Pregnancy Diary: 13 weeks (and a look back)

Hello family and friends. :) We made it through the first trimester! Some highlights:

- Sneaking away from Young Women class to sit in Relief Society and raising my hand for "good news." I raised my hand, said how long I had been looking forward to having this kind of good news, shared news of the pregnancy, stood up, blew a kiss and walked back to my young women class with a smile.

- Celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas while imagining next year when baby Rice and baby Mclaughlin will be here.

- Breaking the news to friends and family. (Stories to come.)

Just for fun, here is the story of us finding out about our little one back in October:

After analyzing my calendar, I started to get a little giddy thinking there may be some news. After a few days, I came home and told Jeff I wanted to know. So- upstairs I went and then back I came to sit next to Jeff with a little test that was blinking an hourglass. If I remember correctly, we each thought outloud "oh man" in nervousness/anticipation. Blink, blink, blink...then...nothing. It was a dud.

I grabbed a bottle of water and ran to qfc to get another test. This time- the kind where you look for the line. At home, we tried again. I think that's a line. Barely. But any line is a line, right? Jeff was convinced, but I wasn't. I still did not know for sure.

So the next day after work, I came home with our third and final pregnancy test. It was a Sunday morning. Finally, a very clear: PREGNANT. I stared at it for quite a while, smiling. Then I went to sit in the future nursery to soak it all in and say a couple prayers.

Later at church a mommy near us asked me to hold their baby girl. She grinned at us both and I was overwhelmed with gratitude and warmth. I said another silent prayer and promised my Heavenly Father to do the best I could.

That was such a great day. :)

Pregnancy diary: 10 1/2 weeks

I am 10 1/2 weeks pregnant. There is a little heart beat inside of me. Soon I will have a belly to show for it. And I am thrilled! :)

I couldn't possibly explain the joy, anticipation, wonder, and love that I am feeling. I have had the time of my life sharing this news with those we love and thinking of the reality that we will soon have a little "us" in our home. From the day we found out, I have been enveloped with a sense of calm- and the repeated, confirming thought that this is what I am supposed to be doing right now in my life. Despite recent bumps in the road, I feel blessed to know that our Heavenly Father is happy with us, that blessings will come, and that everything will be okay.

These photos were taken at our 7 week appointment, the first we had. I arrived early and had my sit-down with the nurse where we talked about everything from my work-outs to what foods to stay away from.

Based on the calendar, I was given a due date of July 9th, but baby Rice's measurements estimated a date of July 11th. Keeping in mind the history of twins on my side, we were prepared (well- sort of), but totally content with seeing just one little heart flutter on the screen.

Up until the day of this ultrasound, I had what the nurse called "an awesomely boring pregnancy." Nothing to report=good.

Then week 8 decided boring was no good and brought some intense and pretty darn frequent throwing up. After 3 days, a priesthood blessing, and feeling like I had nothing left, we felt it best to visit the ER. Mom was here to keep me company while Jeff was at work, so off we went to get some fluids and some medicine to help keep it under control.

I'm still waking up sick and feeling yucky most days, but I can't complain. It's all part of the job, right? -And a sign that things are working in there... so bring it on baby. :)

My appetite has been a funny thing. I have found myself thinking of a food that sounded okay and picking it up at the store- only to get home and think...no way.

Favorites so far have been anything potato, Jamba Juice smoothies, Taco Del Mar, and orange juice. Mama Rice, Critty and Gio came down a couple of weeks ago to make a pot of taco soup that totally satisfied.

Most nights Jeff examines my belly to see if there is any change yet. There is a little difference but I think it's more to do with my sporadic diet than baby!

Months before we got pregnant, I spent a Borders gift card on What to Expect at their closing sale. Maybe it is because I've been reading it for so long that I am getting antsy to see my belly grow.

Soon! Happy growing, baby Rice.

-Mama