My final pregnancy test was done on Wednesday (I did a total of 4) and my ultrasounds are scheduled for August 17th and August 31st.  I believe on the 17th I'll be able to find out how many babies are in my belly!  It's been really hard to keep quiet about my pregnancy; I want to shout it from the rooftop!!  I got a letter this weekend saying all my medications can be stopped on September 11th, which is PERFECT timing!!  That's the day we leave for the East Coast for a week at the beach with family and I thought I was going to have to bring all my meds, syringes, sharps container, etc.  I haven't cried in awhile from the injections, but Lee is running out of room.  I have so many knots in my hip/butt area!  Banjo has been my little supporter with the injections; I lay on the bed and he either sits down on front of me and I hold onto him or he lays down and I'll hug him while Lee sticks me.  It's so sweet how he can sense something is stressful and is there to comfort me.

I've been wanting to update my blog for a few days, but have been so tired!  I have zero energy lately and it's been a bit frustrating.  I want to crawl straight into bed when I get home at 6:30, but I have dinner to cook and dogs to entertain, so I don't have that option which is probably a good thing.  Lee's been working 12 hour days, 7 days a week for awhile, so dinners are up to me.  My in-laws have been great and have fed us a lot lately, which has been nice!  I've been told your energy comes back in your second trimester, so I'm trying to be patient.  I read recently it's crucial to keep up with exercise when pregnant for the baby's brain so I need to figure out a way to incorporate walks each day, which is about all the exercise I'm allowed now.  With the research I've done on pregnancy, I've realized I have so much to learn and I'm awaiting several books I ordered on pregnancy and the baby's first year.  I want to do everything right for that baby(s)!

Other than the tiredness (and constipation, which sucks, but I won't go into that!) I'm feeling really good!  Last Sunday, while sitting in church, one lady was asking for prayers for her vertigo and as she was talking I was trying to figure out why I felt like I had vertigo as well!  That night we ate dinner at Ken & Lynn's and I was dizzy again.  I googled dizziness and pregnancy and learned it is common and means your blood vessels are expanding.  Apparently it's a very common symptom according to friends, but I had never heard of it!  My father-in-law made ribs that night, which is my favorite thing he grills, but nausea hit me right before dinner and I didn't have much of an appetite.  Since Sunday I've only had very miniscule nausea that occurs only if I don't eat often, and mild dizziness. 

Anxiety has been probably the worst side effect for me, and I'm not sure if I worry more now or I'm just more aware of it.  When I feel myself getting stressed, I take slow deep breaths and I've noticed myself doing that a lot lately.  I know worrying only does harm and things are out of my control, but I can't help but worry often if the baby is still alive, doing well, getting enough nutrients, etc.  I don't want to rush time, but I can't wait for my first ultrasound to see it/them and know everything appears well.  I feel more comforted when I have cramping, nausea or dizziness; I feel like it's my body telling me "yes, Michelle, you're still pregnant!"

As many of you know, Lee's grandmother passed away on Tuesday.  She lived a very long life and has been ready to go for some time, but we all miss her.  Last Sunday, I passed by her room thinking she was asleep and her caregiver said "I think she's calling for you, is your name Sue?"  I went into her room and she was awake and smiling.  I told her hello and kissed her.  I said "I guess you've heard the news, we're pregnant!"  I'll never forget how much her face lit up then; she seemed so happy!  Her caregiver said "that's the first thing she told me when I got here yesterday."  I had to hold back tears!  I wish she would be here to meet our baby(s), but I am so happy she knew we were expecting before she passed away. 

Keep your prayers going for baby(s) Stewart!  My birthday is October 1st, which is one day short of the last day of my first trimester!  Last Friday was my 4 week pregnancy mark and my due date is April 9th.  I'm going to officially announce my pregnancy on my birthday!  I couldn't ask for a better gift this year!!!

Love,
Chelle