1st Trimester Recap

I wanted to post about our first trimester since I didn't really write anything about the beginning of the pregnancy. I want to be able to remember everything!

Since we've been married, Will and I have always been in disagreement of when we would have kids. If you asked me on our wedding day when we would have a baby, I would have said, "within the year." Will, on the other hand, would have said, "in about 5 years." Having children is something we have prayed about together since we've been married. We just prayed for God's timing and not our own. Sure, I had severe cases of Baby Fever several times throughout our marriage, but I always knew the timing wasn't right so I had a peace about it. Will and I were both still in college when we got married so that obviously was not a good time to start having children! Looking back, it's amazing to see how much God's hand was in the timing of us getting pregnant. I am so thankful for that. Will is graduating with his Master's degree from seminary in May and will (hopefully) have a full-time job soon after. There are still some unknowns, but we have 100% faith in God's plan for our lives and Baby Kassner! 

1st trimester timeline:

stopped taking birth control: December 2012

found out we were pregnant: February 1, 2013

told our families: February 9-10, 2013

announced to our small group: February 24, 2013

made our announcement "Facebook official": March 6, 2013 (also our 3 year anniversary)

2nd trimester: March 24, 2013

This picture really makes me laugh. This was on the day we found out we were pregnant...literally about 10 minutes after we found out. Will broke the news to Remi and this was his response.

"Say whaaaaa?"

We told Ginger and took a picture of her response too, but I think she was ignoring us. She's got a mean poker face.

This was taken on February 2, 2013 - the day after we found out we were preggo.

We've actually already had three ultrasounds. On my first doctor's appointment (February 6, 2013), the calculations showed that I was already about 8 weeks pregnant and due on September 20, 2013. The ultrasound, though, proved otherwise. By the measurements of the baby, I was actually only about 5-6 weeks. The doctor still had the due date set on what they originally thought and wouldn't change it until I came back in two weeks for a second ultrasound. 

I didn't get a picture of the first ultrasound because there really wasn't much to see. The photo below is of the second ultrasound (February 21, 2013). I was 7 weeks, 4 days here. Still hard to tell that is a baby! The heart rate was 140 bpm. (People have told me that 140 is on the lower end and usually means that the baby is a boy...hmm) The doctor changed our due date to October 6, 2013! We have always wanted an October baby so it's funny how that worked out. (Don't ask me why, October is just a good month!)

Our third ultrasound (March 14, 2013) was our most exciting doctor's appointment yet. The baby's heart rate was 149 bpm and he/she was moving all around! It was truly amazing to see! We also heard the heart beat at this appointment. I could listen to that tiny beating heart all day!

This is what I was reading at 10 weeks in What to Expect When You're Expecting. How about Yes, Yes, Yes anddd Yes?

On the topic of morning sickness, I will just say that I have been so blessed throughout this pregnancy. I always thought that whenever I got pregnant, I would be sick as a dog the entire time. (Partly because I've always heard stories from my Mom talking about how sick she was. Thanks, Mom.) So when 5 weeks passed and I hadn't thrown up...and then 6 weeks...then 7... I was in shock. Sure, I was nauseous all the time and craved sleep more than anything, but part of me thought that something was wrong because I wasn't throwing up! Trust me, I was so incredibly thankful that I hadn't, (and that wouldn't be because I'm the biggest baby when it comes to being sick either...) but it was mainly for one reason. Over the past two or three years, whenever I would throw up, I would faint. I know, it's weird. I don't know what triggered this little issue, but the doctor thought it might have something to do with my vagus nerve being stimulated while throwing up and that would cause me to faint?? (Hmm...maybe the onset was me marrying Will?! Just kidding!) At first I didn't really think anything of it...until I was house sitting by myself one weekend, got sick, fainted in the bathroom and hit my head pretty badly. I remember waking up confused, hurt, scared and by myself. 

Anyway, to make a long story even longer, I want to say how thankful I am that I have not thrown up at all during this pregnancy. Can you imagine fainting every time you threw up during morning sickness?! I know Will could take care of me while I was at home, but what about if I was at work and something happened? Or even worse, what if I was driving by myself? I know this is God protecting me and this little baby. It seems like such a small thing, but nothing is too small or too big for my God. I'm thankful for His provision in ALL areas of my life...especially every detail of this pregnancy.

To those of you bloggy friends who are struggling with becoming pregnant, I just want you to know that I think about you often and will continue praying. Though I can't say that I know exactly how you feel, I can say that I've had to deal with the issue of waiting and patience in the last few years over different areas of my life. It's. not. easy. The only thing that helped me get through is the daily reminder that God is faithful and His timing is perfect. He has far better plans for us than we could ever imagine!

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

    so are my ways higher than your ways

    and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:8-9

"For this child I have prayed and the Lord has answered my prayer."

1 Samuel 1:27