and 9 weeks

1 more week!

Today, I am 13 weeks pregnant!! I can't believe it! Next week, I will officially be in the second trimester.....that will make me so happy!!! I am starting to feel better. I still get nauseated from time to time, but I am starting to eat again. I miss food....how sad am I?? The only thing that isn't getting better....pure exhaustion!! I have it everyday. I am not sleeping well because I am a belly sleeper and obviously, I am not sleeping on my belly. Extra pillows help for a period of time, but not all night long. If I am having trouble at 13 weeks, I can only imagine how things are going to be at 32 weeks. I just need to suck it up.

Anyway, today, I had a doctor's appointment. John met me at Jasper. My blood pressure 115/70. I gained a total of 1 pound the last month....very happy with that! Anyway, I got another ultrasound today. My 5th from this pregnancy alone. Dr. Beckman wanted to check to see placenta placement and the fluid behind my uterus. My little peanut was so active. It was just bouncing around like crazy. Baby's heart rate was 154. My placenta is high and anterior.....exactly where we wanted....high and away from my cervix. The fluid is still there. Dr. Beckman said that baby looks good and developing normally so there really isn't anything to worry about. My chances of miscarriage drop to very low odds after week 14....just one more week!!!

So, my next appointment is May 14th. That is if no spotting occurs. However, with me, things are always up in the air. Dr. Beckman told me that he wants a very boring 4 weeks with me.....I have to agree with him. Boring is better!!!

This picture was taken on Easter. I was 11weeks 3 days.

Big changes to come

Well, my last post, I told you about a very crazy week I had in February. I mention that there would be more to the story later....well, it's later. Ok, let me explain......

February 11, John and I had a date night to celebrate Valentine's Day. We went to The Mill House and then to the movies to see The Vow. Well, I have really bad acid reflux. I take my medication like I am supposed to. Well, that night, we had a very spicy pizza at The Mill House. So, during the movie, I felt very nauseous and didn't really enjoy the movie. I got home, took some tums, and went to bed.

February 12-John, Lily, and I got up early and went to church. I was feeling a lot better. We went to church. During the middle of the sermon, I was starting to feel really hot and dizzy. I had to excuse myself and go to the bathroom for a bit. In the family bathroom, they have a really long bench that I went and laid on for a few minutes. I went back into church, still not feeling the greatest. After church was over, I got home and laid down on the couch. I had a low grade temp and was chilling. I thought, "great, I am getting the flu." I had to work Monday and then I was off for 3 days, so I was trying so hard to rest so I could make it into work.

February 13-I called work to see if there was anyway I could take call. I told them I wasn't feeling well and didn't want to call in. Long story short, I had to go to work. I had a pretty good day at work, but was still feeling bad. I still had a low grade temp and was feeling kind of nauseous. My hubby surprised me with a dozen red roses....that stinker didn't even put his name on it, so I had to call and ask him why. John's response was, "I better be the only one sending you flowers, so I don't need to put my name on them." Crazy guy!

February 14-I was off work and feeling a little better. I thought to myself....huh, I am supposed to start this week, maybe all of this is because I am pregnant. I took a test.....it was negative. Ok, that's fine. Now I know I am fighting off a bug. Lily and I had some running to do and later that night she had gymnastics. Well, we got home and was eating dinner, when I got the call from my mom stating she was going to have surgery the next day. Now, my mom is not an expert in the medical field. She told me she didn't need anyone with her. However, I knew my mom was going to be sedated and there was no way they would just let her drive home. My sister couldn't get off work, so at 8:30 at night, Lily and I was on our way to Illinois. It was one of the longest nights I have had in a long time. My mom was in so much pain and there wasn't a whole lot I could do for her. She had pain medication, but she couldn't keep it down. Even the anti emetics weren't helping (nausea medications).

February 15-Again, was one of the longest days of my life. We had to take my mom to the doctor's office first so she could get preregistered. She was in there for about an hour and a half. Then, my mom was sent to the local hospital for outpatient surgery. My mom's surgery was delayed and hour.....doesn't sound too bad, but when you have a two year old with you that feels like an eternity. My mom's surgery took about 30 minutes. Everything went great. My mom was in immediate relief. She had a smile on her face as soon as we saw her. She was quickly discharged. Let me just tell you, Lily did so wonderful. She had NO tantrums, she was polite, quiet, and even though she was exhausted, you would have never had known it. Lily got a present for being good. I was one lucky momma!!!! After getting back to my moms and getting her settled in, Lily and I had to make the long trip back to Indiana. I think we made it home a little after 10pm. I was on the phone with my mom the whole time making sure she was ok.

February 16-I was exhausted and I felt like crap. John was off, so I was able to sleep in for a little bit. It was nice, but I still wasn't feeling that great. We had some errands to run and then family pictures that afternoon. After pictures, we went to wal-mart and then finally made it home. Ok, well, I was supposed to start that day, but I hadn't let......however, I spotted on the 14th a couple of times but that was it........ok....let's insert side note so you can fully understand my frustrations.....

Last March (2011), I had a miscarriaged. The doctor called it a chemical pregnancy. I got my period on time and it was one of the heaviest periods I have ever had. It lasted for a day and then it stopped. Ok, weird.....then a couple of days later, I started to spot....weird again. So, I don't know what prompted me to take a pregnancy test, but I did. It was positive...very faint line, but it was positive. The next day I called my doctor and told them what happened. I immediately knew something wasn't right.....well, I was right. They told me that I had lost the baby. They said my egg fertilized, but never attached since I had my "period" on time. I can't say that I was shocked by this, but I was still upset. Well, after that, my periods were not right. I was physically ill each month around the time of my period and I would never bleed. I got tested for Premature Ovarian Dysfunction aka early menopause. Test was negative....doc said all my parts worked and I was clear to try again. Ok, I know I am just a nurse, but something else was going on.....hormonal imbalance??? Either way, I was done trying to guess what was going on so in October I got back on the pill to try to regulate my cycles again. I took it for 3 months....the pill is not my friend.....I bled constantly. So, doc told me to go ahead and get off. If I didn't have a period in 3 months after stopping to call back and I would get started on a new medication.

Ok, back to my story, so I hadn't started let. This was my first month off the pill. I felt like crying because I really didn't want to go through all this drama again. I was for sure that the pill would help regulated me. I was upset. John told me to go ahead a take another pregnancy test. I told John that I was pregnant, but John wanted me to go ahead a take the test. So, I did. It was........POSITIVE!!!! WHAT????? Ok, again, the line was very faint. Again, I thought the same thing was happening back in March. I couldn't go through that again. John laughed at me and said, "you just drank a whole thing of sweet tea. Your urine is probably diluted." Ok, when did he get so smart.

February 17-Took another test, it was positive and the line was a little darker. I had to work that day. I called Dr. Beckman's office right away. It took me forever to get ahold of them. I got my lab work and then at the end of the day got the phone call. It was not exactly the news I was wanting to hear. My HCG levels were 60.52 that meant I was pregnant. However, my progesterone levels 6.89. It was a very low normal. Last March, my progesterone level was 3.4-couldn't save the pregnancy. So, I was told that I was indeed pregnant, but my progesterone level wasn't going to be high enough to keep the pregnancy. However, since I was a low normal they were going to start me on progesterone tablets to see if my levels would continue to rise. I was to get retested on Monday. They said they wanted my levels at 15. Well, I looked back and noticed that with Lily was progesterone level was 15.15. So, that night, I went to CVS and picked up my prescription.....the cost $60. WOW!!! That's with insurance. So, I started my medication.

February 20th-I went to lab to get my lab work......the final results.....HCG 159.94, progesterone 18.3.....I got the call to congratulated me...I was indeed pregnant. My first OB appt was set for March 22nd.

February 28th-I was cramping so bad. No spotting though. I called the office to see if this was normal. Dr. Beckman was in a c-section so the nurse couldn't talk to him. However, she went ahead and ordered lab work on me. I went to the hospital and then waited on the call. Dr. Beckman's nurse called. My HCG level was 3500....she told me to come in for an ultrasound to make sure the embryo was attaching correctly. She told me that I wasn't going to see a baby, but just to see if things were going like they should. So, I went and everything looked good.

March 16th-I didn't feel good at all. I fought a migraine all night. I called into work. Later that morning, I started to spot. I went 8 whole weeks without spotting and now here it is. I called the office and they told me to come right in. John, luckily, was home so he took me to the doctor. I got into the ultrasound. Dr. Beckman did it. He said that the baby looked good. We got to see and hear the heartbeat. It was 167. He did notice that there was fluid behind my cervix and said that is where I am spotting. He said both me and baby was fine and not to worry.

March 22nd-My first official OB appt. I got another ultrasound. The baby measured right on at 9 weeks. Heart beat 167. I still had that same spot behind my cervix. Dr. Beckman said everything looked really good. He said 95% of women that spot and baby had a good heartbeat delivered healthy babies. My chances of miscarriaged dropped after 10 weeks and then the chances dropped again after 14 weeks. My due date set for 10/25/12. I am having a schedule c-section so I will deliver early.

April 2-I passed two blood clots. Again, called Dr. Beckman's office. They told me to come in. Dr. Beckman did my ultrasound. The baby measured right on at 10 wks 4 days. Heart rate 167 (magic number) and the baby was just jumping around like crazy. The fluid behind my cervix was gone, but I had a new area of fluid behind my uterus. This is where the blood clots were probably coming from. My placenta is forming and it might be forming too close to my cervix. So, I will have another ultrasound in 2 wks to check the progress of it. Dr. Beckman again told me that my chances of miscarriage has dropped since I have made it to 10 wks, but definitely understands my worry. He told me to call anytime. I always apologize when I am there. I don't make a very good patient. I feel like a bug. However, this time around, I am more scared than ever. The spotting is so much different than what I had with Lily. Anyway, my next appt is April 19th.

Well, I hope I didn't bore you too much. I wrote this all down mostly for me. I don't have a baby book yet on this baby, so this is so I can remember all of this for when I get a book for Baby Potts #2.

I would appreciate prayers!!!

Time keeps flying by!

Geez, it's been pretty much 6 months since I have posted last. Where did the time go? I can say, we have stayed pretty busy! I will try my best to give the highlights!!
October 20th was John and mine 4 year wedding anniversary. We went to Cliffty Falls in Madison, IN. It was fun to get away for a night. We went hiking on some trails and ate dinner at the best seafood place around!!

November-John turned 31! Wow! We had dinner with some friends. It was a nice time. Thanksgiving was good. We went to John's parents house.

December-We took Lily to Christmas with Our Children. My work throws this every year. Lily was not too fond of Santa. We also took Lily to The Polar Express in French Lick. This little girl still talks about it. She LOVED it. We watched the movie a couple of times before we went on the train. She was so excited. They did a really good job at recreating the movie.

Christmas was so much fun! Lily was at a really good age to have fun with it. We made cookies, a gingerbread house, we watch Christmas movies, made decorations, etc. I am very excited about next year! She really enjoyed opening presents too! She got so many gifts....actually too many!




January- Lily started gymnastics. She looks so cute in her leotard. She really enjoys going!

February-I signed Lily up for Pre-school. Yeah, I know. Huge Gasp, I know. I don't know if I am ready for this or not. However, I have to keep telling myself, it's going to be good for Lily. She needs socialization. Valentine's Day, my hubby sent me flowers to work. That week was one of the longest weeks of my life. I was sick February 12-14. My mom called me on Feb 14th and said she had a kidney stone and was having urgent surgery on the 15th. I got the call at 8 pm and Lily and I were in the car at 8:30 pm heading towards Illinois. We took my mom to doctor's appt at 8am and she was in surgery at noon. I was so tired and stressed. However, my baby girl did so good. I had to take Lily with me bc I didn't have a sitter and John couldn't take off. I was so proud of her. My mom did great! She felt like a new woman!! She was discharged and she was on her way home. The next day, we had family pictures and again I was sick.....didn't really get much rest while I was in Illinois. (more on that story later).

March-John started his new job as Flock Supervisor. He loves it!! He is not as stressed and has better hours. No more calls in the middle of the night from the alarms going off!! Things are better!!! March 10th, we took Lily to see Disney on Ice.....SHE LOVED IT! She still talks about it. She is starting to like the Disney princesses.

Well, I think I have caught you up on everything that has gone on. Hopefully, it won't be another 6 months before I post again! By the way, I don't understand why this layout is wrong, so sorry for the weird spaces.....I don't know how to fix it!