Dominican Republic -- Punta Cana

Dan and I were able to take a little get away early January to the Dominican Republic.  Dan works with a wholesaler in Sioux Center and every year they take their customers (Plumbing/Heating) on a  trip...typically somewhere warm.  This is the second time Dan and I have been able to go on this trip.
 

Picture of the waves...they were beautiful and strong

I was a little nervous going out of the U.S. and being pregnant but my doctor assured me that I would be fine.  I had an appointment with her the Friday before we left, which calmed my nerves.  We had a charter flight from Minneapolis straight to Punta Cana.  It felt like a really long flight -- 5 hours.  I was able to get up a few times and walk to the bathroom.  I also was able to stretch across two seats and sleep most of the way there!  Again, very thankful for Dan.  He let me lay on him for most of the trip.  He also rubbed my back a few times...what a wonderful guy!





The beaches were beautiful and the water felt so good after you laid in the sun for about an hour.  We had a lot of laughs on the beach due to the fact that tan lines are optional, speedos, and all body types in bikinis.  Needless to say...people watching was pretty good!

The baby had a fun night when Apple Vacations put on a dinner specifically for those who were at the resort with Apple.  After we were finished eating, there was a dance floor that opened up for everyone to get the grove on!  Michael Jackson rose from the dead for the occasion..haha!  The music started out as traditional Dominican music and then we figured out that they take requests.  Lady Gaga, Usher, and AC/DC came out!  The baby had quite the workout.  I was secretly hoping the baby would get mad and start moving a lot so I could feel him/her :)

One night we went off the resort and checked out the local HardRock Resort & Casino.  We were able to watch Iowa Hawkeyes basketball in the sports betting area :)

One of the plumbers on the trip sails as a hobby and took a few of us girls out one day.  It is amazing how fast the sail boat can get going without a motor!

The food was ok.  To be honest, I was a little nervous eating the food.  I stayed away from dairy & fish.  The beef was a little interesting.  I think it could have been goat meat instead of beef.  The baby really likes tomatoes and so we took the opportunity to have tomatoes morning, noon, and night.  We also ate a lot of fruit.  Three of the nights we had reservations at different restaurants at the resort.  My favorite was the Hibachi Grill.  The food was wonderful!  Here is a picture of our cook...

We had a lot of fun on the trip and relaxed the whole week.  Dan got in two rounds of golf and I spent an hour at the spa.  The most exciting thing about the trip was Sunday morning, the day we were going to leave...did I really say that?  We were sitting at breakfast and the baby moved!  I almost stood up and screamed.  The feeling was a light flutter but I knew right away that it was the baby.  I am looking forward to the weeks ahead when the baby's movements get stronger.  I try to explain how the feeling is to Dan, but I can't wait for the day that Dan gets to feel the baby himself.  You may think this is weird but now that I can feel the babymove, I start talking to him/her every night.  I can't wait to meet this baby :)

We are looking forward to our 20 week Ultrasound on Friday, June 25.  I am excited to see the strong arms and legs this baby has been moving in me and the sweet face of our baby!

 

 

Pregnancy Happenings...

I am behind already on blog posts and I just started.  Don't give up on me yet!  I am going to get better at this an make it worth your time to read.

I have been reading a few books, blogs, and websites about being pregnant and what to expect while you are pregnant.  I am learning a lot.  I wanted to share with you a few of my experiences so far during my pregnancy.

Food:
I really have not had any big food cravings.  Weeks six through twelve, I basically lived off of orange juice, clementines, eggs, and saltine crackers.  I also made sure that I had one large glass of milk a day. The foods that made my stomach turn somersaults and possible run the other way was cheese.  During week seven, Dan was so gracious and removed any evidence of cheese in our our house. I couldn't even stand to see it.  He also had fun with the fact that the thought of cheese and just saying the work made me gag.  When I asked him if he ate the last orange or had the last glass of orange juice he would make some type of cheese comment and watch me run to the bathroom or gauge.  Needless to say, I was very protective of my oranges and orange juice.  It was practically the only food I could with stand during those weeks!   

Now that I am at week seventeen, my food choices have expanded. I still enjoy orange juice, clementines, and eggs.  I eat on average around ten eggs a week.  I can eat them morning, noon and night.  Raw meat still smells funny to me but I can now eat it after it is cooked.  Ground hamburger is the worst smell, but taste pretty good.  Also, I still stay away from cheese, but these days Dan can enjoy eating cheese without me running to the porcelain.

Sleep:
If I could go back to the 1st trimester and count the hours that I was awake vs. the hours that I was sleeping, I may be a little embarrassed about how lazy I was.  Some days, I was forcing myself to role out to bed and get ready just to make to work by 8:30.  My lunch breaks consisted of 10 minutes trying to eat and 45 minutes of sleep.  I would leave work by 5:00/5:30 and Dan would find me sleeping on the couch when he got home at 6.  I would try to stay awake for at least an hour.  That way Dan and I could talk about our day, but I would be ready for bed by 8:30. My  new sleeping habit continued for about 5 weeks.  Dan was a trooper during this time.  He fed himself, cleaned the house, and also made sure I was OK all the time.  It is such a blessing to have him in my life and so excited to go through this experience with him.  He is going to be a wonderful dad!  As for sleeping these days, I am currently sleeping pretty well with the exception of waking up around 3:00am 4-5 days of the week.  I typically have to use the bathroom two times during the night, but it is like clock work waking up at 3:00am.  I am wide away and ready to go for the day.  A few mothers I know told me my body is getting me ready for the 3:00 feedings...a little early don't you think!

Clothes:
Nothing to exciting has happened in this area.  I will say that my shopping has gone down extensively because I am unsure of what is going to fit and what will not.  So far at 17 weeks, I am still able to wear my regular clothing and I can still tie my jeans.  I did order a belly band a few weeks ago but have not had to use it yet...I understand this will change.  I purchased one maternity dress from Ann Taylor Loft.  They were having a great sale and I thought it looked pretty cute.  I have also purchased a few items that are not maternity but a size bigger.  I am happy that the style these days is more flowy tops and cute sweaters.  I am also loving my leggings!

Anti-stretch mark routine: 
A.M.:  After a warm shower: bio-oil (vitamin E oil)
P.M.:  Before I go to bed:  Vitamin E lotion
I know a lot of people have used Cocoa/Shea Butter, but during my 1st trimester I couldn't stand the smell of it so I found a different solution.

Typical Phrases Dan hears from me:
"I have to pee"
"My bladder is going to explode"
"I have to pee"
"The baby is hungry"
"I have to pee"
"Can you rub my feet?"
"I have to pee"
"Can you rub my back while I take my prenatal vitamins?"

Overall, I hope that you get a sense of what is happening in my world of being pregnant.  It is such an amazing feeling.  I can't believe the way your body adjusts, forms, and responds to pregnancy.  God truly made the female body so intriguing.  The thought of what is happening inside of me is truly a miracle only God can create and nurture. 

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.   Psalm 139:13

NOTE:  Pictures for week 17 & 18 ended up getting deleted from the camera.  Look forward to week 19 Pictures....Punta Cana, Dominican!

Happy New Year!

Yes...I know, I am about six days late for Happy New Year, but I feel as though it is an appropriate title for my first blog of the year.  I have decided to start this blog for friends and family that would like to follow Dan and I thought the exciting journey of pregnancy and parenting. 

Dan and I have been married for 4 1/2 years and we are expecting our first child.  We anticipate the excitement to enter our lives mid June.  We are overwhelmed with excitement, a little bit of nervousness, and trying to be as planful as possible. 

The last few months have gone by so fast that it is hard to believe we are 17 weeks into the pregnancy.  Here is a brief overview...

• October 28, 2012:  At home pregnancy confirmed that I am pregnant.  I ended up taking three home pregnancy tests because I wasn't sure about the first one. 
• October 29,2012:  Called the Doctor to schedule my first doctor's appointment.  Confirmed that I am 7 weeks along and my due date will be June 13, 2013.
• November 19, 2012: I am 10 weeks along and today is my first doctor's appointment.  Dr. Mary Berg confirmed that I was measuring at 10 weeks.  We were able to hear the heart beat.  It was like  music to my ears to hear the pitter patter of our little baby's heart beat.  It is amazing how real the pregnancy becomes when you hear the beating of their heart.  The heart beat was strong coming in at a whopping 160.
• December 17, 2012:  I am 14 weeks along.  We had an 8:00am appointment with the doctor in Sioux Falls.  It was an early morning for us.  Dan came along which was very nice because the roads were not very good.  It was snowing and blowing all the way from Rock Rapids to Sioux Falls.  We made it on time for the our appointment thanks to Dan driving!  I lost around 5lbs. since my last appointment and the doctor confirmed with me that I should plan on gaining 25-30 1bs over the next 7 months.  Wow...that is kind of overwhelming. We were able to hear the heart beat again which was good.  I really wanted to hear the heart beat as we are planning on telling our parents over the Christmas Holiday.  The heart beat came in strong again at 152.
• December 24, 2012:  We are telling my parents tonight that we are expecting a baby.  I became a little crafty and wrapped 8 presents for each member of my family to open.  I have attached a picture! 
• December 25, 2012: We are telling Dan's parents this evening that we are expecting.  We also called Dan's sisters to tell them the news.  There is a big sense of relief when you are able to start telling your family.  Though I will say, it was fun for Dan and I to have this little secret between ourselves.  We spent a lot of night laying in bed talking about the baby and our future family.

We have told most of our family and close friends.  It is a lot of fun to hear my friends stories about when they were pregnant.  I am also getting a lot of good advice from my sister and Mom.  Dan is also getting some advice from friends and church friends.  I have enjoyed hearing the things that Dan is learning from a male perspective.  I usually have a laugh or two. 

Here are a few pictures to get you up to speed on where I am at with my pregnancy....


                                                                           Week 14

 

Week 15 

 

Week 16

 

Telling My Family -- December 24, 2012