It's a ..... and the name is ..... !!!

Hola blog world!

I'm so behind on this exciting news, but we've been out of town. Sorry!!

Wednesday we had our ultrasound and after a long process with our apparently stubborn baby, we were able to discover that it's a GIRL!!! For the entire ultrasound, she had her legs crossed and was sitting indian style which did not give us a good view at all of her private parts! We finished the ultrasound and were so thankful to see that everything else looked perfect and healthy... but baby still was being very stubborn and would not uncross its legs!! Finally they did a vaginal ultrasound (because I was so insistent) and we were able to see that she was girl! We're very excited and I must say I am relieved that I will not have to rid my house and life of the abundance of pink that we have accumulated with Addisyn:)

When we were pregnant with Addisyn, we pretty much decided on a name as soon as we knew her gender. For me, once I know if it's a boy or girl that's when I really can picture this baby in our lives and I want to go ahead and give it a name and an identity! At the time of the ultrasound, we were not sure of a name. We had a few boys names that we kinda liked and a couple girls names that I liked (but Eric hated) and that was about it. I knew though that once I saw my baby on that screen.... the name would just come.

Is the suspense killing you yet?!?!?!

Here goes....

Her name is Makenzi Hope! (Maybe Makenzie!?! Still deciding on my favorite spelling)

I'll give you the story behind the name in another post. Right now I gotta make dinner:)

Update

So i'm in Myrtle Beach this week visiting my Grandparents with my mom, Patricia and Addisyn...Good times!

Thank you to all (three) of you who prayed for my endocrinology appointment! The doctor said while I was there that she felt like any abnormalities were related to the pregnancy and would correct themselves if they hadn't already. They drew blood while I was there and ran another panel of tests and I got a call Monday saying that "my thyroid was functioning completely normal." Thank you, Jesus:)

The sun WILL come out tomorrow!

I'm very excited to say i've been having many more good days lately!! I went back to the Dr. last thursday, and my blood pressure was 98/60! I've been able to drive again and just feel much more like myself. I have been instructed to drink a minimum of 96 oz of water a day to keep my BP up and to stay hydrated so i'm basically just chuggin away:)

Heartburn/acid reflux is of the devil, I have decided. It has tried to creep in as my new "joy-stealer" but so far we're not letting it get in too far. Protonix has helped and watching what/when I eat....as well as sleeping practically sitting up. I struggled with acid reflux some at this point in the pregnancy with Addisyn too. Doctors' say it is mainly because my stomach and esophagus are so "torn up" (my word choice, not theirs) after all the initial nausea and vomiting that it just needs some time to heal. Hopefully, it will heal up quickly and i'll be back to eating hot wings and chunks of garlic in no time.

Prayer Request: Thursday I have an appointment to see an endocrinologist about my thyroid. This is an appointment that has been set since right after my hospital stay due to some abnormal thyroid scans. I believe that we serve a big God who has everything in control and I KNOW in my heart that this is not going to be a big deal. I experienced some similar abnormalities with my first pregnancy and it all regulated back out on its own. I'm going to the appointment though to do the responsible thing and see this out to the end. I truly believe this is not going to amount to anything and I would appreciate it if you (anyone who may see this this week) would pray and believe for that as well.

On a happier note, June 22nd we find out if Baby Numero Dos is a boy or girl! I'll have to post a vote thing so all 3 of you who read this (basically my mom) can vote on if you think it's a boy or girl:)

On a silly pregnancy note, I think my sister got totally grossed out by me yesterday...and probably rightfully so. Patricia and I split a sub from Jersey Mike's...and yes, I know deli meat is very controversial, but I HAD BEEN WANTING THAT SUB FOR A WEEK! It was amazing. And you know what my favorite part was!?!? The mayonnaise! I told Patricia "This sandwich makes me just want to scoop a tub of mayonnaise into my mouth!" She rolled her eyes at me;)

*UPDATE* I chowed on my mom's chicken salad tonight. I'm TOTALLY on a mayonnaise kick;)

Today

Today was a good day. Really good.

I've felt about as normal as I think is possible and my husband actually convinced me to go to the pool this afternoon! I loved watching my favorite guy and my favorite lil girl splash around! It did my soul good....

Thank you, Jesus, for Your encouragement.

Random Thoughts

So this past week was rough. One of the worst weeks i've had in a while. I gave tidbits of info in my previous post and lets just say to sum it all up I threw up almost constantly from about 3:30-8:30 on Friday evening. By the end of the night, I felt like I had been mugged and beaten with a baseball bat (or at least what I imagine that would feel like). All in all...glad the week is over.

My mom has been such a help and encouragement throughout this pregnancy. She has been with me almost constantly during the days, helping out with Addisyn or being my chauffeur (especially recently since I can't drive with my low blood pressure). She is there to listen when i'm discouraged and she always has an encouraging word. Friday she sent me this text that meant so much to me: "Hang in there. Survive another day. Check this day off and tomorrow you'll conquer tomorrow." She is so good about keeping things in perspective. Love you, Mom.

Let me also say that my husband, Eric, has been absolutely AMAZING throughout this first trimester. He is my rock..I can't imagine doing this with anyone else. He comes home from work, figures out dinner for me and Addisyn, puts her to bed, cleans up the house, does the laundry, tucks me into bed, brings me a glass of water, or my meds, or a hot pack for my neck or anything else I may need, then he takes care of the dogs and falls into bed around 10 pm. And he doesn't complain. Ever. As you can imagine...this doesn't exactly make for a blissful, honeymoon stage for us though. It's a lot of work for him. The other night I told him, "Eric when i'm feeling better (whenever that may be) we are going on a DATE!!! A real date! We're gonna celebrate my birthday (I turned 25 in April, but we did nothing because I puked all day), We're gonna celebrate our anniversary (We have to attend a family reunion on our anniversary in June), We're gonna celebrate that WE MADE IT THROUGH THIS! Save your money, honey!" .... I was thinking a day trip to Raleigh, complete with some shopping and maybe a gift for him at the Apple store;) He started looking at resorts in Cabo!! Apparently he thinks we deserve more than just a "date" once the first half of this pregnancy is over!! LOL! (P.S. We probably aren't doing anything that extravagant...however, we have talked about a family trip where we would be able to spend some quality time with Addisyn since she won't be our only child for too much longer. Sniffle Sniffle Tear).

On that note, one thing i've been praying this week is that after all this suffering, that we would know a joy we cannot even imagine when our 2nd child is born. That our little family would feel a completeness that we didn't know existed. That I would not be able to fathom our life without our TWO children. That it would just be right in a way that is exceedingly, abundantly above all I could ask or think. And I know it will be...

Trying to stay optimistic

Trying to stay optimistic is hard when it feels like things are going "one step forward, two steps back."

Sunday: Started having some bleeding/spotting. Wasn't really worried about it because it didn't come with any typical warning signs. Just one more thing to have to deal with.

Monday: Dropped Addisyn off at my parents house for 5 minutes to go pick up some food for myself. (This was one of probably 3 times I had been out by myself since finding out about the pregnancy)...and it didn't go well. Ended up blacking out at Moe's, then having to rush to the bathroom to puke my guts out, then stumbled out of the store looking like the scariest thing ever. My dad had to come pick me up, because I couldn't drive. All around most awful experience ever.

Tuesday: Still some bleeding and dizziness. Called the doctor just to check in and of course they want me to come right in. My mom has to take me since i'm still not driving. GOOD NEWS: Baby's heartbeat sounds good.... bleeding no source of concern right now, just take it easy. BAD NEWS: My blood pressure is 80/50 (very low) which is causing my fainting, dizziness.

Wednesday: SOOOO dizzy. Can't do anything. Almost faint when just trying to walk to the bathroom. My mom was here helping me all day. I felt sooo crappy.

Thursday: Decided to change up some medications in case that was what was making my blood pressure so low. Puked my guts up all morning. If it's not one thing that's going wrong, it's another.

That's all i've got for today...

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

I've been wanting to do a post about Hyperemesis Gravidarum for a while now. I will be honest, I had NEVER heard of "HG" before I was diagnosed with it. Since then, I have done a lot of research and am now an "advocate," I guess you could say, for Hyperemesis awareness. I have had moments where I felt like no one, not even the doctors, knew what I was going through, and I wished that someone had.

*Quick Disclaimer* During this 2nd pregnancy my Hyperemesis has been NOTHING LIKE some peoples is and NOTHING LIKE it was during my pregnancy with Addisyn. I had a few very rough weeks in the beginning, but I am blessed that God came through for me and I haven't been vomitting much at all recently.

What is Hyperemesis Gravidarum?

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. It is generally described as unrelenting, excessive pregnancy-related nausea and/or vomiting that prevents adequate intake of food and fluids. If severe and/or inadequately treated, it is typically associated with:

-loss of greater than 5% of pre-pregnancy body weight (usually over 10%)
-dehydration and production of ketones
-nutritional deficiencies
-metabolic imbalances
-difficulty with daily activities

HG usually extends beyond the first trimester and may resolve by 21 weeks; however, it can last the entire pregnancy in less than half of these women.

Treating HG is very challenging and early intervention is critical. HG is a multifaceted disease that should be approached with a broad view of possible etiologies and complications. When treating mothers with HG, preventing and correcting nutritional deficiencies is a high priority to promote a healthy outcome for mother and child.

Among those women suffering from Hyperemesis, 55% admit to feelings of depression during pregnancy and up to 40% will end up terminating the pregnancy.

The previous information was taken from an AWESOME website www.helpHER.org. I do want to clarify that the HER (Hyperemesis Education and Research) foundation does not in any way encourage abortion as a treatment or solution for hyperemesis, although unfortunately many women choose abortion as a last resort. This website has detailed information on the disease itself, treatment and diagnosis, as well as forums, and support for husbands and family members. Many times I have read through the forums and cried at the desperation and discouragement of these women...and the fact that I could so relate! I was right there with them! Here are a few quotes from the forums:

"This is awful, it's the first day I don't feel like vomiting everywhere and I'm so incredibly tired I can't move my body enough to get out of bed. I asked my husband if I was this tired with our first, because, truly I don't remember anything other than being sick and he said that I would sleep for days at a time if I wasn't vomiting. How can I forget something like that, where can I find the strength to enjoy my family?"

"First of all, I would like to apologize for constantly venting. It's just so hard for me and I am not handling this very well...
I am now 11weeks +3d and see no sign of relief. I am getting more and more scared this life might be my reality for months to come. I am wondering what helps you mentally? How do you handle these thoughts? I cry daily and am so depressed."

"I am just having a pity party for myself, I guess... I am almost 10 wks and it seems so impossible to get through another 30 wks of this! I cry constantly, in between dry heaves and being so dehydrated my tongue is glued to the roof of my mouth. I try cramming in fluids bc I'm scared to death of having to go back to the ER for more IVs, when I just got out 2 days ago from my latest visit! I am depressed, stressed, sicker than I have ever been in my life, and I already love this baby so much that I can't stand the thought of aborting, but there is no end in sight to this! I just want to scream (and usually do) but I'm even too weak to do that. I keep getting suggestions to "try Saltines" and "it'll be over in a couple weeks" and I just want to cry because I know it won't help. I still have my job luckily, but for how long I don't know. How do you guys make the weeks pass and not lose your mind?! I already feel like I'm going insane! I'm on Reglan, Prilosec, Zofran, B6, and just stopped taking Unisom- none of it is working very well!!!!!! That ridiculous combo of drugs downgraded my HG from severe to "moderate" (Whatever that means, it doesn't FEEL moderate), but I still get sick, just not 30-40 times a day."

"In my first pregnancy I was sick but I still wanted to keep the baby. This time the sickness is worse and I hate this baby. I feel like I want to terminate this pregnancy but my husband and mom keep telling me not to talk like that and you can handle this. I don't feel I can. I just came out of hospital yesterday after having been rehydrated but this all feels too hard. How will I ever love a baby that I hate and resent so much at the moment?"

I ask that if you have some free time "surfing the web" please visit this link, www.helpher.org, and read up about Hyperemesis. You never know when you may encounter someone who is currently battling or has battled this disease. Please read through the forums...I promise it will break your heart. Pray for these women! I know from experience the only answer when life seems this dark is Jesus.

When Addisyn was about a year old, I had the opportunity of being introduced to a woman who was going through her 2nd pregnancy with Hyperemesis. She was the only other person I had ever met that had HG. I remember talking with her and the tears were streaming down her face as I could just "relate" to what she was going through, because I had been there. There was weeping as we talked about the physical pain that comes with throwing up for days on end... tears as we talked about the depression... and understanding silence when we admitted to each other that at times a miscarriage would've seemed like the miracle we had prayed for. I haven't spoken to this woman since that day, but i've never had a conversation with anyone like it. It was our only conversation we have ever had...but there was a connection. We understood a facet of each other's worlds that no one else understood...

When I get around to it, I am going to donate to the Hyperemesis Education and Research foundation so that I can get one of these bracelets as a "souvenir"... Mommy Strong.