Our Next Journey In Life

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Surprise! Dave and I are both very excited and nervous about our next journey in life as becoming new parents. The process has been a little nerve racking and emotional. Dave and I have been trying for a little while and we had no luck. We used different devices/methods to help assist us along the way. The next step was to see a doctor and they did some tests on me (Jen) and said all looked good and recommended for me to have a laparoscopy procedure done since they suspected that I had endometriosis. The chances of a woman getting pregnant off of this procedure is about 30%-40%. We were very hopefully that this procedure would work. 

It was only a matter of a few weeks later that I started to have a gut feeling we were pregnant even though we haven't taken a test.  The next week I decided to take a test to officially find out. I think I decided to put it off since after taking test after test and having it negative it starts to get to you and you start feeling pressure. We took one test at the beginning of the month and it was negative so could we really tell this soon? To my surprise after taking the first test the results popped up right away we were pregnant. I didn't believe the lines so I had to take another test that spelled it out to be sure. Well its official... we were! 

Now the fun part... telling Dave.
In the video you get to experience me telling Dave the exciting news (minus hearing us talk). I tried to plan everything out and hoped he would get the idea. I had to say the gift was from the neighbor since if I would have told him it was from me he probably would say to take it back (Mr. Frugal). Also, to clarify this video had to have music instead of hearing us talk due to the fact that Dave came home and turned on the Tigers game and wouldn't let me mute it, so that ruined my plan. Either way it will be fun to share with our family and friends how I told him and his reaction is completely what I would expect (up to him trying to high five me. He quickly turned that into a huge hug). 

After a few weeks of knowing things seemed to be going good besides the fact that my "morning" sickness was in full effect and really it wasn't just morning sickness it was more  morning, noon, and night. I kept thinking my sickness was a sign from God that all was ok. Around 6 1/2 weeks I started having some bleeding so I ended up calling the doctor and she had me come in for a visit. She said my cervix was closed and that things seemed good. She had me give blood to make sure my beta HCG levels were increasing and would follow up with me once she received the results. I received a call a few days later and they said all looked good. The bleeding still continued so of course I was still worried. I was training for a sprint triathlon and I was nervous to do any major working out and the doctor said to continue my training and just watch my heart rate. The following few weeks the bleeding still continued so I followed up with the doctor again and they had me come in for an emergency early ultrasound, blood test, and another visit. Dave and I were really nervous and we were preparing ourselves for the worst. We go into the ultrasound and the tech starts talking to us and than she says well there is your little nugget. It was so refreshing to see this little bean jumping around on the screen and to see good blood flow and a heartbeat at 156. Dave and I were so happy and shocked! Everything seemed to be progressing along well besides the bleeding and sickness. 

I had my original appointment with my doctor a few weeks after the ultrasound and they wanted to make sure I kept it. That appointment went good and she tried to get a heartbeat by the doppler but no luck. She wanted to wait another 2 weeks and had me come back in to meet another doctor and to get the heartbeat. I asked again if I should do my upcoming race and the doctor encouraged me to still do it and to just watch my heart-rate. I completed the race and really watched to make sure I wasn't overheating and paid close attention to what my body was telling me. I am so happy I still went through with it!

A few weeks after the race I had another appointment with my doctor and this one was to get the heartbeat. She looked and looked and even had to add more gel to my stomach. She started to mention that she might have to have us do an emergency ultrasound and almost 2 seconds after that we heard the magical sound the pitter patter of the baby's heart. It was one of the best sounds Dave and I have ever heard! What relief! Of course I started to tear up immediately and Dave was quite overwhelmed with happiness too! The doctor said we could start telling people but we decided to wait until our next appointment with our doctor on September 24, 2013 to hear the heartbeat one more time and to really start telling our family and friends! The only other concern the doctor had with that appointment is that I gain weight and not lose weight. She prescribed me special medication to help with my sickness and her goal for me when she sees me in 2 weeks is to gain 2 pounds! I never thought I would try to gain weight. I'm not taking the medicine and my sickness is starting to subside which makes me happy to feel normal again.

So overall, it has been an eventful first trimester and we are happy that it is done and over with! With most pregnant women they usually only have 1-2 visits with their doctor within the first trimester we had 5 which is not very common but so happy to say my pants are beginning to get tighter and I'm gaining a little weight! YAY!!!

I will be adding to this blog occasionally probably after each appointment and to keep family member and friends that might not see us as often updated on the progress! 

BTW...the word is slowly leaking out but we wanted to make sure we told our family and friends first before announcing it on facebook!

Thanks for sharing in this journey with us!
Love, 
Dave & Jen

Final post for awhile (I HOPE)

Antigua

This is my last post for awhile unless something fun, new or interesting comes along (which means this site will only be carrying good news as long as my husband doesn't think he can fly again). Dave had his 6 week check-up yesterday and the doctor told him he was HEALED and he can resume normal activities again. He will need to take it slowly and listen to what his body is telling him but we were happy and relieved with this news! I keep telling him he can hunt but not from trees. His uncle sent him a message that I feel states many of our thoughts and opinions...if God wanted you to be in trees he would have made you an owl! I thought that was well said and I couldn't agree more!

Dave back to normal and first week w/o brace

I want to thank everyone for all their prayers, time, help, thoughts, cards, gifts, food and well wishes during the hard time. THANK YOU!

One the other note just as one worry goes away many others are in need of special thoughts and prayers. If you have a few extra prayers please say them for the following:

1.) My grandpa - he went to the hospital last night since he couldn't grab anything with his hand and he thought he was having a stroke. We have found out today that it appears it wasn't a stroke or was detected so early that it didn't show up in the CAT scan. Also, they have discovered he has the flu. Our family is hoping it is only the flu and praying it doesn't get any worse and he has a fast recovery soon.

2.) My 4 month old niece is suppose to go in for her first surgery next week Tuesday. For her to have this surgery she has to be healthy (which means no runny nose or anything). I pray that she is healthy for her first surgery and to give her strength to heal and to give my sister and brother in law strength through all of this. I couldn't imagine it is ever easy seeing your little baby go in for surgery. Also I know it will be difficult on her and the parents at first as she goes through the healing process. The good thing is she has a great surgeon taking care of her.

3.) I know today is also a tough day for my brother-in-law and his family. Today his brother would have been 35 and he was taken away to soon from his wife, 2 kids and his family. I know today is a special day of remembering him but I know the pain is still very fresh and never gets easier through the years. We all know he is in a better place and no longer hurting but on days like today strength
and prayers are always appreciated.

4.)I saw a post from a friend on facebook who knows a family who's 2 younger girls have had a bad infection in their body due to E-coli. I do not know the family and have only read the post and every time it brings me to tears thinking of these poor girls and what the family is going through. Prayers for the girls and for their bodies to fight off this infection and for their family in which I can't imagine the pain and fear they are experiencing.

Thanks again for all the support and love,
Dave & Jen
(post written by Jen since we all know Dave wouldn't know how to operate a blog or even know what it is)
:)

The 6 week check up...

  Today Dave had his 6 week check up. He was very nervous leading up to his appointment since he had no idea what to expect. We arrived at the hospital around 10:30 to check in to schedule his x-rays. When Dave went into the room to have his x-rays they asked him to remove his neck brace and to move his head up and down and side to side. He was very nervous doing this since he has had no movement with his neck for the past 6 weeks. He also felt a little light headed and was pretty white while doing this because of his nerves. After that we had to go to his surgeon's office to have his appointment. The doctor came in and said Dave is healing well. He still has a broken neck but is very happy the progress that he has made. With that GREAT news he handed Dave a protocol to start weening him off of his neck brace. The 1st week he has to go 4 hours in the morning without a brace. The 2nd week he will go 4 hours in the afternoon without a brace. The 3rd week he will go 4 hours in the morning, 4 hours in the afternoon and 4 hours in the evening without the brace and the 4th week is no brace! He has been ok'd to go to Antigua! The doctor said no crazy rides or doing any rough activities and to take it easy for the time being. We asked the doctor about his chest spasms and he wasn't able to give us a definite answer. He reviewed the x-rays and said it could be possible he has a small hairline fracture and a bruised inside but would have a radiologist look at it to make sure he wasn't missing anything major. Overall, the visit went great and he has to go back in 6 week for more x-rays and another check up.

  After this appointment we came home and Dave decided to take his brace off for a few hours. You could tell that he was very nervous and apprehensive about doing this. When he first took his brace off I couldn't help but laugh that he looked like a bobble head. I took a picture but he won't let me post it (I will try and get a picture up soon). He kept the brace off for only an hour and he put it back on because it hurt to move his head. The doctor said the pain he will experience within the next few weeks will be more extreme.

  Thank you for all the prayers we couldn't be happier or more grateful with his outcome as of now.

Some good news

  Sorry for not posting any updates the past week and a half. Each day Dave is getting better. On Halloween he got out of the house for the first time and we went to his sister's house and we celebrated Halloween in style with our family. That weekend Dave had some buddies over to hunt and hang out. He/We have had so many generous gifts and visitors throughout this whole thing. Again we can't thank everyone enough. He received some amazing gifts: steaks, breads, salami, popcorn, meats, soups, cookies, plants, magazines, candies, cards and so much more. On top of that we have had some amazing cooked dinners by so many people. Needless to say we have been eating good and can't thank everyone enough for taking care of us/him.

  From about the end of October through early November Dave started having some weird feelings in his neck. He described it as cold water running down the back of his neck. It didn't hurt him but he said it was a weird feeling. The other issue he was experiencing was chest cramps and having a hard time breathing. This was bad for a few days which brought us to go to the doctors on Monday, November 5th.

  We went to the doctors and told the nurse what he was experiencing since the doctor was in surgery. She was concerned and said she will tell the doctor and if it is anything bad we will hear back from them. No phone call that day so that means either she forgot to tell him or he wasn't concerned. At that time they gave him a temporary handicap parking permit (which we aren't going to use) and they wanted Dave to push back when he goes back to work. Instead of him going back last week Wednesday he was told to go back on Monday, November 12.

  Today was Dave's first day back and he said it went great. This was his first day without taking any naps and he had to get up early. He is getting rides to and from work so that eases my concerns since I didn't want him to drive right away. He has been ok to drive but we are taking everything a day at a time.

  I will post on here when I can or when I feel is necessary. With some of the good improvements I felt it was important to post! With December 4th approaching quickly we are hoping for good news and hopefully the procedure worked and Dave will be able to start weening himself off his neck brace and we can still take our trip to Antigua at the end of December!

In case there are no more updates for awhile have a Happy Thanksgiving and treasure all the moments with your family and loved ones! Safe Travels!

What is going on in my crazy head...

Tuesday Oct 30-

What is going on in my crazy head...

  Crazy that this accident happen over a week. Time sure seems to fly (not sure if Dave thinks this right now). Having something happen like this really changes your thinking. You start to think about the past and how you wish you could change things that happen. Then you think about what is currently going on and all the decisions you have to make and you have the future and you wonder what REALLY the outcome will be and what would life be like without him. This is when it hits me on how lucky he was and how lucky we all are that he is still here. I've been good at masking my emotions in front of him since he has had a few "moments".  I try not to have him see me cry since this causes him to worry since he already feels bad about putting me in this spot and many other feelings I'm sure he has experienced. Usually it is the other way around and I have a ton of "crying moments" and he is usually "moment-less".  I've teared up once in front of him but all the other times I had a "moment" alone. I don't want him to feel I feel overwhelmed with doing everything.  I want him to keep focusing on getting better and not about me. Yes sometimes I feel more stressed and have no time and everything needs to be done at that moment but I think that is life and some how most things are done within the appropriate time. To sum it all up I hear a song on the radio and get teary-eyed since I feel so lucky to have him around to drive me crazy still. I can say lately all the little things make me feel so lucky and blessed. As I would tell everyone enjoy every day and every minute since we never know when it might be our last or someone we love lasts. Life is short and I have seen that all too much within my 29 years of life and something like this happening reminds me how precious and short life is and how happy I am to have him here with me. I know many people that would do anything for another moment with a loved one that was lost to soon (including myself), so seize the day and moment and try not to focus to much on the bad since even that will pass.

About Dave-
Yesterday was his first day with NO PAIN MEDS at all!!! Woot, woot! He is one strong dude and ready to get back to life. I made a call into his doctor's office to try and schedule a 2 week appt to find out if it ok for him to go back to work next week. We are still waiting for the call back so hopefully that will be good news! Dave has been grumpy this week since he was suppose to be hunting at his property all week and this is "suppose" to be the time of the rut and something called the running moon. Him and his family members have their theory and this was "suppose" to be the best week to hunt of the year. Last night he was watching outside the Bucks chase the Does and started pouting. He is very bummed he is not out there in the woods to test out this theory. I think it is mean to pick on these animals at a time they are "vulnerable" and doing what is in their nature.  So now he is just living his hunting life through his friends and family. Poor guy :( but I'm happy he is alive and will be able to hunt next year!

Happy Halloween Everyone and bundle up and stay warm since this thing called winter is creeping up on us fast! I'll do my best to get some pics of Dave with the kiddos so you can see just how good he is doing and how he is almost back to normal!

The past weekend

Friday October 26- A good start to the day. I talked to the nurse from Dave's neurologist office and she gave him the ok to be mobile, wean him off this drugs, to sleep on his side and to go to the Tigers game! I called to see if they had any handicap seating and there is none so Dave will not be going to the game. :( She was great and I talked to her for awhile and asked her many questions Dave and I had on what he could and could not do. He didn't take nearly as many naps during the day and he is only taking ibuprofen 800. Rose and Bryan stopped by on their way out of town with a good dinner so Dave has been eating good and we are thankful for all the food.

Saturday - Dave relaxed most of the day and hung out with Eric and Brian. They are having a guys weekend by watching football, Tiger's and hunting. With them being here that allowed me to get out and I went into GR to hang out with my nephew and we went to Boo at the Zoo. Sara and Matt also swung by at night so we had a nice little gathering at the house to watch Michigan and Tiger's lose. BOO :( Fun day but not for the teams we were rooting for.

Sunday - Brian and Eric hung out all day and did what they did the day before: hunting, watched more sports and relaxed. I had plans to go to Chicago for a jewelry & accessory show with Shawna so the guys really helped me out by being here. Dave can do a lot but he is still very limited on his range of motion so having someone around helps. I got home in time to watch the Tiger's battle it out to try and stay alive and unfortunately they lost so no game on Monday for me :( Good run Tiger's hopefully they are as much fun to watch next year.

Monday - I woke up motivated to clean and scrub the house after guy weekend and get things organized for this week. Today I realized we both were a little testy toward each other and I think Dave has had a few "moments". Nothing bad but poor me feeling. I feel bad that I have to remind him how luck he is. Rose, Dave's step mom, had a high school friend pass away Saturday night after falling from a tree stand around 8pm. We don't know if it was the same kind but that is the reason why I tell Dave I don't EVER want him in a climber and how he is lucky with the outcome he has been given! Connie & Jim came over at night since they just got back from their Key West trip!

Overall, Dave has been sleeping much better at night and each day he gets a little better!

Thursday, October 25

  It is crazy how each day he continues to get better and better. He is talking so much more, back to his feisty self and I think I am starting to drive him nuts! The first thing he did in the morning was shower. This was the first time from the accident. It went well and he is finally clean and smelling so much better! I know that is mean but sponge baths aren't the same. This was the first time I actually had to put new pads on his brace. I hate taking it off and putting it back on but each time I do it I get more comfortable but still it is nerve racking.

 He is moving around the house himself so I just have to make sure our little dog stays out of his way since Dave's big feet could run him over and I also have to make sure there isn't anything in his way to trip on. He has been spreading out his muscle relaxers to every 10 hours and we changed up his pain meds to ibuprofen 800 since he hates how loopy he feels from the other pain meds. He usually moves from the couch, to the chair, standing up and stretching his arms very carefully (nothing major).

  He loves/hates me waiting on him but I think he is slowly getting use to it. He still takes a lot of naps throughout the day but is pretty alert for the most part. His food intake is getting much better. He actually hasn't lost any weight probably for a few reasons: 1) we have been lucky that so many people have made us amazing meals (if I was cooking he might lose weight) 2) he hasn't had a bowel movement (I know TMI) but this is expected because of all the meds. I keep telling him prune juice and he said he rather be backed up than drink that stuff. On top of all the foods Terry and Michelle sent him a beautiful peace lily, The Barnes family (my sister Kait and Jon) sent him balloons in the hospital along with chocolate and a Sports Illustrated and he just received a nice green plant arrangement from his work. He does joke that he wonders if people think he died but I know that is his way of saying thanks and he is grateful for everything (by the way he has said thank you but everyone that has sent him things knows his personality and sarcasm).

  Last night he was pumped up for his football draft and he won the first round but said he will probably get screwed this round. Not sure what that means but I'm glad he is trying to get back to normal the best he can. We stacked the computer up on 3 large books so it was closer to eye level and he isn't bending anything. We also stayed up to watch the Tigers and Dave still thinks he knows all and should be the coach. He said Justin would pitch bad on Wednesday since he had a 5 day break instead of 4 and he also said the Tigers are awful on the west coast. Well it showed so lets hope for them to win the next 3 at home. We have tickets to game 5 but it is not looking like we will go so those will go up for sale probably real soon :(

I will post a picture of Dave soon so you don't keep thinking he is laid up in bed. He still looks rough but so much better than the pictures I posted the other day!

Thanks for following his journey and God is so good!

Love D&J