13 Weeks!

This week has been full and busy! My sister, and my nieces, were here for a week! We had a fun time and I miss them already! The house is much too quiet with them gone. Lilly, who is two, wanted to stay with Auntie and I wanted to say, "sure you can stay another week". I knew though that her Uncle Gregie was tired and ready for some peace!

We did lots of shopping for my nieces and lots of dreaming for my baby! I wanted to buy so much, but since I don't know the sex of the baby I just couldn't buy any outfits. I did finally purchase this diaper bag that I have wanted forever! I saw it at Pottery Barn Kids about two years ago. I said, "when I get my baby I want that bag"! To my surprise, PBK still had the bag and better yet it was on sale!

I know there will be many more bags for me...as I love handbags, but it was fun to purchase my first baby bag!

Heather was so much fun to have around. She shared so much with me. She is quite the pro at having babies! She had lots of advice, tips, and just reassured me about all my worries. Thanks Heather!

Overall things are going great! I feel so much better now. I don't have the nausea anymore. My doctor had told me to stop drinking so much water (I have always been a huge water drinker) and to switch to Gatorade. I started drinking that G2, by Gatorade, and it has helped me immensely. Also, I love ice cream, but ice cream doesn't agree with me right now. On the occasions that I have actually vomited it has been after ice cream. So, no more ice cream for me. Greg said, "the baby must be lactose intolerant". I don't think there is any truth to that one, but who knows.

I'm not sure I have told you all how awesome Greg has been! I knew Greg was amazing before getting pregnant, but gee whiz, he has been so wonderful to me. He just goes with the flow. If at the last minute I don't want to cook supper and say "can we just have grilled cheese?" he says, "sure". If a commercial makes me cry he gives me a hug and laughs at the fact. If I have worries, he reassures me that all will be fine and perfect. He tells me I am the most beautiful Mama he has ever seen. Who would have thought at 18 years old I knew this was my Prince. I love you Greg!

Ok, better go, I'm crying huge tears and I need to watch the Olympic Basketball game!

Alicia

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

A little about me...

After my post about starting my new jogging regiment I was pumped. I was going to become a runner! Little did I know that sometimes the best laid plans don't always work out! For those of you who don't know me that well, I will tell you that eight years ago I was going to college, at the most awesome school in the world the University of Kansas. I started having pain in my shoulder and hips. I thought "I sure am out of shape, this back pack is killing me". I had no insurance and there was NO way I could be sick. But this pain wouldn't go away. It started to spread. Like into my hands and wrist. What is this that is going on? Luckily, for Greg and I we worked for a Family Physician and of course he saw me for free. He did labs and said "you need to see a Rheumatologist". He gave me a lovely medication called Prednisone and in about a week I felt fabulous! So obviously nothing was wrong with me...right? Not so fast....after canceling my appointment with the Rheumatologist (I wasn't sick afterall) I continued to feel well for about two weeks. And then this ugly monster snuck up and wouldn't go away. My doctor wouldn't give me Prednisone due to the fact that he worried I would never go see the Rheumatologist. I remember that time and honestly I was barely able to move. It was ugly. Long story short...I found out at 25 years of age that I had Rheumatoid Arthritis. I guess you could say I was in complete denial. I was told on my first visit to the Rheumatolgist that I would start another lovely drug...Methotrexate and children were out of the question. Which totally blew all the plans Greg and I had. Our plan was to get an education and then start a family. Well Greg was to graduate that December and this was October. Getting pregnant in January suddenly wasn't going to happen. Denial came and didn't leave for two years. I was depressed, I gained weight, I just couldn't believe our luck.

That was eight years ago and wow has life changed. I have taken many medications for my RA. And finally found one that works well for me. RA is very different than Arthritis. It actually is an autoimmune disease that primarily attacks joints, but can attack organs..which is scary! I have great days where you would never know there is something wrong with me and then I have those days where I just never want to get out of bed. Luckily I have more great days now. But when I get out of bed I resemble an 80 year old woman.

So where is this going? I guess I wanted to tell you all why my running program failed. I made it to week two. And then it was horrible. My knees were on fire, my hips throbbed all night, and my ankles well that was just a nightmare. My joints were hot and red, and swollen. In eight years I have learned that when this happens it isn't good. Also, I must tell you that I proudly told my Rheumatologist about my newest adventure and he was far from impressed. He warned me this would probably not work...he didn't discourage me, but said he only has one patient that has the ability to run and her RA is very different than mine. RA varies from person to person. My RA has been pretty crazy at times. That is a different story. I will share it with you someday.

So there you have it I am not a runner. When Mr. Summerville, asked, during my 7th grade run, "what's your troubles bubbles," I should have said "someday when I am older I will have RA and running just won't be in the cards for me"! I am back to walking my three miles a day and am adding a few extra blocks a week. My RA still isn't back to normal, but I know it will settle down. It just takes time. If you don't have a cause to donate too please consider donating money to the Arthritis Foundation. The link is on this blog. My mother has Lupus (which is another autoimmune disease) so this disease is definately genetic in my book and most of the doctor's.

I hope I haven't bored you to death. I just wanted to let you know. Some of you were so supportive and I must say I am embarrassed that I failed. My good friend Jinny, sent me an email saying how I inspired her. Wow...that felt amazing, but on day five of my jogging journey my joints were already flaring. So I knew this post would be coming soon.

It is very hot in Houston...I mean HOT! We celebrated Greg's 33rd Birthday on Monday! I am five months older than him so it is nice when his Birthday finally rolls around!

We are enjoying a trip in Ft. Worth while Greg attends some meetings for work. We have been able to see some of our friends. Which is always fun!

I hope this finds you all doing well! I will post some pictures soon!

Trying something new....

Ok, well I was told I no longer can practice Bikram Yoga. Long story, it is perfectly safe, and I encourage everyone to do it, but a lot is going on and my doctor doesn't want me in the heat. So, it has been about two months since I did my last Triangle Pose (which by the way was my LEAST favorite pose, but it did get my heart pumping) and I am going through withdraw.

I have this friend, Laura, who I met at Bikram and she is a health/fitness maniac! Really...she amazes me. I told her my walking just wasn't giving me the "high" that Bikram gave me. She said "well how about running?" Running...are you serious? I could never do that! Well, today I had my first session with Greg. I signed up for a nine week course at www.active.com called "Couch to 5K". In nine weeks I will be ready to run my first 5K.

Now I must tell you the last time I "ran". I was in the 7th grade, in my favorite teacher's class, Mr. Summerville. He was getting old back then...and he ran every single day...which amazed me back then and still does now. I don't know why, but he was also the coach for some sport, maybe Track? Long story, but my parents believed you tried out for EVERY sport...track, now that was just crazy! And my school was small so of course, everyone made the team. Just my luck! Our first day was a running day and I could not do the run and he said "come on bubbles you can do it". He always said "what's your trouble bubbles". Can you tell I really liked him? Well, I was second from DEAD last on that first run. I did make it, but I was almost last. So for me to even attempt this is amazing, crazy, scary, and super invigorating!

Laura, Greg and I are all going to run a 5K in August. Laura, is training for "Couch to half Marathon", but she said she would do it with me. It will be the hottest month in Texas, but I can do it! If I have learned anything in the last year it is this...I truly can achieve anything if I want it bad enough and nothing that is worth doing is easy. I'll keep you posted on this journey!

No news as far as the adoption. I would say adoption from China is at a standstill. Others may not agree, but when you are told it could easily be three more years, well to me, that means they aren't getting anywhere. It is still a very SORE subject.

Greg and I are looking forward to going to our hometown in June to see our good friend, Steve, and our Grandparents. It will be a short trip, but a very needed one. I hope you all are doing well. Check back for my progress on my new adventure!