MaterniT21

Its been a busy 2 weeks, but here are our updates so far:

On October 18th we drove to Iron Mountain to do some genetic testing (MaterniT21). The hospitals where we live don't offer anything like that and our Doctor recommended that we do genetic testing and thought this would be the best test for us. So we had to drive to meet with the specialist just for a blood draw (or so we thought). We we got there, they had us fill out paperwork and then said OK we are ready for the ultrasound now (what??? ultrasound........ not expecting this - nerves flood in - blood pressure shoots up - seriously could they not that said this before - I am a person that needs to prepare ;)). Anyway - as we prepared for my 4th Ultrasound (at only 13 weeks), they told us we could hear the baby's heartbeat today - very cool................. so we finally heard it - AND we have more pictures - that I will upload here. For this ultrasound the baby was very active, moving its arms and legs around, shooting its legs up above the head.

So what is MaterniT21 - here are some facts that I have:

• The MaterniT21 PLUS test, developed and validated by Sequenom CMM, is a laboratory-developed test (LDT) that analyzes circulating cell-free DNA extracted from a maternal blood sample. The test detects an increased amount of chromosomal 21, 18, and 13 material.
• Trisomy 21 is associated with Down Syndrome
• Trisomy 18 is associated with Edwards Syndrome
• Trisomy 13 is associated with Patau Syndrome
• Accuracy rate is said to be 99%

The test involves a consultation with a genetic specialist, ultrasound and a blood draw. The blood draw is taken just like any other blood draw from the vein in the arm, and from that they look at my DNA and the baby DNA (yes they can now detect baby DNA in the mothers blood, how cool is that).Then we are told we have to wait about 6 days for the results. Hmmmm well we actually waited 13 days, and because I decided that I wasn't updating until we got the results back.............. its been a long 13 days, especially after the 6 days :(.
Anyway - we found out that the first vial of blood they took didn't have enough DNA so they were using the second vial to grow it in the lab. So that's why we had to wait so long. Fear not though, the results are in and they were NORMAL. Oh what a relief ................. there is more testing to come I think, I will find out at my next meeting with the doctor, but this is one hurdle down!. Did  I mention the test looks at baby's DNA, and detects X and Y chromosomes................ baby's gender anyone ;)

So that is the serious - now for some fun.................... one of the people I work with here made this diaper wreath and hung it on my door at work. The wreath has Tickle Me Elmo diapers and a Husky in the middle. Terry made it - its so awesome I love it :) I hope the picture does is justice - It is currently hanging on my office door until I take it home to go in the nursery!

We are now 15 weeks and 1 day............. time is going by so quickly.

What's Up Second Trimester

We are in the second trimester - according to different things I have read the baby is the size of a Peach! Pretty small.......... hard to believe. I do love my peaches though :)

This is what they say about the second trimester, also known as the ‘Feel Good Trimester'. So during this time, I should be starting to feel better, I should have more energy and those food aversions should start to disappear. That is a whole LOT of should's!!!!  Today is the mark of the second trimester! So my question is do these things happen overnight ?!?!........... ask me again in a week!

I can say this - the constant need to eat is now few and far between. Some days I 'want' to eat all the time, some days its a struggle to find anything to eat. The food aversions are somewhat better, but I am struggling to find things that I really want. I made this great dinner a couple of nights ago, took one bite and then went and opened and can of soup. Jesse looked at me like I was crazy, because in his words 'this is great'. 'Oh good' was my response- enjoy eating that for the rest of the week then. I am longing for the days when I want to make good food and then eat it. I also think I might need to change my eating patterns to a main meal at lunch time, because I guarantee by the time dinner rolls around I am not wanting anything! UNLESS - its fruit............ ah fruit is like a little piece of heaven! Melons, apples, pears, mangoes............ pretty much anything! And - new weird craving............ orange Popsicles (ice lollies for the British that are reading this). I remember loving these as a kid, and apparently I had forgotten how fantastic they were until this past week. Take note of the orange though won't you - seems to be a pattern here with the orange colored foods - remember the Cheese puffs, and the macaroni and cheese, and now these Popsicles!

The second trimester is also exciting because its marks the time when I can officially 'out' my friend. So before Jesse and I found out we were (seriously - what is this 'we' business other than being politically correct - it is me that is ACTUALLY pregnant), I would tell her all about the things that were going on, and I always thought in the back of my mind how fun it would be to if we were pregnant at the same time (I even used to throw that out there every once in a while. Anyway, last time I was in Bloomington, she got to come and visit for the night with her husband, and we were going to meet up with a couple of friends later that night. We were talking before we went out and I asked if she was preggers (for one reason or another),  she said 'not that I know of'. So we went to our friend Heather's house and Heather happens to make the best Mint Mojito's EVER!!!! Seriously! I don't normally drink, but it was too tempting, so we all had a little drink (remember previous posts, about me doing things I wouldn't normally do!!). Anyway, wouldn't you know - we both happened to be pregnant and just didn't know it yet! Many of you have guessed, but if you hadn't my AMAZING friend Liz is pregnant too, and we are only 6 days apart............. EEK!!!! SO EXCITING!

This picture is our first one together when we were pregnant :) - we have talked about doing friends bumps photos........... which I think would be so cute (being the photographer that I am) and I really really hope we get to do it.

So - how did we find out.............. well remember the story about the wedding and how I realized I was having similar symptoms- I ended up calling Liz after that and telling her the story about this girl I met and how she was out with her friends etc etc and that after that story I started having an 'ah ha' moment......... and that I did a pregnancy test etc.......... was how I told her - then she happened to mention that she was going to take one too and the next day it was my turn to be super excited for her :). How fun though :). I am so happy and excited for her and Scott - and I will forever cherish this picture!

I will see about that belly update picture in my next post!

p.s. - I also happen to know several other friends that are also pregnant right now - that I will mention next week too :)............... can anyone say 'Fifty Shades of Grey BABY BOOM'.

Heart Beat

So after we couldn't hear the heart beat a couple of weeks ago, they rescheduled me for 2 weeks later. Which was putting me at just over 11 weeks pregnant. At this appointment Jesse got to come with me and I think we were both pretty anxious to hear it. Another person I know who is going through this with me (I won't out her just yet) has already heard her baby's heart beat and it was much earlier (Eek - I can't wait to tell you who it is - I am so happy and excited for her).

So, we head to the doctors office eagerly anticipating hearing the heartbeat. I get all set up and she is listening (the whole time with the perfect poker face may I add - she is very good at this), but to no avail, I am either way to noisy or baby is way too shy!. So we get to go take another peek................... you can see such a big difference between this photo and the one I posted a while back. Baby is so much bigger, moving around and has limbs etc etc. The heart was flickering away and everything looked good. so maybe in a months time we will get to hear the heart beat.

Here is the pic - go back and check out the first one - baby grew so much bigger!

So hear we are, all caught up with my pregnancy so far. I feel like I am at the stage now when I can start to post updated belly photos..................... no judging! :)

Food aversions appear to be less, although chocolate, tomatoes and meat are still on the no way list! I have gone from eating like a horse, to not wanting to eat anything at all for about 5 days to re-introducing certain food groups back into my diet. I think those people that say all they craved were healthy foods! HA! whatever is my response to that. I truly believe now that for at least the first trimester, this is essentially out of your hands. I have read it changes as you enter the second trimester, so I am holding out hope! Its not like I am not aware of healthy habits etc, I feel for the best part I live by them. I mean like I have already stated, I used to enjoy my fair share of chocolate and eating out, but making healthy choices, cooking, and working out are a HUGE part of my everyday lifestyle. This baby has made everything change with respect to that! If eating healthy meant starches and sour candies then I can tell you - I had that down to a tee! My favorite snack of hummus was replaced with disgusting (but oh so amazing) orange puffs that make your fingers orange. I think the one thing that is my saving grace is I crave fruit - as much as I want the other stuff. Peaches, oranges, grapes, apples pears (talking of pears, I almost tackled a fellow colleague for his pear the other day - I restrained myself - I can't even imagine how that might have gone down). It did send me running to the store for pears though :)

My craving this week other than fruit was vegetable pot pie!

I hope you have enjoyed the trials and tribulations so far - I hope to continue to post on a weekly basis, if anything to show you the belly updates :)