Details of Pregnancy

Like I previously stated, I wish I did this throughout my pregnancy.  But since I am just getting started now, I'll have to sum up what I think are the most memorable parts of my first pregnancy. 

Finding Out The Sex
Right off the bat, we knew that we were not going to find out the sex of the baby.  I really don't think there is any reason why you "have to" know and I think part of the whole process is the mystery involved in not knowing if you are going to have a girl or a boy.  Now that I am 2 weeks from my due date, I am really happy we stuck to this decision.  The worst part of the waiting process was everyones stupid input.  I will probably scream if one more person says to me "Oh My God! I could never wait to find out the sex!  How are you ever going to be prepared?!" I think we did a great job at preparing for this baby and I would appreciate it everyone else kept there personal thoughts to themselves.  Anyway, I really have no gut instincts as to what the sex is.  There are some days I really think girl and others that I am convinced its a boy.  Even my friends and family have very varied opinions.  Mike recently came home and told me that he knows we will be having a boy.  He has no reason for thinking this, but he is convinced.  I guess we will find out soon! 

Names
Picking out a name was very very hard for us.  We have changed our minds several times.  Some of the possibilities were Riley or Kate for a girl and Christopher, Jackson, or Patrick for a boy.  I think we have finally decided on Charlotte Elizabeth and Ryan Joseph. 

Since we don't know the sex, the baby already has a list of nicknames: Baby Taynor, Tay Tay, Taynor Tots, Tiny T, Baby TT. 

Pregnancy Troubles
Overall my pregnancy went well.  I really can't complain after all of the stories I have heard from others.  One of the issues I did experience was low progesterone.  Early on, we had a little bit of worry that I was not producing enough progesterone to maintain the pregnancy, but I took additional pills everyday and it seems to have worked.  The progesterone pills did make me very sleepy and fatigued but nothing too bad.  I also discovered that I am a carrier for Cystic Fibrosis.  Mike had to get tested to make sure that he was not a carrier also.  Luckily his test came back negative, but it made us nervous for a few days.  Other than that, I did get morning sickness but not every day.  The worst part is the very bad gag reflex I have developed.  I can't brush my teeth without gagging.  Sometimes I start gagging uncontrollably from watching certain things on TV, certain smells, gross conversation, and even just from being hungry. 

Later in my pregnancy (after 28 weeks), I started feeling pretty crappy.  My blood pressure was low, iron was low, and blood sugars were low.  The doctor was not too worried, she just felt like my body was working extra hard to keep up with the pregnancy.  I also started getting Braxton Hicks pretty regularly.  They really are annoying!!  But because of this my doctor did decide to take me out of work a little bit earlier.  So I began my maternity leave at 34 weeks.  It must be working because I have been feeling pretty good and I have made it to 38 weeks with no labor. 

Food
I didn't really experience any crazy food cravings or aversions.  I would says early on in pregnancy I really wanted salty food.  One strange thing I started eating was brown rice with butter and salt (this is only really weird because normally I do not like rice).  Otherwise, no cravings...but if I am in the mood for something, I need to eat it ASAP. 

The only thing I really did not want to eat while pregnant was sweet potato french fries and fish.  Otherwise it just depended on the day. 

The Best Part
Pregnancy really did agree with me!  I love being pregnant (well maybe not 38 weeks pregnant, I am now really ready to meet my baby, but the rest of pregnancy).  One thing I enjoy is feeling like I am doing something really special.  I feel more important than I have ever felt in my life, because for the first time someone else really needs me.  Its also nice to have the extra pregnancy attention.  Friends, family, coworkers are always going out of their way to be helpful and supportive. 

Feeling the baby move is also pretty cool.  Its amazing to think that there is actually a human growing inside of me.  I can tell where the baby is positioned... normally I can tell where the little bum is and where the feet are.  Its pretty cool.  I can't wait to meet Baby T!!!!