It's still hard to believe we are here and I am typing this update! We are halfway to Baby Boy Burke's arrival! As of yesterday we are 21 weeks along. The last 21 weeks have been SO MUCH FUN! We have enjoyed everything from that first ultrasound and hearing the heartbeat to telling our family and friends, painting the nursery, buying nursery furniture and even registering! Here are some of the (many) highlights!
- Seeing a positive pregnancy test in my very own hand!! (reaction: disbelief/shock/fear that something will go wrong)
- First visit to Dr. Herrmann - can't yet see baby in the uterus since we are only ~5 weeks along (reaction: more fear and anxiety regarding the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy). We go on progesterone supplements (more fear and anxiety I'll miscarry)
- 2 weeks later with Dr. Herrmann - we have a legit pregnancy!!! Strong heartbeat and baby is in the uterus! AMAZING feeling that we did this all on our own - take that RE who told me I needed to have both tubes removed!!
- 2 weeks later - Everything still looks perfect. Dr. Herrmann offers to see me as often as I would like just to feel good that everything is going well (he is an AMAZING Dr.). Now we can tell our family at our party on Saturday!! Let the planning begin!!
- 8 weeks: our annual Bry-Fry party. We were lucky enough to get everyone (our parents and Brian's family) to our house for brunch before the festivities began. We were on pins and needles waiting to tell everyone! Bryce had a great idea to have 3 envelopes with cards in them. One read "Mandy, next said "Is", and last one "8 weeks Pregnant"!. My mom, mother in law and niece got to read the cards outloud. There were big cheers, tears and the party could finally begin!! The only one missing was Aaron but we were able to get him the message in between beers and bad phone signal at the infield of the Kentucky Derby :) He is thrilled to be an uncle!!
- 4 more weeks - We decided to try and be "normal" and wait the full 4 weeks for our next appointment since there was really no reason to consider me high risk. The appointment went very well and everyone looked happy and healthy. I however need to lower my anxiety before appointments! Before the ultrasound my blood pressure was quite high, back to normal though after the ultrasound!
- Week 13 - It's Facebook Official!! Introduced Baby Burt Reynolds Burke to the world of social media!!
Week 15 - YIKES!!! First day my pants won't button!! Bring on the belly band and elastic waist expanders!!
Week 17 - We have MOVEMENT!!! This week I felt the first movements of Baby Burke - there was no question in my mind that's what they were. After 18 months of paying VERY close attention to my body in predicting ovulation there was no question these were new feelings! I like to call them smurf kicks :)
Week 17 - Next Appointment!! This is the big reveal! Since my Dr. does ultrasounds at EVERY appointment we got to find out the gender this week!! After a few minutes of searching around he had wonderful news :) We are having a BOY! Seriously couldn't be more thrilled. Bryce was CERTAIN it was a girl so was in shock for awhile that he would be having a mini me soon! We got to see Baby do a flip on the screen! Such amazing technology.
- Bought nursery furniture and started our 1st registry at Pottery Barn Kids! I've been drooling over there stuff for so long now - finally.....its MINE!! We got a sweet deal on a crib (on sale) and a floor model dresser on clearance - go us!! Bumpers and crib skirt are also on sale so we got those as well! Mom can officially start the baby quilt! Clock's ticking!! This might be the first baby gift she has ready before baby comes :)
- House Projects!! - Finished landscaping corner behind house, painted guest room, painted guest bathroom, organized basement storage area, painted NURSERY! hung new blinds in nursery, installed new carpet in upstairs bedrooms and bought rocker/recliner for upstairs living room!! PHEW!!!! More organization projects to come!!
- Gotta get our social activities in!! - Weddings in Ursa St. Louis and Phoenix, LOTS of Cardinal Baseball, Ozarks, Memorial Day in Madison, WI, Kenny Chesney, Boy Band a Palooza, Best Friend Visit in St. Louis for 4th of July, Ursa visit with family and much more to come!!
- Started Registries at Buy Buy Baby and Babies R Us - these are a work in progress for the next week or so and I hope to have them done. I tell you that is one overwhelming process! Trying to spread it out a bit so we can enjoy it and not become to tired or frustrated with it! We also ordered our glider - cant wait to see it in 8-12 weeks!
Phew!! That's a busy 21 weeks! It's been such an amazing ride. I can't help but still be nervous that something will go wrong but those feelings get easier all the time. Bingo likes to give me lots of kicks to remind me he is in there and doing fine! We have our "big ultrasound" Monday - can't wait to see our little man again! Thank you for all the kind words and well wishes - we can't wait for everyone to meet our newest family member - I am sure he will be spoiled rotten and I wouldn't have it any other way :)
Love,
Mandy, Bryce, Bingo Burt Reynolds and Russell
