Easter and Prayer Buddies

A few days before Easter, Josephine and I started to get sick. I was still hopeful and that by Easter Sunday we would be better and able to attend mass and Easter dinner with family. Well, by Saturday afternoon it was clear that we wouldn't be going anywhere on Easter, and I was so bummed. I love the Easter service, and I was really looking forward to getting together with my family. Instead, I spent the day with a horrible cough and lots of congestion. Thankfully, Jojo was a lot better, and she thoroughly enjoyed her Easter basket!

We tried to make the best of it, and we had fun at home as a family. Jo had a great time reading her new books from her basket, and she also learned some new words, like "Peeps!" :) I was sad that no one would get to see her in her Easter dress, so I put her in it anyway and took a few pictures. She looked so grown-up and adorable!

I was my privilege to pray this Lent for Christina at alwaysgivingthanks.blogspot.com. I loved reading her blog, and her little girl is so adorable! I offered up all of my morning sickness and pregnancy discomforts for her and her intentions. I also prayed for her at mass and in my daily prayers. Christina, I will continue to pray for you and your family!

I was so thrilled to learn that Jenny at allthingsjjh.blogspot.com was praying for me this Lent. It was a difficult Lent for me with lots of sickness, but I definitely felt her prayers! I'm so happy for her and her husband, as they are expecting a baby in October, too! We are due six days apart! Jenny, thank you so much for your prayers. I'm excited to follow you and your journey, and I will pray for you and your little blessing!

First Appointment

Today I had my first doctor's appointment for the baby. We get to see the little one on ultrasound, and it was amazing! He/she looked great, had a strong heartbeat, and was measuring right on track. Praise God!

While the baby looked great, my blood pressure was elevated. I had two physicals recently, an annual exam right before I got pregnant, and an exam for a life insurance policy a couple of days before I found out I was pregnant. My blood pressure was great for both. I have no idea why it would be elevated now. I never had any blood pressure issues during my pregnancy with Jo. So, they are watching it closely, which means a lovely 24-hour urine collection test for me and extra lab work. Not fun, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to have a healthy pregnancy.

More Sickness...

Poor Jojo. Just when the fog had lifted from our horrible colds, she got her first ear infection. She's on medicine now, so I really hope that she'll get better fast. I also hope that there is no more sickness for a while. The weather has been very unseasonable warm, and I pray that we'll all be healthy and enjoying it soon!

Rough Week

This week has been tough. Poor Jojo still has a cough and runny nose. I'm still a little congested but feeling much better. However, morning sickness (or, more aptly named all-day sickness) had reared its ugly head. I'm so thankful to be pregnant, but it's hard to deal with being so nauseous all day while taking care of a sick and clingy toddler. But, I'm trying to remind myself that I won't be sick forever! Thanks for your prayers, prayer buddy!

On a positive note, we got some snow last night! We've had a very mild winter, so it was nice to get a little snow. Ryan worked from home today, and I always love that! It was so nice to have him around a little during the day.

Sick

It's been a rough couple of days. I woke up sick Thursday morning and felt horrible all day. Then last night, at 2am, I woke up with excruciating back pain. I have no idea what I did, but I was in a lot of pain. Finally, Ryan made me take some Tylenol. I hate taking medicine when I'm pregnant, but it helped take the edge off, and I finally fell back asleep a few hours later.

Then, poor Josephine woke up this morning really sick. She had a fever and was very congested. She had a hard time nursing because she couldn't breathe through her nose. Ryan also was not feeling well, so he worked from home today. I still felt horrible today, but I had to drag myself to the chiropractor to get some work done on my back. Josephine had a really rough day. Her fever never really seemed to break, despite medication, and she was incredibly fussy all day. She also didn't eat or drink much at all. If she's still the same tomorrow, we're planning on taking her to the urgent care to get her checked out. She's had a really hard time sleeping, so I know we're in for a long night. Prayer buddy, if you're reading this (you're probably the only person reading this!), I would really appreciate some prayers for our swift return to health! Thank you!

Lab Results

The day after I found out I was pregnant, I called to make a lab appointment to check my progesterone levels. When I was pregnant with Jo, my progesterone levels were slightly low, so I was put on a progesterone cream. I wanted to get my levels tested so that, if needed, I could start the cream right away.

The nurse called today with my lab results, and my progesterone was a 19. She said that this was excellent, and that I don't need the cream this pregnancy. I'm glad that my levels are good, and I know that the cream doesn't absorb very well anyway, but I'm a little nervous about not being on it this time. They also tested my HCG level, and it was 185. She said that this was normal for four weeks pregnant. I'll go in for my first doctor's appointment around 7 or 8 weeks. Even as I type those words, it seems surreal! I'm so thankful for this little miracle!

Our Valentine Surprise

This was my husband's Valentine's Day present! :) I'll never forget the look on his face when he opened the box! I'm so excited and a little shocked! I'm incredibly thankful and grateful to God for this amazing blessing! Wow...