Not just a flu bug...

Today we had our first visit with the Obstetrician. It was so exciting! We went in, filled out some forms, answered some questions on our family histories, and then moved onto the best part - the ultrasound! I was really looking forward to this part. Even though I have passed several pregnancy tests, including a blood test at my regular doctor, missed two periods, and have all the regular symptoms there still is a small nagging doubt that maybe I am just sick or something? Maybe this isn't real? Well, very shortly after the doctor got me set up on the machine, she announced that she saw a heartbeat! She could see a lima-bean shaped being there that was very much alive and healthy. She swung the screen around so I could see and sure enough, there it was! The heartbeat was faint, but we could just see it. And you can kind of make out a head and a body. I couldn't help crying. It was just so cool. One heartbeat, so no twins (thank God!). Everything looked to be where it was supposed to be from what we could tell. As soon as it was possible, Chris was there with the video camera trying to get as much recorded as he could so we could watch it again and again later. The doctor said that it is hard stuff for a video camera to make out. He will be home later, so we will see. If there is anything interesting, we will post it. Both of us were pretty moved by what we saw. It is real! The doctor confirmed my due date of July 16, so no changes there. She said that I am not allowed to do any more bike riding (doh!) or anything that gets my heart rate up above 140. Tough news since that is usually my goal when I work out - to get my heart rate above 140 and keep it there for at least 30 minutes. I will have to scale that back. They took several vials of blood and had me do the "wiz quiz" to check for anything out of the ordinary. I am done for a month! I go back again after Christmas. We went to Culver's afterwards for milkshakes to celebrate and look at our pictures. It may just look like a blob of goo to many of you, but I guess because we not only saw it, but saw it's little heart beating, it takes on much more meaning. We are so excited.

Big changes for the Wilkerson’s!

November of 2008 will go down as one to remember for us. We were so excited on November 4 when Barak Obama was elected (sorry republican family and friends!). We went to a watch party and a friend of ours house. Stayed out way too late celebrating. The next day I was super tired. All I wanted to do was come home after work, make something yummy to eat for dinner and watch a chick movie. I did those things, and as I was laying there watching my movie (Bridget Jones Edge of Reason) I just didn’t quite feel right. My imagination got going and I was wondering if I could be pregnant. Chris and I had decided after my birthday to start trying, so it was possible. My friend Mary as a joke had given me all of her old pregnancy tests on by birthday (she had just gotten pregnant and didn’t need them any more). I didn’t think it would happen that quickly, but just for peace of mind thought I would take one. Much to my shock, it came out positive!! I ran out of the bathroom, and told Chris that I think I may be pregnant, but maybe I am reading the thing wrong, could he come and look? He was playing x-box and immediately dropped the controller to come look. It certainly kinda looked positive to him. He was like “take another one!!” That one came out unclear (stupid lines…what the heck does a faint line mean?!). I was worried I was drinking so much water that I was messing up the tests, so we decided to try to sleep on it and try again in the morning. Of course, I woke up at 5am wired. I ran into the bathroom and sure enough the test came out clear. Positive. I am pregnant. I woke Chris up and told him. I had no idea it would happen so quickly!! It had been just shy of a month since we decided to try. I went to the doctor the next day and took the blood test which also came out positive!

I know some of you may be wondering. We have been on the fence about if we wanted to have kids or not for all 6 years we have been married. Turning 30 was a big deal for me, evaluating everything I have done so far in my life, and what I had not done and would regret never doing. Having a baby was certainly up there. My 20’s have been all about me. I want my 30’s to be about family. Chris and I are both settled comfortably in careers we enjoy. We are in a good spot financially. And…we just got a big new house!

We had a nail biter of a week after finding out about the baby waiting on this foreclosure house we have been trying to buy since July. Now with a baby coming, we HAVE to get this house! Almost exactly a week later, we got news that the banks involved had decided to take our offer, so problem solved! It is in a dynamite neighborhood that is perfect for raising a child. Parks and trails everywhere, great schools, tons of other families. Perfect. The one thing is that the house has been treated pretty poorly by the previous owners. When Chris and I made an offer on it last summer, it was with the intention that the two of us would restore it together. Now, I can’t be around paint chemicals, harsh cleaning chemicals (both of which this house needs desperately), and I am tired and sick and don’t have the energy to do it anyways. My family (especially my dad) have been super helpful with pitching in. We would not be as far along as we are now if it weren’t for their help!

Where we stand today: We have the old house on the market (http://www.benjaminday.com/Happiness). Chris is madly working on the new house trying to get it livable so that when we sell we can move (if not sooner). I am 7 weeks along. I am due July 16. I have my first OB visit on Monday to hopefully hear a heartbeat! I have been feeling fine, just very tired. The morning sickness is kicking in this week as well…ugh!! Keep checking the blog. We will be posting progress on everything as we go along!

New House on Adams Drive

30th Birthday Pictures

30 never looked so good!

This October I hit the big 3-0. I was feeling a little self conscious about this big birthday, so to help me get over it, Chris threw me a huge party to celebrate! About 55 people showed up. We had both kegs filled with my favorite beer, and we had planned to cater in Greek food from my favorite little place down the street. It is a little mom-and-pop-shop, owned by a Greek couple. We placed the order, and all seemed well, but when Chris went to pick up the food, there was a mix-up and they had nothing for us! In a pinch we ordered some Boriello Bros pizza. They totally came through for us and everyone loved it. I mean, what goes better with beer than pizza?! I drank a little too much, so the day after the party was a little rough, but overall it was a fantastic celebration and a great way to ring in a new decade!!