My son

So, on Feb. 21st of last year, I had a baby boy. We did name him Johann Isaac. And people do pronounce Johann incorrectly. And he does go by Isaac. He was born at 33 1/2 weeks. He was 5 lbs. 1 oz and spent his first couple of weeks in newborn intensive care. Since then, he has caught up with both his weight and his development. He is just about the best thing, ever. He is almost always happy and loves to laugh. He has started trying to kiss me lately, which is very sweet, even if it is little gross. (Most babies try to kiss with their mouths open.) It is also neat that he will crawl over to me and want to be held. And that he will lunge out of other people's arms and into mine. Even if that doesn't make the other person feel great. :-)
We started looking for daycare centers, today. John has not been doing well for a couple of months now, so he can't watch Isaac or work in order for me to be home. We had been having family and neighbors watch him, but realized that people were getting burned out. Plus, I have $2000 in our flexible spending account that needs to be used this year, so we might as well.
I just wish Isaac could spend more time with me than with the daycare people. Oh well, whatcha gonna do?

Update

I hope I can blame my lack of posting on pregnancy hormones. In any case... IT"S A BOY!!! (See pic.) And he looked as healthy as can be at the ultrasound. (Phew!)
I am now in my 7th month. Feeling pretty good for the most part. Battling heartburn and not able to spend all day on my feet, but that's okay.
Oh yeah, I also passed my glucose tolerance test which was a big relief.
Otherwise, I had my first shower. I was kinda bummed at the turn-out, but got some cool clothes and basic care stuff!
We have also pretty much chosen the name of Johann Isaac. Johann is to carry out the tradition of naming sons Johann/John on John's side. We just weren't too keen on naming him John Baker, V. (Yes, that's "the fifth".) So, we went back to the original German name of Johann and are giving him the middle name of Isaac after an English ancestor of mine. Due to the fact that most Americans would have trouble with Johann, we plan to call him Isaac.
As for getting ready for the baby, we have been working on his room. We have taken everything out; taken all of the shelves, nails, etc. off the walls; ripped out the carpet and one layer of decades-old linoleum (one layer will remain)(see pic); torn off bubbling, old wallpaper; patched all the holes in the walls; and primed the walls for paint. Tomorrow, we hope to get the paint on the walls and tape off the trim for its paint. Then we just need to put up wainscoting and trim and have carpet put in. Who knows how long all of that will take?
I definitely have the nesting instinct going on. I have a hard time turning the construction stuff over to John. I also want to have everything purchased and ready for action - today. Well, at least we have some clothes, a couple of blankets, and a car seat. That much will get him home from the hospital!

Second Trimester

Well, I finally have some energy back! And the morning sickness is much better. I know that is what is supposed to happen, but I'm just so glad that it did!
We have our ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow. I want to cry just thinking about it. Happy tears, you know.
People keep asking whether I want a boy or girl. I haven't really thought I had a preference, but I keep catching myself calling it a "he". Mostly, I just want to find out so I can start shopping some. I thought I would be able to find more unisex clothing, but everything seems to be very boy or very girl.
A couple of weeks ago our family received a blow. My sister-in-law was expecting around the same time I was. She went in for an ultrasound to pin-point the due date and check on things. That is when they found out the fetus had died. They soon had her deliver. I can't imagine how bad that hurt. It has been a worry of mine that after waiting so long to have a baby that I wouldn't go to term. I ached for her, and was scared for me. When I had a check-up a few days later, hearing the heartbeat led to tears of relief. I also was worried that she would have a hard time being around me, but she has assured me that she's okay. Can you believe how strong this woman is?!

Some new stuff, and some same stuff

Still quite morning sick. I hate it. Nothing sounds tasty to me, yet I have to eat every couple of hours to keep the nausea at bay.

Smells are so intense, and often nauseating. I have repeatedly cleaned my kitchen trying to get rid of whatever it is that smells in there, but can't seem to get rid of it. And no one else can smell it! And I can find no source! It is rather infuriating!

As for new stuff, we had our ultrasound on August 31st. That day we were declared to be 8 weeks plus 4 days pregnant. The best part for me was seeing the heart beating. We also were able to hear and measure the heartbeat. It was awesome! Anyway, our due date was set as April 7th.

John and I bought a baby book that I plan to start filling out today. We also received our first baby presents - a couple of receiving blankets from my mother-in-law. One of them has jungle creatures all over it and is really cute.

Oh my heck!! I'm pregnant!!

Well, I've been so tired and 'morning sick' that I haven't gotten around to updating 'til now. So, here's the story:

I did finally have a period on June 22. Then what I thought was a period started again on July 27th. It was strange since it was exactly a 28 day cycle. I didn't even think to take a pregnancy test. Just planned on trying again the next month.

Then August came. John picked up some ovulation tests for me and I started with that. Then around August 7th I started feeling crampy and my breasts hurt. I thought it might be a sign of ovulating, but the tests were negative and the cramping lasted for days. By Friday John and I were fed up, so I made an appointment with a midwife (we decided on the woman we had interviewed in July) for Monday.

On Saturday, I was lying in bed feeling like crap when I started thinking that my symptoms could be explained by pregnancy. So, I decided to take a pregnancy test just so I could tell the midwife I knew I wasn't pregnant. Well, no 60 second waiting was needed. As soon as the urine hit the test strip it went blazing purple! At first I kept checking to make sure it was the test line and not the control line. Then the control line came up and I knew for sure.

I was so sure I wasn't pregnant that I tested while John was out of the house. I called him and asked if he could come right home 'cause I needed to talk to him. He knew I was suppose to be headed for work, so he was worried that there was something wrong. When he got back, I showed him the test and we were both kinda freaked out. Then we had a quick celebration over some sparkling cider and I went to work. Since it was so fresh to me I didn't feel like telling anyone. I wanted to make it real to myself first.

That Monday we were having a party for friends and family to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. We decided to make an announcement there. The first person I told was my little sister, then my littler sister - they came over first to start preparing food. I then had to ask for help with some spray paint and told my friend/neighbor. My sis-in-law overheard, so she was told next. After that, we each told our parents, then made a general announcement to the party.

The main mistake I made was in forgetting to call my older sister right away. She ended up hearing through the grape vine then calling me.

Since finding out I'm pregnant I've been quite nauseated and picky about food. I'm tired about all the time. I go to work, but hate being there most of the time. I don't like feeling this useless, but it will hopefully only last a few more weeks.

We're not sure when we conceived, so I could be as little as 5 weeks or as much as 9. Today I'm calling to schedule an ultrasound to get a better idea.

Luckily, all of my tests have come back normal. I am immune to everything I should be except toxoplasmosis. That won't be a problem with my cats since they are strictly indoor felines, but the neighborhood cats use my soil liberally. That makes me nervous to do any gardening. Since this is a heavy gardening time of year it is becoming quite a problem. I'm begging around for help. Hopefully I'll get some pitty.

No baby, yet...but...

Went to the doctor. Urine test was still negative. Waited a week. No period. Went back for a blood test. Got that result a few minutes ago: negative. Still no period. Cramps, bloating, sore breast, but no period.
Well, even if I'm not producing it seems like everyone else I know is. My little sister just got off the pill and is already pregnant. One of my friends from church started trying last month and is pregnant. I must take deep breaths and start using a mantra like "This is month 2, it can take up to twelve."
Oh, yeah, just as important, and just as relevant to this blog, I guess: John and I are starting to look in to adopting through the foster system. We figure we're ready for a family and it doesn't matter where the kids came from. The first meeting with the adoption agency is next Monday!

no luck, yet

Weird. Period's not coming, yet. All tests still negative. Feel like I'm in limbo. If I could just have a friggin' period, I could start over. Well, I'm going to the doctor in a couple of days, so I'll get his opinion on things...