Bean. - Appointment #2.

We had our second appointment on Monday, April 18! I knew the plan going in....draw blood....ALOT of blood.... and can I just tell you how NOT excited I was about it!???

We scheduled this appointment at 3:30, hoping to avoid the wait, avoid a "low blood sugar in the morning" passout session...AND this would allow us to be able to go right home after.

I gave myself pep talks all day long... I will not pass out, I will not pass out, I will not pass out!!!..and drank a TON of water...(over 3 1/2 liters to be exact)....AND on the way to the appointment - a Sprite - hoping to get those sugars up!

We were in the waiting room for a lot less time than the first appointment! (thank heavens!) They took us to the back - very excited to see us...well, lets be honest...the girls were excited to see Nate again -- and to make jokes about the UPS man's baby.....anyway...
I lost 3 pounds...and my blood pressure was 104/60...pretty normal for me. I was really surprised about the weight loss though....For one, the "morning sickness" has not been to bad (insert cross fingers, knock on wood, throw salt over your shoulder...whatever superstitious things you do here)...EXCEPT at night...or if I have been in the sun too much.... I HAVE found that going to the gym, or on a long walk keeps the sick-part away. But anyway...I was more surprised b/c ...ahheemm....close your ears little people....the *girls* are a little swollen...okay...ALOT....to the point that Nate said..."Holy Cow! Babe! You finally fit in that bra I bought you for our anniversary!" haha! Nice, thank you for noticing! :)

Anyway, onto the blood drawing...I was a PRO. The same girl that took it last time (the time I passed out and had a baby shake attack)...yea she took it! But only AFTER setting up a fan in the room, coaching Nate on conversation starters to keep me talking...and finishing my Sprite...The whole time I kept telling myself....If I just get through this - I get to see the Bean!! And of course..Nate talking about buying me an Acura MDX and an IPad if I didn't pass out was slightly motivational too! :)
Although there was one point about 2/3 of the way through, I felt myself start to freak out a bit *almost* cried, and said...are you almost done?! She still had 3 vials to go! uggh!

ON TO THE GOOD PART!

We saw the Bean...and as soon as Bean was on the screen (yes,I rhyme all the time)...it took my breath away! Bean is a BIG Bean! Three times as big as last time!! Which is still really small...the size of a big gummy bear or a kidney bean...but with technology these days it is CRAZY what you can see! We were able to see Beans arm! a Leg! and "hand" which kinda looks like a flipper or webbed duck foot right now....and....of all things...we heard the heartbeat. I died. I cried. I laughed. I cried some more!

I was so surprised! I had read that usually not until 12 weeks would we be able to hear the heart...but when Nate asked Anita (the PA) is that flickering thing the heart?! And sure enough she said..yes...here it is...and we heard it...that coolest sound I have heard -- ever!!?

Well, Bean is perfect! Measuring just where Bean should....can you tell I'm avoiding writing HE or SHE or HE/SHE ...because I hate that?!?
Bean Bean Bean! I had told Nate I didn't think I would feel like it was real until I heard the heart...well folks, it's REAL! There is a Heart! :) Bean has a strong heart! Beating 164 bpm. CRAZY.

So, the countdown continues - still THREE WEEKENDS before we tell our families...and even a few more after that before we tell the rest of our world. :)

Either way - we are THRILLED! :)

NOW - if we can just get all the house projects done before Bean gets here. BIG cross your fingers there! :)

xoxo

Lately

Lately, I have REALLY REALLY REALLY been enjoying this new schedule!! I feel like I have SO MUCH TIME! I have been cooking almost every night - trying new recipes - (maybe a post on this later?!) - making it to the gym - in the EVENINGS - watching the shows I like - ONE THE NIGHTS THEY AIR -I mean - who would have thouht you can do things during the WEEK!?!?!?

Nate has been so helpful around the house lately, even reinstalling our sprinkler system "brain" (which yes, this became a disaster when a pipe busted and we watered the entire neighborhood for 3 hours while trying to locate the JEA shutoff valve - conveniently buried under 5 inches of our yard....but I digress) - cleaning the pool, helping with dishes - I mean heavens - it's nice to have a hubby who is getting SLEEP!! It's like he's a different person - and I. Am. Loving. It.

Anyway - we have gotten so much done during the week - we are actually able to enjoy the weekends!! At the beach or in the yard! The picture is my pretty new flower bed from a couple of weeks ago - and I am happy to report they are still ALIVE! Hallaluyer. :)

I can't wait to post some more pictures of our upcoming projects around the house! :)

April 4, 2011

We saw our JellyBean today for the first time. Yes, it is real....it is SUPER real!
I have had a very hard time letting this sink in, whether or not it is because I siked myself out, was told...it might not happen...or maybe just because I was so OKAY with the fact that we would be a family that adopts... either way ... seing the "flicker" on the screen and taking that black and white fuzzy photo home for the first time...something make it seem real.

Of course, this morning, I took another test (that makes 8 at home) ...Nate and I were joking that this one was positive before I ever even took it, and that if objects could talk (which they totally do in my world) this test would have said..."Baby, if you didn't believe my 7 other friends you peed on, it's gonna be a LONG 9 months!" :)

Nate met me at the doctor, we waited....and waited some more...and then waited a little longer...When we finally got to go in the back... Kim (the same girl who took my blood 4 weeks ago when they were testing my thyroid and other things....the one who witnessed my passingout and baby seizure - yea that is a whole other story - life in the Cass house is never boring...) anyway - she said - "I was so excited to see your name today - we are going to be parents - your first baby!!!" She made me take another test - confirmed again (that makes 9 times)....then we waited for the sonogram room....Where we saw our Jelly Bean.

The Dr. Joked with Nate (who was in his UPS uniform) that his boss was probably not going to be to happy with him about the timing of the Bean... right in the middle of PEAK season. Oh well, Bean will get here when Bean wants to get here - Peak or no Peak!
The Dr. told me not to each lunch meat (unless its been heated), no feta cheese (which is a staple in my diet) UNLESS it is pasturized - thank goodness this is an option - 1 Diet Coke a day.. EEK! - and a couple of other things....you know...all the same things I had been reading on EVERY pregnancy website imaginable since that first positive test two weeks ago.... :)

Either way...the highlight of this week for sure...seeing our JellyBean. OOOOrrrr was it seeing Nate fistpump about the possibility of a day off during peak??....either way, I think I am starting to get excited..... :)

So JellyBean, we are praying over you daily...okay...more like minute-ly! I hope you grow into a big healthy Bean! And I can't wait to meet you! November 27, 2011 - which probably means no Black Friday shopping for mama....wow...
THAT.IS.WIERD.
....yes, the mama AND the no Black Friday part! :)

I cant wait to tell our parents...but we are waiting til Mother's Day....
IF we make it that long without spilling the Bean... HA! :)
Okay, I'm done!

xoxox