Achoo

Eight weeks into this pregnancy, I can already tell it's going to be so much more different than it was with Lauren! First of all, with Lauren coming immediately following a miscarriage, I freaked out until I could feel her move. And while I had my moments, I have pretty much been at ease with this pregnancy for a few weeks. I was anxious for the ultrasound last Thursday, but really thought I did well not freaking out too much that something was wrong. Since Thursday, I haven't even really thought about it - which is a relief. I didn't want to be super-paranoid this time around. Not saying I won't have my moments, but for now all is well.

The question I immediately got from people when they found out was, "how are you feeling?" Well, compared to my pregnancy with Lauren, GREAT! Yeah, I'm tired - working full-time, taking care of a 2-year old, and making a baby takes its toll. I think some of that is even starting to go away. Last night I stayed up until 9:30! (haha) I probably could've pushed it, but I didn't want to be exhausted today. Morning sickness? Nothing I can't handle. It comes and goes. Mainly, it's in the evenings but I think that is because I try and eat consistently throughout the day and it's harder when I get home...especially when I am trying to stop Lauren from snacking so that she'll actually eat dinner. I can't set a bad example for her. And it's no use trying to tell her it's because there's a baby in my belly...she's told her teachers at school that she also has a baby in her belly. She'd just use that as justification for snacking. :) Sour candy helps me A LOT, which I learned with my pregnancy with Lauren. So, here at work I keep a stash of sour Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, and Shocktarts. They do the trick, especially early in the morning before I've eaten and start feeling a little shaky.

With Lauren, I was able to wear scrubs at work and can't really pinpoint when I started "showing." I do know that I really popped during my Residency Week in Vermont - June 2007. I was about 5 months along then. With Achoo, yeah...I'm already wearing that expander thing. It's not that you can tell I'm pregnant unless you know me and know I'm pregnant, but I think that I'll definitely show within a month or two...definitely won't wait until 5 months. It's probably more noticeable since I *unfortunately* can't wear scrubs, but it's definitely there. I need to start taking weekly pictures to keep on my ipregnancy app :)

I had a dream right after we found out we were pregnant that I had twins. We made sure to double check at the ultrasound that there was just one baby - and the tech confirmed. I just read a story on thebump.com about a couple who had an ultrasound at 8 weeks and saw the heartbeat, everything was great. At their 12-week appointment, another ultrasound was done and it showed TWINS! And the couple went to Virginia Tech. HAHA. I told Troy this and he told me to stop reading. :) I don't think we are having twins, because I trust the ultrasound tech to catch something like that, but it amused me. Maybe then Troy could have two boys named Tyler and Nixon instead of Tyler Nixon...

January

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

I'm not the most spiritual person, but I do believe and pray. This prayer is one I love and repeat to myself often. I have it displayed in the house. I like being in control and being able to determine my own outcomes. Some situations in life, however, are impossible to control. When these situations arise and I find myself becoming anxious/nervous/scared because I can't control the situation, I turn to this prayer.

January, for me, could set a tone for the year. No matter what happens, I know this is going to be an awesome year because I'm blessed with a job, a supportive husband, and a beautiful daughter. This month, I am leaning on this prayer to help me to be at peace with situations that aren't in my control. Hope for the best, stay positive. This prayer is my mantra for the month.