Well, turns out that the name of this blog is fitting once again. There is soon to be another little Starr! Joel and I had been trying to get pregnant for about a year. Things were getting pretty frustrating and we were even starting to see a fertility specialist. The past year had been a roller coaster of emotions each and every month...I would always get my hopes up that I would be pregnant, but those hopes would be dashed a few weeks later. This particular month, I didn't have my hopes up AT ALL due to various reasons that are too detailed for this blog.
So, how did I find out I was pregnant? Well, I was still taking my BBT temps every morning. My temps were on their way down for a few days as they always do before my period starts, so I figured my period would start soon. Well, that weekend was a hot one and I decided to do some yard work. I noticed that my pee was a bit darker than usual. I thought it was a bit strange, but I figured I was dehydrated from working outdoors (even though I'm NEVER dehydrated). I also mentioned to Joel how HAPPY I had been feeling. The past few days, I had felt overwhelmingly happy and grateful. I told him that I hoped all my friends and family know how much they mean to me and how thankful I am for them. I didn't think much of this happiness...I just credited it to all the wonderful times we'd been having with our friends lately.
On Monday morning, I took my temps as usual, expecting another dip....but was confused to see that my temp had spiked. I had recently ordered a mega pack of pregnancy tests (I had gotten tired of spending money on the expensive ones and I wanted to ability to test whenever my heart desired), so I decided to take a test just for the fun of it.......................
Whaaaa?? Within a few seconds, I saw a second line start to appear...............Words can't explain how in shock I was. I reread the instructions and stared at the test to make sure I wasn't imagining the second line. Nope. It was there! I stumbled into our bedroom to wake Joel up...I said in a very shaky voice "There is a second line on my pregnancy test!". "What does that mean", he mumbled in his half-awake state? I couldn't bring myself to say "I'm pregnant" so I said something else to portray that the test was positive. The next 30 minutes or so were a blur of excitement. I managed to squeeze a little more pee out to take another test and that one was positive, too! I was deliriously happy. My legs were shaking so much that I could barely walk! I texted Brenna and Chauncy, but only Brenna responded and she, of course, was over the moon with happiness!
On my way to work, I called my mom and tried calling Chauncy about 20 times (turns out she left her phone at home. Worst day to leave her phone at home, EVER!). Needless to say, I couldn't focus AT ALL at work that day. I pretty much texted and emailed all day long. I texted Kim and Lindsay later in the morning and it was fun to share the excitement with them. Lindsay suprised me at work with a bag of peppermint tea and a sweet card. That night, we called Joel's sweet parents and told them. It was pretty cute hearing Joel tell his parents that his sweet wife was pregnant (his words).
The rest of the week was still filled with excitement and very little productivity at work! As the days went on, we told a few more friends and family.
On Friday, I went to Everett to babysit Luke overnight. Brenna and Ethan had also been "trying" and he had a suspision that she was pregnant, although she seriously doubted it. Since I wasn't going to be needing my mega pack of tests anymore, I brought the pack to her (I kept a few for myself). After taking the test, she comes down stairs and said "I think I need another test...I think I left it in for too long". I raced upstairs and saw that there was a second line. Silly girl!! It's positive, regardless of how long it was left in!!! I was screaming and freaking out. Her reaction was a little different, considering the fact that she has a sweet son, so adding a second child will change the dynamics of their family. She has since gotten excited about this newest addition :)
My first noticeable symptom was sore boobs. Holy smokes. At night, it felt like they were being stabbed with knives. I also had a few days of minor nasuea, usually cured by filling my tummy with food. I have also been dealing with emotions....super high anxiety at times (miserable) and also crying for no reason. Gone are the days of feeling overwhelmingly happy that I had before I found out I was pregnant! In fact, I haven't really felt happy for no reason since I found out I was pregnant :(
At about 7.5 weeks, I woke up and my boobs were dramatically less sore. Gulp. I also didn't have very much naseau that day...or the next....or the next. Oh boy. I freaked out. Was I still pregnant?? I called and cried to the nurse and she scheduled me for an ultrasound (however, I talked to her on Thursday and the soonest I could get in for an ultrasound was on Monday). Over the next few days, I had slight naseau, but it could have been my imagination...it was very slight. By the time the appt came on Monday, I was feeling slightly more confident that I was still pregnant.
At the ultrasound, I had to have a full bladder. And Full it was!! The ultrasound progressed, but I didn't get to see the baby for a while. At first, she just looked at my uterus and ovaries...and then she let me go pee...and then I had to wait for her to come back into the room and theeeeen, I was finally able to see if my little baby was still ok in there! It didn't look like much, but I sure could see that little heart beat!! It was beating at 156 bpm. She said that it was perfect. During the appointment, I didn't feel toooo excited....I was just kind of in shock. But as soon as I left the office, I was flooded with excitement. As usual, I texted everyone (parents, Joel's parents, my sisters, Kim, Lindsay, Aimee, Alicia, etc). They sent me home with a disc of pictures and a video of the heart beating so that I could show Joel.
When I talked to Joel after the appointment, I don't know if I've ever heard him so happy. He said he almost cried in the middle of class when he got my text saying that all was well with the little guy/girl. Joel's emotions only magnify my emotions, so I was even more excited when I was talking to him.
So, that pretty much brings us to today! The ultrasound was yesterday. As long as I eat a full meal, I feel pretty good. I have cut back on caffeine, so that's hard! I sure miss my jolt of energy! I can't tell if my tiredness is from the lack of caffeine or because I'm growing a bebe. I'm also still pretty emotional. Today, I cried in the car on the way home from work and again when I was with Joel (he was teasing me about the gross smell of labor).
So, while we still know there is a chance that things won't work out, we are super excited! For now, we're calling the wee one "Thumper"....after the heart that is thumping away inside me. We love this little one already :)
