Baby Bump

It has been really difficult to get this first picture taken.  With both of our work schedules, and school, and other things - coordinating us both to be home, during the day with enough light to take a picture, and when I didn't look like a hot mess - it was difficult... so here it is!

Also I lied about the appointment, it is actually this Wednesday, the 19th.  It is going to be amazing because they will most likely know what the sex is.  I have been warned by people about how they will say it is a certain sex at 15 weeks and then it is not what they said when you go back at 20 weeks..  We will ask them to tell us only if they are positive, otherwise we will find out at the next appointment.  What do you think it is??  I have only heard from a few about what they think, and it's so fun hearing what other people think it is.  

As you can see, there isn't much of a bump at 14 weeks, but it's there.  You can pretend the fruit in the above picture is a nectarine...that's what the size of the baby is but we did not have a nectarine on hand.  I'd say a tangelo is comparable.   

First appointment

We had our first doctor visit on January 22, 2014.  We both took off work in the middle of the day, made it there on time and it took them about an hour to see us (which was fine with me - it's still a break from work).  We turned in all the paperwork and finally got called to go inside, where we went straight to the ultrasound.  It was AMAZING.  Side note: I am using an app on my phone that tells me what's going on weekly with the baby like size, what's developing, how I should be feeling, etc.  So this week it said it was the size of a cherry.  I am expecting to see a little blob and turns out it's already got arms and legs!  I was very surprised!  I was, however, already ten weeks along so of course there was significant development.  The technician ended up waking baby during the ultrasound and we saw it move around it's itty bitty body, it was adorable.  Afterwards, we talked to the nurse who informed me I would be drawing blood - panic attack ensues - then the OB walks in while I'm crying, which was a lovely first impression.  For those that don't know, I have an abnormal, irrational fear of needles.  People usually have to hold me down while I cry irrationally.  I handled it ok - I cried while she did it, and after, but I think that's improvement.  Anyway, we love the OB and were elated to have our first picture of baby.  Next appointment is February 22!  (Where we may find out the sex!)  

Telling the fam

We told my family first because we went to visit the weekend before Christmas.  We sat through opening presents and afterwards said that we wanted a picture of them for our house.  They posed in front of the tree and we pulled out our cameras, and secretly took video also.  Before we took the picture we said, "Say 'Merry Christmas'" and they did. Next we said, "One more, say 'baby Holtzem'"..."baby Holtzem" they said... still posing for the picture.  We all stood still, we were waiting for them to react and they were waiting for us to take the picture. It took a while but they figured it out and were thrilled.

A few days later it was Christmas Eve and we were at Chris' cousins house with his family.  We did the same scenario and had similar results.  This time we decided to tell them to say, "we're pregnant!"  They did, then they laughed and remained posed for the picture.  It also took a little bit for them to catch on.  They, also, were thrilled.

I wouldn't change how we told our families.  They may have had to take a few seconds to let it sink in, but I love that we got their reactions recorded.

Oh and then here is our picture we used to share on fb.  We thought it was pretty funny, although a few people didn't catch on.  

We're Pregnant!

I found out I was pregnant on December 7, 2013.   We had just bought some tests earlier that day, casually, like we had been for a few months.  I had probably tested 6 times or so and wasn’t feeling any different on this day.  Chris had just left for a rehearsal and I really really had to use the facilities - really bad.  After he left I went to the bathroom and decided, “hey while I’m here I’ll crack one open."  I opened it and did my duty and set it on the floor.  This was very unlike the other times I had taken one, where I opened it carefully, counted the minutes, and stared at it after two minutes as if it would still appear - and even check on it later in the day just in case.  I was sure I wasn’t pregnant and was taking the test more as a routine.  This time I set it down and looked at it about 5 seconds later and did a double take.  I picked it up and had to physically cover up half with my finger so I could make sure that the “pregnant was two lines and “ not pregnant” was one - I was in complete disbelief.  I stared for a while and started crying.  I had no symptoms at that point and was not mentally ready for these results, I would have bet money on it being the same result it always had been.  I, of course, took a second test and by golly it was positive also.  

Ok so... I’m pregnant.  I paced around the house still crying and trying to figure out how to tell Chris.  I remembered a post I read on pinterest about writing, “you’re going to be a daddy” in a mug.  I also had just posted a new red velvet hot cocoa recipe, so I decided to go to the store and get a mug to write on and get ingredients to make the cocoa.  I had about two hours before he got home - and I barely finished in time.  I wrote on the mug, baked it for a half hour (to set the ink), made the cocoa, and heard him open the garage before I had even poured it into the mug.  I quickly finished and poured it in the mug and put some whipped cream and sprinkles.  He found it odd that I bought him a new mug but he got passed it.  He slowly, but finally got down to where he could see there was writing on the bottom.  He said, “ what does this say?”... I waited for him to read it and he turned around smiling and said, “Really?  Really?!” Then we just hugged each other tightly and he asked again, “this is for real?”

It was such a fun way for him to find out and I’m so glad I did it.  We then had to wait about two weeks to tell family when we visited for Christmas.