This is...

my first entry in our new blog - or basically our new pregnancy journal. I have wanted to do this for a while, simply because we are so far away from everybody we love! I'm hoping to use this as a way to convey what I'm feeling, what happened during doctor's appointments, and just general thoughts. At the bottom of each entry there will be a "Comments" link where you can write back to me!

I guess to start out - I found out I was pregnant on October 20, 2004 with a Dollar Tree store test - (they really are only $1!). I of course then had to validate that with about 20 other different brand tests!

I had a feeling I was pregnant, though, simply because things felt 'different.' Very sore and quite moody! After that we had a little bit of a scare when I had continuous left side pain - a symptom of an ectopic pregnancy (when the pregnancy has implanted in a fallopian tube instead of the uterus). We were seen right away and had an ultrasound done. They found the baby in the uterus, but a large cyst on my left ovary. After that I just dealt with some very common symptoms - nausea, extreme exhaustion, and soreness.

After that, the symptoms took a turn at around 8 weeks. They became much more specific then. The nausea - which basically feels like I'm on a boat all day - became very apparent in early afternoon and nighttime. The moodiness can take over completely (just ask poor Jeremy) and I literally feel sometimes like I have no control over my emotions and the things that come flying out of my mouth. And my energy level hit rock bottom - I was struggling to make it through a day at work, let alone do laundry or make supper. Jeremy has been so great and really picked up the slack for me, but has asked more than once "When am I going to get my wife back??"

And today we are at 10w1d ... 10 weeks 1 day. The energy level has really sky rocketed the last two days, which I hope is a sign that this phase of the pregnancy is nearing the end. A new symptom, however, which is not fun at all, has appeared...heartburn. I could just cry it hurts so bad! It apparently is not only from acidic foods I eat (No more spaghetti sauce!) but also from the increased progesterone levels in my body. I am downing Mylanta and Maalox like there's no tomorrow! Hopefully this doesn't last...

Our next appointment is December 22nd and we will be able to hear the baby's heartbeat by then! After that we fly to PR on the 23rd and leave the 27th.

Thanks for stopping by!

JRM