Heartbeat

At our 12 week appointment we got to hear baby H's heartbeat. Kyle was slightly less nervous at this doctor visit. Just slightly.
When the technician said not to worry that it might take her a minute to find the baby we waited as she moved the instrument across my belly. It was odd but I just knew where Baby H was laying. Not that I've been able to feel her move just yet but my mommy instincts knew where she was. Baby H. was low and on the far right side. Hearing the heartbeat was incredible. Fast and rhythmic and beautiful. Baby's heartbeat was 150 beat per minute. Up until this point, I firmly believed that we were having a girl. Fetal heartbeats are usually anywhere between 120 and 190 beats per min. The slower heartbeats for the baby boys and the faster heartbeat for the baby girls. Of course 150 is right in the middle. But most of nephews were right around the 150 mark at 12 weeks and my one and only niece's was much faster. Baby boy or baby girl?! The mystery still continues! But its fun to guess in the meantime:)

Where did my hips go?!

Somewhere between 10 and 11 weeks pregnant I woke up to a very disturbing discovery. My hips were gone. I went to bed and they were still there. I woke up and they were gone. Panic! Is this normal?!
I texted my sister in law, July, who had just had her first baby and she said that she remembered all kinds of bones start to go missing during pregnancy and not to worry, they all come back after the baby was born. I texted my sister in law, Erin and mother of two, and she said that this sounded about right. Neither of these answers comforted me to the level I needed. No offense ladies. I searched web-md and my pregnancy books and none of them said anything about this phenomenon.
I can be a bit of a hypochondriac and pregnancy only amplifies this trait. So I called my doctor. I am somewhat certain that my doctors have my file red-flagged, for calls just like this. The doctor reassured me that my hips weren't "gone" but were shifting into position for the baby. And that they would in fact return to there original position after baby H was born. She also told me that "most" women don't even notice this body change and that I must be "very in tune to my body". She also tried to tell me that this change, like I reported, did not happen over night. I disagree. My hips were there when I went to sleep! This was my first, OMG pregnancy symptom. I thought I was well read and talked to enough women to know what to expect, but apparently I still have a few surprises ahead of me.

Baby's First Wedding

CONGRATS!! To Deanne and John!! The wedding was beautiful and I was honored to be a part of their day! Greek weddings are AWESOME! The traditions, the dancing, LOVED IT!
This was Baby Hartman's first wedding and baby was acting up a little. Now, I figure this was the first time that baby made me leave mass a little early but certainly will not be the last. I am still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that I am no longer in charge. That I am taking a backseat to my own body. I took pride in the fact that I never puked during this pregnancy. Well...I can no longer say this. At least we were able to make it to the bathroom:)
Maybe baby was just really excited about the wedding? But more likely baby was a little unhappy about a dress that was a little tight (darn seamstress!)...Luckily baby was able to bounce back somewhat quickly and we were able to enjoy the rest of the wedding festivities. Baby Hartman had a wonderful time at the wedding and can't wait for the next one:)

Baby's First Picture

Our 8 week appointment was Kyle's first "girls only" doctor experience. He was noticeable uncomfortable from the moment we walked in. We checked in at the registration desk and Kyle whispers, "Even the receptionist is pregnant!" Like he was the only one in there not pregnant.

When it was our turn to go back to the examination room, Kyle looked even more uncomfortable. They were going to begin with the ultrasound.

**Side note here for all women that may one day have an 8 week ultrasound. And to all men that may one day escort their ladies to this appointment. This ultrasound does not occur on the belly like in the movies. For more details, I would be happy to answer any questions.**

During the non-on top of the belly ultrasound Kyle was shifting his weight from foot to foot and his face was turning red. Poor Kyle didn't know what he was getting himself into. I think the nervousness he was exuding was making even the doctor nervous. But after a few minutes up on the screen came our little person. So little and yet you could still make out the head, belly and limbs. We could even see all four chambers of the heart beating. It was love at first sight. This was the first time I really believed it, there really is a baby in there! Our baby! Above is Baby's first ever picture. Pretty amazing huh?!

Baby's First Vaca

I was only about 6 weeks along when we had a vacation planned to Hawaii with some of my family. I had had my first doctor appointment already confirming the pregnancy but still it was really early. I didn't want to share our news yet but didn't see any way around it. On the first night over dinner I was going to tell my family. They would certainly notice somewhat quickly that I would not be surfing, scuba diving or enjoying a Mai Tia or two. And I wanted to make sure that I told them before they became suspicious.

We sat down to dinner and I waited for the perfect window to fit it in. We started talking about upcoming birthdays. Kyle, my dad and I all had birthdays that were nearing. My dad likes to tell the story that the day I was born his beeper fell into the hospital toilet. This is what he remembers the most about that day. That and that his first daughter, 5th child was born!

So I asked what everyone remembered most about the day our nephew Jacob was born. Everyone else told their story and then I went. I told them that I remember it as the day Kyle and I found out we were going to become parents. My dad did his big bugged eyed, deep breath thing that he does when one of shocks him. Which doesn't happen often but it was pretty classic. And my brother, Tim, nearly chocked on his salad. Funny stuff:)

Hawaii was great! I can tell that even at only 6 weeks gestation, Baby H loves Hawaii just as much as I do. I love Chicago and being a Chicagoan but really think I am meant to be a Maui dwelling Hawaiian. Now if only Baby H and I could convince Kyle:) You'd come visit us, right?!

Telling Kyle

I had always pictured the way I would tell Kyle he was going to be dad. It was well thought out with a great setting and I had all the perfect words and it would be movie perfect material. Well, maybe if there's a next baby because that is not how it happened this time.
He was already at the airport when I had all 4 positive pregnancy tests in front of me. I kept telling myself, I can wait until he gets home on Friday, I can wait, I can wait, I can wait! Well, I waited...about 45 minutes.
While Kyle was in Iraq he told me not to keep things from him. Good or bad news he wanted to know what was going on at home. Sometimes soldiers come home to learn something had happened months ago and no one told them because they didn't want to upset them or make them feel left out while away. I called Kyle at the airport and asked if this same rule applied while he was in CA before his HUGE exam. He immediately asked if I crashed the car. "No, I didn't crash the car!" He said that yes, the rule still applied. He wanted to know good or bad what was going on even if it might effect his thinking during his three day exam. After multiple, "Are you sures?" I blurted out, "I'm pregnant." We both sat on the phone for a few minutes in a state of pure shock. And then the excitement hit. WE ARE GOING TO BE PARENTS:)
We can never forget the date, 2/22/10, that we found out...BECAUSE it was also the day our nephew, Jacob Paul entered the world!! It made the day even that much more special!

2 Pink Lines

It was Monday morning, Feb. 22. Kyle was leaving early that morning for California to take the CA BAR exam and wouldn't be home until Friday. I woke up early with him to see him off to the airport. Since I was up early I decided I would start my new post- winter workout routine. And on a whim...before I was about to head out to my workout class...maybe I would take a pregnancy test. There was no reason for me to take this test. I wasn't having any pregnancy symptoms of any kind and it was still too early for other signs to point me into believing I might be pregnant. But I took it anyway. Left the test on the counter, walked away, thinking there is no way this is going to be positive. Came back in a few minutes later when HOLY MOLY!!! Two bright pink lines!!! I immediately started crying - happy tears, shocked tears and excited tears. Then I pulled myself together and thought THIS MUST BE WRONG. Duh, faulty test or something. So I went to Walgreen's, bought 3 more test and when I had all 4 test lined up with all those pink lines...then I finally thought...WOAH...I'm pregnant.