On April 21 I had a check-in with the doc. First I had to stop in at Maternal Fetal Medicine to get the 2nd blood draw for the down syndrome testing. I ran into BTT friends Rachel and Jeff Aronis there, which was no surprise- they are pregnant with twins and are nearing d-day (due date), so they're frequent visitors at Newton Wellesley right now! After that appointment I went upstairs to the OB office, where I did the usual weigh-in, pee check, and blood pressure check before seeing the doc. Dan stayed at work for this appointment, which was good- 1 hour of waiting for a 5 minute appointment. The doc did check the baby's heart rate using a hand held doppler thing though, which was fun to hear.
So, our big 18 week anatomy scan ultrasound is scheduled for May 12, and I can't wait! We've decided to find out the gender. Both Dan and I have a feeling that it's a boy, and everyone who has expressed their opinion has said the same thing. So, we'll find out soon enough!
Oh, and I got a call yesterday from Maternal Fetal Services with good news on the down syndrome front. Baby H has only a 1 in 50,000 chance in having DS.... which is great!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Wedding Season Begins (week 15)
Well, the year of the weddings has begun! We haven't had many friends get married over the past few years... looks like they all waited until this year! We've got 9 invites! Unfortunately we won't be able to attend all of them. The 2010 weddings kicked off this weekend with Kathy (my friend from high school) and Brian. They had a gorgeous wedding in Cambridge, at the Hyatt overlooking the river. I had a slight panic attack while getting ready- I thought I'd fit into the dresses I had just fine. Not so much! It was a tight squeeze! Definitely going to need a maternity dress for the next one :)
We had a fun time catching up with friends and watching Kathy and Brian tie the knot. They are a great couple! Next up: Donna and Seth in Montana on 6/26 followed quickly by Andrew (Dan's high school friend) and Christy in Vermont on the 4th of July.
We had a fun time catching up with friends and watching Kathy and Brian tie the knot. They are a great couple! Next up: Donna and Seth in Montana on 6/26 followed quickly by Andrew (Dan's high school friend) and Christy in Vermont on the 4th of July.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Spreading the news (week 13)
I am so, so glad that last weekend is over! The baby news is no longer a secret, and I'm relieved. Everyone reacted in their own way- some jumping and screaming, some in (happy) tears, and others just smiling. But for the most part they all seemed very excited, and totally surprised.
I told my mom on Thursday over lunch, then we told Dan's parents on Saturday when we made a trip up to NH, and finally I told my Dad on Sunday night. We're letting our parents spread the news to the our respective families while we work on telling our friends.
In other news... my step mother Madeline worked some voodoo magic on me and I've had three good nights of sleep in a row. I even slept through the night last night...for the first time in months! It felt great! Thanks Madeline!
I told my mom on Thursday over lunch, then we told Dan's parents on Saturday when we made a trip up to NH, and finally I told my Dad on Sunday night. We're letting our parents spread the news to the our respective families while we work on telling our friends.
In other news... my step mother Madeline worked some voodoo magic on me and I've had three good nights of sleep in a row. I even slept through the night last night...for the first time in months! It felt great! Thanks Madeline!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
NT Ultrasound (week 12)
The day finally arrived! Our first appointment was in Maternal Fetal Medicine where we would have the ultrasound. The tech/doctor there would be measuring the baby's neck to test for down syndrome. Like I said before... we didn't care about the results of the test, just wanted another opportunity to see the baby. And Dan got to be there this time!
Unfortunately for the tech, baby Harjes wasn't cooperating. She needed a profile shot with the neck pulled away from the uterus. But baby was hanging out upside down and facing away from us, snuggling right into the uterine wall. This worked out just fine for me and Dan- because it meant the ultrasound lasted a long time! We got to watch the baby moving around... fun! The tech kept jiggling my belly and asking me to cough in order to get the baby to re-position. S/he responded to these movements, but not enough. The doc stepped in at that point and they tried a trans-vaginal ultrasound (ick), which gave a beautifully clear picture, but still not the shot they needed. After they finally got a few images they could work with, we were done. I had to get some blood drawn and then we were sent off to the OBGYN department to see the regular doc. We won't get the official results of the down syndrome test until I get more blood drawn in a few weeks, but the doc said it looks good so far.
Dan had to get his blood drawn up there, which didn't go too well. He has a tendency to pass out when he's stabbed with needles :). The nurses were laughing at him, poor guy. After that we had a very unexciting and uneventful appointment with our doctor. Just a Q&A session.
Next up is a monthly appointment with the doc and another round of blood work during week 16, and another ultrasound during week 18. If baby H cooperates then, we'll hopefully be able to find out the sex.
Unfortunately for the tech, baby Harjes wasn't cooperating. She needed a profile shot with the neck pulled away from the uterus. But baby was hanging out upside down and facing away from us, snuggling right into the uterine wall. This worked out just fine for me and Dan- because it meant the ultrasound lasted a long time! We got to watch the baby moving around... fun! The tech kept jiggling my belly and asking me to cough in order to get the baby to re-position. S/he responded to these movements, but not enough. The doc stepped in at that point and they tried a trans-vaginal ultrasound (ick), which gave a beautifully clear picture, but still not the shot they needed. After they finally got a few images they could work with, we were done. I had to get some blood drawn and then we were sent off to the OBGYN department to see the regular doc. We won't get the official results of the down syndrome test until I get more blood drawn in a few weeks, but the doc said it looks good so far.
Dan had to get his blood drawn up there, which didn't go too well. He has a tendency to pass out when he's stabbed with needles :). The nurses were laughing at him, poor guy. After that we had a very unexciting and uneventful appointment with our doctor. Just a Q&A session.
Next up is a monthly appointment with the doc and another round of blood work during week 16, and another ultrasound during week 18. If baby H cooperates then, we'll hopefully be able to find out the sex.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Exciting week
On Wednesday 3/31, week 12.5, we have our 2nd ultrasound. Hopefully Dan will make it this time :)
Technically this is a down syndrome test, however we're just using it for the ultrasound. The outcome of the test is no matter to us. I think we are both really nervous about just making sure the little bean's heart is still beating away in there. I've been freaking out because although my waist is definitely expanding, I don't feel a bump like the books say I should.
If the little guy is healthy, we're planning on spreading the news to family and close friends right away, and then will make it public knowledge next week, when we officially enter the 2nd trimester (April 5th). I'm looking forward to telling all of our parents!
As of this moment, we've been invited to 4 weddings this fall, and I think there is another invite coming soon. I already know we won't be able to make one of them because it is in France. I am bummed to miss Ana's wedding, but I'll be 35 weeks along and international travel is pretty much a no-no at that point! The rest are questionable- 2 over the 2 weeks prior to the due date (Cousin Laura on Cape Cod and BTT friends Stacy and Andrew in NH), and one 3 weeks after (Cousin Julia in PA).
Technically this is a down syndrome test, however we're just using it for the ultrasound. The outcome of the test is no matter to us. I think we are both really nervous about just making sure the little bean's heart is still beating away in there. I've been freaking out because although my waist is definitely expanding, I don't feel a bump like the books say I should.
If the little guy is healthy, we're planning on spreading the news to family and close friends right away, and then will make it public knowledge next week, when we officially enter the 2nd trimester (April 5th). I'm looking forward to telling all of our parents!
As of this moment, we've been invited to 4 weddings this fall, and I think there is another invite coming soon. I already know we won't be able to make one of them because it is in France. I am bummed to miss Ana's wedding, but I'll be 35 weeks along and international travel is pretty much a no-no at that point! The rest are questionable- 2 over the 2 weeks prior to the due date (Cousin Laura on Cape Cod and BTT friends Stacy and Andrew in NH), and one 3 weeks after (Cousin Julia in PA).
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Nearing the end of trimester 1!
Weeks 10-12
I am getting really, really sick of hiding the pregnancy. I feel pretty good, just some trouble sleeping and tiredness. I am pretty sure I haven't had an uninterrupted night's sleep since Park City. Exercising helps with tiredness and energy levels, so I'm trying to do that as often as possible. It's a little depressing watching my fitness level decline (usually it gets better and better, then I race, take time off, and start over), but it's for a good cause :). Right now my plan is to register for the 2011 Boston Marathon as a motivation to get back in shape post baby.
On another note, I attended a friend's bachlorette party extravaganza (2 days, 3 events) over the first weekend in March, which was really tricky. It's hard to hide the fact that you're not drinking when you're around 20 girls and lots of glasses of champagne! I got through it even though I slipped out early...
Oh, PS- I wore maternity pants for the first time during week 12. Ahhh.... they are comfy!
I am getting really, really sick of hiding the pregnancy. I feel pretty good, just some trouble sleeping and tiredness. I am pretty sure I haven't had an uninterrupted night's sleep since Park City. Exercising helps with tiredness and energy levels, so I'm trying to do that as often as possible. It's a little depressing watching my fitness level decline (usually it gets better and better, then I race, take time off, and start over), but it's for a good cause :). Right now my plan is to register for the 2011 Boston Marathon as a motivation to get back in shape post baby.
On another note, I attended a friend's bachlorette party extravaganza (2 days, 3 events) over the first weekend in March, which was really tricky. It's hard to hide the fact that you're not drinking when you're around 20 girls and lots of glasses of champagne! I got through it even though I slipped out early...
Oh, PS- I wore maternity pants for the first time during week 12. Ahhh.... they are comfy!
First appointments
Weeks 7-9
After what seemed like months of waiting, our first OB appointment arrived! I was nervous, excited, and hopeful. I really wanted hard proof that there was a baby in there and that it was in the right place. But when we got there, it seemed pretty clear that an ultrasound wasn't going to happen. The appointment went well, the doctor was nice, and she confirmed a due date of October 9th 2010. I think she could sense my nervousness though... and she suggested we come back the following Monday for an ultrasound. YES!!
One long weekend later...
And Monday arrived! After two visits to NWH I know now that I have to allow more time than I expect for parking. They've got a huge parking lot but it's a nightmare to navigate! Dan was meeting me there, and called to say he was running a few minutes late. I waited for him outside the office until 2:14 (for a 2:15 appointment). Dan was parking his car at that time and I didn't want to be disrespectful and arrive late. So I went to check in, assuming that he would be there by the time they called my name. We had waited for almost a half hour at the first appointment, afterall! WRONG! 30 seconds after I checked in someone called my name. Bummer! Dan wasn't there yet. The tech took me back to the ultrasound room and went to work. Within a few seconds she found the little bean and showed me the heartbeat- 150BPM! She confirmed that I was 7 weeks and a few days along, printed out some photos for me, and sent me on my way. I was back in the waiting room at 2:17 and Dan was there waiting for me :(
We were both bummed that he missed seeing the ultrasound, but relieved that everything looked good so far. We signed up for down syndrome testing at week 12.5 (March 31), for the sole purpose of having another ultrasound :)
After what seemed like months of waiting, our first OB appointment arrived! I was nervous, excited, and hopeful. I really wanted hard proof that there was a baby in there and that it was in the right place. But when we got there, it seemed pretty clear that an ultrasound wasn't going to happen. The appointment went well, the doctor was nice, and she confirmed a due date of October 9th 2010. I think she could sense my nervousness though... and she suggested we come back the following Monday for an ultrasound. YES!!
One long weekend later...
And Monday arrived! After two visits to NWH I know now that I have to allow more time than I expect for parking. They've got a huge parking lot but it's a nightmare to navigate! Dan was meeting me there, and called to say he was running a few minutes late. I waited for him outside the office until 2:14 (for a 2:15 appointment). Dan was parking his car at that time and I didn't want to be disrespectful and arrive late. So I went to check in, assuming that he would be there by the time they called my name. We had waited for almost a half hour at the first appointment, afterall! WRONG! 30 seconds after I checked in someone called my name. Bummer! Dan wasn't there yet. The tech took me back to the ultrasound room and went to work. Within a few seconds she found the little bean and showed me the heartbeat- 150BPM! She confirmed that I was 7 weeks and a few days along, printed out some photos for me, and sent me on my way. I was back in the waiting room at 2:17 and Dan was there waiting for me :(
We were both bummed that he missed seeing the ultrasound, but relieved that everything looked good so far. We signed up for down syndrome testing at week 12.5 (March 31), for the sole purpose of having another ultrasound :)
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