8 weeks

Stats:
8 weeks
Starting Weight: 155
Weight: 151
Waist @ bellybutton: 31"

Here is my baseline picture at 8 weeks:

Here is the baby at 8 weeks:

I just found out that I'm pregnant! I had been waking up in the middle of the night for about a week on and off to use the bathroom, which I thought was a little strange. In fact, I can't remember ever getting up in the middle of the night in my entire life. Since I was extremely irregular and didn't even think I had ovulated once in the last 6 months, I didn't connect the dots. Rob and I had just started an exercise program, so I was on the treadmill a lot. One day I started jogging and actually had to stop because my sports bra just wasn't cutting it, if you know what I mean. :) I still really didn't think it was even possible for me to be pregnant, so I still didn't put it together, but there was an inkling in the back of my head. On August 20, 2007, I decided to take a pregnancy test before work, just to get it out of my head that I could be pregnant. I fully expected a negative, so when it came back positive, I was in complete shock! I really just stood there and stared and then read the directions a few times, because I was sure that I was reading it wrong. Then I called Rob into the bathroom and asked him if he was seeing what I saw. We basically both stood there saying 'Oh my God!' It was really exciting.

I then proceded to take 3 tests over 3 days, just to make sure. I still wasn't completely convinced, but on Friday the 24th when my doctor called me back with the blood test results, I finally believed that I was actually pregnant!! My due date is April 9th 2008.

My new blog!

So I've decided to create a blog so that I can record my pregnancy and not forget anything. Due to 'pregnancy brain', I tend to forget things on a regular basis, so I'm hoping that I can keep a good record and look back on this time in the future.

Vegas Pics

Here are some of my pics from the Vegas trip.

In front of the Bellagio fountains:


Bellagio botanical gardens:


Going out on Rob's birthday (check out the belly!):


The guys:


The girls:


Rob & Jeremy 10 minutes after Rob turned 30!:

My Birth Plan

Labor
-Please perform no routine prepatory tasks (shaving, enema, etc.), unless requested.
-I expect that doctors and hospital staff will discuss all procedures with me before they are performed.
-I prefer to eat and drink throughout labor, as desired.
-Please do not administer an IV or heparin lock unless there is a clear medical indication that such is necessary.
-As long as the baby and I are healthy, I do not want to discuss induction prior to 42 weeks. If medically necessary, I would like to try alternative means of labor augmentation, like walking or breast stimulation, before pitocin or other drugs are used.
-As long as the baby is doing well, I prefer that fetal heart tones be monitored intermittently with an external monitor or doppler, even if the membranes have ruptured.
-I would like a quiet, soothing environment during labor, with dim lights and minimal interruptions.
-I wish to labor freely in the birthing tub or shower.
-I would like to avoid all narcotics and anesthesia.

Delivery
-I wish to deliver in the birthing tub
-I feel very strongly that I would like to avoid a cesarean delivery.
-I prefer not to have an episiotomy.
-I prefer not to have forceps or a vacuum used.
-I would like the freedom to push and deliver in any position I like.

Newborn Care
-Please place the baby on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
-Please allow the umbilical cord to stop pulsating before it is cut.
-I prefer to wait for spontaneous delivery of the placenta and do not want a routine injection of pitocin.
-If the baby must go to the nursery for evaluation or medical treatment, Rob will accompany the baby at all times.
-I would like to waive the administration of eye antibiotics.
-I would like to waive the administration of routine Vitamin K.
-I would like to waive the administration of the Hepatitis vaccine.

Postpartum
-I would like to have the baby room-in with me at all times.
-I plan to breastfeed and want to nurse immediately following the birth.

Photos by Jen

Here are some of my favorite photographs...

Big Sur:





Monterey:




Philippines:






Napa: