In the last 6 1/2 weeks...

Here is where you can catch up on the first weeks of our pregnancy. Melissa is very much into reading her "You Pregnancy Week by Week" she has learned many things she had not been aware of in the past. Lots of good information in that book (including Dad Tips) and she suggests reading it when you are expecting.

According to our OB/GYN, Dr. Jack Gibson, he calculates the due date and dates of pregnancy by beginning with the first day of your last period. That was October 29,2008. We know we did not conceive then, but nevertheless, we are still 6 1/2 weeks pregnant with a due date of August 6, 2009. We are assuming we conceived in the middle of November, as that is when Melissa was probably ovulating. We took our first pregnancy test the morning of Thanksgiving, as a result of Melissa wanting to know 100% if she could have wine with her family that day. Since the test turned up positive, she had to decline the wine offers from her sister. We took two more tests following that, and both again, were clearly positive.

Melissa called her doctor and set up our first appointment for December 8, 2008...which just so happened to be our 1 month anniversary! What a way to celebrate! There, he confirmed the pregnancy, did a pap and lots of blood work, and off we went to grin ear to ear with the official news.

These first weeks have been pretty typical, although Melissa has been facing some minor struggles and pains. Her appetite has been thrown off but she is not dealing with any morning sickness. Fish, eggs, yogurt, and sweets are all now unappealing to her. All of which are previous favorite foods. She suspects its either the aromas or texture of the food. Either way, something is off! At the very beginning of the pregnancy, Melissa had some cramping, which worried her, as that is a sign of a tubal pregnancy or miscarriage. Thankfully, those have stopped and the doctor has verified all is well. Another typical symptom; swollen, tender breasts has been Melissa's #1 annoyance.

Our next appointment is Wednesday, December 31st where we will witness our first sonogram at 9 weeks of pregnancy, with a follow-up on Monday, January 5th.