The littlest big news

Things have been quite eventful on Paula street in the last few weeks.  We hosted Thanksgiving and this year we decided to invite both sides of our family to attend, Jaureguis and Parrishes. Other than our wedding, this was the only other time that we have held a joint gathering of both of our families.  Despite the chaos of cramming 15 people into our sardine can of a house, things went better than expected.  There is always some dread when we host these large gatherings (at some point I always ask myself  "what the hell were you thinking?!") but everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves and the food turned out great.  All in all, a smashing success.

The Feast

Among the many things that we have to be thankful for, we were happy to share the news that I am finally pregnant! This has been a long and frustrating process, so we were both thrilled that we could finally announce our impending parenthood.  I won't get into the minutiae of it all, but it involved lots of doctor visits, lots of "practice" and unfortunately the use of fertility drugs.  This process has been a roller coaster both physically and emotionally, but of course it was all worth it in the end.  I am especially grateful to my family for many long phone calls, words of wisdom and loving support through it all. I can't explain the stupid happiness I felt when I got to see for the first time that tiny little being that we will one day get to hold in our arms. This rush of happiness was almost immediately replaced by worry, which I presume all parents experience and that will last, well, forever.

Yesterday was my first official prenatal visit and the doctor estimated that I am approximately seven weeks along.  We were able to see our babies heartbeat, which was amazing and surreal all at once.  Everything looked good, but my doctor was slightly concerned that the gestational sack was smaller than it should be.  Tom thinks the baby is just exceptionally hungry.  She tested my hormone levels, and everything was exactly where it should be, so we are just continuing on business as usual.  Fingers and toes crossed that things continue to go according to plan and that Baby J continues to grow big and strong.  I will have to go back for weekly monitoring, but I'm secretly happy since that means I'll get to see Baby J every week now.  Here is the most recent ultrasound photo taken at yesterdays doctor visit.  It doesn't look like much, but that little white and black blob is our baby. 

7 weeks

To celebrate our first successful prenatal visit, Tom and I went out for dinner at Wing Stop.  This is not a place I normally like to eat (hello calories!), but I halfheartedly agreed when we were trying to get pregnant and now I have to make good on my promise.  Tom insisted that the baby enjoyed it, but I think he enjoyed it more.

Mmmm, french fries