Kicking away

Things are always easier to say than do.

Despite the fact that circumstances led me to a c-section with Anne Marie, when it comes to birthing and medicine in general, I'm a natural-type of girl. Despite the fact that I was on numerous make-you-feel-icky anti-seizure drugs and large amounts of pitocin, I sat in the dang hospital for almost two whole days, most of it in labor, with no pain medication before the c-section. Honestly, when I concentrated really hard, labor was actually more exhausting than painful. When I didn't concentrate, it was pretty much unbearable.

I really hate drugs and unnecessary tests. We didn't to the Down Syndrome test with Anne Marie and we won't with this baby either (Honestly, there isn't a lot we could do to prepare anyway, so why know ahead of time?). And, I've always said I wouldn't want any extra or unneccesary ultrasounds. I thought one at the beginning and one in the middle was enough to make sure things were OK. Why interrupt Bean in his/her peaceful little womb?

Maybe I'm a bit too preachy and hasty.

On Tuesday, Matt, Anne Marie and I went down to IF for my doctor's appointment. Everything looked fine, but, as the PA suspected, we couldn't hear the heartbeat yet. With a glint in her eye and a little smile, she said, "Why don't we take a peak and see him/her?"

There was no need for an ultrasound, really. Bean was likely fine, and if not, nothing can really be done at this stage. I wasn't worried, but I wanted to see the little legume.

So we went into the ultrasound room and saw Bean, who was really freaking out! Anne Marie really wasn't a mover (in or out of the womb), but this little frijole knows how to groove. I saw Bean fly from one end of the womb to the other, little leg-stubs kicking like crazy.

In the end, I was so glad to see him/her, and although next visit we'll probably skip the ultrasound, maybe I'll be a little bit less preachy the next time someone asks me if I'm going to 'have that test,' or 'do that procedure.'

In response to my fans... :)

An update... Sorry I have been gone, but I just got back from a 2 week excursion to Glacier and Redfish Lake, and it also turns out that bean is sucking my will to live.
I will never understand people who have a baby, then say they miss being pregnant. I love offspring, and I fully understand that pregnancy is one of the ways to have children, but it is definitely a means to an end. In the meantime, I puke, then puke, then dry heave. Icky. (Denise, I apologize for being a "pregnancy is a disease" person- I think I'll feel better after a nap. :))

On a happier note, I see puking as a sign that bean is likely growing and flourishing. I had another blood test yesterday, and my white blood cell count still isn't normal, but I guess it's a little bit better. On Tuesday, I have another appointment, and I really hope we get to hear the heartbeat. I'll be 10 1/2 weeks along.


Here's a photo tour of our vacation:

First, a romantic day for brother-in-law Tom and his new bride Amy



Anne Marie and I partied until dawn (or 11) and Anne Marie got a new auntie:





Then we went camping in Glacier. Here's Anne Marie settling in:



The view from our tent:



Anne Marie, Jr. Ranger:



A family photo:



Then it was on to the Sawtooths for my family reunion:





Anne Marie made a new friend:



And played a lot with grandma:


Another family photo:

Bean

I have a big announcement! In February, our family is going to grow by one more. I saw the little bean (also looks like an eggplant) at the doctor's office, and the nurse said it looks pretty cute already. It was the cutest 7 week old embryo I have every seen in my life ( I didn't see Anne Marie until she was a 9 week embryo). Here's to a happier, healthier pregnancy than the last time around. So far, I have some medication for low progesterone, but my blood pressure was 110/62 when I checked it last, and I'm hoping it stays there. :)