12 weeks!

Just wanted to THANK everyone for the congratulations and the excited notes! I appreciate everyones support and hope you enjoy watching and hearing about how my belly is growing.
Today we are 12 weeks. I'm feeling a bit fuller these days. The other week I went mat clothes shopping - a bit early but I sometimes wear them just cuz they are more comfy. I don't look too pregnant when I wake up but as soon as I eat and the day progresses everything just kinda protrudes a bit more. I'm still feeling pretty good (nothing that I should be complaining about anyways!) I worked 12 hr shifts the last 2 days and I was in bed by 9pm both nights. I'm still recovering this morning. But again - I am not complaining!

Here is my 12 weeks pic this AM:

And this is me at 12 weeks with Brennan:

Next week we will be in our 2nd trimester! I love milestones and passing them along the way! Everyday is another day closer and another day to be Thankful!

So now you know!

Hello all! Welcome to the the world of our new little growing life. If you scroll down and read from the beginning you'll get the whole story. Woo hoo! We're so excited and glad you can be a part of our excitement!

200 days to go!

Hmmm, 200 days...that seems like a *long* time. But I'm already done 80 so almost 1/3 done....I guess when you put it that way - it's going by quick!
He/She is about 2 inches long (plus legs). I wish I could have a little camera inside my belly so I could see this wee little one.

10 weeks & the news is out!

Well, we finally told our families the last couple of nights. We had lots of fun and everyone was super excited! We won't be formally announcing the news but we aren't keeping it a secret any longer. Letting it filter out - just making sure our close family & friend hear it 1st (and not from our next door neighbor or something like that).
I've still been feeling really great. I think even better then I felt with Brennan (and I still felt great with him!) A bit more tired tho. I kept saying that I was tired from my night shifts - but that was almost 2 weeks ago so I'm sure I'm over that by now. Must be the baby - I don't mind tho.
I think my belly has slowed down on the growing ~ thank goodnness! Here is my 10 week pic (taken today):

First Ultrasound

Yesterday I went for an early ultrasound (9 weeks). I was pretty nervous all day and the days leading up to it. Last pregnancy we never really thought anything could go wrong so we were never worried - this time... things are a bit different. My good friend M came with me for some support and I was so glad she did.
I layed down on the stretcher and the tech started to scan my belly; a few seconds later she smiled ~ that smile was worth a million bucks! At that moment I knew everything was ok! She moved the screen so we could see and it was the most beautiful picture I have ever seen ~ a little heart beat fluttering. I could have cried!
She pointed out the head and bum (he/she is still so little it's really hard to see.) Then she measured the little one at 1.8 cm with it's heart beating at 174! She did some more measurements then told us the size of the baby ages him/her at 8 weeks and 2 days - so about 5 days behind my dates.
What an awesome day! Now when to tell people.... We thought we would wait until after the ultrasound but now we might want to wait a bit longer. Savour this great news and amazing little life...we'll see.

Smiles within the tears...

I'm sure you've figured out (or heard) the news..... We're pregnant! I can't tell you how excited I was to see that line on the pregnancy test - pure joy! We found out April 4th that we are expecting again ~ well I found out ~ took me a bit to believe it and straighten out my emotions. I told Brian the next day (after a 2nd test - just in case the 1st one was wrong).

I had a 1 week checkup after I gave birth to Brennan and I asked my Dr how long the body takes to get back to 'normal'. He said usually about 6 weeks. I guess I took him a bit seriously.... Today we are 1 day shy of 8 weeks ~ and our due date is December 12, 2008! Crazy to think that I will give birth twice in 2008!

I had my 1st prenatal appt. yesterday and my Dr said that the baby was in the right spot and everything looked good! We are so blessed and thankful for our Dr. He was my Dr in the 2nd half of my pregnancy with Brennan ~ and he is trully such a gift to us! On sunday during a meet & greet at the beginning of the church service he came up to me, gave me a super warm hug and whispered in my ear: "Congratulations Jen...looking forward to seeing you this week." It kinda took me by suprise because we hadn't told anyone yet but then I clued in that he probably looked at his charts for the coming week. That TOTALLY made my day!

I wanted to take a post partum/pre-pregnancy picture just to see how how my body bounced back and to see how I looked before I was pregnant again. I didn't get around to it before we were pregnant and I kinda thought I would have a few weeks to take it before I would be 'showing'. Well, I noticed things weren't quite the same at 4.5 weeks. Crazy I know! I'm not 'showing' but I guess my muscles are quite lax and I kind of had a "falling out" as I like to call it. I knew that the 2nd time around things wouldn't be quite the same as the 1st time - but I thought I could keep it a secret a bit longer! We haven't told anyone yet (obviously you all know now...) but as of May 1st we haven't told anyone yet - so I am wearing a lot of hoodies and vests to keep things hidden. Anyways, here is my 4.5 weeks pregnant picture. Even tho 'things' are already changing/protruding (not really sure what those 'thing' are) I think I look pretty good for being 2.5 months postpartum!

This was taken a few days ago. Yes there is a noticeable difference from 4.5 weeks! (Yikes - hope things slow down soon!!) Anyways, this is me at 7.5 weeks:

Here is my 7.5 week picture with Brennan: (I think I was sucking in - or at least flexing my abs... had to have been!)

I've gained 2-3 lbs so far but I'm still 2 lbs lighter then when I started with Brennan. I only gained 13.5 lbs my whole 8 months with Brennan - even tho I don't think that really affected Brennan I hope this time it's a bit more. Just want the baby to be as healthy as possible.

Some of you may be a bit shocked or worried that we got pregnant so quicky after loosing Brennan and I understand that. Sometimes I wonder if I have grieved enough or worry if my body is really ready to do it again ~ we are a bit more fearful but with prayer I know God will bless us through this and give us the strength and peace we need. On the way home from the hospital after having Brennan I said to Brian: "I'm ready to try again..." Kind of a crazy thought - but it was real. The though of the possiblity of losing another one is so very painful - but I know full well that God is in control and our lives are in His hands.