Busy, busy, busy...

What a crazy few weeks it's been! Here's the latest scoop:
- Had our first appointment with the midwives last week and everything looks great. They are willing to take us on despite some of my extra medical complications, and Nick and I were SO happy to be able to stay with the midwives. We will see all four midwives at the practice, and then whoever is on-call the night I go into labor will be the one to deliver my baby. The midwife we met at this appointment was very nice, and spent a lot of time answering our questions and giving us information on what to expect in the coming weeks/months.
- I have officially gained 4lbs so far according to the scales at the OB/Midwife clinic. I've had some of my friends and family tell me that I have 'popped' a bit more in the last few weeks, and am now finally looking pregnant vs. just looking like the fatty from the buffet line. By the end of the day I have quite the mondo-gut. I know, I'm bringing sexy back.
- We got to hear Eggy's heartbeat for the first time at our appoinrment, which was awesome! It was going strong at 170bpm. The doctor had a little trouble initially getting a clear sound for the HB, because my pump kept giving the doppler feedback. Hot mic, hot mic...
- The midwife did a breast exam and said everything look good for breastfeeding, and did a pelvic exam and felt like there would be no obvious anatomical reasons we couldn't have a vaginal birth. Nick was horribly uncomfortable for said exams, and said he felt like our dog trying to not to look at a treat when given the "leave it" command. He wasn't sure where to look, so he stared at the blank wall. I told him that being that we're with child and all the gig is up that he's seen the goodies, but if you know Nick you know this did little to calm his nerves. Not sure what that boy's gonna do with himself during labor and delivery. He might need narcotics to get through it more than I do...
- Speaking of pain relief, the midwife is planning on having us visit with the anesthesiologist prior to going into labor, so we can discuss the options around an epidural with my leads. My intrathecal pain pump leads go up the same spinal cavity space where an epidural would be run, so it's important that we have someone comfortable with this extra complication when administering my epidural.

Overall obviously a great first appointment, and both Nick and I feel really confident about having the midwives for our pre/post-natal care! Our next visit will be in a month (at 16 weeks) where we will meet another midwife, and I will get my 1hr glucose test done (I'd rather stick my hand in a fire, but that's neither here nor there...)

We also got a chance to join a study that was being promoted at the doctor's office, and I just got an email letting me know that we had been accepted into the study. It's being run by CSU, and is studying the effects of DHA on brain development in-utero as well as in the first few months of life. DHA is already proven to enhance brain development in newborns, but this study is looking to find what dose is the most beneficial for babies. All we do to participate in the study is to take an additional supplement each day (it will either be DHA or a placebo...the great news, though, is that if we're already taking DHA or a prenatal supplement fortified with DHA (which I am) we don't have to discontinue this if we're in the research study), and get one additional vial of blood drawn at the 16 week appointment. After I give birth I will be asked to breastfeed for at least three months (which I was planning on doing anyway), and then at 3mos/6mos/9mos our baby will undergo cognitive testing at the labs at CSU (which I'm really excited about....I think that will be so interesting!) In return for our participation, we will receive free supplements, a nutrional coach who will collect a food diary from me and help me set a nutrional plan (along with follow-up during and after the pregnancy), a lactation consultant (breastfeeding coach) who will meet with us prior to the birth to help practice and get set-up for breastfeeding, and will also be available to us 24/7 for any questions or concerns once the baby is here, and we will also be given a free breast pump. Not bad, eh? I think the whole thing sounds great....There really isn't any risk (especially since I was already taking DHA), and I'm excited for all the perks that come with it. I also think the cognitive testing will be really interesting (though knowing Nick and me, we'll probably get uber-competitive about it and we'll end up trying to 'train' our 3-month-old infant in preperation for his/her test. I wonder if there are any "prep guides" for infant cognitive tests like they have for the SAT's? Hmmmm....)

I'm going today to get trigger point injections, which I'm really hoping is going to help some of the pain I've been having in my upper back and neck. What I really need to get done are my SI Joint injections ("hip injections"), but since it requires heavy sedation as well as moving xray for the procedure, it's just not worth the risk to get done while I'm pregnant. My hips have been KILLING me lately...I'm sleeping like crap because I can't get comfortable, it's hard to walk longer than a few blocks (especially by the end of the day), and it causes just this deep, constant ache into my hip joint, butt, and down my leg. Not pleasant. Really sucks knowing that I have at least 6 more months until I can do anything about it, too.... But it's all going to be worth it in the end, that's what I need to keep reminding myself!!!!

In other news, Nick and I went down to Durango this past weekend for my little brother's wedding. It was a nice wedding and fun to see my niece, Ireland. Nick and Ireland have this odd little connection - Ireland is very enamored with him, and has been since he sang her "Proud to be an American" over and over when she was a few months old. There's nothing better than seeing your husband be great with babies (especially when you're cooking one of those yourself!) He told me later that she was his favorite part of the trip... : )