8 weeks

Two months down, 7 to go! The baby is the size of a kidney bean now and is constantly moving and shifting, although I can't feel it. Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from our baby's hands and feet, the eyelids practically cover the eyes, breathing tubes extend from the throat to the branches of developing lungs, and the "tail" is just about gone. In the brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. I get the feeling that I'm having a boy, but the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal the sex.

This past week has been pretty uneventful. The morning sickness seems to have gotten a bit better. I still feel queasy, but haven't vomited this week. The worst part has been the fatigue. I am so tired! I've been going to bed earlier, which has helped me in the mornings, but that 2 o'clock slump is a killer. I almost started crying at work the other day because I just wanted to go home and sleep! I had planned to go home for Arkalalah this weekend, but decided I'd stay home and rest. I'm not sure I could handle the crowds and excitement right now.

Joe has been great. He's excited about being a father and shows it by taking care of me. He basically let's me get my way on everything, and I admit that I'm taking advantage of it. The only thing that's he's really stood up to me about is names. I'm not sure that we'll ever agree on a name. We've decided to postpone further baby naming discussions until we find out the sex of the baby, which would limit our choices by about half, and make it easier. Feel free to recommend names, so long as you won't get your feelings hurt if we don't use them!

7 Weeks

I'm seven weeks along now and the baby is the size of a blueberry or raspberry, depending on which website you look at. Pictures of the baby at this stage really vary, and some look like something out of a horror movie, but I'll chose to believe that our baby looks like the one below.



It still amazes me that such a little thing can be wreaking such havoc on my body already. Fatigue and nausea have been my biggest enemies this week. That 2 o'clock slump seems extra rough with no chance of a caffeine perk, and bedtime keeps getting earlier and earlier. Morning sickness paired with the morning teeth brushing makes for a volatile event, and I've come to dread dental hygiene. I've considered forgoing it in the mornings, but I have a feeling my coworkers and interviewees wouldn't appreciate it. It's so disappointing to make it through to clean fresh teeth, only to vomit all over them!

The only other notable symptom this week is the craving for pizza and chocolate, particularly Totino's pizza rolls (which I haven't had in years) and peanut M&Ms. Funny how I crave such terrible food when my brain is telling me to eat healthy!

Overall, I know it could be worse, much worse. I'm envious of those women who say that they never had morning sickness and loved being pregnant, but I feel lucky that it's only been a little uncomfortable... and I hope it doesn't get worse.

We're Pregnant!

I was a few days late on Friday, October 1st, so I took a pregnancy test. It was negative, but I doubted the test. I just didn't feel normal. I went to Edmond for the weekend to celebrate Asher's first birthday. When I got back on Sunday, I still hadn't started... so I took another pregnancy test. Joe and I went to view the results together. The test had a positive sign, but one bar was very weak. I didn't feel those were conclusive results, so I went to Walgreen's and bought another test... a digital one. The results this time said PREGNANT. Joe and I flew through a series of emotions including shock, fear, excitement, and happiness. We're pregnant! I went to the doctor on October 8th and they confirmed the pregnancy and set my due date at June 10th, 2011. I'm currently 6 weeks along. My next appointment isn't until November 17th.

It amazes me that such a tiny little thing can already be changing my body. I have to pee all the time, I feel hungry most every second of the day, and I'll tear up at the sappiest of commercials. So far no real morning sickness, although brushing my teeth in the morning leads to a gagging fit occasionally followed by vomiting. Joy!

Joe and I are very excited to be parents. Our family and friends seem just as excited. I'm creating this blog to help them all keep abreast of the latest happenings with the Hackler family. I'll admit that I've copied the idea from my sister-in-law, Jessica, whose blog about my nephew has not only entertained, but helped me feel a part of things, even though we're hours away. Please take time to check our blog regularly and comment on posts. We feel so lucky to have you all in our lives!


Me,Kelly, Asher, and Mom the day before I found out my life would change forever!