A Busy Week

Hi everyone. We hope ya’ll are enjoying the holiday season. Matt, Ziggy, and I had a busy week as we near the second trimester. I was wrong last week because I thought Week 13 marked the beginning of the second trimester, but it’s actually Week 14, which means we have just a few more days to go. I forgot that it’s calculated on a 40 week timetable vs. a 36 week timetable – I’m no math whiz .

Last week, we had our genetic counseling at the IU Med Center in Indy. We made our first “real” parental decision. We had to choose which screenings to have performed. The risk of getting a false positive on most of these tests was actually higher than the average risk and the genetic risk of Ziggy having any type of disorder. I had asked the genetic counselor if there were any advantages to Ziggy if we discovered any problems now rather than at the 20 week ultrasound. He replied that there was no advantage whatsoever, and any positive result would be reexamined at the 20 week ultrasound. So, Matt and I discussed it, and we decided that it would be best to wait for the 20 week ultrasound rather than have me worry about results, etc. The genetic counselor was great, but he did begin to annoy me toward the latter part of our meeting. He kept reminding me that any risk went up at age 35, but he wanted me to know that since I was close to that age and “getting older” (his words, not mine) that I could essentially have those same risks. It’s just odd to hear someone say that I’m older – over and over and over again . Regardless, the risks are all pretty much fewer than 2%, so we are really hoping those odds hold. We did schedule that 20 week Level II Ultrasound – it’s Jan. 23rd. We also decided to have a screening for cystic fibrosis. Matt and I would both have to be carriers for Ziggy to be at risk, but again, odds are on our side. This is a simple blood test, and the results should be in soon.

On Sunday, I had some bad cramping and a few other issues, but all is well. I was a little unnerved, but Matt was his usual laid back and relaxed self. We had our monthly check up with Dr. Trippel on Monday, and she assured me that all was normal. She also told me that I might have these goofy symptoms for awhile since Ziggy was growing. She mandated a flu shot for me. I HATE shots. When I was little, the nurses would have to tell me elaborate stories and try to get me to look away just so they could give me my shot. I caught on to this fairly quickly, and the stories became more detailed until they eventually wore me down. I had told Matt this story, and he told me that they used a gun like contraption to administer the flu shot. So, for about 10 minutes, I am trying to find an escape route out of the exam room. I have never had a flu shot and didn’t know any better but to believe Matt. So, when the nurse came in, my face was red and I was sweating. She asked about my allergies, and I was tempted to lie so I would not have to have the shot. I didn’t lie, and as it turns out, it’s just a regular needle. I hardly felt it so I wrote the nurse’s name down so she can give me all my shots .

We saved the best part for last. We heard Ziggy’s heartbeat on Monday. It was very cool and very reassuring. Dr. Trippell said the heartbeat was strong and at a perfect pace. Dr. Trippell is a no nonsense type woman, so there was really no time to ooh and ahh over that perfect heartbeat. She heard what she needed to hear and it was over in about five seconds. But, that was just long enough to be logged into our memories forever. I told Matt how cool it was, and Dr. Trippell (who has her own kids) told us that it would be the coolest sound we hear until we hear Ziggy’s cry. I am sure this is true – until Ziggy won’t stop crying .

So, all in all, a good week and a half. We’re ready for Week 14 and that second trimester. The risk of any problems carrying Ziggy dramatically decrease then, and it also brings us one week closer to the 20 week ultrasound where we also learn the gender. We’ll continue to keep you posted. Thanks again for everything! Take care!

Moving Right Along

Hi again everyone. I am sorry it's been awhile since our last update.

Today marks the middle of Week 12 meaning we're just about through the first trimester. This is great news, as usually this means the morning sickness becomes much better. Unfortunately, I'm still pretty tired. The end of the first trimester also means that Ziggy has passed a bit of a milestone as things are less likely to go wrong now. I have been real superstitious and didn't want to jinx anything, but I finally fought the superstition and purchased a little outfit for Ziggy. It's a Halloween outfit that was on sale and I snagged it for $5. I thought Ziggy could wear it next Halloween. I also purchased a pair of black shorts - for $1. They were 12 months, but that's okay. Ziggy will grow into them eventually.

Ziggy is a very lucky little one already. We have received so many wonderful cards and emails and many presents. Great Aunt Jill sent Ziggy a mobile for the car - it's very cool. Honorary Aunt Vicki sent Ziggy some Baylor socks. Another honorary Aunt - Jen - gave Ziggy some toy keys and a cute picture frame. Aunt Molly and Uncle Tony gave Ziggy a teddy bear and Grandma Nancy already has several presents for Ziggy that we will open at Christmas. Grandma and Grandpa Miloch also brought Ziggy a sippy cup and t-shirt from their trip to the West Coast. Ziggy is a very lucky little one to have such love and support, as are we.

We signed up for regular emails from one of the baby sites, and each week, we get an update on Ziggy's growth. This week, Ziggy is about two inches long, and about the size of a lime. Also, according to the email, if I or Matt poke my stomach - Ziggy will squirm. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to feel it yet.

A few weeks ago, Matt and I were in Chicago for our nephew Brady's christening. While we were there, we found this cool little book entitled "The New Parents' Book of Firsts: The Seemingly Insignificant but Truly Astounding Accomplishments of Mom and Dad." It's a cool but sarcastic book, and I'm sure it will become all too familiar soon. We are to record the date and time we reached each "accomplishment." It includes excerpts such as “the first time Mom or Dad read Good Night Moon and thought – Jeez, I could have written this” and “the first time dad realized that he’s never experienced any more panicked and stressful minutes than the ones spent looking for the crying babies lost pacifier.” It’s funny, yet scary to us all at the same time.

Tomorrow, we travel to Indy for our genetic counseling and screening at the IU Med Center. I’m nervous, and Matt is his usual laid back self. On Monday, we have our second check up with Dr. Trippell so next week will be another full update.

Take care and thanks again for all your love and support.

Nine Weeks and Counting

Hi again everyone. First, let us just say that we have the best friends and family. All of you are so supportive. Thanks!

Today marks 9 weeks, and we have just a small update for you. Last week, despite the morning sickness, Ziggy and I began the prenatal swim class at the YMCA. The class is called the Pregnant Plunge. Dr. Trippell recommended this class to me in lieu of the weight training. I must say, she really hit the nail on the head with this class. I find the resistance of the water to be more challenging than the weights. It’s great, and I love being in the water. It’s so relaxing.

When I showed up to class, I saw one lady who looked so familiar. I couldn’t place her (which is unusual for me) so I asked her for her name. She replied “Beth” and then it hit me. She was my family doctor – Dr. Beth Florini. Dr. Florini is about 7 months along, and I must say that having her in my class is fantastic. I know that she can handle it if I pass out from exertion . Three other ladies are in the class with me, and they are much farther ahead of Ziggy. I like them all, and it’s really fun chatting with them.

Matt continues his quest to be named as husband/dad to be of the year. He relentlessly runs errands, cleans, cooks, does laundry, organizes, etc. It’s impressive, and so helpful.

That’s really all we have to report so far. We’ll keep you abreast of any developments. Thanks again for all your love and support!

A First Time for Everything

This is our first post, and we have lots to update you on. First, Matt thinks we need to explain the name of the blog. In high school, his football coach often referred to him as Buckethead. The nickname stuck and it’s followed Matt throughout his life. When Matt designed the blog, he named it The Chronicles of Baby Bucket to honor his nickname and to tie it into the blog that I keep (but haven’t updated in awhile) called The Tennis Chronicles of Kimberly.

We found out about four weeks ago that there would be a new addition to our family. After two positive home tests, we were still in disbelief. Then, we met with the Childbirth Educator at our doctor’s office and things became quite real for us in a hurry. I think it was her inquiry “Have you selected a pediatrician yet?” that hit home.

Yesterday, we had our first ultrasound. We were able to see Ziggy’s heartbeat. Ziggy (aka Baby Bucket) is a nickname we coined for the little one. It was really cool to see its heart beating. Ziggy is very tiny, but you could definitely see that heartbeat.

This morning, we met with the doctor. Dr. Trippell was great. She did her residency at the University of Texas Medical Center in San Antonio so I liked her immediately :-). Matt liked her too. She said everything is progressing as it should. She is, however, taking me off of weight training. I was a bit bummed about that, but we must defer to her expertise. The good news is that I can keep playing tennis and walking. I likely will also pick up swimming since I can’t do the weight training. I am looking forward to that.

Dr. Trippell confirmed our due date as June 12th. It will be an eventful summer! She also told us that we will have genetic counseling on Nov. 30th. This is pretty common in individuals that have a similar family history as Matt. Matt was born as a blue baby, meaning he had a little hole in his heart. Since this can sometimes be hereditary, Dr. Trippell wants us to have the genetic counseling and possibly and integrated screening. Because of Matt’s condition, we will also have a Level II Ultrasound at 20 weeks. So, the genetic counseling, screening, and ultrasound will be conducted at the IU Medical Center in Indianapolis. The IU Med Center has a fetal cardiac unit and the fetal cardiologists will examine Ziggy’s heart during the ultrasound. If the fetal cardiologists don’t like everything they see, they will mandate that Ziggy be born there in Indy instead of Bloomington just in case they need to perform any procedures. At the 20 week ultrasound, we will also find out Ziggy’s gender. This will be a long awaited discovery, as we are anxious to purchase things for Baby Bucket.

I have been hit with the morning sickness this week, and Dr. Trippell says it might get worse. I’m seriously hoping this isn’t the case. I think Matt shares this hope as he has been pulling double duty – running errands, cooking, retrieving popsicles for me, etc.

We’ll keep you posted throughout and provide you with regular updated. We hope all of you are well. Thanks for all your love and support. We’re so lucky to have it.

For Baby Bucket