There's not much going on, but we did not get that house I so adored. It's okay. When the time is perfect, the right thing will come along and it will be ours. I am not going to sweat about it. I continue to have extreme exhaustion to the point where working is getting tough most days. I can't get out of bed to walk in the mornings - I am just that beat, even when going to bed at normal times. Sleep during the middle of the night has been elusive for quite some time, but I am not normally so fatigued during the day. Then, it dawned on me that I have been taking the unisom at night as directed. I am putting an end to that today for sure. I am thinking that it is leaving me so very groggy, which is spiraling everything else out of control - to try and stay focused, I eat. I eat the wrong things and feel like hell. I don't exercise. It's just bad. I hope this crap is resolved soon!
In other news, Dan's photographer came out to the house yesterday morning and got pictures so that when we are ready to put it on the market, it will be an easy flip of the switch. I will tell you that having nothing on the counters is pretty peaceful! I am not putting anything back until I need it - maybe some things will never make it back to their home they've had for years!
These days I am feeling much better, which is typical. As one approaches the end of the first trimester, a lot of the yucky symptoms start to subside on their own. I am so thankful! Most days I am feeling pretty darned good, however, exhausted. I am not sure why this extreme exhaustion has set in, but I am taking it as it comes. It is hard to believe we are 12 weeks pregnant! This is the point that a lot of people will share with their world that they are expecting, as they believe they are safe to carry to term. I think we all would be naïve to deem ourselves in the clear anytime soon. That said, we will continue to take it day by day and be thankful for each step forward.
On the home front, Jacob and I found another house that we really like. I love it - it is probably only .6 miles away from where we are now, just in the neighborhood across the street. It is simply beautiful! We put an offer on it and will know tomorrow if it has been accepted or not. My fingers are crossed - I think this could be the one!
Today has been another busy one! I got labs drawn first thing - it was pretty easy, other than being back over at Stony Point and I got my vaccine a little later this morning.
While there were only two needle sticks, check out how much blood they had to get from me this morning! When the tickets kept being printed, I was staring at the phlebotomist, thinking there is no way they can get that much at one time. She didn't flinch, though. Rolled with it and got it all! Good thing is that I didn't really feel bad or anything afterwards, either.
My arm is starting to get sore at the injection site for the vaccine, but nothing I can't handle. Halfway there! My second shot is schedule in May! Yippee!
Tonight has been a little crazy. It could have been much busier, but Phillip's parents dropped off supper for all of us. So so kind. It should last at least a couple of nights, which means that so much is alleviated on my end!
I sent a message to Dr. C, letting her know that my insurance will approve the NIPT testing with a certain diagnosis code, so that is good. She will add that draw to my other labs for the morning. The best news is that I scheduled my first COVID vaccine for tomorrow!! I will be heading out to Providence Forge in the middle of the day, but who cares! I will go anywhere - well, that is not true. I could have gone to Walmsley Blvd tonight, but I opted not to go there for many reasons and wait until tomorrow.
Before my appointment today, I started to get a little uncomfortable. Bethany and Phillip are about to see my body in ways that they never wanted to. Frankly, I'd rather show them my vagina than all of my fat, but we are all in this together and I refuse to be weird and hope that I don't make them uncomfortable. I sent them a text while on their way to let them know they will probably see way more than they had signed up for, but that together we would just move on.
Our visit was at VCU out at Stony Point for our first ultrasound and OB appointment with Dr. C. I was so excited, but on the other hand a little nervous if everything wasn't on track. Bethany and Phillip are on vacation and made the drive from their destination to be present. It's only Monday and I didn't want to run the rest of their vacation.
I am happy to report that there is a healthy little fetus in my belly with a strong heartbeat! Watching the baby on the screen was cool, but watching Bethany and Phillip's reactions was beyond joyful. Seeing them so happy and excited was way better than any of my own ultrasounds. The little one was kicking and wiggling all around. It was just beautiful to watch them watch the baby.
There was a lull in between the two appointments so we caught up and talked. They were excited to text family the good news, but the WIFI in the building wasn't very conducive for that. When we were called back by the nurse, I probably embarrassed Bethany and Phillip. I was told at that time that only one person could go back with me. I was adamant that I spoke with the nurse and was told that anyone could attend as long as they had masks on. I was pissed. I cleared this with the nurse that I spoke to twice when scheduling. Dr. C's nurse went and got the clinical supervisor on staff and she held to her guns - only two people in the room - the one presenting pregnant and one guest. Even after explaining the situation, they still said no. All in all, I was so mad and embarrassed myself a little, but this is a big deal to me and while they may not stand their ground, I want to stand it for them.
When we got back to the room, the nurse, who was just lovely seemed to be walking on eggshells. I apologized to her for my mood and she said she understood, but I still felt bad - it is not her fault - she is just upholding the rules of the facility. (I am not sure why there was no issue with the ultrasound, but I just have to be thankful for that.) The nurse went over several things with us and it was nice that when she mentioned pediatricians, she looked directly at Bethany. This, my friends, is how it is supposed to be. Even though I am the one carrying the baby, the providers typically talk to me and that is not how it should be. Bethany thanked her and I feel like that helped create a really good atmosphere, too. I think that when I go into appointments now, I am going to ask that Bethany is addressed first for any baby questions. Unless only pregnancy related, she should be consulted first at all times.
Dr. C confirmed that everything looks great and asked us about chromosomal testing. While I have always gotten the one at 16 weeks, there is a more accurate one that can be done now that can give indication of the 13/18/21 chromosome defects that may need to guide any future decisions. I need to call insurance, first, though, because this test (NIPT) is much more expensive than the typical 16 week one (NT).
I had three specific questions for Dr. C:
1 - how can I help the constipation? Dr. C said that I can take Colace up to three times a day - woohoo!!
2 - is there anything I can take to get a full night's sleep? Unisom is the answer here.
3 - can I get my COVID vaccine? Dr. C said absolutely very quickly. Apparently she has seen the devastation COVID has caused during pregnancy and strongly believes that the protection can be a huge help down the road.
As we scheduled our next visits, I was going to head to the lab to get bloodwork. However, the lab was closed for lunch and I would have to wait until 1pm or go tomorrow to get the labs drawn. I opted to go back tomorrow since we were on a time crunch and Jacob was meeting us for lunch. Together, the four of us had a lovely lunch over at Stony Point! It was delicious and the time together was wonderful. I left with such peace and joy in my heart. Bethany and Phillip get to return to vacation and celebrate and we will will march forward in hopes for a healthy little baby to enter our world in October!
