July 22, 2009 - 16 weeks

I’m sick. I got a horrible cold which is no fun when pregnant. And today was my AFP screening test. It’s a blood test that screens any abnormalities such as spina bifida, down syndrome, cleft lip, etc. The nurse let me hear the baby’s heartbeat which was pretty amazing. It was beating at 150 bpm. My blood pressure was a bit high but we think it was because I’ve been sick. My belly is getting bigger :)

July 7, 2009

I got a call from the doctor and the Nuchal Transparency test came back negative which is great news! A load of worry was lifted off our shoulders.

June 25th, 2009 - 12 week Ultrasound

We had our 12 week ultrasound and Nuchal Transparency test. I had to have a full bladder which was hard! I was told to drink 5 cups of water and hold it so I took it seriously. Needless to say, by the time we were seen, the ultrasound technician took one look and said my bladder was WAY too full. It filled the entire screen. I was so excited when she said I could go empty it. It was an amazing hour. Craig and I got to see the baby in it’s 12 week entirety. We saw the beating heart, the hands, legs, feet, profile, belly. It was adorable. At first she said the baby looked like it was treading water. It moved around a lot, flipping over and moving it’s arms up to it’s face. It was an incredible experience. The nurse measured the bridge of the nose and nuchal fold on the neck which apparently detects down syndrome. She said all looked great on the ultrasound, congratulated us and then we were sent to the nurse to do more tests. We saw the nurse and tried to hear a heartbeat but it was too early to hear. Then blood was taken for part 2 of the Nuchal test and the nurse said all my results so far have been great.

June 18th, 2009 – Announcing the news to the Wilder’s

We wanted to tell my family in person so we drove up to Tahoe for my Birthday and Father’s Day. The whole family was together and we couldn’t have thought of a better moment. We sat my Mom and Dad down to open Father’s Day and my Mom’s late Birthday presents. My Dad opened the same poem that we had Jerry open and he just stared at it for a while trying to figure it out. Kim and Wendy were sitting behind him and started jumping up and down and ran to hug Craig and I. Then everyone caught on and the family was elated with joy! My Mom opened a baby onesie that had a Grandma poem on it and my Dad opened a shirt that said “Grandpa to be again”.

June 13th - Breaking the news at my birthday party

Craig, being the wonderful husband he is, threw me a huge beach party at Dog Beach in Del Mar for my birthday. Most of our close friends and family gathered to celebrate and we thought, what better time to tell them all the great news than now? It was a sunny day and we had such a fun time playing games and socializing. When most of the guests were there Craig had everyone gather for a toast where he gave me a Happy Birthday cheers and broke the baby news. Everyone was so excited, it was a great day!

June 12th - Breaking the news to the Schwarz Family

Now that we’re nearly 12 weeks we’ve decided to start spreading the news.We had the Schwarz’s down to San Diego for a nice dinner at Ruth Chris Steakhouse and to celebrate Father’s Day and my birthday. We sat Jerry down with his Father’s day presents and had him open them. The first present was a shirt that said “Great Dad’s get promoted to Grandpa”. He didn’t catch on. He just said, well, one day and set it aside. Then he opened this framed poem:

"I do not have a face to see,

Or put inside a frame.

I do not have soft cheeks to kiss.I

don’t yet have a name.
You can’t yet hold my tiny hands,

Nor whisper in my ear.

It’s still too soon to sing a song,

Or cuddle me so near.
But all will change come January;

That’s when Mom say’s I’m due.

I am your new grandson or granddaughter;

And I can’t wait to meet you!
All I ask between now and then

Is your patience while I grow.

I promise I’ll be worth the wait;

Because of all the love we’ll know!
So what I have to give you now,

Is a wish to you from me.

I cannot wait to be a part

Of this wonderful family!"

And it hit him! He was so excited, as were Jan and Cristin. We celebrated at dinner after.

June 4, 2009 - Surprise!

We’ve decided we’re going to keep the sex of the baby a surprise. We figured it would be more fun that way. We already have the name picked out, we’ve had these names for years now. Sienna Schwarz if it’s a girl and Braydon Charles Schwarz if it’s a boy.

May 28, 2009 - 8 week Ultrasound

Craig and I had our first prenatal appointment. I had my very first ultrasound and it was surreal. We saw the babies little heart beating super fast. It looked like a little gummy bear. The doctor said it looked like everything was going well and the fact the heartbeat was so strong was a very positive sign. The reality to it all hit me hard and it was confirmed we were 8 weeks and 2 days pregnant. The baby is due January 5, 2010. We sat with the doctor and went over proper diet and the delivery process along with several questions we had. We left with the ultrasound pictures and an elated feeling of joy. We’re going to be parents!

May 11, 2009

I went to my doctor because even after 3 pregnancy tests told us I was pregnant we still didn’t believe it. ….Well, I guess it was meant to be. The doctor confirmed I’m 4 weeks pregnant. I text messaged Craig the Big News and he’s elated. We’re going to be parents!

May 10th, 2009 – Mother’s Day

It was a Sunday and my period was a week late. We were driving back from Orange County where we celebrated Mother’s Day with Craig’s family. I was exhausted all day but thought it was from all the cooking. I told Craig that it was the last day I was supposed to get my period and it never came and maybe I should take a pregnancy test to make sure we're not pregnant. When we got home I took 3 tests and they were all positive. So it’s official. I found out I was going to be a Mom on Mother’s Day. Craig and I are going to be parents! It was a surreal moment and something completely unexpected for the both us of but we couldn't be more excited!

April 9 - 12th, 2009 Napa

We spent a weekend in Napa for a dear friend's wedding; Rebecca and Brian Ginter. One of the best weekends Craig and I have ever had. We arrived on Thursday night at the Silverado Resort & Country Club and checked into our room. We spent all day Friday wine tasting, just the two of us and had the Rehearsal dinner on Friday night. Saturday we went to Calistoga for Mud Baths and the wedding was that night. Apparently this is the weekend the baby was conceived.