1st trimester: Week 4-13

Even though this was the most exciting news in our lives! Brian and I were sure we wanted to wait the usual 12 weeks at least before we told anybody. My family has a history of miscarriage so I just wanted to be sure. That didn't exactly work out because one day our friends, Kimber and Scott were here, and Kimber just guessed... I was only 6 weeks pregnant! A true sign of a BFF. I guess I wasn't exactly symptomless... but still!

Symptoms in first trimester:

1. Extreme tiredness and fatigue. HOLY COW. I couldn't get off the couch! I was sleepy all day every day even though I was sleeping 10 hours plus a nap most days. And i thought 12 hour work days were hard when I wasn't pregnant!
2. Nauseous. Some days it was all day long, some days I would get a break and barely any at all. Luckily I had no vomiting though! My diet was mostly saltines, ginger-ale, and toast.
3. Some mood swings :) I don't think Brian would exactly use the word "some" :)
4. No food aversions other than In 'N Out and McDonalds smelled much worse than usual. And weirdly I just don't feel like cereal. ever.
5. Food cravings: nothing too weird. Foods that I like, I like more, and foods I don't like, I liked even less. Currently eating lots of cheese, liking chocolate more than candy (this is weird for me!) and love love loving oranges. 
6. Weight gain: lost a few at first, then maybe gained 3-4 by the end? Hard to really know.
7. Acne: oh my gosh. The worst in my life! Worse than even the worst teenage years. Little red bumps everywhere. The worst..

Our first doctors appointment was at 9.5 weeks (Nov. 5th). I had so many questions, and wanted to hear our little blueberry's heartbeat earlier, but our doctor's office was firm with 9.5 weeks. The nurse asked us our whole medical history, the genetic testing we wanted, and the hospital we would like to deliver at. At this point I was overwhelmed and not even entirely sure I was even pregnant.  The nurse kept asking me, so when are you due? How far along are you? I was like.. uh I think that is why I am here. Finally Brian asked if we could hear a heart-beat or take a blood test to confirm I was even pregnant? Our doctor brought a little sonogram machine in and we saw a little heart-beat beating on the screen. Eeeee! So fun!

That night we decided it was time to tell my parents. I texted them multiple belly pictures, pregnancy test pictures, and my the cover of my book What to expect when your expecting. They face-timed us immediately and were so excited for us! Given my dad is 61 and my mom is 55, they think it is about time they became grandparents!

We planned to tell Brian's family at Thanksgiving during dinner. At dinner we waited until the thanksfuls portion of dinner. Then Brian said I am thankful for the baby in Jennica's stomach. He got a little shy and said it pretty quiet with his head down by the end. So his family really didn't believe us and kind of continued with dinner. Then I said, No I'm really 12.5 weeks along!

Then we called my siblings. Sadly we couldn't do it in person. Janeen's reaction was one of the best. :) I wasn't planning on taking a screen shot, but she held this surprised face for like 25 seconds, so I decided to capture the moment. It's been so nice to have everyone so excited and supportive!

By the end of the first trimester I could definitely feel my body start to change. My middle felt bloated, and my pants were barely zipping up. I ended up wearing my lulus' most days, or at least leaving my top button undone to my jeans. I also was googling absolutely everything. Can you use Pro-activ while pregnant? Can I eat pepperoni pizza while I'm pregnant? Bacon? Fish? Sandwich meat?  Cookie dough? Suddenly my whole diet and life felt like it was changing!  So many questions and I couldn't ask anyone because it was a secret! 1st trimester was tough I tell you! But oh so exciting!

Next thing to look forward to, was finding out gender!!  Chinese calendar says ...

We will soon see!!!!