12 Weeks!

I decided to change the blog a little. What do you think? The colors of the University of Kansas are Crimson and Blue. I wanted to spruce things up a bit and what better color choices! I actually, wanted to pay to have our blog done professionally, but Greg thought that was ridiculous, so you all are just stuck with what I can do for free on Blogger.

We saw my OB on Monday. We most importantly got to see the baby. The baby was wiggling all over and raised its arm as to say, "hi mom and dad". I only cried for a moment this time...usually I cry through the whole thing. I wanted to really see the baby and you can't see if you are crying big tears! Our OB said "The baby looks perfect"! Just what we want to hear at every visit! We asked a few questions...I am quite certain our OB gets tired of all our questions, but we are first time parents, we are older, and we are SUPER excited!

I was very bummed though that we won't have another Ultrasound until week 20, when we go to downtown Houston to have a very "thorough" ultrasound. To me, being high risk, and having frequent ultrasounds was one of the perks to being classified as high risk. I guess, it is a good sign though, to not need them all the time. It sure was great seeing the little baby so often.

Our doctor said "you know this is a miracle baby don't you? Chronic hypertension, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Polycystic Ovaries, and absolutely no fertility drugs. I said..."oh yes, we say every night that we have a miracle baby growing in me!!"


Until next week,

Alicia

11 Weeks!

My friend said to me last night "you haven't updated this week". I am really not good at posting this often. Plus there really isn't much to say. I will tell you this, in the past I have not been the most sympathetic person when it comes to "morning sickness". I'm always like "yeah..whatever...you get to be pregnant, stop your complaining". So it has been very difficult for me to admit that Morning Sickness is very real. That it can get the best of you. Now, I will never complain about not feeling the best, but I definitely don't feel like the old Alicia. I have tried to down play the nausea, but let's be honest....it has been ugly. I have vomited on a few occasions, but for the most part it is just this constant nausea. I thought I was through it, but this week, well my body wanted to remind me that I am very pregnant!!

I am also tired beyond description. I could sleep all day. I make myself get up at 6:00 a.m. to go and walk. Today I was thrilled that "Dolly" is creating some rain in Houston and I couldn't go outside to walk. Yay! But now I know I must clean my house, and well, I don't really want to do that either. I would prefer rest on the couch! Keep in mind I was out last night until 11:30 playing cards with my card group that meets once a month. Unfortunately, I did terrible. Oh well, it was nice visiting with the girls!

We get to see the baby on Monday! We can't wait!! Do you all remember when Tom Cruise bought Katie an ultrasound machine? I thought how incredibly strange. Let me tell you...if I had the money I would! I would love to hear the baby's heart beat every morning and see our baby growing strong and healthy.

I am 11 weeks 4 days pregnant. It is a wonderful feeling. Last night at cards three out of six girls were pregnant! How fun! Please keep Sarah, who is due Sept. 28 and Carrie, who is due in March, in your prayers also.

See you next week!

10 Weeks!!

I usually only post about once a month, but there is just so much excitement that I can't contain myself. I have made many friends through the blogging world and most of them post quite often. So, I'm going to start posting at least weekly. I hope I don't bore you to death!

Our house is the happiest house we have ever had. Greg and I walk around with a permanent smile on our face. Saturday after church we went to dinner with our friends Darin and Dionne and all their family. We had a nice time. While driving home Greg said "I'm just so happy". My heart danced to hear that. I have to agree, I too am just so happy!

I feel really good. I have had a little bit of nausea, but nothing major. I continue to walk and I must say today kicked my butt! I just felt exhausted. I wasn't half way done and I wanted to turn around. I kept trucking...knowing my exercise will keep me healthy and keep the blood flowing!

I started Lovenox (blood thinner) on Tuesday of last week for the Factor V. I give myself a shot every morning at 6:00 a.m. Through the years I have had to take shots for my RA. Many days I would skip my shot. It hurt, or I forgot, or some other lame excuse for missing my shot. Let me tell you this is one shot I do NOT forget. The Mama clock in me wakes up every day at 6:00 for this shot. It isn't a big deal to take the shot, it is however, a HUGE deal if I don't do it.

Greg is in Ft. Worth today and I didn't like him leaving. I have great neighbors though and I know if I need anything they will be here for me. Tomorrow I get to see all my Bunko/Texas Hold Em' friends for a day of swimming. I am looking forward to seeing them all. This summer has went rather quickly, but I am going to miss my time at the lake this year. My OB doesn't want me any further than three hours away. There is nothing better than being on the boat with the sun beating down on me...well, actually there is....being PREGNANT!

One last thing. The blogging world is amazing! I have come across some amazing blogs, blogs of courage, loss, adoption, faith, etc. I have also realized that there are so many woman out there struggling with one thing or another. I have met a lady by the name of Michelle. She was one of the first people to know I was pregnant. I posted on another blog that I was praying for a lady that I feared had Factor V. I mentioned that I was pregnant with Factor V. Michelle read my post and came by my blog and said, simply, she was praying for me. I went to Michelle's blog to find out who she was. I read and read. Then I came across Bring the Rain friends. And there it was...my name...Michelle has a list of people that she thinks needs prayer. I cried, oh boy did I cry. Michelle, I do not know you yet, but you made my day when I saw that you did that. It amazes me how many wonderful people there are in this world. People who think others are important. People who take the time to pray for so many others, despite what is going on in their own lives. Oh boy...here I go again...crying. Thank you Michelle. Now, I am asking all of you to read Michelle's blog and Bring the Rain and that you will pray for Michelle's daughter and Audrey's family.

Until next week....

Alicia

I never thought I would type this, but here goes....

We are PREGNANT!! Yes, it is true! After 14 years of just Greg and Alicia we are finally expecting a baby! We found out on June 27. I am nine weeks pregnant and we are ecstatic! We are thrilled, excited, happy, and maybe just a tad nervous!

Now you ask how did this happen? Well, I think we all know that one, but I will give you a little more info. Last September I went to the OB and said "I want a baby. Our China adoption is going nowhere and I am sick of waiting". I talked to my Rheumatologist who said he would support my decision, but that I would need to realize my pregnancy could be difficult with my RA. I said "I will be miserable for nine months to have my dream come true". I was told I had to get off three medications before we could begin trying. By November I was off one medicine, by Feb. the second one was gone, and on June 4 I took my last RA medication. We were to start Fertility drugs in June, but you guessed it....we didn't need them, we got pregnant on our own!!! My OB says it is because I lost weight and was so determined to make this work! Yeah!!! Talk about amazing!!

We have had two ultrasounds already and we are asking for prayers. I have a lovely thing called Factor V. It is rather scary, but I will fight with all my might and I know our baby will too. This baby is our "miracle" baby. I just can't tell you how happy we are. I have huge tears as I type this. They are tears of happiness that I never thought I would have.

Greg and I celebrate our Anniversary on July 9. We will be married 14 years! There is no Anniversary gift that could compare to this. My heart is overflowing with joy. I am just so happy. Thank you all for your love and support. Thank you especially to my sister, who has listened to this know it all for so many years. In case you don't know this....I know everything. But let me tell you this...I know nothing about being pregnant. Heather, has given me so much information about being pregnant, she has researched Factor V, she has been my best friend and I am so thankful God blessed me with her as my sister.

Ok...I will keep you all updated. We see the OB in three weeks for another ultrasound. I have a feeling we are going to be regulars for ultrasounds.

With much love,

Alicia