December 16, 2008 - Doctor's Appt

I'm 16 weeks and we had another doctor's appointment today but just to check my blood pressure and to hear the heartbeat again. The baby's heart beat is still strong and was beating anywhere from 150 to 153 to 158 beats per minute. As always, it was very exciting to hear it. Our next appointment is January 13th and we'll get to find out if it's a boy or girl. Yeah!!

Robin felt the baby kick for the first time

Unfortunately, I've been sick all week with Bronchitis, soar throat, stuffy nose, etc. Since I have bronchitis, coughing is horrendous so I'm up all night coughing instead of sleeping. This past night, I had several horrible coughing attacks and after one in particular I felt a flutter right where the baby is of 3 little baby kicks. Maybe I was delirious from not sleeping, but it was definitely a feeling I hadn't felt yet. I'm pretty sure it was the baby's way of saying "Alright Mommy, I've had enough of this coughing, it's time to stop." The coughing and no sleep made it worth it when I felt the baby for the first time!! I told Mike the next morning and we were both excited. I should start feeling the baby more consistently soon.

Sharing the news with the Byrne Family!

On Saturday, November 22nd, Mike and I left for Atlanta for 8 days to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family. And we were finally sharing the news with the entire family!! It's been killing us not telling them. Unfortunately, we didn't get any pictures of the event.

We told them by Mike showing a video of the ultrasound to his parents. He just said "Mom, Dad, you have to see this video." His mom kept asking "Is it? Is it? Is it?" and Mike finally said "Yes, we're having a baby!" We were then showered with congrats, hugs and kisses from the whole family. We shared our pictures and the video with everyone. They were thrilled with us and kept saying throughout the week how excited they were for us.

Our 7 year-old nephew, Ryan, later told me "You know that since you're having a baby, you won't be able to travel like you used to." I laughed and politely thanked him for rubbing it in! Ha!

We are so thrilled that the news is out and we can share this great journey with our family and friends. Mike and I are so lucky to have such wonderful and supportive families and friends. We can't wait for little Baby Byrne to meet all of you!!

November 18, 2008 - 12 week Ultrasound

Today was a big day! Not only was I finally 12 weeks, but we also got another ultrasound! In the morning, Mike and I headed to the doctor's office for an ultrasound and some test results. The doctor reviewed my blood tests and the ultrasound and told us we are having a healthy baby. We were thrilled with the news, but were more excited about seeing the baby. The baby was adorable.......it was hiccuping during the ultrasound. We also got to hear the heartbeat twice today - once during the ultrasound and then again when we went to my doctor's office. The heartbeat was 167 beats per minute, which was the same when I was 8 weeks. A nice strong heart for our little baby! Both Mike and I got choked up again seeing the baby and hearing the heartbeat. We can't help it, we're just so excited and still in disbelief!

Attached is a picture of our baby as well as a video from that ultrasound. In the video, you can see the heart beating and at the end when the baby jumps, it's actually a hiccup. So cute!!

Also, we found out that I was 2-4 days farther along than they thought, which was according to the crown-rump measurement from today's ultrasound. My doctor is keeping my due date at June 2nd, but said that on November 18th I was 12 weeks and 2 days along. Yeah!

At our next appointment (Dec 16th), we will get to hear the heartbeat again. I will be 16 weeks at that point. Moving right along!

Telling the Barrett Family our news!

We planned a dinner out with the entire family (minus Holly and Liam). When we got there, we had a couple of gifts. We gave Shannon a T-shirt that said "I'm going to be a Big Cousin." We also gave my parents a couple of University of Dayton coffee mugs that I had given to my grandparents on my mom's side back when I was in college. One said University of Dayton Grandma and the other said Grandpa. My grandmother recently gave them back to me and I was waiting to give them to my parents once we had a baby on the way. After opening the mugs and reading Shannon's T-shirt, I announced "I'm pregnant". Everyone was so excited and extremely happy......I think we saw some tears shed. Shannon was really excited about having a cousin.....and Terry and Gina will finally be an Uncle and Aunt for the first time.....and of course my parents were thrilled to have another grandchild. I've attached a few pictures from that evening. It was so fun telling everyone and seeing their reactions.

First Ultrasound - Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Today, Mike and I went to the doctor for my first ultrasound. I am 8 weeks and 1 day today. It was so exciting. As soon as we heard the heartbeat, a tear started rolling down my cheek. Mike said he got a little choked up too. The baby's heart beat was beating at 167 beats per minute. We also got to see several views of the baby. It was so wonderful to finally see Little Baby Byrne..........moving around, the heart beating, etc. We couldn't believe it. They gave us 2 pictures of the ultrasound. I haven't stopped looking at them all day.

After the ultrasound, we went to my doctor's office for the results. She confirmed that I'm due June 2, 2009 and said everything looks perfect. The heartbeat is perfect and everything else looks great. Nothing seems to be concerning at all. We were so thrilled about the results and couldn't have received better news. I stayed for some blood tests and a flu shot, then we both headed home with huge smiles on our faces!!

Now it's all about waiting.........my next appointment is November 18th!

Blood Tests, Results & Due Date

On September 25th, after 3 positive pregnancy tests, I called my doctor and she had me come in for some blood tests. Their offices were closed on Friday, Sept 26th so I had to wait until Monday, Sept 29th for the results. They were excellent. My progesterone was 27.3 and my beta count was 2232.

My doctor also told me that I was 4 weeks and 6 days pregnant on September 29th and that the baby is due June 2nd, 2009!

My doctor said that I could come in later that week for more blood tests to make sure that my numbers were continuing to increase. So I went back to the doctor's office on Thursday, October 2nd. I received my results on Friday, October 3rd. My doctor told me that my progesterone was 25.7, which is okay that it went down and my beta count was 41,900. Holy cow did that increase! Again, excellent numbers!

9/21/08 - The day we found out we're having a baby

At 6:45 am on September 21st, I took a pregnancy test and found out that I'm pregnant. I had to wake up Mike to tell him, which he looked at the test with one eye open, but we were both so excited no matter how early it was. We were getting up to go to the Bears game that day with some friends. Here is a picture of us at Soldier Field. I don't think we stopped smiling all day. Yeah, we're having a baby!! We have always wanted to be parents and are so glad that our time has finally come!