Friday the 13th!

Friday the 13th (of February) brought us quite a scare. Getting ready to leave in the morning for both work and a trip to Pennsylvania to visit the Plank Family, I picked up Rigby from the landing on the stairs so she wouldn't sneak out and then I headed down the remaining stairs to grab something. Not able to see, my left foot stepped on my right pant leg and I took a fast trip down the remaining 3 stairs. Rigby went flying and my legs came underneath me taking most of the fall. Based on the pain I was feeling, I thought my feet were severed at the ankles but in about 5 to 10 minutes I was up and walking with what felt like a sprain in my right foot.





We headed to work. I checked in with my OB office and all seemed fine. Baby was alive and kickin' and I showed no signs of distress. I had to teach a class that day so I walked around with an awkward limp for about 5 hours not thinking too much more about it. Finally, at about 2:00, it became impossible to walk on and swelled up to almost twice its size. I turned my class over to a coworker and headed to urgent care where I learned I had sprained it on both sides of the ankle and suffered an avulsion fracture. This was described to me as the ligament acting like a piece of tape holding bones together. On one side it tore a small piece of bone off, hence my earlier pain. The urgent care clinic was great in trying to get me out of there in time to head to the airport for our 7:00 flight. They rushed me through, taught me how to walk on crutches quickly and offered lots of good advice including not to put ANY weight on it until I saw an Orthopedic Surgeon. Walking out to the car on the crutches I decided it was best I not make the trip to PA with Greg. I was super sad about this but very scared I might fall again and hurt myself or the baby worse.





So I spent the weekend watching movies recovering at home and moving as little as possible. Lots of friends stopped by to bring treats or movies and keep me company. I saw a specialist on Monday afternoon who gave me the good news -
no surgery necessary. The sprains will heal with the help of an air cast (big ugly gray boot) and the little bone that came off will just stay there. I will be in the cast for a few weeks which is a pain but the way I see it, could have been a lot worse. I attached a picture of my ugly feet to compare size. This is before the bruising has started setting in. Very ugly.

20 Weeks

We had our comprehensive ultrasound today where they do measurements and look for major organs. The Tech pointed out the arms, legs, face, kidneys, and bladder. We also got to see the heart beating and saw all 4 chambers doing what they should. Both the Tech and Doctor said everything looks good. She had us look away just in case we could spot the sex, but legs were closed so no big deal. I also felt the first kicking on the outside for the first time today. Just once though.

Baby Room

Slowly starting to collect items for the baby's room. Since we only have two bedrooms, it will be the other one - also known as the Freddy Free Room. Walls are already light yellow so that works well. We want to do animals and primary/bright colors. I posted some pictures of a few of the decorations we have so far. The kitty we found on our trip to Costa Rica and we just picked up the sock puppet at the Stockholm Inn restaurant in Rockford. If you see other decorations or bedding that is similar, let us know. I would like to get a painting from a local artist, Charles Houska. Saw his work years ago and decided then I would come back some day for a child's room. I plan to stop by his gallery soon. Check out his style: http://www.houska.com/

14 Weeks

Another visit to the doctor. Baby looks good. My doctor has a machine in his office so he does an Ultrasound at every visit. He also has the ability to use 4D. These pictures are typically not clear until the 20 and 30 week range but it is fun to see on the monitor. We saw the baby moving arms and legs. At one point, it looked like it kicked itself in the head. Pretty funny. Babies can't feel anything until at least 18 weeks so we figure that will stop soon. Baby's heart beat is 150 and the length is about 7.8 cm. I attached one of the 4D pictures.

12 Weeks

10 Weeks

At 10 weeks, we graduated to our regular doctor and got to see the baby wave. All was good at this visit. We sent this picture in a photo ornament to tell our family the good news.

Surprise!

We couldn't have been happier to learn we were pregnant. Our journey of infertility was probably the hardest challenge we have faced but nothing makes it more worth it than a positive test and a heart beat. Enjoy our pictures at 8 weeks.