First Sonogram!!!

Our first sonogram was August 23rd and I was officially 12 weeks and 1 day along!  I was so nervous, but it was mostly because of the sequential screening that was going to require MORE blood to be taken.  Ryan and I waited forever it seemed like to even get called back by the nurse.  Then they called my name and we headed back and I was expecting the worst again; to lay down, get stuck with a needle and then pass out....but we went right in the room to have the sonogram.  I laid down on the examination bed and Ryan sat in the chair down towards my feet.  She showed me how to position my pants and then explain that if the baby was in good position she would start with what she needed to complete and then move on to show us and let us hear the heartbeat.  As soon as she put the device on my stomach Ryan said "Whoa!  It's right there!  You didn't have to find it???".  The technician continued to complete her task of measurements and photos, making the baby move all around.  Ryan kept saying "It's moving all around; can you feel that?  Can you feel that?  Or that?".  As I lay there I can't see a thing so it was driving me crazy!!!  I told him I couldn't feel anything.  The technician reminded us that it was only 2 inches long and I wouldn't feel anything for some time.  Ryan couldn't believe that it was only 2 inches because of how big it was on the screen.  Once she completed what she needed, she turned the screen so that I could see.  There it was, perfectly in position and I could see it's nose, arms and legs.  So adorable, but it still didn't feel real.  How do I know it wasn't some video being played on the screen????  And then she played the heart beat....and I cried!  We were amazed how fast it was beating.  She took a few pictures with one picture above it (like looking down on it) and it had one arm up with its little hand like it was waving at us!!!  Below I have posted our favorite one to share with everyone!!!  My friend Melissa gave me a gift bag full of presents when we found out we were pregnant and one gift was a frame for our first picture.  So this one we have next to the bed to see each morning and night!

As for other general updates....I've started to feel better last weekend and the last two days I have actually been hungry for dinner!!!  Yay!  There is hope for survival of this process.  Mornings are still horrible, but I start feeling better by lunch each day.  My appetite still isn't what it use to be, but one day I'm sure that will all change.  Until then, prenatal vitamins better do their job.  At my appointment they noted that I actually lost weight, so let's hope that changes soon to help this baby grow! 

Welcome to Baby Tolle!

Alright, so I have a little catching up to do.  I will try not to overwhelm everyone with the many details, but wanted to create a place for all the family to stay updated and connected!

It all started the week before the 4th of July weekend.....something was missing  :o)  Before heading off for our big week long trip to St. Thomas, we decided it best to take our first pregnancy test before going.  We knew it was early and I really didn't think it was going to be positive, but there it was....the faint pink line.  (Word to the wise, do not buy a bulk of non-digital tests thinking you would be taking so many it would be a waste to buy the more expensive option.)  So I stood there in the bathroom staring at the faint pink line waiting for it become clear and distinctive, but it didn't.  Did it mean what I thought it meant???  I wasn't sure, but in all previous ones there was no line at all.  Based on that, I decided to open the door and yell out to Ryan "It's positive"!!!  I knew it would happen, but I was in still in shock when it actually did happen.  Ryan was great!  He was calm, cool and collective.  With a big grin ear to ear, he was able to calm me down so we could celebrate.  Although early, we decided to tell our families before our trip to St. Thomas.  We knew with me not drinking on the trip our friends would immediately know something was up and didn't want our families to find out by a facebook posting  :o)  Sure enough, it wasn't even a day before Ryan Wood picked up on our secret in St. Thomas.  So I am sure glad we told everyone early.

The first two weeks after we found out were awesome!  I felt good and was motivated to eat well and exercise!  We were reading all our books and getting prepared.  Then the second to last day on our trip in St. Thomas it began...the morning sickness hit me.  I actually thought it was motion sickness from the car ride, but then it would randomly reappear.  At first it wasn't consistent and it wasn't at any particular time.  Right around the eighth week of pregnancy it became all day, every day sickness.  So why do they call it "morning" sickness again????

Our first prenatal doctor appointment was July 26th.  I was 8 weeks and 1 day along and they set my due date for March 6th!  We were glad the books prepared us for a non-eventful appointment.  Some regular tests, diagnostics and then they took all my blood!  OK, not all my blood, but for those of you who know me--I don't do needles well.  I didn't watch and was already laying down, but even Ryan said "I couldn't believe they took so much blood.  Like 4/5 vials".  We don't have any photos of the appointment, of course, but thinking back, we realized that the photos we took during our trip were probably our first "family" photos because just 1 week earlier we found out we were pregnant. So we posted some to enjoy from that trip.

(Important Date:  Due date is set for March 6th)