Tomorrow is 8 Weeks!

...that's two whole months for all of you math smarties. I can't believe it! So so so so crazy, and so amazing. This pregnancy feels a little bit more real every day, and that makes me happier than I ever thought possible.

My last bump picture taken!

Doesn't mean it's been easy! If you read my last post, you know that I've been put through the ringer a bit. Last night I woke up with sharp chest pains in the middle of the night, similar to pains I had during my last pregnancy, and felt the lingering effects of them all morning. On advice from my doctor, I went to Urgent Care on my lunch break and had tests done to determine whether or not I had a blood clot in my lung--uhhhhhh WHAT. Thank God I did not, and it was simply "chest wall pressure." Not dangerous, just painful. After that little ordeal, I cruised on over to the clinic by my office for my first progesterone in oil shot (hormones to maintain the pregnancy). I am THRILLED to announce that...it just wasn't that bad! Everything you read on the internet compares it to a pain worse than childbirth, but honestly, I didn't even feel the needle for any of the full TWO MINUTES it was in my hip (that's the scariest part, really). The nurse told me that a few hours after the shot, it would feel like someone kicked me in the hip. But so far, zero pain to speak of really! I'm hoping I don't come to eat these words, but it just wasn't that bad...and I am SO relieved.

On to the fun stuff! My family and I spent a whole week in Charleston and had an absolutely amazing time. It was the perfect time for a vacation, and I was so glad for the togetherness. Here are a bunch of pictures because they are all so cute...

 At the beach!

 Dad and his new friend Denver

 The whole gang at lunch!

 All of the girls!

 My wonderful parents!

 Hangin' out...

 

Me and Clairebear

 Our "fancy dinner!"

...another really cool part about Charleston was that I was hardly sick at all, even though I was doing tons of walking! Baby has been really good to me in the morning sickness department, no complaints there! I am still sleepy, and a bit grouchy at times (sorry Tim), and have occasional mild cramping/discomfort, but all in all I feel pretty good. For now, knock on wood!

Our 3.5 hour walking tour! Made it through!

Now that the Benz siblings + Grandpa all know about baby, I can be a LITTLE less secretive...or at least I could for one week. We cannot WAIT to tell the Holewczynski siblings and the rest of the clan...along with our friends...just counting down the days!

And THIS Magnificat entry has been getting me through the rocky times! God is so good. He has showered us with unimaginable blessings, even though we don't deserve them, even though we fall time and time again... His love never ceases. We are so very blessed, all of us!

On to the good stuff!

How far along? 8 weeks tomorrow!
Clothing? Still fitting into my regular wardrobe, but a tiny bump is DEFINITELY visible!
Stretch marks? Nope!
Sleep? A lot of it, but never without waking up many many times.
Best moment of this week? Conquering my first progesterone shot! And knowing that I will see baby again in two days!
Worst moment of this week? Going into Urgent Care today...enough "emergencies" already!
Miss anything? Sleeping through the night...
Movement? Nothing yet, but I can definitely feel my stomach stretching out and getting ready for baby!
Symptoms? Chest wall pressure, erratic sleeping, slight cramping...excitement!!!
Food cravings? Candy, especially gummies! And cheese, always cheese.
Gender? I keep thinking girl, so does my acupuncturist...hmmm...
Labor Signs? Nope!
Belly button in or out? In!
Wedding rings on or off? On!
Mood? Occasionally grumpy, but otherwise STOKED!!!
Looking forward to? Seeing baby on Wednesday, and hopefully bringing home more pictures!!!

Love you all so much!

xoxoxox,

E