The Other Member of our Family

So I know you all would rather hear about the baby, but you have to hear about what Pedro did today! So in case you don't remember (I'm not sure who wouldn't) but Pedro is our 100 lb mutt who has had a little problem with being dog aggressive in the past. (But he has graduated from Canine Psychology Center, amazingly and done better lately). So anyway, B and I were enjoying our dinner tonight and realized Pedro was intently staring out the window at something. I said it couldn't be a dog, because he growls at dogs walking on the trail behind our house- why it is his trail I don't understand, we've run there twice because the one down the street is better, but dogs are strange. So Brandon got up to investigate. Evidently the next door neighbor's new yellow lab puppy squeezed through the slats in the fence at the corner and was happily playing in our backyard!! And Pedro was so intent but calm while watching another dog in his backyard! So Brandon got out to help the pup back in his own yard but took Pedro with him. This terrified the little pup who squeezed through quickly. But we left Pedro outside to sniff the fence etc. Well wouldn't you know, this puppy decided he needed another look and spent 10 minutes pushing his head through the fence and sniffing Pedro and pulling his head out. Pedro just sat there sniffing him and wagging. The puppy got more curious and each time got a little further through until he was in our yard completely (again) and then got scared and ran back crying. Pedro the whole time sat there calmly and wagged. What a funny guy- he must have known the little one just needed a friend and wouldn't hurt anything!

Updates on pregnancy- I had 2 salads today!!!! They tasted so good. My nausea is significantly improved, although I'm still careful with what I'll try (no salmon or sausage - the choices for lunch today), but I'm improving. Now I mostly feel nauseated after eating, but it is manageable. It could be I'm eating too much, but I'm eating slowly and I'm starving lately! I did have one resident at work comment today about my baby bump starting to show- I think it is totally dependent on what I wear. So hopefully this is the end of the so called "morning sickness" that lasts 24/7. I'll keep you posted!!

Here's some pics of Pedro (too bad I didn't catch the him and the pup together!!)

Prenatal visit and a smiling husband. . .

Okay, I know it has been a week since I last posted- time got away from me this week. I had my 2nd prenatal visit this week and things look good. All my labs were perfect, my weight was good, and the baby's heartbeat sounds great. I was less than enthused about the nurse midwife I saw, she wasn't that knowledgable. She recommended taking omega-3's (fish oil) as there is some research that suggests it helps prevent preterm labor and helps with brain and eye development, but didn't know what dose to take. She just gave me samples- but the dose is pretty puny. We suggest people take 1000 mg daily of DHA and EPA for cardiovascular health but this is only 300 mg DHA. I'll have to look up the dose in the studies myself. Anyway, unfortunately I cannot report that my nausea has disappeared- despite now being in my second trimester- bummer. I have days where I do pretty well, and then others where I'm back to wishing I could lay on the couch all day. So that's getting really annoying. Thursday night I was particularly sick feeling and B came home late from work. I was changing for bed and he came in with a huge smile on his face and said- you're stomach is growing! Nice thing to say to a pregnant gal- I cried. Not that I don't want to grow a healthy baby, but its hard to be in the stage where you don't look pregnant- just getting rounder. So he held me while I cried more, but couldn't wipe that silly smile off his face. He's so excited.

In non-baby news, I had a 6 month review at work and everyone was so complementary. They said my knowledge level and confidence makes them forget that I'm only an intern. A little scary but nice to hear since in July I will be an upper level. I'm continuing to work on boundaries with my patients- we serve a lot of needy and manipulative people, but I'm improving. I even told a patient yesterday that I will be talking to her specialists and to her pharmacy about the fact that I'm in charge of her medications and that if I find out that she asks them for refills of something I've denied, she will no longer be my patient. I was very proud of myself! Anyway, better run, my house is filthy and we have dinner plans tonight!

Brought to you by popular demand . . .

Okay, okay- I've had enough requests for the beginning of my belly shots that I have decided to concede. But tread with caution, despite being a physician, knowing that to have a healthy baby you have to gain weight, and being beyond enthusiastic about this pregnancy, I cannot leave my years of the thin mindset behind me. I was talking with a fellow resident Thursday morning (who is also pregnant) about how weird it is since you know all the details that we still worry about our weight. She was saying she thought for sure she would make it to 20 weeks without having to wear maternity clothes and was crushed when she didn't make it. I understand the sentiment. I was a little surprised yesterday despite my small few pounds I've gained, that one of my skirts is now uncomfortable- I couldn't wait to get in my car to unzip it last night. Sad day. So that being said, try to keep your comments supportive because my mother and husband will tell you, I do not forget commments I see as negative quickly! I am TRYING to have a healthy pregnancy- continue to run when my nausea and head allows (my sister says that those who are active throughout pregnancy have a healthier placenta- good idea to me). Additionally, I hope that someday I will be able to stomach one of my favorite pre-pregnancy meals, a large beautiful salad! But alas, reaching 12 weeks today- the nausea doesn't just disappear magically at 12 weeks, I'll let you know how 12 weeks and 1 day goes. :)

In other news, I did tour the daycare for Swedish employees yesterday. It seemed pretty nice- although a little older facilities, and it has gotten rav reviews from a few at Swedish. So now Baby Workman is currently on their waiting list (which they say is 100 long) as a backup. Although it would be very convienent for me, it would be quite a detour for Brandon to drop off and pickup our munchkin there, so at some point we'll look for something a little more centrally located. BUT, I was advised to get on the wait list NOW (read yesterday), just in case. The daycare takes 10 infants at a time, ages 8 weeks to 6 months before they move to a different room. Usually the caregiver to child ratio is 1:3 but occasionally up to 1:5. Each child gets it's own crib and cubby in the fridge for the yummy stuff. I'm told it's reasonably priced, but will do my own research. So we'll see.

Well I'll stop stalling, here's the pic- remember I have a sensitive ego and a long memory!!

Perks of being a doc

So there are definte perks of being a doc. Knowing that between 10-12 weeks you should be able to hear the heartbeat on a doppler (a little wand like machine), and not exactly being sure if B would make it to my next appointment to hear it, I grabbed a fellow resident today and asked her if she could try and get fetal heart tones for me (hear the baby's heartbeat). She was pumped, so we grabbed the doppler and started searching- it took a little bit- not to long, and B was even able to hear it over speakerphone- it was great. In the meantime, this sweet resident decided she wanted to get an ultrasound too, so we have new pictures! I think she did a great job- but you do have to know what you are looking for and at. The top pic has the head down with the torso in the middle and the feet at the very top- so cute!! The middle pic- you can see the head and torso and the floating blobs by the head are the hands. The bottom pic is mostly head and the spine- the line toward the bottom of the pic. My fabulous ultrasonographer said she thought he/she was pretty cute- I'd agree. So my next appointment is next week, but the preview looks like things are going well! Maybe this weekend I'll bite the bullet and start posting our progressing bump pics- now there isn't much of a bump, but it's not exactly as flat as it was prepregnancy. More later, enjoy the pics!

New Blog, New Baby!

So writing a blog is a little on the intimidating side. I decided to start this blog after enjoying keeping up with my friends (although far away) through 2 very different blogs. With our busy schedule, I'm not sure how often I'll end up posting, but know it is a great way for friends and family to keep up to date in our lives- especially as we venture into a new stage- parenthood! That's right- it you haven't heard the news, Brandon and I are expecting a baby! The EDC (medical speak for due date) it 10/25/08, and we are beyond thrilled!! That means I'm 11 weeks along. So far pregnancy has been a little on the more uncomfortable sides- with daily nausea (all you low carb people feel free to ship your carbs to me because that's all I eat) and now 4 migraines in 6 weeks. BUT, it's all worth it for the end result! Brandon has been SUPER supportive- even suggesting things I can eat for lunch, making sure I've had enough, and stopping immediately when I say I'm hungry! I already knew he was an awesome hubby, but I'm amazed at how excited and supportive he has been already. He is going to make an awesome dad! He went with me to my first OB appointment- sat through it all (pap and everything) and was ready to cheer when the ultrasound showed only one baby!! I'll attach the pic so you all can enjoy! My residency is really trying to be supportive with my schedule, so I can spend time when the little one is born learning how to be a mom. So hopefully this blog will be a great way for those of you not as fortunate to be living in beautiful Colorado a chance to feel more closely involved and up to date on the details of our growing family!!