I heart my chiroprator!

For the last several weeks, I've been plagued with HORRIBLE headaches. Tylenol and caffeine wouldn't touch them. Laying down didn't really seem to help either. They had really just begun right as I entered my 2nd trimester in mid-March. So I did some research online (as I was getting desperate for some relief!) and low and behold, several articles recommended the use of a chiropractor for headache relief.
A little background: I've been seeing mine for about 18 months now, after I suffered a horrible pinched nerve in my back - which got so painful one day, that I couldn't breathe and had to call Drew home from work to get me into the car. At that point, my chiropractor had taken X-Rays and had told me how my 1st pregnancy with Matthew had really taken it's toll on my back, which was causing my problems. Ever since then, I've seen him regularly and my back pain has gotten alot better.
So, this past Monday, I was desperate to get rid of the headache from Sunday, so I called my chiropractor and Matthew and I made our way into his office on Monday afternoon. Once on the table, "Dr. Jim the Back Doctor" (as Matthew calls him) could immediately feel knots in my upper back, along with a lot of tightness going up through my neck. He cracked my back a few times, he cracked my neck a few more times... and WALLA! Just like that, my headache was gone. I wanted to frickin' hug the guy! I hadn't seen him since before my birthday a few weeks ago... which was also the week that Drew and I had had a "sleepover" in Matthew's new double bunk bed. That nights sleep (on a mattress that wasn't my own Euro-top mattress) was horrible and I suffered from a huge headache that entire next day. That must have been the culprit.
I'm so relieved to have not had a headache the last 2 days.... believe in the power of the "The Back Doctor"

Restored Faith

I feel like this post is going to be really cheesey... but it's honestly something I have been thinking about since Drew and I decided to start trying to concieve a baby.... and last night, as Drew was lying in bed with me, touching my belly he asked me, "So, do you like being pregnant?" I responded with "Yes, of course I do, and even more so now that I'm feeling a bit better and I'm not sick anymore... because that was really hard to feel so yucky." Then I moved on to describe to him what I'm about to describe to you all, in the best way that I can... I hope it makes sense.

This baby has really brought me some restored faith. Restored faith in what unconditional love is, and to WANT to create a life together because of that love. I can't even tell you how "cool" it is to me to have the baby that Drew and I created together growing inside of me. Drew and I have loved each other for such a long time. WAY longer than we have been together. The day I met him in October of 2000, I knew there was something about him that I just adored. And that "something" was not easy to shake... it stayed with me all through the last 10 years, and is still with me today. My husband is not perfect.... he gets on my nerves, and makes me angry (and I admittedly do the same to him, I'm sure). But above anything else, we love each other.... and we work hard to create a good life that we're both happy in.

Rewind 5 years ago... I found out I was prenant with Matthew, and I was no doubt, SO excited. I had always wanted to be a mother and at the time "thought" that Matthew's dad was the one I was supposed to create children with. Thought is the key word there. I really didn't believe it. We were not ready in our relationship to become parents. I was alone for alot of my pregnancy... I was not in the marriage I had hoped for, and it was disappointing. For so long, I felt that it was just Matthew and me... we were the team - which is partially why I adore him so much. The mother/son bond that we have helped me get through so much pain that I experienced. Those years where it was just him and me, created the unique bond that I will always have with him. He will always be my first "baby".

Fast forward 5 years, to now. Drew and I have a relationship that from the very beginning in those college dorm-days, has been built on friendship. What's better than to be married to a best friend? Don't get me wrong, we have the passion, and physical attraction... but first and foremost, we are friends... and now we are going to bring a life into this world that represents US. It's almost surreal to me! Whenever I feel a little kick or a flutter, I think to myself "This is OUR baby!" And it feels so right. And I believe in what it means to create a life out of unconditional love. It's another piece to my journey in finding restored faith... in what it is to have a good life.

So, for fun... here's us when were a mere 19 years old. Where this unconditional love started...

And the day we made the committment to keep that unconditional love going...

Goodbye nausea! Helllloooo appetite!

Yup, that's right.... the nausea is going away! I want to scream it from the roof tops! I do get small bouts of it from time to time (usually around bedtime) but I am feeling SO much better. However, as the nausea goes away, my appetite is in full force. I ate a ridiculous amount already today - and I know I'll be hungry again in a little while. I remember this from my pregnancy with Matthew - starting in the 2nd trimester. I couldn't fill myself up! On Saturday, my parents made this huge Irish feast.... I ate a ton... and then ate a delicious homeade chocolate cake that my sister brought....and seriously, I was not full when I was done. I kind of felt out of place as our guests talked about the food coma they were in, and I could've eaten more! Right before bedtime, everyone was talking about how full they still were, and all I could say was "Yeah, not me. I'm hungry again."
I am greatful that I'm starting to enjoy food again. I missed it terribly!

Oh, and did I mention that I think Drew is having those "Daddy pregnancy symptoms" right along with me? Last night, he was eating Oreos in bed at 10:30pm because he felt hungry (He usually NEVER eats past 8:30). He has also had backaches, headaches... among other things that I won't detail for you. :-) I call them sympathy pains....

I'm almost 14 and a half weeks now... Yesterday I recieved my first pregnancy comment from a complete stranger in Target. I was waiting in line to check out and a man in his mid-30's asked "if you don't mind me asking, how far along are you?" I looked up and smiled and said "Almost 4 months." He congratulated me and we both went about our business. Must have been the form fitting maternity shirt I was wearing.... but people are starting to notice the Baby Z BUMP! Woot!

28 years old!

28 years seems like a lot, doesn't it?
It sounds so much older than 27... and in 2 years, I'll be (gasp!) 30! In January when we got our positive pregnancy test, I did the math, and figured out that the week of my birthday would also be the week I jump to the second trimester. And I said to myself, and even wrote in my journal that all I wanted for my birthday was to get through the 1st trimester and have a healthy pregnancy. Thus far, my wish has come true, and for that I am SO thankful.
I'm spending the evening with my two favorite boys which is exacly what I wanted. Drew is grilling some bacon wrapped filets tonight (my meat adversions are slowly going away. I was able to happily cook and EAT pork chops last night - YAY!). Matthew and I are going to the store after he's done with school to pick out a birthday cake for Mommy. Matthew says that I should pick out cupcakes with basketballs on them... I was thinking green shamrocks, but we'll see. :-)
Every year on my birthday when I was growing up, my parents would cook this amazing Irish feast of corned beef, red potatoes, carrots, and cabbage (and usually topped off with ice cream cake from Dairy Queen), then a little bit of Bailey's for everyone too! They are coming down this weekend from Green Bay, and they are taking over my kitchen and cooking me my traditional birthday dinner as we celebrate together as a family. I'm really looking forward to it. I always really loved having my birthday on St. Patrick's Day - everyone is celebrating! So however you celebrate, enjoy your St. Patty's Day!

Cheers! ::clinks glass of water and pretends its some tasty green beer::

Destination Maternity

I must rave about my experience at Destination Maternity yesterday afternoon with Drew. We spent a good chunk of the afternoon at this fabulous store in Brookfield yesterday due to the fact that Drew wanted to buy me some new maternity clothes for my birthday. Taking Drew shopping is not something I look forward to... at all. I love my husband to death, but clothes shopping with him isn't something that we're "good at".
So we walk into the store and immedaitely the sales clerk asks me if I'd like some water or juice. I opted for the water. She then turns to Drew and says "and what about you, Dad, some water or juice?" With a huge grin on his face, Drew got the water too. So not only do they give beverages to soon-to-be-Mommies, they also know how important it may be to keep the Daddy's refreshed as well. (perhaps they know who will ultimately pull out the credit card?) We then proceeded to walk further into the store, and low and behold we find 4 leather chairs, parked in front of a flat screen TV turned to ESPN (They must know that on Selection Sunday, every man WANTS to be watching the NCAA's tournament matchups). With no hesitation, Drew gives me a kiss, sits himself in front of the TV (with his water and also a Men's Health magazine that the store also provided him with) and said "Have fun!" So, I'm thinking "SCORE! Drew is occupied while I wander about the hundreds of maternity clothes trying to find my perfect present. "
Every time a clerk saw me carrying something around, they immediately took it and put it in a dressing room, leaving me hands-free while I browsed. It was completely stress-free shopping! Even if Matthew had been there with us, they had a play area there with a TV turned to Nickelodeon.
As I tried on, Drew moved himself to be right outside my dressing room so he could give me his input - which was so helpful since I'm so indecisive when it comes to shopping for clothes for myself. By the end of the afternoon, we walked out with the most comfortable pair of maternity jeans (ever.), and a couple shirts.... Shopping day was a success! And honestly I owe alot of it to how wonderful Destination Maternity is and how they cater to growing families, and not just the growing Mommies. I'll definately be going back there in the near future for some more clothes.
Afterwards I got treated to a Sunday night dinner out at a really good restaurant where I ate BBQ ribs, mashed potatoes and turtle cheesecake.
My birthday week is off to a GREAT start....

A new journey has begun...

On a cold Friday morning in early January, I headed to the bathroom. A few minutes later, this is what we saw...

That's right! We did it! We've created a life - a new life that will be brought into this world sometime in mid-September (Right around Drew's birthday - perhaps he will share his birthday with his son/daughter?)

We are ecstatic, and I truly feel so blessed to be able to get pregnant so easily. The thing that worried me this time, was having an uneventful pregnancy. With having a miscarriage this past summer, there isn't a day that goes by where I don't worry. Every day since my positive pregnancy test, I pray. I pray to God and thank Him for the life that he has given me to grow. I pray that my little one is growing healthy and strong. And thus far, my prayers have been answered. I'm nearly 13 weeks along, and Baby Z (or "Jellybean" as Nanny has nicknamed him/her) has been growing perfectly - and just recently, I've felt tiny little baby kicks and jabs. I know it's super early, but I was reassured by my Doctor that a 2nd time mom, who is of a healthy weight can certainly feel her baby move right at the end of the 1st trimester. I remember those first kicks of Matthew's and this feels just like those - but I just can't believe how early on it is! Those feelings are very exciting, and also very reassuring too. i'm looking forward to those days when Drew and Matthew can feel the kicks too. I think it will certainly make it more "real" for them.

Below are some of Baby's first pictures from our earliest ultrasounds.

Baby at 6 weeks.

Baby at 8 weeks.

This past Tuesday, we had our 12 week appointment and we heard our baby's heartbeat for the first time. I seriously think that it is the most glorious sound, ever. Heartrate was in the 150's, which is, of course, perfect.

I have been pretty sick this pregnancy. The first trimester was filled with all-day-every-day nausea, gagging when brushing my teeth, lots of food aversions, exhaustion and constant hunger (but usually cannot think of anything I WANT to eat). All of this points to a healthy pregnancy, so that thought alone has helped me get through those tough days... because I know that it's all SO worth it in the end. I'm hoping as I hop onto that 2nd trimester wagon this week, I'll start feeling better.

So now that I've updated everyone and everyone is in "the know" I'll be blogging once or twice a week with pregnancy updates... and of course how we (Matthew, Drew and I) are all doing.
That's all for now...

Love from the growing Zimmerman family!

So I can blog again!

Now that our baby news is completely out, I can blog again! I was nervous to say anything (or even TRY to write about something else) until our entire family (and Drew's work) were told. I have a feeling that this blog will turn into a pregnancy blog, and then afterwards, a baby blog. I have been keeping a handwritten journal since we got our positive pregnancy test - but most of it just talks about how sick, tired and nauseous I have been feeling. Nothing too exciting, but hopefully within the next week or two, I will start getting past all the yuckiness, and be able to enjoy the growing belly! (and oh boy, is it starting to grow!) I will blog again in the next day or two...and will post all the ultrasound pics that we've had thus far. We have an appointment tomorrow, and hopefully we'll get to hear that beautfiul heart beating!