Hurricane Irene

The storm hits Fort Meade, MD (looking at our back yard)

A Hurricane? Really? Well I thought we moved away from earthquakes when we moved from California, and then I thought we moved away from hurricanes when we moved from Louisiana. I guess not. Hurricane Irene made landfall yesterday and has been tearing up the east coast ever since. It reached our area today. It wasn't too bad. It was basically a bad rainstorm with some high winds. Shortly after I finished making dinner, we lost power at our house. That just meant the hubby and I had to enjoy our dinner by candle light. We didn't mind. After dinner we decided to go hang out at the Mecomber's across Fort Meade since they still had power. We played some games and watched the storm.

chicken parmesan dinner by candle light

First Day at Johns Hopkins Maternal Fetal Medicine

a little over 8 weeks pregnant... a tiny bump? Maybe I'm just bloated.

Today was our first trip to the Johns Hopkins Maternal Fetal Medicine Obstetric Group facility at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where I will be receiving my prenatal care. I have been receiving my regular care through the Johns Hopkins system since we have lived here. Based on my choice of delivering the baby at the main Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, my doctor referred me to this practice. The practice specializes in high risk pregnancies, but they handle normal pregnancies as well. I figured it would be a good place to be just in case my medical issues creep up on me and cause any problems. The only disadvantage to this practice is that I won't be able to choose one OB/GYN for my care. The obstetrics group works as a team, and therefore I will meet a few of them and have my appointments with whoever is available. I'm not really a picky patient so I don't mind who I see as long as we receive great care.

Today was just about giving me starter information and taking my medical history. Josh went to the appointment with me, which was great. I love that he wants to be there for my appointments to see how things go. I met with a nurse, who gave me a packet of information, and asked a ton of questions about my medical history and lifestyle. She made sure I have everything I need, including prenatal vitamins, which I had already been prescribed by Dr. Davis. I then went to the lab for blood work and drank the sugary syrup for an early glucose test. They decided to give my a glucose test because of my insulin resistance history and Dad's history of type 2 diabetes. We didn't meet a doctor for an exam today, but it was nice to see where my appointments will be, and the birthing center where the baby will be born.

The Earth Shakes and Symptoms Keep Coming

The shaken up Safeway in Hanover, MD

The earth shook today. I thought living on the east coast meant living far away from earthquakes. When I was at the Safeway grocery store, the Maryland area got quite a rumble. It was a little funny to see people freak out and scramble around because they had no clue what was going on. I explained to a few shoppers what it was as they had never felt an earthquake before. I was nervous for a second, but then I was ready to find the nearest sturdy structure to jump under. I guess that's the kind of thinking you develop when you grow up with California earthquakes. The 5.2 earthquake ended as quickly as it began and they started to clean up the area. There was no serious damage.

Along with the changes in the earth, I've started to notice more changes in my body! I'm definitely bloated, and just slightly nauseous here and there. I've also had some constipation going on in the last couple days. I still have boobs so sore that they hurt with the slightest movement and touch. I also get extremely tired these days. I knew it was weird when a few weeks ago, before I knew I was pregnant, I went out for a regular three mile run and couldn't finish it. After a couple miles I was exhausted and had to walk most of the way home. I'm slow natured anyway, and even lazy sometimes, so at the time I thought maybe it was just an off day and something I would have to push through in my fitness routine. Little did I know it was because my body was at the beginning of forming a tiny person.

First Doctor Appointment

5 weeks pregnant, saying goodbye to my waist

August 11, 2011, waiting for the doctor

Today was my first doctor appointment with my general practitioner, Dr. Mollie Davis, who I have been seeing since we moved to Maryland. For some reason I was very nervous before my appointment. Even as a waited in the exam room for the nurse, my stomach was in knots. When the nurse took my blood pressure, she said it was slightly high, and asked if I had some anxiety about the appointment. I told her yes. I think my anxiousness stemmed from the realization that a medical exam would be a true confirmation of pregnancy. I was apprehensive about the results... thrilled and still a bit scared about being a mother to be, and worried that the test would show a negative result and crush my excitement. They took a urine sample and I waited for Dr. Davis. When Dr. Davis (who had just returned from maternity leave herself) entered the room, she greeted me with smiles and congratulations. My anxiety melted back into excitement.

I talked to the doctor for a while about some of my concerns, including my blood type and my medical history. Since I had a recent history of PCOS and insulin resistance, I am nervous about the possibility of gestational diabetes. Dr. Davis said that since I had become so active, lost weight, got in shape, and wasn't taking the medication I was previously taking for the disorder, that she thinks I will be just fine. I told her I was very into my gym routines, and lately, running. She said, "You ran to a baby." and explained that she felt the reason I got pregnant was because I had made my body very healthy with diet and exercise. Many PCOS patients have a hard time conceiving due to a hormone imbalance. Diet and exercise help reverse the symptoms of the disorder. I couldn't feel more proud that by being healthy and treating my body well, I have contributed to bringing this gift to our lives. I feel that this baby is truly meant to be.

the next day... August 12, 2011, thinking about my baby

6 weeks pregnant