Baby Update

SO!!! Blake and I went to our first prenatal appointment yesterday afternoon...I know, I am like nineteen weeks so this appointment was a little overdue :) BUT we finally made it...I like to put off things I have never done that sort of scare me. It started out much like a regular doctor's appointment except that Blake was there and that was different because I am used to going to the doctor by myself. I like having him there though...

EXCEPT when, in the middle of the bliss of filling out paperwork and conversing about my excellent medical history, my midwife says, "Oh, we need to get your bloodwork done, don't we." This is a statment, not a question. Had it been a question I would have lied and said we had done it already because I HATE needles with a fiery red passion. I get this from my dad. Yes, I said D-A-D. Anyone who has ever seen him may think that I am making this up because there is no way that Charlie Foote is afraid of ANYTHING much less needles, but I pinky promise that I write the absolute truth.

This being a routine action for the midwife, she starts whipping out the torture devices and I begin my silent panic session. Now getting my blood drawn should be a routine thing for me. When I was in high school I had to get it done once a month and sometimes more because my veins do not cooperate with the process. I would drink tons of water and be calm all day and think, "I can do this. I did it like a month ago. It doesn't even hurt." Now the weird thing is that it DOESN'T hurt. And I am very calm and collected on the outside when I get my blood drawn. On the inside, however, things are going crazy and my veins shrink to a size so small that not even the most experienced torturer can find where to get the blood. I actually had one ask me once, "Do you even have blood in there?!!!" Well, yes actually, I do and it does not like to be taken from it's rightful place in my body.

So I am going through all the previous times in my head trying to remember what helps me relax and nothing is coming to mind. So I decide to distract myself and look over at Blake and help him fill out my paperwork. About a millisecond after I look over at Blake, he finally realizes what is going on and whips his head around to see the whole ordeal take place. The best thing for me to do in the blood drawing situation is to think about something completly different and not even think about it. So Blake very dramatically acknowledging that I am getting stuck with a needle pushed my panic over the edge.

"Don't look at it!!!" I tried to request calmly, but my emotions got the better of me and it ended up more like a vicious snarl from a she-bear.

"Now you need to remeber to breathe, dear," the midwife says nicely. After this statement Blake gets a big grin on his face and starts in on the typical "he-he-who" pattern they do in movies when a woman is having a baby. This makes me giggle, thanks for turning it around Blake :) and then the midwife announces, "Just one more tube and then we are done." Thank goodness. Shortly after, the needle is pulled out and the whole process is over. Once again, THANK GOODNESS! And I didn't even cry! (But seriously, I usually cry. Why??? I don't know...Probably the same reason I have freakishly stingy veins. So I can relate these kinds of stories to people and they can laugh heartily. I have yet to pass out though!)

So now that the worst and longest part of the story is over I will get to the details and then end this ridiculously long post. We talk about my last menstrual cycle and decide that the due date is February 4, 2009. My midwife asks me if I have felt movement and I let her know that I have been feeling, in my opinion, a kickboxing session about ever hour or so for the last two weeks. She then measures my tummy and announces that the baby measures exactly at twenty weeks. The measurement is done in like .02 seconds and Blake thought that was pretty cool and asks incredulously, "You can tell that quick?!" So she shows Blake how she did it and explains the measurements and stuff. It was cute to see Blake so animated. His face lit up even MORE when we first heard our baby's heart beat! It was so cool!!! I am sure we were both thinking the same thought, "WOW it really is in there!" A very healthy and happy baby, according to the midwife.

After the whole check-up my midwife wrote us a note to get an ultrasound. We should be getting the phone number from her today and then the appointment will be made ASAP!!! We just HAVE to see our baby and know what it is :)

We then left the office and got in the truck. I made Blake keep true to his promise that if I was really good I could have a treat. I reminded him that I did not even cry! (I know you are all laughing hysterically right now but I really DO cry and this is seriously an accomplishment for me not to. But feel free to laugh because after it's all over I have a good laugh at myself too.) So we went to Dairy Queen and had waffle bowl sundaes. Very delish, by the way. A good time was had by all and I hope everyone enjoyed this baby update. Sorry so long by the way :) Have a great one everybody!