18 weeks!

Today I am 18 weeks along - almost 1/2 way through the pregnancy!

Things are going well - I think I might be feeling the baby sometimes, but I can't tell. Everyone describes it as a different feeling, and what I have been feeling reminds me of a clenched fist in my stomach. It is interesting - hard to tell for sure. My appetite has definitely increased, but I cannot eat as much at a time anymore, so just eating more often, more like all the time! I am hungry as I write this! People are starting to be able to tell that I am prego as well - not shy about asking!!!! :) The other thing that has started happening is I get lightheaded if I get up too fast, so I am trying to be slower, which is tough for me!

Am headed to my local maternity consignment shop today to see if they got anything new in stock - need some tops finally - though they will still be too big. PJ and I are going to drive around some neighborhoods as well. Start our Bradley Method class next week - looking forward to that!

Went to A and N's wedding last weekend - funny picture of me dancing - enjoy!

15 week update

Things are going great - I feel good, I have more energy - thank goodness for the second trimester!

JOB UPDATE - alert alert......yes, I was promoted to "Senior Advisor" in my office. Woohoo!! I am going to help coordinate our learning community program and coordinate special events for the advising center in addition to my regular advising responsibilities (though I will spend less time on those to have time for new things!). I am really excited about the new opportunities that await me. I officially start on April 1, though I really started already. And there is a lot to take care of!

BABY UPDATE - baby McCool is doing great! Had a doctor's visit this morning and things are going fine. I need to drink more water, which I can swing. Honestly, I thought I was drinking enough - I am so thristy all the time and drink a lot already! I have gained a total of 8-10 lbs since I found out I was pregnant (sometimes I like to quote my pre-prego weight at my ideal weight and maybe I was a little heavier than that - especially since I hadn't been running due to my IT band). Anyway, my doctor is not concerned in the least. It seems like a lot, but most people still can't tell I am pregnant unless they know me really weel and don't think I have gotten much bigger! I am eating well, working out, sleeping lots, all the things I should be doing! I tried running last week - ha ha, that was a joke, but want to try again this weekend. Walking seems like the easier option now.....

We heard the heartbeat on the doppler today - it was really fast, maybe 168! The baby is really low too....probably why my pants don't fit! What do the wives tales say about that? Girl? Boy? :)

At my appt, my doctor and I discussed my desire for natural childbirth. Obviously, I would never put my child at danger and if need be, am open to changing the plan at the time. But, PJ and I are going to start a Bradley Method class this April - I am so excited! My doctor also recommended that we look into hiring a doula, which is something I had previously thought about. She said the Bradley method and support from a doula complement each other. Evidence proves that an experienced doula CAN help labor and often women who choose to have a doula have a lower % of c-sections and less need for other medical interventions. They also tend to have shorter labors (BONUS!). Yes, I know, it all depends on the situation and how things are going along at the time, but I think a doula is worth the money (it's like going out for a fancy steak dinner, which we enjoy, so we'll just have to skip one to pay for the doula!). I had done some research previously at dona.net and think I will start doing that again. My doctor actually encouraged me to bring whichever doula we select to a few appts so they can get to know each other. Great plan!

Starting next month, I will be seeing a doctor from my regular family practice since my doctor is having a baby in April! I will continue with the other doctor until she returns, but am happy to see either doctor, as they are both fantastic!

Next month we will also be scheduled to have our ultrasound to determine the gender of the baby. Can't wait! I am headed home in April for Courtney's marathon, and hope we can get the ultrasound scheduled before then, which would allow us to share the news with my family in person!

14 weeks!

Hi Friends,
Yay - I am officially 14 weeks! And as of tomorrow, I would say if you asked me, "I am in my 15th week"!

Okay - so I know a few of you have expressed frustration about not being able to create an account. Here is what I can tell you.

1. Create a GMAIL account. It is really easy and if you have been looking for a new email provider, GMAIL is GREAT GREAT GREAT! Then when you get to the blog, click on the SIGN IN on the top right corner and sign in to the NEW blogger using your GMAIL.
2. Create a GOOGLE account. It is also really easy - just go to this link - https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount?continue=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&hl=en

By creating an account, you can log into the blog each time you visit and make comments if you want! After seeing other blog options, I realize there are great sites out there that might be more user friendly, but at this point, I have too much written down to worry about switching! If you need help - just let me know. I promise - it is really easy!!!!!!!!!

Other than that, things are going well. Today I am getting ready for Delta Gamma Founder's Day and will celebrate with the Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter, Butler University, and Franklin College. I have to give a little speech - but I'm not really worried - it is short and sweet!

Feeling great - am going to try to go running tomorrow morning with the girls. Still am doing pilates and weights and the elliptical machine. Though this week I was attacked by the dreaded flu. I swear - I ALWAYS get sick! Whenever anything goes around, pregnant or not, I am bound to pick it up!!!! I feel like I have a cold now. Though, I am probably just "mucousy" - welcome to pregnancy, right? Goodness, my nose is constantly running. I read about this, but had no idea it would be this intense!

I love telling people that I am pregnant - it is so interesting to hear their responses. This week I started telling people at work, last week in Dallas I told lots of DG friends (we were there for a leadership conference), and then I have been emailing and calling lots of you as well! The responses range from I KNEW IT to YOU ARE TOTALLY SHOWING to I HAD NO IDEA to YOU DON'T LOOK PREGNANT! It is hilarious - I think I am showing - considering NONE of my pants fit, but I guess to some people had no clue and others were wondering why I was getting wider by the day!

Now that I am in my second trimester I am feeling MUCH better. The headaches are all but gone, as is the queasiness. Cravings and aversions have subsided. Started reading a book called Baby Bargains, which is kind of like Consumer Reports - but much more in depth with more "touchy-feely" info for us ESFJs! OMG - who knew there was so much STUFF to buy! It is very overwhelming. But the bottom line is that Baby McCool will have the safest and best of everything and guess who decides what the safest and best is.....ME (and PJ)! :)

House searching resumes tomorrow.......maybe we'll have better luck than last time!

Look for updated pictures in about 1-2 weeks!

Head to the doctor for another appt next week. The appt after that (in about 5-6 weeks) should tell us the gender.......yay!

Welcome Friends!

Yes - I'm pregnant!

Hi everyone - welcome to the McCool Baby Pregnancy Blog! Come back whenever you want to view updates, but here is a little bit of information to catch you up to date!

I am about 12+ weeks pregnant now, and as I would say, "I'm in my 13th week" since even though I am only XX weeks, technically I am getting closer to the next mark, so I just count up a bit. Just my thing. Anyway, I am due September 3, maybe as early as September 1......hard to know for sure even with the ultrasound, though we know it will be early September.

Anyway, I started the blog (AKA, online journal), in Dec 2006, just after I found out I was pregnant. And yes, I "knew" right away. More on that later. But, if you want, you can use the tools on the left to go back and read older entries and see pictures! Monthly I'll be posting pictures of my growing belly, in case you are interested.

Here's the short story though:
Back in December, I started getting headaches whenever I drank, and I used to enjoy my nightly glass of wine, so this annoyed me slightly. But, I stopped drinking for the most part. Then come Christmas I really started feeling bad. I took a nap on Christmas day, while all the McCool's were around (not typical for me at all!), I thought maybe I was getting a cold (which also happened to be true). But then I did not get IT. So........on our way back to Indy, I told PJ that I thought I might be pregnant (I was maybe a day late, maybe 12 hours?). Took the test (twice and then a third time at the doctor's office), and low and behold I was definitely pregnant. Didn't have to wait the however many minutes either - the results were INSTANT! I was overwhelmed - very excited, but overwhelmed - I would not say this was totally expected (or unexpected either - just a pleasant surprise!).

In addition to having the normal first trimester yuckiness, I also was sick. Got some bad cold that turned into a bacterial infection - fun. 100+ fever, so my doctor reluctantly put me on an antibiotic, since I couldn't really take anything else that early in the pregnancy.

Finally got over that and still feel bad from time to time - but things are getting better. Still have headaches just about every day, though incorporating caffiene back in my life has helped a bit (I gave it up for about 10 weeks!). Queasiness is subsiding, though for a while there it was HORRIBLE! Had an aversion to white rice for a while, and have craved everything from mac n cheese to chicken salad to chocolate milk! Crazy!

I am starting to show, though feel like I am just in the chunky stage right now - where people wouldn't guess I was pregnant and might just think I had stopped working out (which I kinda have - get really overheated and faint!) and started eating a lot (oh yea, have been doing that too!). So needless to say, I cannot wear my pants, but cannot fit into most maternity pants, so.......it has been a struggle, but I have a few pair of pants and maternity pants that work.

We are going to find out the gender, but will not be sharing the name (which we might already have picked out!).........that should happen in about 6-8 weeks. Oh, and after the baby is born, I will be going back to work full time as well - just in case you were wondering. A decision I think I feel very good about - but that is really not an option, so I have to feel good about it!

Other than baby - we are house searching and my criteria have significantly changed from when we were searching last year - amazing what a baby does to your mind!

That's all for now (I think - though I have been forgetting a lot lately!) - check back often! Oh, and for those of you who have had babies, start thinking of the top 5 things you could not live without - and tell me what they were! I'm starting a list - A boppy and the Medela Pump in Style have already been enthusiastically recommended by a few of you!!!!!!

Love you all!

PS - no, I have not quite told work yet......just fyi, in case you might know anyone I work with! In the next few weeks though....

11-12 week Pics

My protruding belly and bigger body!!!!

Mardi - one of my current babys'! (Though come Sept, I guess she'll just be a dog)
Tucker - my other baby! And such a big baby he is!!!!

Things are moving along well - starting to tell more people, which is really fun! Headed home next weekend to tell the grandparents in person - can't wait!

Started doing some research today on things - I think I need to join Consumer Reports - McCool Baby will need the best and safest crib, car seat, stoller, etc.... to say the least!

10 weeks

Sorry, no pics yet, I think I'll wait till 11 or 12 weeks - you probably can't tell much. But I can. Just this morning, I could not find a pair of pants to fit! None of my black pants would comfortably button!!!!! So, the pair I am wearing is closed with a safety pin and then I am wearing a baggy sweater - no one suspects a thing!

Lately I have been feeling a lot of comotion in my belly again - similar to the first weeks after I found out - it feels like there is a lot of stretching going on, which makes sense since my pants are too tight! It is interesting, but a good interesting.

Working out - well well well......I thought I would be the picture of health during this pregnancy, but my doctor was right, I just DON'T WANT to workout. Yes, those words are coming from my mouth. It is wierd for me- I am just so tired, though the queasiness has subsided for the most part. I have tried to use the elliptical machine at the gym a few times, but it makes my stomach hurt and I get overheated. So for now I am sticking with walking the dogs, pilates, and the recumbent bike. In PT (which I "graduate" from next Monday), I have to do weights and other strengthening exercises, which aren't bad. In fact, I will probably continue to do weight bearing exercies throughout the pregnancy. I figure that if I can do pilates at least once a week and then have 1-2 weight/cardio/walking sessions, that is PLENTY! I hear swimming during pregnancy is great, so I will probably pay the extra fee at IUPUI to join the natatorium, which is realtively inexpensive to be honest....

I am also out of things to read - I finished my "Active Birthing" book, which was fascinating and has even further solidified my intent and hope to do things actively and naturally. I am still hoping for a water birth, but we'll just have to see how I feel. One week till I go to the doctor and chat with her about it! My aunt, who works at a natural birthing center, sent me some great materials as well - magazines and brochures (Thanks Mary!). Of course, I am just reading enough in "What to expect", but I am not reading into it all too much, that book could cause an ulcer I think! All the problems that you can relate to yourself........no need for that! I am getting daily email updates from a few websites as well, which is cool. And there is a neat website called Indymoms.com that is local and has tons of info as well.

Hope you all are doing well! I am going shopping this weekend for at least one pair of jeans I can start to wear!

Counting the weeks (includes pics)

Here I am - 5 weeks along, just over one month! It looks like I am showing, but I am not - just have a little pooch I guess!

I have found it very confusing to determine how to count the weeks of my pregnancy - do I start with possible conception date or with last day of period? After reading a few things, and considering that most women give birth 38-40 AFTER the first day of their last period, I think I will count from that point. That being said, I am just over 5 weeks along at this point. Still very early in the pregnancy - in fact, this blog is still totally private and only PJ and I can view it! We are going to take monthly pictures to document the changes in my body. I had a friend that did that, and each month we got to see how much bigger her belly got - it was fantastic to watch!

I imagine that the last few months will not be pretty. My mom mentioned that when she was pregnant with me - hot summer - she retained quite a bit of water..... oh well, thank goodness for flipflops!

Thursday I head to the doctor for bloodwork and a follow up for my IT Band - hopefully I'll be able to move away from the illiptical machine and back to running soon! My goal was today, but this cold is making it near impossible to even consider working out! Soon, soon.